heart issues

May
15

Memory Verses :: Psalm 73:25-26

I want to do better about memorizing God's Word.  

It's important.  Maybe even essential.

But it's hard. 

It isn't just that it's challenging to memorize anything longer than the list of my kids' names (which I regularly forget)....it's hard to find the time and desire.

It's hard to want  to do something that's difficult and requires brain cells.  I have so few these days.

Then I go and read something like Psalm 119:11 "I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you."

I know my heart, my tendency toward sin.

I know how quickly I slip into self-pity and selfishness...and basically any other sin that involves the word "self."  

That's who I am. Sure, I cover it up, but it's the real me. 

So, I started putting a memory verse on my Daily To Do List that I print out each week. I'm also writing the verses onto index cards,  and I've started a memory verses Pinterest board to save all these verse images in one place. 

All those things help.

But I still have to decide if it's true....

Is it true that there is nothing I desire on earth besides God? 

In those moments when my heart feels broken and offended and alone, is God my strength?

Is the cross of Jesus my portion?  Is it the one thing that I cling to?  The only thing that satisfies me?

Is God...His Word...Jesus' death important to me?

How about you?  Do you memorize God's Word? 

Shared with Raising Homemakers.

One reply »
Apr
26

Building with Wisdom, Understanding, and Knowledge

DISCLAIMER 1: I am not a Bible scholar.
DISCLAIMER 2: The Bible scholars I looked up didn't have a lot to say about this passage.
DISCLAIMER 3: I really hate starting a post with disclaimers.

This little passage is one of my favorites from the book of Proverbs:

"By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established;
by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches." (Proverbs 24:3-4)

I tried to seek some insight into exactly what the writer of these verses had in mind when he penned them, but I didn't find a lot of guidance (See: Disclaimer 2, above). And, since I don't know a lick of Hebrew (See: Disclaimer 1, also above), I can't promise you that what I'm offering here is an exact exposition of the passage.

But instead of making a bunch of excuses (See: Disclaimer 3), I'm going to explain how I think these verses could be applied to homemaking, while praying that I stay in line with the greater truths of scripture. Serious praying going on over here!

I'm a house builder...a homemaker. 

As a homemaker, my main job consists of building our house. No, I'm not out doing carpentry (excuse me while I laugh myself silly at that thought), but I'm making a home for my family.

I'm constructing relationships and creating an environment that will, hopefully, be both strong and beautiful. Make no mistake, we are called to build, establish, and fill our homes; and God has graciously shown us the way to do those things well.

Reading these verses, there are three words that jump out at me: wisdom, understanding, knowledge. Now, like I said before, I don't know what they look like in the original language, but I do know that these words (at least the English words) are used a lot in the book of Proverbs.

And I know that all three of these qualities come from God. "For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding" (Proverbs 2:6). No Bible scholar needed there! True wisdom, understanding, and knowledge are from God.

"By wisdom a house is built..."

Foolishness comes from trusting in our own mind (Prov. 28:26), and wisdom comes from fearing God (Prov. 9:10). John MacArthur writes that "the fear of the Lord is a state of mind in which one's own attitudes, will, feelings, deeds, and goals are exchanged for God's."

Wisdom comes from knowing God enough that we view our world the way He does. It's found by sitting at the feet of Jesus and soaking up the Truths of His Word. Being wise means that our speech and actions are based on the teachings of scripture. Basically, "wisdom" is what keeps us from acting and talking like a fool.

"By understanding it is established..."

The word "understanding" seems to imply having an understanding of people and situations. Repeatedly in the book of Proverbs, we are shown how someone with understanding holds his (or her) temper and tongue (Prov. 11:12; 14:29; 17:27, to list a few). A person's wise response is based on a proper understanding of what's going on.

We are told that "a ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor" (Prov. 28:16). Oh, how many times have I been "cruel" by jumping to conclusions about my children and then dishing out discipline without understanding their hearts or actions? It's painful even to consider it.

From the opposite side of that spectrum, "On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found" (Prov. 10:13). That's what I want. Like the ideal woman we see in Proverbs 31, I want to understand those around me so that I will "open my mouth with wisdom" (Prov. 31:26), rather than being a fool because I haven't tried to relate to others.

"By knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches."

Just like with wisdom, the fear of the Lord is also the beginning of knowledge (Prov. 1:7). We should deeply desire the insight that comes from having a better knowledge of God (Prov. 9:10).

But, while our knowledge of the God and the Bible holds the greatest benefits, being more knowledgable about the tasks the Lord has given us will enable us to more skillfully serve others and live intentionally in all aspects of life.

As a homemaker, I'm continually on the lookout for new and better ways to do my job. I desperately desire for the rooms of my home to be filled with "precious and pleasant riches," both literally and spiritually, but I often feel like I'm in over my head. 

Quite frankly, although I try to share a lot of homemaking knowledge around here, I still have a lot to learn. And since "an intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge" (Prov. 18:15), I should never stop educating myself.

There's a whole lot of wisdom, understanding, and knowledge coming our way.

I'm really excited because next week, I'm going to get a first-rate homemaking education. For 6 days only, more than 75 widely-known bloggers and authors in the homemaking sphere have joined together to offer 97 of their most popular eBooks and eCourses, valued at just over $600, for the incredibly low price of $29.97.  That's an awful lot of knowledge!

This library of homemaking helps include topics such as mothering, organization and cleaning, recipes and kitchen helps, home education, spiritual growth for both moms and kids, home décor and DIY, pregnancy and baby care, frugal living, health and fitness, and even work-from-home and financial tools.

I really believe that we won't find a more comprehensive collection of homemaking resources anywhere on the web, and particularly not in this price range. Plus, to make it even better, they've also teamed up with 10 companies to bring us over $140 in bonus offers, giving us an affordable opportunity to get products we’ll use and love for only the cost of shipping, or in some cases, entirely for free!

Please note that this collection is only available from 9 a.m. EST on April 29th to 11:59 p.m. EST on May 4th, and there will be no late sales offered. I'll be sharing the long list of books and freebies on Monday, so be sure to stop back over for all of the important details (two of my favorites, Clean Enough and Getting it Together are part of the mix!).

As I'm growing in wisdom, understanding, and knowledge as a homemaker, I need all the help I can get. This bundle will give me more training than I can even imagine!

Note: Affiliate links have been used in this post.  Read my disclosure here.  

 

Leave a reply »
Apr
12

Intentional Attitudes :: A Heart for the Home

I'm a waste.

I'm wasting my brains...my talent...my personality...my education...my girl power...my time...my life.

It's all a big fat waste.

Right?

That's what people think, isn't it? That's how many people view my life and how I'm choosing to spend it. They think I'm wasting the best parts of myself by being a homemaker.

I'm throwing myself away for nothing. No ambition, no accomplishments, no money, no future, no nothing. I'm just spinning my wheels doing what would drive any woman with half a brain mad.

They don't understand. And what they do understand, they don't agree with. They just don't get me.

That's alright, because I probably don't get them either.

So, I guess we're even.

But what do I  think? That's what matters. 

I can talk all I want, but it's just empty words if my life doesn't reflect what I believe.

I can ramble on and on about their  attitude toward how I'm spending wasting my life, but God cares more about my  attitude.

I believe very strongly that making a home for my family is important. I really do believe it.

And I can climb up on my soapbox and preach about the important work I'm doing and the little lives I'm influencing, but at the end of the day, if I'm a picture of self-pity and a drip of constant complaints (even the back door complaints that only show up in my tone of voice), then I'm not living in obedience. I'm not following what I've been called to do.

I often fall into the trap of thinking that since I'm here scrubbing dirt out of baseball pants and making the tenth meal of the day, then I'm doing what God has called me to. I'm being a "homemaker", regardless of the thoughts and complaints swirling around in my head.

Hey, the kids are alive and the pantry is stocked, so I'm doing my job.

What a lie.

God doesn't just want my work. He wants my heart.

I can hire people to clean my house. I can send out my laundry, hire a nanny, and buy to-go food for dinner every single night.

Tempting.

But God has chosen me for this work, and He wants me to approach it with cheerfulness. He wants me to have a heart for the home.

He wants me to do more than cook, and clean, and wipe snotty noses (which is a good thing since two of my kids are teenagers...awkward).

He wants me to love my family. He wants me to love even when the people in my home are unlovely, unthoughtful, ungrateful.

He wants me to love through serving. He wants me to live out the gospel as I clean up the mess, forgive the mess-maker, and then clean up the same mess the next day. Again and again.

My attitudes speak louder than words.

My intentional attitudes toward homemaking should be a living example of the joy that can be found in doing even mundane tasks "heartily, as for the Lord" (Col. 3:23).

If I hope for my daughter to be a homemaker and a mama when she grows up, then I need to communicate to her that it is a worthy profession.  It is fulfilling and enjoyable. It truly is, but that's not what my attitude always portrays.

If I hope that my sons grow up to value the work that is done in the home and to make a way for their wives to nurture their children and provide a haven for them, then I don't want them to think they need to protect their spouse from the fate of their mother.

Like Edith Schaeffer in The Hidden Art of Homemaking (affiliate link), I need to see the beauty in the everyday work of managing a home.  I need to create beauty in the everyday living of our home.  I need to lift up my own view of homemaking to match God's view of homemaking.

Homemaking is kingdom-work. It's an art. It's a calling.  It's a blessing.

Next week, I'll be getting back to talking about the practical basics of homemaking.  Let's approach the tasks of running a household with intentional attitudes and competent skills. I hope you'll join me!  

Click to find links to all the posts in the 5 Days of Intentional Attitudes series. Then, hop on over to read what fifteen other bloggers have to say about Intentional Living.

2 replies »
Apr
11

Intentional Attitudes :: Prayer and the Word

My attitude...my mood...my emotions.

They are all connected and intertwined. I rarely know where one ends and the other begins. As one goes, so go the others. Up or down. For better or worse.

And there is one thing that affects them all:  My spiritual condition.

Spending time with God is both the prevention and the cure for sinful heart attitudes.

When I don't take a few moments each day for my quiet time, it puts my heart in danger. If I neglect my time with God for very many days, temptations come knocking and I start answering. I have plenty of proof of this fact.

Feeding my mind God's Word enables me to take every thought captive. The truths of the Bible replace the lies of my sinful heart. And as I read and meditate on the scriptures, I am better equipped to preach the gospel to myself.

But a few minutes in the morning aren't enough to combat the temptations that threaten throughout the day. Those moments are essential, yet they are just part of the defense.

I need to immerse  myself in God's Word. I need to do things like write passages from the Bible on index cards so I can have them in front of me all day long. I need to hide His Word in my heart so that I won't sin against Him (Psalm 119:11). I'm starting to memorize the verses I put on the top of my Daily To Do List, but it's work. It's worth it, but it's daily work.

And I need to pray. Continually.

Prayer is a game changer in my heart.

I've seen this worked out over the past couple of days.

I told you that I've been struggling with the thoughts and attitudes swirling around inside of me. To be honest, I'm helpless when it comes to battling temptation. I'm a weakling. I am completely  dependent upon the grace of God, whether I admit it or not.

When something doesn't go my way, or I become annoyed, or other people don't meet my expectations, immediately my mind starts criticizing and complaining. The only way to stop those thoughts in their tracks is through prayer.

When those thoughts creep in (there's been a lot of creeping lately), I consciously tell myself to stop. Then, I confess my sin and pray for a right heart. I thank God for the trial and the work He is doing through it.

The Bible commands us to pray and then promises peace when we obey.

The best way to battle against the negative attitudes that so easily become habit, is to not let them take hold in the first place.

The Bible says to "pray without ceasing" (1Thess. 5:17) and "in everything...let your requests be made known to God" (Phil. 4:6). God wants me to run to him in the midst of trials, but also in the ordinary, the busyness, the mundane. He calls me to be in conversation with Him "continually" and "in everything".

"Everything" means when my to to list is longer than my day, when others hurt my feelings, when my world feels like it's falling apart. It also includes while I'm folding the laundry, washing the endless supply of dirty dishes, and driving across town. "Everything" means everything.

And when we take our "everything" to the Lord in prayer, He has promised that "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7)

A prayerful heart results in intentional attitudes.

I am commanded to "continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving" (Col. 4:2). If I'm praying for others, I'm not likely to be thinking critical thoughts about them. It's pretty hard to do both at the same time. If I'm thanking God for the good He's working in a difficult situation, it's almost impossible to complain about the unfairness of it.

When I make prayer a priority and fill my mind with God's Word, He always works good in my heart. Always. He may not remove every obstacle from my path, but He faithfully draws me to the cross, which is exactly where I need to be.

Do you often pray or go to the Bible throughout the day?  Share your thoughts in the comments.

Click to find links to all the posts in the 5 Days of Intentional Attitudes series. Then, hop on over to read what fifteen other bloggers have to say about Intentional Living.

2 replies »
Apr
10

Intentional Attitudes :: Preach the Gospel

I was blessed with having Christian parents, and I was born in the church.

Well, I wasn't actually born in  the church.

I mean, we had hospitals for that sort of thing.

I was born into  the church.

I went home from the hospital on Mother's Day, and I'm pretty sure I was at church the following Sunday morning and every Sunday morning after that. And Sunday evenings and Wednesday evenings, too. For years.

I heard the message of the gospel from a very young age.

I heard the gospel preached.

I heard it talked about.

I heard it shared in Sunday school classes, and during youth Bible studies, and at revival meetings.

I am so thankful for the grace of God that let me hear of the mercy and forgiveness He offered to a hurting world by sending His perfect Son, Jesus, to suffer and die for our sins. A sacrifice in our place. A free gift that was unimaginably costly.

I feel like I've known what the gospel was my whole life. I knew that it was a way of salvation, a rescue for sinners, the good news.

I knew what the gospel was, but not what it meant. 

It wasn't until I was an adult that I learned the gospel isn't only for salvation. The message of the cross isn't just about one moment in time when I surrendered my life to Christ. The gospel is about surrendering my everyday life  to Christ.

It's about changing sinners' hearts, for sure, but it's also about changing my  heart in the everyday.

Preach the gospel to yourself. Daily.

Preaching the gospel to myself quiets the thoughts that aren't pleasing to God.

Remembering that I'm a sinner in need of grace helps me be merciful to other sinners around me.

Thinking about how Jesus laid down His  life on the cross encourages me to lay down my  life in my home. Jesus' work on the cross is the ultimate example of serving, and forgiving, and loving. 

As I meditate on the gospel, my pride is washed away, my words and actions become intentional, and my attitude toward the joys and trials of life changes.

The gospel changes me...yesterday, today, and for eternity. 

How has the gospel changed your everyday? Let's chat in the comments...

Click to find links to all the posts in the 5 Days of Intentional Attitudes series. Then, hop on over to read what fifteen other bloggers have to say about Intentional Living.

One reply »