Life on “Ship”
November 30, 2009 > 1 Comment
My husband and I like to explore tall ships, and the Balclutha, a 19th century square rigger, is a new favorite. When we poked around its compact captain’s quarters recently, I felt very much at home, and I wasn’t sure why. Maybe it was the efficient, wood-paneled rooms, so much like our RV’s. Maybe it was my fondness for classy brass portholes. I was very sure it wasn’t the porcelain chamber pot. Then I discovered, framed on the cabin wall, this passage from an old sea captain’s book.
“A captain’s position on shipboard at sea is a peculiar one. . . . All on board, except himself, have companions; the crew have each other to talk with and confide their feelings to; the cook and steward fraternize; the first and second officers can confer, or even talk amicably together . . . The captain, if he has no companion, stands alone, isolated, in a certain measure, from all on board.
“Although he may converse with his first officer on all matters pertaining to the ship, and even unbend and talk about side affairs, yet he must never forget . . . the claims of his position in any way that might be misinterpreted or taken advantage of. . . . So, I believe, if the captain is married, and his wife is in good health, enjoys travel, and is not afraid of the water, it were better that she should accompany her husband on his voyages as one to whom he can always turn for companionship and confidences at sea. Woman’s influence on shipboard, if she is a true, good woman, is felt for good throughout the ship. . . and there is certainly no place where more respect and courtesy will be shown her than on shipboard.”
From Ocean Life in the Old Sailing Ship Days by Captain John D. Whidden (1908)
If I ever met a sea captain’s wife, I would recognize her as a sister, for I too am traveling with my husband–on a lifelong voyage of ministry. Aboard his ship, I often help hoist and furl sails. I am a proficient polisher of brass and an experienced swabber of decks. But that is not why I’m along on this crossing. My commission is unlike any other sailor’s; I alone am companion and confidante to the captain.
When I do my job well, my husband’s “position on shipboard at sea” becomes less peculiar than pleasant. No matter how wild the waves or deep the deeps, he’ll never feel alone with me standing by his side–hardy, happy, and resolutely pretending I’m not one bit afraid of the water. The truth is, of course, that I’d rather be moored in a snug harbor than tossed in a tempest, but even when I’m feeling sort of seasick, I’m still delighted to be with him on this passage. And he seems like to like it, too.
Somewhere out there, you– a true, good woman—are with your own husband in his journey over wide seas. When your ship passes mine, shout “Ahoy!” We’ll smile and wave a while through our classy brass portholes and then turn back to the wonderfully satisfying task of being an influence for good aboard a husband’s ship.
Written by a dear sister in Christ, Claudia Barba, posted with permission. For more of her devotionals please visit http://www.ipresson.com/claudia.php
A Wife and Mother’s Personal Evaluation
November 6, 2009 > 5 Comments
My husband recently found where I had place this personal evaluation between the covers of a book. He brought it to me and said, “This is really good!? Where did you get this from!?”
But I don’t remember where I found this check-up list for wives and moms. I can’t seem to find it online, so perhaps I typed it out from a book? Either way, I thought it would be edifying and something to consider as we head into a week-end. Perhaps on Monday morning we can, with the Lord’s help, endevour to work on this important check list that will keep our homes happy and spiritually healthy!
Personal Evaluation
- Do you set aside or plan a particular time of day to be alone with God and pray?
- Is your relationship with your husband as loving as the day you married him?
- Is your home an example of orderliness or one of chaos and confusion?
- If unexpected visitors arrived at your doorstep, would you be embarrassed to invite them into your home?
- Could you feed unexpected visitors supper without running to the grocery store or would you have to take them out to a restaurant?
- Is your children’s behavior an embarrassment to you when guests are in your home or when you are out in public?
- How much time in advance do you plan meals?
- Do you eat at the table with your family?
- When others are invited to your home to share a meal, is there excitement and creativity involving your children in the planning, such as making place cards, or advance thoughts and discussions regarding the interests of your guests?
- How often do you prepare food, a gift basket, or just a visit to someone lonely and needy? Are your children included in the preparations?
- How often do you invite your parents or other family members to a meal?
- Do you plan in advance and place priorities toward the next day’s family needs?
- Do you plan in advance toward Sunday and Wednesday evening church services?
- How often do you plan family fun and fellowship?
- Do you have daily or weekly family devotions? (I think this is the husband’s responsibility primarily and is a responsibility that is not for us as wives to nag or show disappointment in our husband’s for not leading in this area. We should pray for our husband’s that the Lord would give them this desire. For what we as moms can do see this post.)
- Do you think your family feels you are dependable and available daily?
- Do you compliment and esteem your husband and children?
- Do you make happy memories for your husband and children?
- Do you encourage your children to have private prayer time with God and read their Bible?
- Do you feel you are growing spiritually mature so as to be an example and guide for others?
- Can you give five Scripture references on what the Bible says about being a godly woman, wife and mother? Have you memorized them?
- Are you faithful to your local church and do you have the right attitude toward your pastor and church leadership?
To most of us with many small children these things seem impossible and may leave us wondering how any woman could possibly accomplish any number of these on any given day! It certainly will take some determination and work, but most importantly it will take strength from above!
Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
And while we may fail and falter, we should have the goal in view and pick ourselves up and try again and everyday be a little better, a little brighter, a little easier. It won’t always be fun. It won’t always be rewarding. It won’t always be easy. And it most definitely won’t always be what your flesh wants to do. But it is in the end what we as wives and mothers were created for!
Ga 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Linked to The Homemakers Haven
UPDATE: This is authored by Pam Ianello.You can find more of her writings here.
Homemade Chocolate Syrup
October 29, 2009 > No Comments
I have tried several recipes for homemade chocolate syrup. Some I have been pleased with but none of them have been recipes I wanted to stick with. So off I would search for another recipe.
It seems I have found a homemade chocolate syrup recipe to make anyone slap their grandma – well, not really, but it IS that good. Please don’t go and slap your grandma, but I do encourage you to try this easy homemade chocolate syrup!
Chocolate Syrup
Ingredients:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup organic sugar (rapadura, demerara or sucanat) I used sucanat and achieved a perfectly thick syrupy syrup!
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup cream
- 1 1/4 cups cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
Boil water and sugar until it forms syrup (about 10 minutes). Turn heat on low. whisk in butter till melted then slowly whisk in cocoa powder, then cream, stirring until smooth. Add vanilla and stir in well. Store in glass jar or squeeze bottle in fridge.
Yummy!!!
Think About It Thursday: Christian Romance Novels
October 15, 2009 > 1 Comment
From the archives:
In my closet I have boxes full of “Christian” romance novels, which I started collecting in my teen years. I have every book of a particular author intending to pass them on to my daughter when she turned 13. I spent hours filling my mind with stories of love and romance often finishing a book in one day. I then would re-read my favorite parts over and over. As I look back, I remember my favorite parts were usually describing some romantic gesture or “innocent” affection between the lovers.
I was raised in a good, separated, Christian home. My mom was very careful in what I was allowed to read, usually reading/skimming books before passing them on to me. But in this one area I feel she might not have realized how reading this type of material can shape your thinking and views on what a godly relationship should look like, as well as inflame feelings in a young girl that should lie dormant until the Lord brings her man on to the scene. One verse that comes to mind is Proverbs 4:23 “Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.” Sounds as if we should spend a great deal of time and effort guarding our heart, doesn’t it?
I am certain some of you are thinking that I am making WAY too big of a deal out of this. I mean, aren’t these books full of Christian values, morals, purity!? Doesn’t it give us a good picture of what godly relationships should look like, what it’s like to fall in love, how to know when it’s not right…or that it’s just good clean entertainment? Maybe you’re right…maybe you can read these books and get something totally different out of them…maybe you are such a strong Christian that your views and expectations are unruffled as you read…Maybe, but it was not true for me.
I personally know ladies that have been dissatisfied with their relationship with their husband because he was not “romantic” often inflamed by her unrealistic expectation of how he “should” be. Is it right to read (or even watch) things that will only contribute to this problem? How would you feel if your husband looked at an picture book full of naked ladies and therefore becoming bitter with you because you did not measure up? Is it a secret that women like romance and men like the physical relationship? I do not think so. When will Christians admit that there is little difference in romance (outside of your marriage) for women and images for men?
Dr. Julianna Slattery, psychologist and author of Finding the Hero in Your Husband, said that “For many women, these novels really do promote dissatisfaction with their relationships. There is a neurochemical element with men and porn, but an emotional element with women and these novels. I have met women that are addicted to these novels.”
Now she is talking about the romance novels that are not “Christian” but I would like to argue that they are one in the same without the graphic descriptions and some religion throwed in. I always tend to be leary of those things that are of the world that are cleaned up and polished for Christians. Mark those things and avoid them.
The same principle could apply to a many number of things. Having a little girl, I watch out for movies she watches and books that she reads that encourage thoughts about love, romance and all the fluttery feelings that go along with that. Praise the Lord she wants to fall in love, get married and all the blessed emotions that come with marriage but it is not time for it yet. The desire she has/will have is natural and of the Lord so I need to do nothing to encourage more of those feelings as she has no outlet. I can think of a great many a movie that are generally thought of as clean that have little girls full of thoughts of marriage, love, kissing etc. For some reason it is considered cute in a little girl but if a little boy were to watch another movie and come away with the same desires it all of a sudden isn’t cute?! Hmmmm…something to think about.
Another point to bring out about these things is they can also foster desires for undue attention. The beauty, glamor and attention the heroine receives is certainly opposite from what the Bible says in I Titus 2:9 “…that women adorn themselves…with shamefacedness…” Have you ever compared this verse while your daughter was playing dress up and dancing, doing ballet or twirling for attention? This same verse also says “…not with gold, pearls, or costly array” Are we teaching a double standard to our young girls when it’s o.k. to live out their fantasies via books and movies and pretend play but tell them they are not to carry on like that in real life? I think so.
So how do I sum this all up???
It is sad to think that we could miss seeing the “Hero in our husband” because he didn’t romance you like Prince Charming in the book you read last night. No poor husband could measure up nor could we. I encourage you to embrace the husband you have, be all that you know *he* wants you to be and appreciate the *romance* HE can offer. Even if it is remembering to put the toliet lid down! We could all escape via our thoughts and find another situation better than ours if we tried hard enough. On the flip side, couldn’t dear husband find a better wife than you?
I’ll close with this Scripture:
“Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee or forsake thee.”
Note: I realize this is not a popular teaching, but I felt I needed to be true to what the Lord has been laying on my heart and at the encouragment of my husband decided to post. I am surprised at how very little there is written on this topic as I feel these things should be obvious to us Christian women. I am afraid society has done a fantastic job in programming us to think as the world does on a great many subjects. I pray we consider these things, talk to our husband and break with society and truly be a people that has purified themselves unto Jesus to become a peculiar people.
Boyhood Fun
October 14, 2009 > 1 Comment
This is our son Nathan’s latest interest -
You must not care whether you live or die.
A Clean Shower
October 13, 2009 > 1 Comment
There’s nothing like getting in a CLEAN, SPARKLING shower.
It is one of those things that just starts my day off right and gives me a great sense of accomplishment.
I enjoy it so much that I wonder – WHY do I put it off until there is a rainbow of colors decorating the shower wall?
Shall I bore you with my excuses?
No?
Thank you……
I am certain you all like a clean shower and would love to have an easy virtually effortless method to achieve this.
Here is my tried and true, fool-proof method.
You will need:
- Shower cleaner (Be sure it says “soap-scum remover” or “tough on soap scum”! If it is just a general bathroom cleaner it will not work as well. Trust me!)
- Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
- Water
- Cup
Wet the shower/tub down. Spray shower cleaner generously. Wait about 5 minutes. Wet Magic Eraser according to package instructions. Start at the top of the shower and wipe, working your way down. Stop and rinse the Eraser periodically when it gets grimy. Use cup to rinse.
This works great on shower doors too, making them crystal clear! Also shines faucets and drains like new.
I can clean my double shower in 10 minutes with almost no effort and with zero scrubbing.
If your husband shaves in the shower (mine does) and uses a mirror this will also take the grime off of the mirror.
Now, go clean that shower and put a pep in your step.
Autumn of 2009
October 13, 2009 > 1 Comment
Happy 2nd Birthday Baby Girl!
Rainbow Birthday Cake!
Yummy fingers!
Prescription from God
October 8, 2009 > 2 Comments
The past several months I’ve struggled with health issues. I have studied and researched numerous ailments. Too many are vague with no known cause. All are real to the person suffering from the disease.
After a visit to the Doctor and $600 worth of blood tests run (OUCH!) we discovered that I was extremely deficient in Vitamin D and could possibly be suffering from the effects of the Epstein Barr virus when I had mono 3 1/2 years ago.
But I still wasn’t completely satisfied with the diagnosis. So I turned to the Bible to see what it had to say about our health. I was mildly surprised at how MUCH the Bible had to say on this topic!
I wondered if our hearts were right with God and we were living to serve Him and others how our health would be affected?
I wondered if we actually applied Scripture’s solutions we would be healed or at least improved?
Pr 16:24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
Pr 17:22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
Php 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
Job 20:11 His bones are full of the sin of his youth, which shall lie down with him in the dust.
Ps 31:10 For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.
Pr 12:4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
Are the women in our homes today virtuous!? Look at the definition of virtue:
Moral goodness; the practice of moral duties and the abstaining from vice, or a conformity of life and conversation to the moral law. In this sense, virtue may be, and in many instances must be, distinguished from religion. The practice of moral duties merely from motives of convenience, or from compulsion, or from regard to reputation, is virtue, as distinct from religion. The practice of moral duties from sincere love to God and his laws, is virtue and religion.
Could our actions not only effect our health, but our husband’s health as well!?
Prov 3:7 -8 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
Have we ever lived in such a time as now where there is little fear of the Lord? Look at this verse:
II Timothy 3:1-7 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Doesn’t sound as if people will be very healthy the closer we come to the Lord’s return does it?
We’ve been told over and over to talk through our problems, figure out why we feel the way we do. But more and more I believe that we are not always to talk through and dwell on our bad moods, our anger and frustration but take our thoughts captive and dwell on Scripture, spiritual music, and prayer.
2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Philipps 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
II Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
Phillip 4:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Court orders Christian homeschooled girl to attend public school
October 6, 2009 > 2 Comments
Note the places I highlighted -
New Hampshire Court orders Christian homeschooled girl to attend public school
Pete Chagnon – OneNewsNow – 8/26/2009A Christian homeschool girl in New Hampshire has been ordered into government-run public school for having “sincerely held” religious beliefs — and the Alliance Defense Fund is troubled by the ruling.
The case involves divorced couple Martin Kurowski and Brenda Voydatch and their 10-year-old daughter, Amanda. The couple split in 1999 when they were living in Massachusetts, and the proceedings moved to New Hampshire after Voydatch relocated to that state with her daughter in 2002.
Although Voydatch has primary custody over Amanda, both parents agreed to a parenting plan that included joint decision-making responsibility. A court-appointed guardian served as a mediator.
A source of contention between the parents has been the mother’s decision to home school Amanda since first grade. Amanda’s father believes she should be sent to public school, while the mother is adamant about home schooling. Since both parents have failed to reach common ground, the issue moved to the court.
The situation was then analyzed by the court-appointed guardian, who made a recommendation to the court. During the evaluation process it was determined that Amanda was excelling in her schooling and used curriculum that was approved by her school district. The curriculum used in her home schooling was created by certified teachers, and Amanda routinely took standardized tests.
Furthermore, Amanda attended her local public school to take art, Spanish, and P.E. classes. Her public school instructors also commented on the fact that Amanda was well-rounded in her social skills. But a sticking point arose concerning Voydatch’s Christian faith.
The court order stated: “According to the guardian ad litem’s further report and testimony, the counselor found Amanda to lack some youthful characteristics. She appeared to reflect her mother’s rigidity on questions of faith.” The guardian noted that during a counseling session, Amanda tried to witness to the counselor and appeared “visibly upset” when the counselor purposefully did not pay attention.
The guardian also noted that Amanda’s relationship with her father suffered because she did not think he loved her as much as he said he did due to the fact that he refused to “adopt her religious beliefs.”
According to the court order, the guardian concluded that Amanda’s “interests, and particularly her intellectual and emotional development, would be best served by exposure to a public school setting in which she would be challenged to solve problems presented by a group learning situation and…Amanda would be best served by exposure to different points of view at a time in her life when she must begin to critically evaluate multiple systems of belief and behavior.”
Furthermore the court order states that despite Amanda’s mother insisting that her daughter’s religious beliefs were her own, “it would be remarkable if a ten-year-old child who spends her school time with her mother and the vast majority of all her other time with her mother would seriously consider adopting any other religious point of view.”
Although the court noted that it “is extremely reluctant to impose on parents a decision about a child’s education,” it ruled that Amanda must attend public school.
Alliance Defense Fund-allied attorney John Anthony Simmons has filed a motion to reconsider. He says this ruling is dangerous to home schoolers because it will set a precedent for other cases.
“Every time you have a court order that uses a wrong standard or misapplies constitutional law, everyone’s rights are eventually at stake,” the attorney explains. “Because what happens with precedent is it gets expanded — it gets cited in other cases.”
Simmons believes this case goes beyond the initial divorce and custody battle with this ruling because the standard used in the decision contained in the court order is troubling. He contends that the child’s religion should not have played a role in the decision, and that the court should have focused solely on the academic merits of Amanda’s education which proved to be excellent.
I wonder what “youthful characteristics” she lacked!? -
Proverbs 13:20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
Are children wise? Is spending 8+ hours with your peers walking with wise men?
Proverbs 22:15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
Is society discouraging foolishness? A brief flipping of channels on the television would reveal quite the opposite especially in the programming directed at children. Knowing that a large portion of the children these days get a hefty dose of this type of nonsense, are we creating fools or wise men when we allow our children to become daily, hourly companions?
Proverbs 13:20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
“it would be remarkable if a ten-year-old child who spends her school time with her mother and the vast majority of all her other time with her mother would seriously consider adopting any other religious point of view.”
But this is what the Bible says -
Ephesians 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Pr 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Deuteronomy 6:6-9 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.
Isaiah 54:13 And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.
The Meaning of MY Life
June 24, 2009 > 11 Comments
Occasionally throughout the thirty-three years of my life, when I feel I am being pulled in fifty different directions – often at my own doing, but sometimes not – I shut down and ponder the meaning of life. Everything seems vanity and I get frustrated at the very basic activities of life.
“Why should I make this bed? It’s only going to get mussed up in a few hours.”
“Eating is such a nuisance and an interruption in life. Can’t we all just skip eating for a few days!?”
“Why oh why should I teach my children about {fill in the blank}? They’ll never use it in real life.”
And I could go on and on.
But I won’t.
When this happens it helps to step back and look at God’s word. To simplify and see what He would have me doing with the life He’s given me.
A life as a born-again Christian.
A wife.
A mom.
A church member.
A friend.
If you ever find yourself being pulled in every direction, I encourage you to get your Bible and a good online concordance and see what responsibilities should be in your life. Make sure those obligations and responsibilities are there, then slowly add in other tasks and activities.
Find the joy in simply living.
Better is little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure and trouble therewith.
Proverbs 15:16
