I have had the great privilege recently to spend a lot of time with various members of my family. We had a family day last week in which my Shorty, my Crew, & I stayed home & played games all day. A couple of weeks ago we spent parts of three days in a row with my parents, and some with my sister. Last night my sister spent the night. I love my family, & I love that my family lives relatively nearby-- at least sometimes! ;) I am truly thankful that my children have had the opportunity to see their grandparents more often than I was able to see mine as a child. =) But I LOVE that my "family" is not limited to the clan into which I was born, or even the clan into which I married. Each time I gather with God's people at our home church, I am with my family! I have brothers and sisters around the world and down through history that I will not have the opportunity to meet until eternity. What a reunion THAT will be! =) I can't wait! But in the meantime, I am grateful for the sisters I HAVE met & the way they encourage and challenge me on this side of glory!
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Proverbs 18:24
And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him. And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, "Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you." And he answered them, "Who are my mother and my brothers?" And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother."
Mark 3:31-35
Friday, August 31, 2012
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Happily Ever After
I love fairy tales! I grew up on "Once upon a time...". My favorite is... well, I'm not sure! ;) I am inspired by the sweet spirits of Cinderella, Snow White, Two-Eyes and others, in the midst of the harsh treatment they receive at the hands those who SHOULD be protecting them. I cheer for the prince, or pauper who rides in to save the day. And I smile & sigh when I get to the "happily ever after".
Sadly, most stories geared toward adults don't have "happily ever afters". I am always disappointed to get to the end of a story and discover that the hero doesn't get the girl, the world is not at rights, and things are still just trucking along... =( I was thinking about fairy tales this morning, maybe because one of the big themes in entertainment recently is to put a new spin on them. I was also thinking about how much sickness and sadness has touched those I love over the past year, and I was longing for Christ's return.
If we follow the fairy tale analogy, Jesus is the Prince Charming, and the church is the "damsel in distress". But I was thinking about where on the timeline of the story we'd fit. Most days it feels to me like I'm still Cinderella scrubbing floors, Sleeping Beauty dreaming, or Rapunzel in the tower. But as I pondered a bit more, my theology corrected me. Jesus said "It is finished." on the cross. His work of redemption is complete! So in reality, we are just a paragraph from our "happily ever after"! Lord Jesus, come QUICKLY!!! =)
I don't understand all of this, but I can't wait to find out!
After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants." Once more they cried out, "Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up forever and ever." And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, "Amen. Hallelujah!" And from the throne came a voice saying, "Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great." Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure"-- for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.
Revelation 19:1-8
Sadly, most stories geared toward adults don't have "happily ever afters". I am always disappointed to get to the end of a story and discover that the hero doesn't get the girl, the world is not at rights, and things are still just trucking along... =( I was thinking about fairy tales this morning, maybe because one of the big themes in entertainment recently is to put a new spin on them. I was also thinking about how much sickness and sadness has touched those I love over the past year, and I was longing for Christ's return.
If we follow the fairy tale analogy, Jesus is the Prince Charming, and the church is the "damsel in distress". But I was thinking about where on the timeline of the story we'd fit. Most days it feels to me like I'm still Cinderella scrubbing floors, Sleeping Beauty dreaming, or Rapunzel in the tower. But as I pondered a bit more, my theology corrected me. Jesus said "It is finished." on the cross. His work of redemption is complete! So in reality, we are just a paragraph from our "happily ever after"! Lord Jesus, come QUICKLY!!! =)
I don't understand all of this, but I can't wait to find out!
After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants." Once more they cried out, "Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up forever and ever." And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, "Amen. Hallelujah!" And from the throne came a voice saying, "Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great." Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure"-- for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.
Revelation 19:1-8
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
It's All About "Want To"...
As the Fincher Homeschool year looms larger on the horizon of my life, I'm feeling my motivation retreat. I've had such a fruitful summer! I've sewn some-- not as much as I'd hoped... ;) I've done some SERIOUS remodeling in my house. But if you've been reading my blog much, you know that already. Here's the problem. School is so RESTRICTIVE for me! I have to devote half of my day to teaching four different grades at once! I feel like it literally sucks the LIFE out of me! =P And at the same time, I wouldn't trade teaching my children for a more open schedule-- most of the time. ;)
So I've been struggling the last couple of weeks, as I work us toward our school routine, to lasso my errant motivation. I've had more success some days than others. Today has started well, but I am weak & I tend to fall apart at the first obstacle. It's like I've said before: "I'm a work in progress."
He's Still Workin' On Me~ hymn
There really ought to be a sign upon my heart
Don't judge [her] yet, there's an unfinished part
But I'll be perfect just according to His plan
Fashioned by the Master's loving hands
He's still working on me
To make me what I need to be
It took him just a week to make the moon and stars
The sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars
How loving and patient He must be
'Cause He's still workin' on me
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
Hebrews 12:1-3
So I've been struggling the last couple of weeks, as I work us toward our school routine, to lasso my errant motivation. I've had more success some days than others. Today has started well, but I am weak & I tend to fall apart at the first obstacle. It's like I've said before: "I'm a work in progress."
He's Still Workin' On Me~ hymn
There really ought to be a sign upon my heart
Don't judge [her] yet, there's an unfinished part
But I'll be perfect just according to His plan
Fashioned by the Master's loving hands
He's still working on me
To make me what I need to be
It took him just a week to make the moon and stars
The sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars
How loving and patient He must be
'Cause He's still workin' on me
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
Hebrews 12:1-3
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Bedtime Blues
Bedtime has always been a hassle around the Fincher house. Part of this is due to the fact that, in the beginning, I didn't really have a good understanding of how to train my children. More recently bedtime has been difficult because my children are fearful. They are not so much afraid of the the "dark", as what may be lurking in the shadows, just out of sight. Or even worse, something they imagined, or saw on TV, or read about in a book!
I'll admit, I tend to be quite selfish when it comes to bedtime. After MANY hours of little people calling me, and needing me, and hanging on me, I just want the little bodies in their beds and the little voices silent for a little while before I take myself to bed! I have had little sympathy for the fears and "What if's...?"
I was reminded last night, after leaving the girls' room, of a prayer I made when I was just a little older than Adara is now. I asked the Lord to not let me forget, when I became a parent, what it felt like to be a kid. And then I remembered how scared I used to be to walk into dark rooms. I remembered some of the bad dreams I'd had & how hard it was to fall asleep afterwards. And then I thought, "I'm still no better." After a nightmare I still roll over & cuddle up just as close as I can get to Shorty. ;)
And I was reminded how little it really takes to soothe my children toward sleep. Sometimes it's a song, sometimes it's an extra story, or even *gasp* sitting in their room for a few minutes. Last night I sat in the room with the girls for 10 minutes and they all fell asleep. So as I've been writing this, it has occurred to me (again!) how much more effort it takes for me to be selfish & lazy... And how much it hurts my Crew and me! =P I really have a VERY SLOW learning curve....
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
1 John 4:7-11
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Galatians 5:13-14
I'll admit, I tend to be quite selfish when it comes to bedtime. After MANY hours of little people calling me, and needing me, and hanging on me, I just want the little bodies in their beds and the little voices silent for a little while before I take myself to bed! I have had little sympathy for the fears and "What if's...?"
I was reminded last night, after leaving the girls' room, of a prayer I made when I was just a little older than Adara is now. I asked the Lord to not let me forget, when I became a parent, what it felt like to be a kid. And then I remembered how scared I used to be to walk into dark rooms. I remembered some of the bad dreams I'd had & how hard it was to fall asleep afterwards. And then I thought, "I'm still no better." After a nightmare I still roll over & cuddle up just as close as I can get to Shorty. ;)
And I was reminded how little it really takes to soothe my children toward sleep. Sometimes it's a song, sometimes it's an extra story, or even *gasp* sitting in their room for a few minutes. Last night I sat in the room with the girls for 10 minutes and they all fell asleep. So as I've been writing this, it has occurred to me (again!) how much more effort it takes for me to be selfish & lazy... And how much it hurts my Crew and me! =P I really have a VERY SLOW learning curve....
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
1 John 4:7-11
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Galatians 5:13-14
Monday, August 27, 2012
Holiday
Today is LBJ's birthday. The only reason I know this is because I married a man who works for the State of Texas, and he gets today off. =) When I got up, I had every intention of practicing our school routine today... Instead I spent two hours with my God. I love how He opens up the riches of His Word when I take time to dig! I hate that I am so forgetful! I know that when I spend time in the Word, God is active in making me more like my Savior, and I want that! But I still end up letting other things crowd in! =P
To the choirmaster: according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of Asaph. I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me. In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted. When I remember God, I moan; when I meditate, my spirit faints. Selah
You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak. I consider the days of old, the years long ago. I said, "Let me remember my song in the night; let me meditate in my heart." Then my spirit made a diligent search: "Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable? Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?" Selah
Then I said, "I will appeal to this, to the years of the right hand of the Most High." I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples. You with your arm redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah
When the waters saw you, O God, when the waters saw you, they were afraid; indeed, the deep trembled. The clouds poured out water; the skies gave forth thunder; your arrows flashed on every side. The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind; your lightnings lighted up the world; the earth trembled and shook. Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen. You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
Psalms 77:1-20
To the choirmaster: according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of Asaph. I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me. In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted. When I remember God, I moan; when I meditate, my spirit faints. Selah
You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak. I consider the days of old, the years long ago. I said, "Let me remember my song in the night; let me meditate in my heart." Then my spirit made a diligent search: "Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable? Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?" Selah
Then I said, "I will appeal to this, to the years of the right hand of the Most High." I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples. You with your arm redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah
When the waters saw you, O God, when the waters saw you, they were afraid; indeed, the deep trembled. The clouds poured out water; the skies gave forth thunder; your arrows flashed on every side. The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind; your lightnings lighted up the world; the earth trembled and shook. Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen. You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
Psalms 77:1-20
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Movies
I love watching movies with my family! I especially enjoy looking beyond the surface for the fingerprints of God in human creativity as we bear out His image. It is FASCINATING to me, to see how people reflect the God who made them, even unintentionally! =)
Shorty & I enjoy the fantasy genre, & are now introducing our Crew to some of it. Tonight we watched Thor. I was making popcorn in the kitchen when I heard this quote: "Do you swear to cast aside your selfish ambition and to pledge yourself only to the good of the realms?" This sounded so very similar to something my pastor said in his sermon this morning. "Christianity is making much of Jesus Christ through self sacrifice." One of his application points was to be happy with God bringing growth in others through you even when you receive no accolades.
The Lord has been talking to me about this at least all summer, maybe longer... I remember talking with a kid a few years ago, and thinking during our conversation that most of the world doesn't even know he's alive, and immediately thinking that the same is true of me! I am just a breath, a flower that fades, like the grass... And then this summer, the Lord has been really impressing on me that I need to think about myself less. Life is not about me, it is about God getting the maximum amount of glory!
He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Psalms 23:3
And they came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness--look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him." John answered, "A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, 'I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.' The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease."
John 3:26-30
Shorty & I enjoy the fantasy genre, & are now introducing our Crew to some of it. Tonight we watched Thor. I was making popcorn in the kitchen when I heard this quote: "Do you swear to cast aside your selfish ambition and to pledge yourself only to the good of the realms?" This sounded so very similar to something my pastor said in his sermon this morning. "Christianity is making much of Jesus Christ through self sacrifice." One of his application points was to be happy with God bringing growth in others through you even when you receive no accolades.
The Lord has been talking to me about this at least all summer, maybe longer... I remember talking with a kid a few years ago, and thinking during our conversation that most of the world doesn't even know he's alive, and immediately thinking that the same is true of me! I am just a breath, a flower that fades, like the grass... And then this summer, the Lord has been really impressing on me that I need to think about myself less. Life is not about me, it is about God getting the maximum amount of glory!
He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Psalms 23:3
And they came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness--look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him." John answered, "A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, 'I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.' The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease."
John 3:26-30
Friday, August 24, 2012
Choices
I have had the following conversation, or something similar, with most of my children over the past week or two.
Child: I want to do that!
Me: You CHOSE to do something else, remember?
Child: Yeah. (sad face) But I want to do that, too!
Me: Well, life is full of choices, and you can't do everything.
Child: But I really wanted to do both.
Me: I'm sorry. But we can't do everything, so we have to decide what we want to do MOST, and be content with that.
I've been thinking about this in regards to myself for a couple of days. The end of my summer break is fast approaching. As I look around my house, and take mental stock of what I've accomplished, I've had to consider that I only have a limited amount of time and other resources. I've made a decision each week, or day, or half day how I would spend the time and resources at my disposal. I think it's been a good summer. It has been productive, in ways other than I expected! ;) I can't think of a single day that I would HONESTLY have chosen to change, if that were possible. =)
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
Ephesians 5:6-16
Child: I want to do that!
Me: You CHOSE to do something else, remember?
Child: Yeah. (sad face) But I want to do that, too!
Me: Well, life is full of choices, and you can't do everything.
Child: But I really wanted to do both.
Me: I'm sorry. But we can't do everything, so we have to decide what we want to do MOST, and be content with that.
I've been thinking about this in regards to myself for a couple of days. The end of my summer break is fast approaching. As I look around my house, and take mental stock of what I've accomplished, I've had to consider that I only have a limited amount of time and other resources. I've made a decision each week, or day, or half day how I would spend the time and resources at my disposal. I think it's been a good summer. It has been productive, in ways other than I expected! ;) I can't think of a single day that I would HONESTLY have chosen to change, if that were possible. =)
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
Ephesians 5:6-16
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