Top Ten posts on Spiritual Encouragement {Looking back to 2014}

Today, to usher in the New Year, and as an "easy" post for me, whilst trying to have a  relaxing day, I thought I would share with you my Top Ten posts, on the theme of "Spiritual Encouragement", from 2014.  It has been an interesting exercise for me to look through the posts from this last year, and see which ones were most read.  There are some that I really poured heart and soul into, but were far less read. Then, there are ones which would not be my main desire to promote, yet they were more "popular"!

It is a reminder to me that it's not always what I think is most important that God uses to speak to others. In my spiritual walk, and what I desire to encourage others in, God knows best. It may be that the Lord directs me to write a post purely for the benefit of one.  It's a lesson I have learnt this year, to be honest.  I nearly stopped blogging, late in the year, you know. I was feeling a little discouraged, as some of my posts seemed to have very few reading, and virtually no-one was commenting. I am a person who loves to have interaction with others, and no comments, to me, seemed to imply that people did not want to read what I was writing.  The truth of the matter hit when I discussed it with some blogging friends. They asked me to think about WHY I was blogging. I blog to share with others what the Lord teaches me, and what He lays on my heart. Obviously, there are also some posts about things I do, and things dear to me, such as home education, crochet and curriculum. The main emphasis, though, is to try and encourage spiritually.  Even if ONE person read and was encouraged, it fulfilled my aim! The SAME DAY I was pondering this, several people sent me personal messages and commented, thanking me for the post I had written! The Lord truly confirmed, to my heart and mind, that I should keep on.  Success is not measured in numbers.

So, I carry on, and the Lord continues to bless and encourage ME with new people reading the blog,
and encourage me with their comments, both on the blog, and on Facebook.

Even if it's only an encouragement to one, that's worth it.  Totally.

So, onto the Top Ten.  (I have excluded the posts that were related to give-aways, because the stats re always skewed!)

10 - A Warning Against Spiritual OCD {Pouring Out Love}

9 - The Servant Mother {Getting Your  Ear Pierced}

8 - Engaging Boys {How to Prevent Unnecessary Discipline}

7 - Clear, Pure Water {Are you a Soda Drinking Christian?}

6 - Children Learn What they Hear {Yelling...}

5 - Having Your Cake {And Not Eating It...}

4 - Blogging Through the Alphabet {Quickened, Redeemed, Saved}

3 - Accepting our Cup {Word of Wisdom from a Meeting with Sally Clarkson}

2 - Day 4 - A Time for New Beginnings {5 Days of Spring Life-Lessons}

And, Number 1....

Birthday Blessings {God is Good}


I hope these are as much of a blessing this time round, as they were the first time - if not MORE!

I trust the Lord continues to help me to share with YOU, throughout 2015.

Raising our Ebenezer {trusting our faithful God}

It's the end of another year.

Another 12 months, flown past.

As I look back, there is SO much for which I am thankful for.  I can see so much goodness, from God's hand. So many blessings, that I couldn't begin to count them.  Family, friends, fellowship. Our daily needs, of food, clothing and shelter.

We were considering, on the Lord's day, of the Prophet Samuel interceding for the children of Israel, when they were threatened by the Philistines.  Samuel called out to God for them, and God rescued them, as He so often did.

After the Philistines were defeated, Samuel created a memorial, a stone - one would imagine it was big enough for all to see, and know what it was.  He raised an Ebenezer.  To some, that may sound strange.  Why name a stone Ebenezer? Isn't that the Dickensian man who is associated, in literary terms, as one so miserly and mean?

What does Ebenezer mean?

"Hitherto hath the Lord helped us"

They raised a memorial.  That stone was placed to remind them of one crucial thing.

Their help was from GOD alone.

Up to that point, they were there purely because of God's greatness, faithfulness, and kindness.

Nothing of themselves.

Nothing of their own strength.

Nothing of their own goodness.

God.

God ALONE.

It wasn't just about the trial they had recently passed through.

It wasn't even about everything they had been kept through BEFORE that.

It was so they would not forget, when the inevitable trials would come once again - because they DO keep coming - that God was still faithful.  God, who had helped them before, would do so again. God, whose faithfulness reaches to the clouds,  whose faithfulness is GREAT.

Like the Israelites of old, we, too, must raise an Ebenezer, whether it's a physical reminder of God's faithfulness, or simply that the daily rhythm of our heart beats out GOD IS FAITHFUL.

When those hard moments come, our heart's cry ought to be "Ebenezer".

When the sorrows roll like sea billows.

When the cares press down upon our soul.

When we deal with struggles and challenges that make us feel like we are drowning in difficulties.

When the daily details are overwhelming.

When we just feel that we can't go one step further.

That is when we need to look back, and remember

"Hitherto hath the Lord helped us"

He's helped before - He WILL help again.

As Hebrews teaches us, we need to hold fast to our profession of faith, without wavering. Why would we waver? Because we are tossed about on the sea of struggles.  Yet, we are told why we can hold fast, even in those times - HE IS FAITHFUL THAT PROMISED.

The words are so simple, yet the truth is profound. We trust God, because He is faithful.

As we gaze back, with memories both fond and hard, upon the year that is past, we can see how the Lord has helped us - time, and time again. He is, and always will be, faithful.  Along with Samuel, of old, we can raise our Ebenezer, knowing, that in the days to come - in joy or in sorrow - that God will ALWAYS help, and ever remain faithful.

I pray, as the new year dawns, we can all raise our Ebenezer, and go forward with expectation of blessing in the days to come.

"My soul doth magnify the Lord" {magnifying in the mysteries}

Mary, the mother of Jesus.

A title so known by those who know Christ, that we may hardly think of the deeper sense of this title.

Mary.

The mother of JESUS.

I was thinking about Mary, as I travelled last night.  I was bemoaning, internally, the horrible driving conditions - rain and spray, in a dark, road-works scattered motorway.

Yet, I was in the comfort of a minibus, surrounded by my children.

I got to thinking about Mary, travelling to Bethlehem, thousands of years ago. We think of her, often, on the donkey, of which there is actually no mention of in the Bible. Heavily pregnant, heading to the town in which her betrothed one was born.

Heavily pregnant.

Not married.

Going to get taxed.

Not three of the most ideal scenarios.

And yet...

She was living the life which God had planned for her.

God.

GOD!

HE had planned.

In His infinite wisdom, and according to His eternal purposes, He designed that a woman - sinful, ordinary, nothing saintly or divinely superior about her - would bear His son.  She would carry Him around within her body, feeling his every move and wiggle, just like any other mother with any other child.  Not only that, but she would do it with the shame and ignominy of a child borne out of wedlock.  She had an angel announce the mystifying news, of the child she would carry - no such privilege was extended to every other person she came across. Can you imagine seeing a woman, carrying a child under such circumstances, and her trying to explain it to you in terms of an angel's message from GOD? She would have been laughed to scorn.

Can you imagine how YOU would feel, given this news?

I would think it to be confusing, in the extreme.

And yet...

"Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word."

She accepted her lot in life - she took on board God's great plan, that would lead to the bearing of sin upon the body of the One she would carry - she humbly accepted the "cup" that she was given.  She knew God's plan, and accepted it.  No questions. No doubts. No arguments.

"Whatever you have planned, I humbly accept it to be perfect"

THAT'S how she took the news.

She had faith -  she believed that God's plan would be fulfilled in her.

After receiving the news, she rushed off to her cousin, Elizabeth, who was carrying her own gift from God. The words Mary speaks, in response to Elizabeth, are the words of worship that should come from our lips, no matter what God allows in our life.

It's often called "The Magnificat".

Why?

Because of the words that come from her lips, before any other.

"My soul doth magnify the Lord"

Her situation, humanly speaking, was a difficult one, yet she chose to magnify, praise, and glorify God, before anything else.  Lifting HIM high, above her circumstances, as the one who does "all things well".

How far from that the refrains of MY heart often are.  Trying situations do not automatically spring to magnifying God - rather, we so often jump to despair and doubt.  That is not the way God wants us to live! He wants us to see HIM in everything - His perfect, leading, guiding, and sustaining presence, no matter the circumstance.

She turns her focus away from the frailty of her own flesh, and the opinions and criticism of those around her, and onto the Lord God, and His blessings abundant.

"my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. 

For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. 

For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. 

And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. 

He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 

He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. 

He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. 

He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever."

Nothing of self - all of God.

That is how God wants us to live our lives.  We need to keep our focus upon Him.  Taking the circumstances which He has allowed, in His infinite wisdom, and bringing praise and glory to Him through it all.   Although God's ways seem mysterious, rejoicing.

Turning our back on the dissenters, and keeping our eyes firmly upon the one who  planned it all.

His glory.  Our good.

Mary's life didn't get EASIER, humanly speaking.  The bitter sorrow of seeing your son - GOD'S Son - nailed to a cruel cross, is unfathomable.  Yet her faith and trust carried on - she KNEW He was the Saviour.  She knew it was why she had carried Him, and cared for Him.  It was hard, but it was necessary.

Our life is filled with hard, but necessary, things.  God's perfect way is filled with things often NOT of our choosing.  They are mysterious to us, and past finding out, so, so often.

The underpinning principle is the same as that of Mary.

God's ways lead us closer to HIM.

Mary was as physically close to Jesus, as anyone could be.

She carried Him in her womb - she birthed him amongst the filth - she nourished and tenderly cared for Him, as a babe - she provided for His physical needs as He grew from babe, to child, to adult - she followed after Him right to the cross - she formed part of the early Church, as they met together to pray and learn.

Our trials should bring glory to God, and draw us close to His side.

Our soul, no matter how mysterious His ways, ever magnifying God.

Cake, craft and companionship {the blessing of making new friends}

Last night, I was incredibly blessed.

My lovely sister-in-law hosted an evening, which she called "Cake and Craft".

How to make many women happy - put those two things together in one sentence.

Cake.

Craft.

Ohhhhhh yeah.

I was instructed to bring some cake, and whatever craft I was working on.  So, I brought two cakes, and all the craft I am working on.

Needless to say, I was heavily laden.

I brought my faithful brownies (a bit undercooked, as I did a "lastminute.com"), and a THM inspired raspberry and almond slice.

Craft wise, I just chucked all my current projects in a bag.  That would be 4 involving yarn (not including my never ending blanket, which keeps ending up on the back burner), and one involving felt.  I had great aspirations to work on the project involving felt, but that didn't happen.

You see, the most precious part of the evening was not what we were to bring, but who brought it.  I had the wonderful opportunity to meet some of the other Mums from a home-ed group my SIL goes to, and whom I had never met before.

These ladies were all lovely.  All different situations.  All different groupings of children.  All different backgrounds.  All united in Christ.

THAT was the precious part.  Fellowship with others of "like precious faith".

Being able to share in our common interests, not least of all home schooling.  Talking about our children and families - the varying struggles and challenges we mutually shared.

That feeling and sense of not being alone in the journey.

It was such an edifying experience, and one I simply don't get the chance to do very often.

I am a VERY sociable person, and I find it hard to not have much contact with other adults, more especially women.

God created us to have companionship.  Firstly He made that perfect union of man and wife, united in marriage. From that flows family, then community, and friendships.  So much of that community amongst family, and Christians, is not the same as it was years ago.  It's not so immediate. It's not always right there, at "hands reach".  It's something that you often have to FIND.  And, like digging for treasure, in a deep, dark mine, it's worth finding.  Fellowship with other Mums is like the glistening of a diamond, dug out from the dark, grimy rock that it has been buried in. It shimmers and shines, from the darkness.

I'm not saying, for a moment, that my life is dark and dull.  I love my children.  I love my responsibilities.  But the craving for companionship can feel dark and lonely.  Finding the gem of fellowship brings beauty and encouragement.

Having spent such a blessed evening together, we want more.  It's our hope to meet together again, in order to be an ongoing help and encouragement to each other. To share experience - to lift each others spirits - to guide in spiritual matters - to laugh and bring joy.

I had thought that I didn't have much opportunity to meet with other Mums, because I don't know that many who could meet together like that.  How glad I am for a sister-in-law who thought of including me in her get together, and encouraging me in tat way.

It has made me realise that the things we need in life are not always immediately obvious.  We may have to look for them, or think of different ways to go about accomplishing things, than we originally envisioned.  It has made me realise that God answers prayers in HIS perfect timing.  The many years I have had with few opportunities to meet others were for a reason.  Those years have taught me much, and maybe now is the time to meet with others, so I can share what God has taught ME!?


I had heard Sally Clarkson talking about "Mom Heart Groups", where Mums got together to fellowship and encourage one another.  I had sighed deeply, and thought, "Wouldn't THAT be nice?"  Well, maybe, now there is  a way to HAVE that!?  A group of Mums, wanting to be the best they can be for their families, and seeking to be encouraged!  Sally's new book, "Own Your Life" points us to remember that God has given us the ability to live life fully, for Him.  It's up to us to make the best choices we can, and connecting with other people is a wonderful way in which live life fully.

I am praying that this New Year will bring the opportunity to have such a group, and share with others in our walk with God and I pray that the Lord will be able to use me to build up and encourage others, in their walk with God.

Teaching children life skills {investing time, to shape their future}

Our home has been filled with much activity recently.  Mummy busy, children busy, and Daddy busy.

My lovely husband is a highly skilled "jack of all trades"!

Well, I think so, anyway.

He is able to turn his hand to just about ANY practical job, which has saved us a LOT of money, over the years.  He amazes me, regularly, as to what he can do. From laying laminate floor in an evening, to fixing light fittings - building sheds, to making rope swings - fitting cabinets and work surface, to creating desks for the children's school room. I could go on, but I don't like to boast.....

I was pondering, as he was busy the other evening, on WHY he was able to do this.

The answer is two-fold.

Firstly, his Dad TAUGHT him.  I will be eternally grateful that my father-in-law is, himself, so skilled in many, many practical ways. Being a man who has worked on the land, in farming situations, he can turn his hand to just about anything.  Not just in a basic, "fluffing it" way - VERY well. He has then taken the time to teach his two sons the many things he can do, for which I know my sister-in-law is also thankful! As boys, growing up, they were expected to work on the nursery, too, so their Dad naturally taught them to do the things HE did. He knew that they may, one day, need to be able to do these things for themselves. HOW RIGHT HE WAS!!! To be fair, Robert no longer has need to walk on stilts or reverse a tractor and trailer through a tight space (yes, my husband can walk on stilts!), but who knows when it could be hand? The "around the house" skills, however, are invaluable.

Secondly, his Dad was happy for his children to watch him do things.  My sister-in-law, Anna, (Robert's sister), was telling me, the other day, that she can even do many things, or at least knows how to tell someone else to do them, because her Dad simply let her observe him as he worked. It's amazing what a child can pick up by watching something being done, time and time again.

As parents, we have a wonderful opportunity to pass on skills to our children.  We don't all, as parents, have the same skills, and that is fine! Your hubby may not be able to do the jobs mine can, and I know there are many things other people's hubbies can do, that mine CAN'T! Likewise, as a mother, there are things I can do, which others can't, and vice versa.

The WHAT doesn't matter.

DOING it, matters.

Taking the time to pass on skills to our children, to help them be prepared for jobs in the future.  Having the patience (yes, PATIENCE!) and willingness to bring them alongside us and showing them how to do things, like we do. From making custard from scratch (something my Mum did!), to showing them how to bake a cake.  Laundry jobs.  Hobbies.  Computer skills. Sewing a button on.  The list is endless!

Even just taking the time to teach basic skills like cleaning.  Showing them how a basic chore is done correctly, like tidying their room! They won't know if you don't teach them, and especially showing them by example!

Simply having your children with you whilst you do jobs will help them in the future.

God has shaped our own past, with all of our experiences and skills acquired. What our parents have invested in us, we should make sure and pass on to the next generation.

Maybe your parents DIDN'T teach you much? Perhaps you feel you don't have much to pass on? There are two possibilities! Firstly, that you have skills and talents you just haven't thought of! Maybe you can teach your children about being generous with their time and efforts, or how to show kindness and love.  Maybe you can teach them to be thoughtful.  Perhaps you can teach your sons how to show thoughtfulness and compassion to their future wives, and your daughters how to be supportive and submissive?

Secondly, you could LEARN things yourself! You could ask a friend to teach you how to do something you'd like to be able to do.  There are also loads of adult learning courses for many practical topics, which can save you lots of money in the long run.  Don't forget the Internet! If in doubt, find an instruction video on YouTube!

We have it within our power to massively help our children in future years, by teaching them NOW.  They are never too young to watch us while we work, and it can equally give wonderful opportunities for conversation, too.  Win-win! We are investing our time wisely, if we teach our children in practical life skills, every opportunity we can get.

Own Your Life {New Sally Clarkson book, coming SOON!}

As you may remember, I had the joy of finally meeting Sally Clarkson, in person, last month.  As someone whose books have challenged me, and encouraged me, I was super excited to find out that she had a new book coming out.  What she spoke to us about, that day in Oxford, was the essence of the content of the book.

I was invited to join the team, helping to launch Sally's book, so, TODAY, I can finally share with you a little about it.  How can I resist sharing what looks to be a wonderfully helpful book?

First off, watch what Sally says about, then I will tell you some more.




I SO love that teacup analogy.  It really helps to understand the principle which Sally seeks to expand in the book.

We have a life, which God has wonderfully gifted to us.  The circumstances which are part of that, no matter how easy or hard, are also given by God. They belong exclusively to us, and it is our duty, and should be our delight, to live it out as faithfully and fully as we have the capacity to do.

Not half heartedly.

Not begrudgingly.

Not resentfully.

Not cautiously.

But.....

Fully.

Joyfully.

Embracing.

Boldly.


There are so many situations we find ourselves in, which can make us, or break us.  It's entirely up to us how we approach it.  If we can always see God's hand in it all - as the Giver of every perfect and good gift, which everything that comes from Him IS - then we will live life in a transformed way.

I know that I can find myself wallowing and struggling through circumstances that come my way, as well as the everyday sort of issues that are part of life as a mother.  My attitude towards all these things is the key to enjoying life as fully as God intended me to.  How can I live a life that brings glory to God, if I only live it half-heartedly, and with the wrong attitudes? How can I bring glory to Him if I don't do EVERYTHING heartily, as to the Lord? *note to self - that includes toilet training, and all the other "not-so-fun" things*

This is a book about fighting mediocrity, pursuing purpose, resting in God's sovereignty, having a heart transformed by God, and above else, loving.

It's practical, it's meditative, it's heart-warming, and it's full of Sally's personal touch.

I KNOW that Sally's heart's desire would be to sit down with each lady who reads her books, and to help and encourage them.  She can't do that, so this book is an extension of her own heart, right into the hands and hearts of YOU, the reader.

If there is one book you want to get this year, to fill you with a renewed passion as a woman of God, THIS is it.  You see, it's not JUST all about you - it's about how you can shape the lives of those around you - the people whom God has given you to share the journey you are on.

Investing in it, will be investing for your family, too.

Sally quotes a Bible verse in the book, which really sets up the challenge that the book is all about.

"For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him."

II Chronicles 16:9

This is a verse in the KJV which doesn't fully express, in our modern day English, what the verses MEANS.

"Perfect toward him"  means "fully given to him".

FULLY.

GIVEN.

That's what "Owning our Life" means - to give ourselves fully to Him, and fully live that life FOR Him.

I know I want a life fully given to God, and fully lived out for Him.  I know I want to use every means I can to live it that way, and Sally's new book looks like a perfect tool for such a job.

You can pre-order it,  from HERE for the US, and HERE for the UK.  It's a reduced price, right now, and if you head over to Sally's website, you can see some super multi-buy extras, too.

If you follow Sally's page on Facebook, and her blog, you will also see lots of sneaky peeks and insights from the book, as the publication date creeps closer! You won't be disappointed!

I'm not going to buy the book, though.

I will leave that wide open for one of my lovely people in my life, to get it for me for my Birthday! You know who you are!

Why I don't like Santa {the antithesis to Jesus}

I was standing waiting to get served at my local store, when I heard a child talking to a parent. The child was pawing at some lip balm (of all things), wanting some.

The mother replied thus

"If you are good boy, you may be lucky and Santa will bring you some"

I have had SO many people ask my children -

"So, what are you wanting from Santa"

"Have you been a good boy/girl?"

I politely reply that half my children have no idea who this "Santa" is, who they speak of, and the others are not awaiting any gifts from aforementioned character.

I got thinking, though, tonight, about Santa, and what that woman said to her child.

"If you are good" and "Santa will bring you some".

It got me thinking about the truth of gift-giving.

It got me thinking about the "Giver", and what I want my children to know about Him.

 I want my children to learn about the greatest Giver.

Jesus.

I want them to know that they are NOT good.  That they are sinners, in the sight of a righteous God.

"Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 

For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous."

Romaans 5:18-19

I need them to know that no matter WHAT good they try to do, they are still sinners, and they do NOT deserve any good thing.

They can try as hard as they want, but doing good will not get them closer to Jesus, and to the Salvation they need.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 

Not of works, lest any man should boast."

Ephesians 2:8-9

What they need is a Saviour.  The one who came as babe, wrapped in mortal frailty, born in such humble surroundings. The one who grew to be a man who would heal the sick, raise the dead, make the blind to see.  The one who spilled His blood, on a cruel Roman cross, to take the penalty for sin, so they could be saved.

NOTHING they can do will save them from sin's penalty. They can be good, nice, wonderful, and lovely until the cows come home - it's worth NOTHING.

I need them to understand that.

That Jesus is the best, and only, gift they will ever need.  A gift that was offered freely, with no conditions.

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. "

Romans 6:23

Jesus.  The Best Gift.

"Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift."

2 Corinthians 9:15

If I want them to understand that, I need the concept to be reinforced in our lives.

That means, for me, at Christmas they get gifts from their parents.  They are given out of love - unconditional love - and don't have a requirement of "good" or "nice", in order to be given. No threats for weeks on end, hoping to get good behaviour from them to "deserve" their gift.

Given, simply because we love them, and it's good to give.

We want our children to see the connection.  That their parents express their love,  in part,  through gift-giving.  That God is the ultimate gift-giver - Jesus, the best gift.  Both given from unconditional love. Both given despite the recipient being undeserving.

How can I teach these truths to my children, if I tell them lies about a man who will give them gifts if they are good? I just can't do it.

I want my children to learn only of the kind of love and giving that is a reflection of that is a reflection of

Santa just doesn't cut it for us.

A demonstration of unconditional love, does.