What is Our Attitude Towards Sorrows & Difficulty?

The link I'm including here at the end of this entry is excellent and timely as todayI feel as though my head is a balloon or toy punching ball (remember those?) filled to the max....as if someone were to take the securing knot or rubber band from the stem I would fly into the cosmos! The pressures of life, oh the pressures of life.

In our home we are readying for two of our daughters to leave for China. My husband is taking his test renewing his brokerage. Our old home selling maybe? Our adorable older daughter praying for a mate, knowing her biological timeclock is ticking. Me, wondering what is wrong with these guys not seeing her with open eyes? But...Also knowing it could be God's protection? A test being taken today for college plus before our daughter leaves for China, speeches to be made for China. Sickness being looked into. Parents who have been divorced for over 30 years, still visit and I believe care for each other but at the same time can be like matches and gasoline....and me. I'm thinking it's the same thing I grew up with and when will it stop, yes there are wonderful memories from these two most outstanding people but there are other memories I've always dealt with as an only child and on and on and on it goes in the theatre of my earthly mind. But...

All these things? They are a learning for me. Some of these things are a lesson in trust. Some of these things are a lesson in mercy. Some of these are practical lessons in natural health that I've been learning for some time now. Some of these things teach me in a very odd but unforgettable way, of how I want to be so very, very very,very careful, I reiterate careful of how we must keep our homes in an atmosphere of praise, Peace and sweetness of the Lord, not letting the world in. Some of these things are the COMPANIONSHIP OF BROKENESS.

So dear friends, readers who may catch this entry...If you too feel like minced meat...you are not alone.

Let's pray for one another and lift each other up, and please allow me to share the following by Oswald Chambers:

Receiving Yourself in the Fire of Sorrows

You can always recognize who has been through the fires of sorrow and received himself, and you know that you can go to him in your moment of trouble and find that he has plenty of time for you. But if a person has not been through the fires of sorrow, he is apt to be contemptuous, having no respect or time for you, only turning you away. If you will receive yourself in the fires of sorrow, God will make you nourishment for other people.

Have a great day in Jesus, I hope this ministered to you as I ministered to myself writing this as I sat at my keyboard and poured my heart.



I'm going to be quiet and just bask in the Lord today...Clothes washing etc. If I sit still before the Lord it will be like the photo above...

Love in Christ Jesus, ~Amelia

So They Call Us Extreme? Different? They Will be Right. : )

~Robert Stock

"The church's mightiest influence is felt when she is different from the world in which she lives. Her power lies in her being different, rises with the degree in which she differs and sinks as the difference diminishes.

This is so fully and clearly taught in the Scriptures and so well illustrated in Church history that it is hard to see how we can miss it. But miss it we do, for we hear constantly that the Church must try to be as much like the world as possible, excepting, of course, where the world is too, too sinful....

Let us plant ourselves on the hill of Zion and invite the world to come over to us, but never under any circumstances will we go over to them. The cross is the symbol of Christianity, and the cross speaks of death and separation, never of compromise. No one ever compromised with a cross. The cross separated between the dead and the living. The timid and the fearful will cry "Extreme!" and they will be right. The cross is the essence of all that is extreme and final. The message of Christ is a call across a gulf from death to life, from sin to righteousness and from Satan to God."

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. ~Corinthians 6:17

A.W. Tozer ~The Set of the Sail

I read this, this morning and thought it was so good. It's true, the church has let darkness in instead of Light out.

How sad to see what has happened and what is accepted now. But do we shun others who are not exactly like us? Of course not. That would not be the character of Christ at all and sure enough the enemy loves to use this sectarian tool in churches and it does hurt families. Many times this is not the case though. It has been our experience that many churches today will shun the holy and sweet, they are so very concerned about their idea of success, numbers and programs. It's always interesting to me when I visit other blogs, those who are supposed to be so very tolerant when in reality they are very intolerant of those who claim the name of Jesus.

What are we to do when many times churches are either extreme? Pray saints pray. Show love to others, love God and hate sin. Stop the church politics and people pleasing in either camp, it's not about who wins the b-b stacking contest at camp, it's about inviting the new family to eat at your table for pity's sake. Live your life sweetly in a very real way, (it's the only way!).. use actions to love others, live it out with wisdom and discernment. Use words to love and appreciate when necessary. ; ) If we homeschool let's make sure we are teaching our children and youth godly character not just the academics. I'm afraid many a young person is going a very wrong direction spiritually with academic accolades. It's no good to go to hell with a straight A grade average.

If children or youth see you being selfish and cliquish? Respecters of persons? Thankless? Guess what, chances are they will be that way too for the most part. If they see you addicted to busyness? Guess what, chances are they will live lives of busyness too. Being under Satans yoke.

Please see the below sermon on yesterday's entry. It's such an encouraging, appropriate and challenging message for today! : )

Love in Christ, ~Amelia

Aggressive Girls, Clueless Boys! HOW TIMELY!

This has been another modern problematic even in the church and homeschool realm...Perhaps it also has to do with a lack of discernment, but this is a real problem. As you may know we have four daughters ages 18 to 29 who have kept themselves and it is so very disheartening when we see aggressive girls/women and clueless boys/men "abound".

I have not read this book, a friend of ours posted it on her facebook. Just the title made us say AMEN. : )

We have raised our daughters to be ladies and my husband and I are shocked and I mean shocked when we see the aggressive young women out there (notice I did not say the word ladies) and the passive, clueless young men (boys) and their parents may I add. We must remember though, people will always be attracted to like-minds and spirits.

Please pray for discernment. It never ceases to amaze us what is accepted and the sleepy lull parents seem to be in. How sad and discouraging for those who are seeking God with all of their hearts.

Complete Radio talks and transcripts from Family Life Today:

Warning Bad Girls Ahead


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Please pray for encouragement for godly families who have instilled godliness and purity in their daughters and sons only to be made to feel isolated and who are persecuted many times.

Have a great week, today was spent at the nursing home. What a privilege for our family to be able to minister and whisper the name of Jesus being His hands and feet. Some of these precious saints are some of the best friends ever.

May God be glorified. If you read this blog and feel you need encouragement too, if you are a daughter or son who are keeping your heart pure you are not alone. If you are a parent who has had to stand alone take heart. And that doubles back to me. I know the sun and the moon is shining on those who are seeking the Lord with all of their heart. : ) I know God is God and He is Just. He is also the Revealer. I also know that God is a Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him...

In Christ's Love, ~Amelia

THE 'HANGING OUT' PHENOMENON and Other Modern Problematics...

‘The most extraordinary thing in the world is an ordinary man

and an ordinary woman and their ordinary children.”

– G.K. Chesteron

...there’s a “hanging out” phenomenon among so many young adults. No one wants to call it a date or make any kind of commitment. The dynamic is that one of the two, usually the woman, is hoping for something more to develop. “If I just hang out with this guy indefinitely he will see how great I am. He will realize that he can’t live without me.” Meanwhile the guy is feeling, “No, we’re just friends.”

I call this a “friendlationship.” The couple’s not intentional about the relationship and it’s a recipe for disaster.

I had a friend who spent seven years in one of these waiting for the guy to come around. He never had any intention of dating her. He just loved that she was always available when he wanted to get pizza or talk on the phone. He was just using her for attention, to be a buddy when he needed someone to hang out with.

We’ve allowed this period of time between the teen years and adulthood to be a wasteland. There’s no timeframe for it. We allow kids to “find themselves,” have fun, do what they want while they’re single and we say, “Don’t worry, marriage will come along down the road.” Well, sometimes it doesn’t.

Complete Article

~Photo by Robert Stock

My husband and I have four daughters and these are our thoughts:

We have seen these exact things with young men and not so young men even in the homeschooled realm.

~photo by Robert Stock

We see two ditches:

One is making marriage a timed goal and mad rush to marry:

...Many times not checking into character or even waiting even four seasons to observe a young person's character. It's frightening what we are seeing. Parents are equally if not more at fault in these situations many times not listening, refusing to listen to the safety of wise counsel as the Bible says. Enough said on that at this time.

One is perpetual childhood and man's myth of education first:

We are seeing game-playing, perpetual boys and on the other hand, young women who are being trained that their career goal is "all". I sat at a banquet once with another homeschool couple who also had daughters. When the subject of marriage naturally came up, the dad's quick response was: "Their college education must come first!" As he held his pointer finger up smiling. Me thinking of their suppressed daughters, heaven forbid they would want to marry as God encourages before a degree! ; )

What happened to God's gift of homelife? What happened to a young couple marrying and growing together financially toughing it a bit? What happened to the value of a young woman's beautiful aspiration and call to be a stay at home mom? Homemaking skills anyone? : ) What are we really teaching our young people in what we major on in action, word and attitude as in what is important? From what we see it just does not make sense if many of these families are truly aspiring to leave a Godly heritage.

One situation we saw was with our oldest daughter when she was a much younger lady. She and a young man in his twenties in our church were on the verge of an engagement when she mentioned children and being a stay at home mom he and his parents behaved as if this was over the top in the way of convictions. The mom had always pulled herself up by the bootstraps enabling an unstable husband .

What happened? The young man was wooed away by a not-so-nice family's jealous ploys. Later within a year or so he married yet another girl from another church. Now? The father of the then-young man complains to my husband. Why? Because their son married a girl that loves to work outside the home and places their four children in daycare. I humbly rest my case.

You may say, well it's a good thing your daughter did not end up in that family. Yes! You are probably right! : )

What we do, what we emphasize will be caught by our children.

"So goes the goes the home goes the church, so goes the church goes the country."

~Photo by Robert Stock

In Christ's love, ~Amelia

Our family blog on day to day living: My Forest Cathedral

My blog with craft projects, wardrobe re-dos, old good old wholesome 40s movies and easy-breezy recipes: thats-italian, live laugh, love and pray hard....

'Try Giving Yourself Away' by David Dunn. Great Book so Far. Isn't This What it's All About? : )

I am reading a wonderful book entitled "Try Giving Yourself Away" by David Dunn written in 1947. It's is a delightful book so far! For me, the name of Jesus will definitely be included in any jewels given this week. : )

Following is an excerpt keep in mind this was written in 1947!

These are troubled times. The world is full of strife and heartache. Men and women everywhere seek peace of mind and heart, and wish desperately that they as individuals could do something toward lifting the heavy blanket of gloom and fear that oppresses mankind.

Perhaps you and I can help. More than anything else, the world needs the healing influence of a great surge of simple kindheartedness, to rid humanity of jealousy, selfishness and greed. Such a surge must start with us, as individuals; it is beyond the power of the world's rulers or statesmen. In our daily living we average citizens must establish the spirit and set the pattern of a kindlier world.

I invite you to join me in my hobby. ~DAVID DUNN

That's enough for now, maybe next time I blog I'll share things my dad did for others that I keenly observed when I was a little girl and beyond...God's blessings to All.

Let me know if you tried this this week, I would love to hear your jewels of giving of yourself to others! I hope to post excerpts as well soon, if you are interested. : ) Maybe we'll get on a roll! I hope so! What's our Heart Shot? May God be glorified!


May we be praying about ways to be jewels to others (strangers, little children, compliments to managers on store windows and the window dressers, ideas for companies, notes of encouragement, unappreciated moms and dads of friends, discouraged businessmen etc.) ...Sweet surprises this week, just think how enriching this would make our own lives by blessing others daily at least once?

Love, ~Amelia

P.S. Maybe some of you would like to know what my daughters are up to these days? A sweet blogging friend suggested this, and I thought I'd get a raise of hands on it. I've homeschooled for going on 23 years, my baby is 18 and graduating this year. When I started homeschooling it was up in the air in the courts. Oh that homeschooling would come back to the beautiful, sweet Christian roots in many a support group.


NOTE:

If anyone is interested in our family's everyday-life in the country you may enjoy one of my other blogs: My Forest Cathedral

What's Your Face Shot? Heart Shot?

David Wilkerson Face Shot
Description: A gospel is being preached that is withering everything that is in sight. Everything that is green and Godly and pure is being withered. The seed is rotten - there is a famine of hearing the pure Word of the Lord.... there is no pasture. The flocks are desolate and hungry. The rivers are drying up. A strange fire is devouring the pastors. Ezekiel says that Shepherds are trampling down the good pasture and eating the best for themselves. What are the shameful disgraceful things that are happening in the Church of Jesus Christ today?


Today Dh and I heard this sermon: It's Time to Get Right With God

You can also find many, many excellent David Wilkerson sermons at the above site as well as Sermonindex.net.

Hope everyone is having a nice Sunday eve. I think sites like World Challenge and Sermonindex.net are wonderful in these last days.

< "They won't see me" ; )
Let's be kind bloggers with integrity. You can fool some of the people some of the time but you can't fool God. Some people just don't seem very kind or thoughtful, perhaps even respecters of persons in their blogging habits, who they link to or lack to link to etc.? Perhaps I'm being transparent but that's just me. An old homeschooling bud told me once....Amelia you are very honest... As far as I'm concerned it's the only way. : )

Don't mean to sound fussy, but I sure become disappointed sometimes...

Thanking God for the friends who glean from this blog who do have that integrity and fortitude to stand with who and what is right unto the Lord and not be ashamed of blogging partners and friends. : )


Love, ~Amelia

On Pharisees. HITS THE NAIL ON THE HEAD

HITS THE NAIL ON THE HEAD

"The ancient Pharisees, in spite of their zealous devotion to religion, were of the very essence of the world. The spiritual principles upon which they built their system were drawn not from above but from below. They employed against Jesus the tactics of men. They bribed men to tell lies in defense of truth. To defend God they acted like devils. To support the Bible they defied the teachings of the Bible. They scuttled religion to save religion. They gave rein to blind hate in the name of the religion of love. There we see the world in all of its grim defiance of God. So fierce was this spirit that it never rested till it had put to death the Son of God Himself. The spirit of the Pharisees was actively and maliciously hostile to the Spirit of Jesus as each was a kind of distillation of the two worlds from whence they came."

~God's Pursuit of Man by A.W. Tozer

A Word in Season. Dr. A.W. Tozer


I think I'll let Dr. Tozer tell it like it is. He's with the Lord now and was obviously much older and wiser than I. Oh that some would grasp what he has to say and put away arrogance, pride, and the thankless attitudes that often accompany this Phariseeical spirit. The blind hate is very common in the Phariseeical spirit today we have found. It's the same warped hate that put Christ on the cross. If your children are more interested in pet doctrine than a personal relationship with Jesus - beware.


But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils. ~Matthew 9:34

Have a JESUS filled week,
Love in Him, ~Amelia