Social Media is Stressing Me Out

As a wife and mom, I have to be very guarded about my time.  If I am not careful, my priorities can slip in a hurry.  That is exactly what happened to me.  I have been so focused on building my blog, that I have neglected my home... nothing major, but enough to stress me out.  

I maintain 3 facebook pages... my personal page, my Daughter of I  Am page, and our business page ... Plus I blog.  If I don't guard my time, I could literally spend ALL DAY staring at the computer.  It's real hard to be a wife and mom, if you are staring at a computer screen constantly!

When I started blogging, I would just type something whenever I felt God leading.  That was great.  However, lately I have been trying to post something daily or at least several times a week.  It may just be a verse, a picture, or a quick thought.  But even those quick thoughts are truly not so quick.  The more I posted, the more "number conscious" I would become.  I know that God did not have me start this blog so that I could increase my following.  He had me start it so that I might share the lessons He teaches me, and that they might help someone else.

That is what I am going back to.  I will blog only when God lays something on my heart to share.  That may be a couple times a week... it may be once a month.  But know this, when I do blog, it will be because I feel the urging of the Spirit, and NOT an urge to boost my numbers!

I will continue to post on my facebook page daily.  For sure each morning.  I love sharing verses or thoughts after my quiet time.  I will probably be checking in at night as well.  Just don't expect me to show up during the day very often.  

I was feeling stressed out, and wondering how I could continue to keep up with all my social media "obligations," when I read a great blog from a true Titus 2 Woman.  You can check out her words of wisdom at Deep Roots at Home.

that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. Titus 2:4-5

The day may come when God has me doing more... but right now, Daughter of I Am is a part time ministry.  My ministry now is to be the best wife and mom I can be.  That is my focus. That is my priority.

Blessings,
Kerry

Thanksgiving Wishes

Image from unknown source

Let us remember to offer thanksgiving daily, not just one day or one month a year.  God daily blesses us, let us daily thank Him.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 107:1

Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise.  Give thank to him and praise his name.  For the Lord is good.  His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation. Psalm 100:4-5

Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him. Psalm 95:2

I will offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord. Psalm 116:17

They sang, "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor  and power and strength belong to God forever and ever! Amen" Revelation 7:12

How is the Foundation of Your Marriage?

This article was originally posted in May 2010. I decided to share it again because the message is vital to marriages.

Last night, Jason and I watched The Money Pit.  This was actually the first time I have ever watched it all the way through. I have seen bits and pieces of it through the years, and always thought it looked very funny. It did prove to be funny. Although there were parts of it I didn't care for, the end of the movie actually had a good message. As Tom Hanks and Shelly Long were standing in the completed house, the contractor was ready to give them the key. As he was watching the couple that had broke up mid renovation, he began speaking about the house. He said that at first he did not believe that this house could be repaired, but the foundation was good. If the foundation is good, the rest can be fixed.

Within the last year, I know of several Christian couples that are struggling with their marriages. Some of these couples have even discussed divorce. All marriages have rough spots. All married couples will have disagreements. However, if their marriage is built on a sure foundation, the foundation of Jesus Christ, they can repair the rest.

As I consider how to have this sure foundation, I am reminded that God has really been working on me about my priorities. Here is what He has shown me over the last few years...

First, I am a child of God. I am to spend time in His word, in prayer, and building my relationship with Him. I am to have no other God before Him.

Second, I am a wife. Please note, I did not list family as my second priority. I remember when I got married, my mother-in-law gave me a piece of advice. At the time I did not think much of it, but lately I have discovered the truth in what she had told me. She told me that one day I would have children, and when I did I should never love them more or put them before my husband. This is true. Yes, I love my children dearly, but one day they will have their own families. If I have spent years caring more for them than my husband, what will I do when they are gone? God created me to be Jason's helper, encourager, advisor, lover, partner...

Third, I am a mother. God has given Jason and I the responsibility of raising Ethan and Erin. We are to "train them up in the way they should go."

These are godly priorities. By keeping my focus on them, I am assured that the foundation of my home is strong. When a storm comes (big or small), we can withstand it. If any damage occurs, it can be repaired. Our foundation is Jesus Christ.

We are living in a society where traditional family is no longer a priority. This is because Jesus is no longer a priority. I challenge you to search your marriage, your home, your heart. Do you have the Solid Rock foundation of Jesus Christ?

What are we Modeling?

I watched as my daughter and one of her friends sat down at the kitchen table. They were leaning in close and talking. The friend said let me tell you about my dream last night. Erin asked her to wait, and ran to her room to get her picture Bible. The friend shared her dream, and Erin opened up to the story of Joseph in her picture Bible. They giggled and chatted for about 10 minutes, and then moved on to the next game.

As I watched this exchange I was struck by two things. First, Erin knew where to find a story about dreams in her Bible. Praise! Second, and possibly more important, Erin was modeling something that she had seen me do. Just a few days prior to this, I had a friend over. We sat at the table to visit. As we were talking, I got my Bible to share a verse that pertained to what we were speaking about. That was a good thing to model. Unfortunately, I don't always model good things for my children to see.

Copying what we see does not just happen with children. It happens with all of us. We tend to mimic what we see and what we hear. I know that I still occasionally use phrases from movies and TV shows that I watched years ago. When I am around someone a lot, I tend to say things the way they say them, or do things they way they do them. This is why it is very important to guard what you see, and to be aware of what we watch.

If we see something often enough, we become immune to the offensiveness of it. I remember hearing a man on the radio tell a story about taking his daughter to shop for a dress. While he was waiting on her to come out of the dressing room, another girl came out in a dress that was very inappropriate. So, when his daughter came out, she looked good in comparison. It was not until they got home, and the son asked him why he allowed her to buy such a dress that he realized that he had based his decision on what the other girl was wearing.

As God's people, we are called to be set aside. We should not do things as the world does them. In order to accomplish this, we must guard our hearts, our eyes, and our ears. We must be careful what we allow in, and we must be cautious of our actions. Just as we model other's behaviors, there is always someone watching and modeling ours.

Proverbs 4:23-27 (The Message)
Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that's where life starts. Don't talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust.

Passing the Baton of Godly Values

I read this in a devotion by Right from the Heart, and wanted to share:

"Parenting children in the home means passing the baton of Godly values to the next generation. God's Word teaches us as parents to love God with all our heart, soul, and might, and to diligently teach the commands of God to our children when we sit in our house, when we walk by the way, when we lie down, and when we rise up. We need to teach our kids how to live as we go about everyday life; in short, our kids need to see that our faith in God is real and consistent. This calls for a lot of love for God and for our children. But when done well, the baton of Godly values is handed off to the new generation." ~ Bryant Wright

It is the prayer and goal of both Jason and myself that we are passing the baton of Godly values on to our children.  We pray that other parents are doing the same, and that collectively we raise up a godly generation.

May your day be greatly blessed,

 Kerry

Try the Up Look

"If your outlook is bad, try the up look!" 

~ Pastor Jeff Schreve

Habakkuk 3:16-19 (NLT) 

I trembled inside when I heard this;
    my lips quivered with fear.
My legs gave way beneath me,
    and I shook in terror.
I will wait quietly for the coming day
    when disaster will strike the people who invade us.

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
    and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
    and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
    and the cattle barns are empty,

yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
    I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!

The Sovereign Lord is my strength!
    He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
    able to tread upon the heights.

God Reminded Me

Last year I heard the song "Remind Me" by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood.  It is about a married couple who have become passive in their relationship.  There were a couple of lines that really struck a chord with me...

1) "Now we keep saying that we're ok, but I don't want to settle for good not great. I miss the way the way that it felt back then.  I want to feel that way again."

2) "Do you remember how it used to be?  We'd turn out the lights and we wouldn't just sleep."

Ouch!  That is exactly where Jason and I had gotten... and it was mostly my fault.  Often at the end of the day... after being mom, teacher, housekeeper, cook, etc, etc, etc... I didn't have much left to be wife.   I no longer acted like the girl he married ... truthfully, I didn't even resemble her.  

In the song, the couple is asking each other to "Remind me."  I asked God to remind me.  I wanted to be reminded of the excitement I felt when I saw Jason.  I wanted to feel that tingle when he would touch my arm... even accidentally.  I asked God to remind me how I used to respond to Jason.  I wanted to remember how to flirt with him.  And I didn't want to just fall into bed and fall asleep.

After some prayer, God led me to read Song of Solomon.  Truthfully, this is a book in the Bible I had never put much time into... but as I began reading, a verse immediately jumped out at me...

Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth - For your love is better than wine. 

Song of Solomon 1:2

That is what I used to feel, and I wanted that again! God is faithful, He helped me to remember... and He gave me the courage to apologize to Jason for my lack of effort in our relationship.  Now, I can say that Jason and I are back on track... Our marriage is no longer just good... it is great.  I love flirting with him.  I love dressing to please him.  I love putting the kids to bed early so I can have a "date night" on the couch with my man.  

God reminded me of the passion I feel for Jason... and it is a good thing.  I pray that I never forget or become weary of being his wife again.

This is a very personal blog... so much so, I have put off posting it for a while now.  However, I see more and more families separating and even divorcing because of issues like the one I just shared.  Wives if we don't take the time to love and care for our man ... someone else will.  Not all men will fall into this temptation, but do we really want to leave him open to it?  

If you are struggling with this area, ask God to remind you.  Then work to re-ignite that fire in your marriage.

The Right Kind of Strong

I am a Strong willed woman,

but I want to be a Strong Woman of God.

(And I want to raise my daughter 

in the same way.)

She is clothed with strength and dignity, 

and she laughs without fear of the future. 

Proverbs 31:25

Think on Joy

As we head into the holiday season, for some, it is easy to feel depressed.  Here are a few verses on joy to meditate on. Let them sink into your heart, and hopefully, they will help you to be thankful for your blessings and to celebrate the birth of our Savior.

                                                                                                         Blessings,

                                                                                                         Kerry

You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever. Psalms 16:11

You love him even though you have never seen him.  Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. 1 Peter 1:8

Always be full of joy in the  Lord.  I say it again - rejoice! Philippians 4:4

I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! John 15:11

This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

Rules to Live By

He has showed you O man what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to humble yourself and walk humbly with your God?

Micah 6:8 Amp

Dear Daughter of I Am

Ok, I am not a big fan of advice columns like Dear Abby.  However, I was recently asked a question, and  I thought I would share the question and the answer I gave her in this manner.  So here is the first... and probably only ... edition of Dear Daughter of I Am.

How did you know God wanted you to stay home with your kids? When I read about the Proverbs 31 woman at first I just saw all the work she did and felt bad I couldn't make it happen. Yesterday I noticed that she worked out of the home. I don't know if I am right but from what I read she didn't work for another man. ~ A Good Friend 

Dear Friend,

God put a great desire in my heart to stay home. It was my desire long before it was Jason's... therefore, I worked outside the home for years before getting to stay home. I just continued to pray and trust God... this was not always easy. When Ethan was in 3rd grade, Jason also had the desire for me to stay home and homeschool. We began fervently praying together. God opened doors... and we took the step of faith. We have been blessed beyond measure in our decision. I honestly can't imagine working outside the home again.

In today's society, women are lead to believe that they can't find fulfillment unless they have a career outside the home. I have found just the opposite to be true. God created women to be a help meet to their husband. In Titus 2 it says that older women should teach younger women to "be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." This is my job description.

I believe that there are times that we as women may need to work outside the home or help to bring in income in some way. You see this with the Proverbs 31 woman.  In Proverbs 31, the home and family is always the priority.  The business opportunities were ways in which she helped her husband, and they did not become her main priority.  

An important thing to remember is that wives are not called to be the main provider of the family. That is for the husband. Women can however add to and supplement the income. Husbands and wives should pray together as they seek what is best for their family.

The important thing is that you Honor God by honoring your husband. Ultimately, wives are to submit to their husband. Honor God in this way, and God will give you the desire of your heart.

Hope you find this helpful.

                                                                                       Blessings,
                                                                                       Kerry
                                                                                      Daughter of I Am

Stepping it Up for My Man

At the end of summer, I had an eye opening experience.  Sadly, I don't remember the exact day or reason... However, one day I dressed just a little nicer than I normally do.  Jason complimented me several times on my appearance.  Enjoying his praise, the next day I stepped it up again.  This time he asked me where I was going that day.  I replied, "No where.  I wanted to dress for you."  The look of appreciation on his face was enough for me. Since that point, I have made a point of dressing in a manner that gets the attention of my man. Now, I am not June Cleaver, but I am trying to put  just a little extra effort into my appearance each day.  

There has been an additional side effect...  Last Friday, I put on a shirt that Jason really liked last year, but this year it is a little big on me (I have been losing weight ... 19 lbs and counting ... Yay!).  I decided it would be ok... after all, I was taking the kids to the park after school so I was going for a casual look anyway.  The problem was, I felt frumpy all day!  I was not pleased with my appearance.  I discovered, I enjoy trying to look my best, and when I don't... I am not comfortable. Needless to say, that shirt is going in the donate pile.  

So, here is my conclusion... 
Jason appreciates the effort I am putting into my appearance, and I appreciate the attention and praise he gives me... It's a Win/Win.

Jason took me shopping and bought this outfit for me... because he appreciated my effort.

I decided to share this after reading Time-Warp Wife's post this morning. I highly recommend you checking it out.  For that matter, I highly recommend her ... She is great!

http://www.time-warp-wife.blogspot.ca/2012/11/hes-worth-more-than-chip-clip-to-me.html

How are We Building Our House?

Here is something to consider...
Are we building our house through wisdom and understanding?
Or are we building it on worldly values and selfishness?

Proverbs 1:7 (NKJV)
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Prayer - To Kiss the Face of our Father

"One of the words in the original language for prayer literally means 'worship.' Another means 'to kiss the face.' Prayer is worship and worship is prayer. Prayer is kissing our Father's face. Prayer is loving and communing with God." -- Andrew Wommack

How much time are you spending worshiping in prayer, and how much time are you asking God for what you need? (or want?) The primary purpose of prayer is to love God, and to grow in your relationship with Him. In Acts 13:2 it tells us that we are to minister to the Lord. We minister to Him by praising Him, thanking Him, loving Him, singing to Him, and worshiping Him.

When your primary focus is loving and worshiping God, you'll find that you won't have to spend much time praying over things. That doesn't mean that you can't petition God. The word tells us, "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matthew 21:22 There is a right way to ask, just not all the time, and it must line up with the word of God. James 4:3 says, "When you ask, you do not receive because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." If you are spending time building your relationship with God, your desires will line up with His will for you.

Finally, don't let prayer become a religion. Don't struggle through an hour of prayer just so you can check off that task. If you are getting bored during your prayer, chances are God is not caring much for it either. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says to "Pray without ceasing." That means that as we go throughout our day we should be in communication with God. If we only spoke to our spouse once a day ... telling them what we wanted, and not listening for a response ... our marriage would not be very good. The same is true with God. We cannot spend a little time each day telling God what to do and expect to have a growing relationship. I love the quote I placed at the top of this. The thought that prayer is kissing my Father's face is overwhelming to me. That is what I want. I want to spend my day, everyday, loving on my heavenly Father.

Why We Vote

Jason and I, along with our children, went to vote as a family first thing this morning. When we got there, we had to wait in line for a few minutes. Both kids noted that there was a line today. You see, we always take them with us when we vote... and usually we can get in and get out with no waiting. We explained that there are always bigger crowds during presidential elections, and that this election is particularly important because so many Biblical values are being challenged. They know the issues, because we discuss them openly at our house.

We checked in, and waited. As the line was moving along, we noticed that some people voting needed more instruction than others. When we arrived at the front of the line, the supervisor greeted us. She recognized us... because we always vote, and the kids are always with us. She loves that we bring our kids, and always makes a point to tell the kids how important it is to vote. Then she told us that they have a lot of first time voters, and so it was taking a little longer than usual to explain how to use the electronic ballots.

This saddened me. Why? Because the ones needing the instruction were all older. These are the people that should have been voting for years... they are the ones that should have been setting the example for others. They should have been training up their children... yet they weren't.

I am not sure what their reasons were for not voting... or even what their reason is for voting now. But here is the reason Jason and I vote...

We want our children to know the importance and the privilege of voting. We want our kids to understand how our country was formed. We want them to understand how many men and women have died, and continue to die, so that we may live in a free country. We want them to understand how God blesses our country, and that He will only continue to do so if we recognize Him. We want them to understand the need to vote Biblical Values. We want our children to know that they live in the greatest country in the world!

Our children and their future is why we vote.

Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

We the People

"We the People" of the founding generation formed this country on Judaeo-Christian Values. "We the People" of this generation need to vote in the same manner.

As you prepare to vote, and I pray that you do vote, please pray over your choices. There will not be perfect people on the ballot... but please ask yourself, which people line up closest to God's word.
Blessings,
Kerry

Look at the Tree

Ethan came in this world wanting to know everything that was going on around him. He openly pays attention to conversations, and usually adds to the conversation. I have never been real surprised by what he may or may not say. Erin on the other hand, is reserved. She doesn't seem interested in what is going on when adults talk. I think this is why she does manage to surprise me quite often with the depth of her understanding.

This morning, she and I were driving to town. On the radio, we heard a commentator discussing the presumption that any one not voting for Obama does so because of the color of his skin. She knows that our family will not vote for Obama. She also knows that we do not judge someone by the color of his skin. So, she began asking questions about why this statement was made.

So, we began discussing Biblical values. I was explaining why Romney's values lined up closer to ours, and therefore we would be voting for him. It was at this point that she surprised me.

She said that everyone should look at the persons tree. I asked, their tree? She said yes, a good tree has good fruit, and a bad tree has bad fruit. She said the color of skin has nothing to do with their tree... but their heart has everything to do with it.

For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Luke 6:43

I wish more people would spend time looking at the tree of others.

It is Well with My Soul

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Billy Graham's Ad Urging Biblical Values

I was so excited to see this in our local paper this last Sunday.

“On Nov. 6, the day before my 94th birthday, our nation will hold one of the most critical elections in my lifetime. We are at a crossroads and there are profound moral issues at stake. I strongly urge you to vote for candidates who support the Biblical definition of marriage between a man and a woman, protect the sanctity of life and defend our religious freedoms. The Bible speaks clearly on these crucial issues. Please join me in praying for America, that we will turn our hearts back toward God.”