He is Known at the Gates

My husband is a contractor, and we have a remodeling business. This weekend, we were part of a local Home and Garden Show. It was a family affair, as you can tell from the above picture. We began set up on Friday, and then worked the booth all weekend. It was a tiring, but blessed weekend.

We have been preparing for this show for months, but last week was especially focused on the show. On Friday, as I was praying for the show, and praying specifically for God to favor our business through this show, this verse came to mind:
Proverbs 31:23 (NKJV)
Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.

I realized that my job this weekend was not about promoting our business (that was Jason's job). My job was to promote my husband. My job this weekend was to be sure that our family represented Jason well. Specifically, my actions, attitude, and appearance was to compliment my husband. This should be my job everyday, no matter what I am doing.

I am forever telling my children before we go out somewhere to remember who they represent. They represent Christ, their family, and themselves... and then I tell them that they do not want to embarrass or cause harm to any of those. I also need to remember who I represent... being a wife under the submission of her husband ... I represent Christ, my husband, and then myself.

I'm sure that this is not a popular view, especially since I threw that word submission in there, but I do believe it is Biblical.

Blessings,
Kerry

Proverbs 3:1-6

Proverbs 3:1-6(NKJV)
Guidance for the Young
3 My son, do not forget my law,
But let your heart keep my commands;
2 For length of days and long life
And peace they will add to you.
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart,
4 And so find favor and high esteem
In the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.

Exploring God's World

Just one of the things I love about homeschooling is that we have the freedom to go and do things any time of the day or the week. Now, I do try to keep a regular schedule, because routine is what works best for us. However, we have the ability to adjust our schedule quickly when needed ... or wanted.

Another thing that I love, is that our classroom travels with us. Many times, if Jason has an appointment out of town, he will ask us to go with him. Often, after the appointment, we will stop somewhere to look around and explore. The above picture was taken while on just such a family day trip. We were on a boardwalk looking at a river... and taking pictures... when the kids noticed a bug walking on the concrete wall. Just like that, we had a mini-entomology class. I LOVE THAT!

Learning is a life long experience. Even if you don't homeschool... or even if you don't have children ... your eyes should always be open and looking for opportunities and ways to learn.

And learning should begin with the Word of God. Hide His word in your heart, and He will give you a true understanding of the things around you.

Proverbs 1:2-7 (NKJV)
2 To know wisdom and instruction,
To perceive the words of understanding,
3 To receive the instruction of wisdom,
Justice, judgment, and equity;
4 To give prudence to the simple,
To the young man knowledge and discretion—
5 A wise man will hear and increase learning,
And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel,
6 To understand a proverb and an enigma,
The words of the wise and their riddles.
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Rejoice in the Lord Always

This picture reminds me of pure joy.

Philippians 4:4-7 (NKJV)
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Look Up - Psalm 121

Psalm 121 (NKJV)
God the Help of Those Who Seek Him
1 I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade at your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
8 The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.

Bible Teachers

In our society, we are inundated with Bible teachers. Not only can we attend church, we can watch on TV, we can listen on the radio, we can read books and magazines, we can purchase CDs and DVDs, and we can follow online. Record numbers of people can be reached... and reached all over the world. This is a good thing, right? Well, yes and no. Yes, it is great that so many people can have access to the teachings of Jesus Christ. No, because many people proclaiming to be Bible teachers are not teaching the true Word of God.

With so many teachers out there, how can we know who is teaching correctly? We need to ask God for discernment as we scrutinize the person teaching.

Jesus said in Matthew 7:15-23 (NKJV)
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

We need to ask some questions...

Does this person direct you to follow Jesus Christ? Or do they create a following for themselves?

Does the teaching and actions of this person line up with the Word of God? Or does it line up with the world?

Do they teach how to be a disciple of Christ and serve others? Or do they teach "how to make ME feel better?"

2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NKJV)
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

There is no perfect teacher, save Jesus Christ. That is why we must be diligent to study the scriptures for ourselves. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 Just because something sounds good, or even sounds right... does not mean it is right. It is only right if it lines up with God's Word. God is the final authority. His Word is true, and we cannot manipulate it to fit what we want. No! We must change to line up with what God wants.

Don't seek teaching that makes you feel good. Instead, seek teaching that challenges you to grow into the person God can use to further His kingdom.

Don't be a man follower, be a Christ follower.

Blessings,
Kerry

I Vow

I saw this on Pinterest this morning:

I don't know who the author is, but it is beautifully expressed.

I especially love the line that says, "I vow to fiercely love you, in all your forms, now and forever." I am so thankful that Jason vows to love me in all my forms... because believe me, I know, that I have some unlovely forms. And you know what? So does he... But I love him still.... And I vow to always do so.