My Shield, My Glory and the Lifter Up of My Head {Thankful Thursdays}

Last week, my husband and I were watching an episode of Forged in Fire. The bladesmiths were challenged to create a spiked shield that would withstand the different tests. They were tested for strength – reflecting of arrows shot from a crossbow, on killing – the cutting edge of the shield and the spike were to strike and penetrate the ballistics dummy, and sharpness – the spike had to withstand penetrating a metal drum without losing its sharpness or being damaged. In the end, only one shield passed all the tests.

My Shield - our Shield can withstand any and all tests like no other shield.

My Shield, My Glory, and the Lifter Up of My Head

David had his share of battles and I’m sure he appreciated the value of his shield against the enemy. In Psalm 3:3, David calls the Lord, my Shield. He had confidence in the Lord to protect him from anything that was thrown his way. We can rejoice in knowing the same Shield who protected David is the same Shield who protects us.

We can have confidence in the Shield.

As we read through the book of Psalms it is obvious that David put his trust in the Lord. He knew he could pray with all his heart and that God would listen. David rejoiced in the assurance of God’s shielding power and he even called Him, my Glory. When we find refuge under the wings of our Saviour, we can also call Him, my Glory.

Thou art my Glory forever.

When we look at David’s life, we see a man who God chose. David was sure of God’s power and of God’s purpose for his life. David gave God the rightful place as his Glory and he was lifted up above other kings of his day. When we give God the rightful place in our lives, He will lift us up for His service.

Know God, allow Him to work and He will lift you up.

Dear Heavenly Father, We are trusting You for our protection today; shield us for your sake. We are thankful for being able to call you our Glory. Lead us to lay all of our burdens at Your feet and leave them there, trusting You to lift us up to the place where You will have us. In Jesus' precious name, Amen.

The Daysman (An Arbitrator)

When I read about Job, I want to say, oh, poor man. He lived through some mighty hard times in his life and yet, he never gave up on living for God. He lived before Christ came and because of that, Job did not have Him interceding for him during the time he was dealing with all the events that came into his life. God was with him, though, but Job knew he needed a DAYSMAN standing in the middle for him.

The Daysman

Job knew God’s righteous judgment in dealing with man. He knew he was a lowly sinner, he never tried to claim perfection when accusations were thrown his way. Job also knew he could not defend himself before God and that he was in need of someone to stand for him and defend his case. Job recognized the need of the Daysman.

Thankfully, we live in a time where we do have The Daysman interceding for us. Jesus is standing with one hand on us and the other on the throne of God presenting our case and without Him, we would be just like Job or worse.

Thank God, we have Jesus who bore our sins and paid the debt so that He could open the door for us to approach Him and know we are forgiven of our sins and can fellowship with Him. We have the Daysman working on our behalf.

Brown Sugar and Molasses Glazed Carrots

I’m not a cooked carrot lover, but after making Brown Sugar and Molasses Glazed Carrots, I think I could become one. I normally don’t cook carrots except for with a roast and potatoes because that is the only time my husband and son will really eat and enjoy them. In some of the other recipes I’ve shared that called for carrots, I ended up grating them so the chunks would not be seen. I took a chance on this recipe and didn’t know what the outcome would be, but I’m happy to say, the family loved them enough to ask for more... soon.

I found the recipe HERE but decided to cut them into diagonal pieces because I know my family. They don’t want food that looks fancy schmancy on the plate, they want to be able to dig right in without any hold-ups.

I did make a couple of changes to the recipe like cutting them. I used my homemade brown sugar with a little more molasses than the recipe called for. Because of this, my carrots turned out darker, but that is fine with me because we love the taste of molasses. I also left out the rosemary because I was looking for a sweetened carrot flavor without anything else being tasted.

If you had rather have carrots that are not dark, be sure to use a light brown sugar and stick with 1 tablespoon of molasses. I only buy blackstrap molasses so it could be part of the reason why for the extra darkening. This dish is quick and easy with just a little sweetening.

Brown Sugar and Molasses Glazed Carrots

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons  oil
• 1 pound carrots, peeled and sliced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon molasses
• ½ cup water ** if needed
• 2 tablespoons butter

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large skillet heat oil over medium heat. Add the carrots with salt and pepper, stir to coat with oil. Cook for about 4-5 minutes and add the brown sugar and molasses. Continue stirring the carrots. Cook until carrots are tender and sauce is thickened, about 5-10 minutes. **If needed, add a little water to prevent the sauce from burning.
2. Add butter to skillet and cook until melted, stirring to coat the carrots.
3. Serve

What did I tell ya? Quick, easy and lightly sweetened. If you try this, let me know how you like it.

5 Ways To Have The Ideal Home

No matter where we live or what we live in, there is no place like home. The walls around your family and items are not the home, but a house, an apartment, etc. Our home is what we create inside those walls. Many of us want to consider our home an ideal home. The ideal home should be a Christian home because its foundation is on Christ.

It is obvious people are searching for something different.  When we listen to others we hear people talking about how they would love to have an old fashion home life. Having an old fashioned home is doable; you just have to be willing to make changes where needed.

We live in the day of on the go families and technology in every room. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have an “old-fashioned” ideal home.

5 Ways to Have the Ideal Home

• Family Worship Time

A time where a family can worship and praise God together. Children need to learn at an early age how to worship and praise God and honor His Word. We can establish our faith and convictions by teaching our family what the Bible says and how to take a stand when needed. We can pray for each other and over family problems and situations. There is no one better to pray for each other than family. We can also use this time to pray for those who are in leadership, our churches, missionaries, and extended family and friends.  (Deuteronomy 6:6-9)

• Family Table Time

Something many on the go families are leaving behind. Families need to be sitting together, eating and enjoying a time of fellowship without technology, at least once a day, if possible. Meal time is a time for gratitude of what is on the table and the hands that prepared it. This time, should include a thankful blessing before the meal. (Acts 27:35)

• Family Church Time

In the old days families sat together in church. Whether it was one pew or two, families always worshiped together as a whole. Over the years, the family pew (s) has become the family 2-3 sitter, with members moving to other parts of the auditorium, children going off to their junior church services. Even with the separation, a family who attends church, but in separate rooms or auditoriums can still talk about what was taught or preached on. Not attending church opens the door of our home to disaster. (Heb 10:25)

• Family Stewardship

God blesses those who give. He only asks for a small portion (one-tenth) and many homes have found living on the other with God’s blessings goes a lot further than they expected.(Malachi 3:8)

Stewardship doesn’t just mean giving a tithe. It also means to be wise with how we spend our money. Children need to learn to save and be careful using credit cards (if they are allowed in the home) after they learn to give back to God.

• Family Relationship

The atmosphere in our homes should be peaceful and joyful. We should not have any division within our family. Moments of anger should be just that, a fleeting moment and no longer. (Ephesians 4:26) The home should be a safe haven for the members who live there because Satan is on the prowl just waiting to find an opening into our homes to destroy them. (I Peter 5:8)

While this post is written for the Christian home, most any home could use these tips to help create an ideal home.

Is there anything you do that you would add to have the ideal home?

The Lamp Who Lightens Our Darkness

I like to imagine what the earth was like before sin. The clean and perfectness of God’s creation; the light from the sun and moon, I wonder if they were different from what we have today. Because of both, it is a little difficult to think about the darkness and how dark it really was before God said, “Let there be light”. God knew exactly what He was doing when He created both sun and moon. He knew we would need light in the day to go about our business and we would need light at night to see by. We have another light we can depend on, the Lamp who lightens our darkness.

The Lamp Who Lightens Our Darkness

It wasn’t until after I started writing this post when I began to think about the light when it happened at the sound of God’s voice. What it must have been like as it flashed throughout the heavens, so joyful, comforting, and warm. That moment when darkness stopped and light appeared; it must have been amazing!

When Christ enters a human life the illumination that is given is a huge transformation of that person. That light, Christ, will never go out. The light may become dull and dim because of sin standing in the way of it, but it will never go out.

Whether it is day or night, it is a privilege to live in the light.

Heavenly Father, I rejoice that You are the never failing Lamp. I pray that I will work to keep sin from dimming the light You have in me. I pray I will allow Your light to shine through me and to bring Your light to the lost. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Homeschooling: Obey The Laws

I love being a home educating mom. Teaching my son is a blessing that I don’t take for granted. This opportunity opens doors for my son to explore what he is interested in and to learn at his own pace without the added stress of others being pushed on him.  I am an unapologetically homeschool law abider.

Protect your home and school, obey the laws.

These years have been all about his education and I love that. I’ve mentioned our state laws before in the post Homeschooling In Montana. I have now come to terms with the freedoms my state has when it comes to a home education and I truly am thankful to be a Montanan.

Homeschool: Obey The Laws

One of the many reasons we chose to educate at home was to make sure our son would be taught how to be a responsible, productive Christian citizen without a worldly influence shadowing what we teach. Teaching Jamie about the laws that God put in place and the laws that we must abide by as citizens of this nation is a lot of work, but it is so worth it.

When I hear of people not abiding by the simple laws put into place by their state for home education it makes me mad! This kind of behavior is what gives the rest of us a bad name and makes it harder for us who abide by the laws to be considered trustworthy and capable of teaching our children.

There is plenty of negativity towards homeschoolers, why would you fan the flames by not abiding by the laws?

When you don’t obey the laws and you are called out on it, don’t be surprised. If you are man enough to break the laws then you are man enough to handle the situation. I have no sympathy for you.

When you don’t obey the laws of your state then you might as well slap the faces of the thousands of people who have gone to battle with the government on your behalf to have this wonderful freedom; a freedom that you don’t have to be ashamed of nor hide.

I understand many want to keep the government out of their lives as much as possible. But I have to tell you, it is better in the long run to adhere to the laws of your state than to have certified letters delivered or case workers to knock on your door.

When you choose to not obey the laws for homeschooling you are teaching your children it is okay to break laws you see unnecessary. You are saying you are above the law and you don’t have to obey it. You are teaching your children to be arrogant and disobedient.

I am not one for giving every little detail of your family to the local officials. When you give more than is required, you are letting them know you DON’T know the state laws and you are giving them more reason to ask it of others. Only give what is required by your state and no more.

Know your homeschool laws before starting out and keep up with any changes that are made to them. If your state officials plan to make changes that take away your freedom be sure to contact them and if they vote for it, use your voice at the next election.

When moving to a different state research and learn the laws before moving so you will know what is required. When I learned we were moving to Montana in 2007, I researched several months and emailed people just so I would know what was required. Thankfully, I was familiar with the laws before we moved back here in 2012,  but I had to refresh my memory to be able to know what my requirements are.

What about your children and their safety and sanity? Is not obeying the laws worth the stress it will cause your precious children if they are removed from the home? Is it worth the added pressure that it will bring to your marriage? I don't think so.

It is your responsibility as a parent to know and adhere to the laws of your state.

Protect your home and school: obey the homeschool laws.

The Prophet Mighty in Deed and Word

Before Jesus Christ came to earth, He knew all that would happen. He knew some would love Him while others would hate Him. His life would be mighty, his death and his resurrection would be mighty! He was The Prophet Mighty in Deed and Word.

The Prophet Mighty in Word and Deed

The rulers and haters thought they would eliminate Jesus. They sent Him to the cross because that was part of the fulfillment of the Scriptures. But He is alive today!

There are plenty today who want to wipe away anything related to Jesus and the Bible. While churches may close, pastors jailed, and Bibles burned; Jesus still lives, no matter what anyone on earth says or does. It’s important to hide God’s Word in our hearts. It will always be there when we need it and no one can take it away from us.

Jesus lives in the hearts of millions who love Him and would be willing to die for Him. We’ve heard numerous stories over the past year of Christians being killed for their faith in the Middle East. While the news is sad and heartbreaking, they did not fail Jesus in a time of trouble. They did not deny Him, and He will not deny them. Do we have the courage to take that kind of stand for Jesus?

No matter what others may say or do, Jesus will live throughout all the eternal ages. His words will continue on, there will be no destroying Jesus or the words He has spoken.

I’m thankful I serve the Mighty, Everlasting Saviour, Jesus Christ!

Gettin' It Done - Spring Break Week

The school year is on the downhill side; this week is spring break and we only have about 4 weeks of school left. With sickness in the house for the past month we did get a little behind, but thankfully, it was things that are easy to catch up on.

Gettin' It Done - Spring Break Week

With sickness for the past month, I have not been able to stay on top of all my cleaning. So instead of deep cleaning a specific room, I’ll be working on catching up on everything. I’m so tired of looking at things out of place that my sweet husband and son tried to help me with, but you know, I have a problem with control. I like to be in control and have everything in its own little place. My husband will gladly share about my controlling ways if you don’t believe me.

For school work, I’m working on lesson plans to finish out the year. I’m more than a little excited about the new school year. My sweet son will be a junior. How can that be?! That is a little hard to swallow, when I look at him; he will always be the cute little chubby boy who loved learning to read in kindergarten. Once my curriculum is nailed down, I’ll be sharing it. I took a different turn with two subjects, many homeschoolers will be disappointed in knowing the changes I made, but I believe this will be the best in helping my son be prepared for college. You do what you have to do, right?

Last week, I was blessed with a new washing machine. It was far from even being considered but, my 45-year-old yellow Maytag washer named Matilda died while Jamie was washing his clothes. As much as I disliked that washer, I was thankful to have it and that it was left in the house when we moved it. I can’t wait to see the water bill since buying the new one. Matilda’s water level was never accurate so small loads were actually large loads. We are anticipating a drop in our bill; I’m keeping my fingers crossed. :)

You'll have to excuse the cellphone pictures.

I wish I had a picture of the house that was next door. It had not been lived in for roughly 20 years and it was the catch-all for a hoarder. The new owners finally tore it down and now my clothes line has direct sunshine to help in drying clothes. My husband changed out the lines for me yesterday in hopes of me being able to use it today, but we have a front that is moving through with wind gusts of up to 70 mph. Since I’m not in the mood to chase down my clothes through the cow pasture behind our house, I’ll have to wait until later this weekend to use it.

I went grocery shopping on Saturday and we stocked up on many items at a case lot sale. My husband took this picture to show his friends on Facebook what a shopping trip is like for us since we are about 80 miles from Walmart. This is only part of the pile of goods. I had the cooler in the kitchen trying to get all the cold things put away before the other pile was brought in. The black box is full of bags of groceries.

I bought a few flower seeds back at the first of March. I’ll be starting them this week with hopes of being able to set them out at the end of May.

As you can see, I will be busy this week as long as my energy holds out. What are your plans for this week? I’d love to hear about them.