tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40452351796489623282024-02-06T22:02:14.898-05:00Moozann's MindThe rambling thoughts and ponderings of a homeschooling mother of five, um, make that six.Zanre5http://www.blogger.com/profile/10595715453463823575noreply@blogger.comBlogger135125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045235179648962328.post-21784847152175369612012-12-20T13:59:00.000-05:002012-12-20T13:59:18.362-05:00A Holiday Blessing Opportunity<a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?i=1187035&c=single&cl=235161" target="ejejcsingle"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-9747" title="ebook-bundle-sale" src="http://fivejs.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/ebook-bundle-sale.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="500" /></a>
<p><strong>Through Friday, December 21, you can get a great deal on ebooks</strong> and at the same time help a homeschool family who has taken on the care of ten additional children, ages 2-16, who need a safe and loving home.</p>
<p>The mother of these ten precious kids has terminal cancer and is no longer able to care for them. And unfortunately, the situation with the father is such that the children cannot live with him either. So to provide a safe and stable environment for these children, and to keep the siblings together, the cousin of Joy @ <a href="http://fivejs.com" target="_blank">Five J's</a> has been working with social services and has opened her home to these ten children. <em>(It's a complicated situation, and because of the sensitive circumstances, Joy is keeping the names of both families private.)</em></p>
<p>The children arrived at Joy's cousin's home a couple weeks ago with pretty much just the clothes on their backs and in great need of love, attention, and prayers. <em></em>To help her cousin care for these ten children, Joy, with the help of several awesome bloggers, has organized a simple way for everyone to help.</p>
<p>Right now you can <strong>get this wonderful ebook bundle worth $50 for just $5</strong>, with <em>all</em> proceeds going to help provide food, clothing, homeschool curriculum, and other needs for these ten children. Money raised through this benefit will help keep these ten siblings together in a safe and loving home.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?i=1187035&c=single&cl=235161" target="ejejcsingle">Click here</a> to buy the ebook bundle for just $5.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?i=1187035&c=single&cl=235161" target="ejejcsingle"><img src="http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u618/jmillerfivejs/buy-now_zpsddb57a63.jpg" alt="Buy Now" border="0" /></a></p>
<h3>How else can you help?</h3>
<h4>Share this sale with your family and friends!</h4>
<p>Share on <a title="Click to share this post on Facebook" href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=http://fivejs.com/5-ebook-bundle-sale-50-value-special-benefit-fundraiser-for-a-homeschooling-family" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | Share on <a title="Click to share this post on Twitter" href="http://twitter.com/home?status=Pick%20up%20a%20fabulous%20bundle%20of%20ebooks%20for%20just%20$5%20and%20help%20a%20family%20in%20need%20at%20the%20same%20time:%20http://wp.me/pngxz-2xn" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | Share on <a title="Click here to share this post on Google+" href="https://plus.google.com/share?url=http://fivejs.com/5-ebook-bundle-sale-50-value-special-benefit-fundraiser-for-a-homeschooling-family" target="_blank">Google+</a></p>
<h4>Donate in a couple different ways.</h4>
<p>1. <strong>Donate money directly</strong> to the family through PayPal (you don't have to have a PayPal account to donate this way). Click the button below to donate.<form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" target="_blank" method="post"><input type="hidden" name="cmd" value="_s-xclick"><input type="hidden" name="hosted_button_id" value="55SSYGMEFCJPS"><input style="padding-left:30px;padding-bottom:20px;background:none;border:none;"type="image" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_donate_SM.gif" border="0" name="submit" alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" height="1"></form></p>
<p>2. <strong>Donate Walmart eGift Cards</strong> which the family can use to purchase what they need for the children. If you choose to donate a Walmart eGift Card, please use <strong><em>benefit@fivejs.com</em></strong> as the "recipient email address" when you purchase the card. Joy will then consolidate the cards to deliver to the family. <strong>Click here to <a href="http://www.walmart.com/shopping_card/card_information.gsp?product_id=3223392" target="_blank">donate a Walmart eGift Card</a>.</strong></p>
<div style="border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 15px;">
<h3>What's Included in the $5 Ebook Bundle Sale</h3>
<p><em>Here is what is in the ebook bundle. You can click on the links to preview the books, but then you'll need to come back here to purchase the bundle for $5, and all the proceeds will go to help care for the children.</em></p>
<ul>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.aslobcomesclean.com/2012/05/bring-on-the-summer-of-clean/" target="_blank"><em>Teaching Kids to Clean!</em></a> </strong>by Dana of <a href="http://www.aslobcomesclean.com/" target="_blank">A Slob Comes Clean</a>. Based on her experiences teaching her own kids to clean, Dana shares advice, lesson plans, supply lists, age-appropriate task lists, and printables to help you teach your kids the skills necessary for big cleaning tasks.</li>
<li><strong><em><a href="http://www.hardlotion.com/ebook/" target="_blank">My Buttered Life (Gift & Baby Editions)</a></em></strong> by Renee of <a href="http://www.hardlotion.com/" target="_blank">MadeOn (HardLotion.com)</a>. The Gift Edition includes the following recipes for making your own skin care recipes: chocolate body mousse, flavored lip balms, chocolate peppermint lotion bars, scented & shaped lotion bars, and beeswax candles. The Baby Edition includes these recipes: baby massage oil, baby balm (Beesilk Jr), creamy baby lotion, diaper rash cream, and oatmeal milk bath. Each ebook includes instructional videos, a cost analysis, and information about where to buy ingredients.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://321-stop.com/" target="_blank"><em>3-2-1 Stop</em></a>,</strong> by Lorilee Lippincot of<a href="http://lovingsimpleliving.com" target="_blank"> Loving Simple Living</a>. <em>3-2-1 Stop</em> is a how-to memoir of learning to love simple living. Lorilee uses personal stories, as well as tips learned along the way, showing how to create a life that makes space for what is most important.</li>
<li><strong><em><a href="http://life.yourway.net/how-to-have-your-cake-and-eat-it-too/" target="_blank">How to Have Your Cake and Eat It, Too</a>,</em></strong> by Mandi of <a href="http://life.yourway.net/" target="_blank">Life Your Way</a>. This book is for every mother who's ever wondered if it's possible to pursue her own passions while investing in her family and managing a home. It's a handbook to give you the tools to juggle your many responsibilities and to do it with intentionality rather than living under the burden of mommy guilt.</li>
<li><em><strong><a href="http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/heavenly-homemakers-guide-to-holiday-hospitality-ebook" target="_blank">Heavenly Homemaker's Guide to Holiday Hospitality</a></strong> & <strong><a href="http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/heavenly-homemakers-guide-to-holiday-hospitality-for-kids-ebook" target="_blank">Guide to Holiday Hospitality for Kids</a></strong>,</em> by Laura of <a href="http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/" target="_blank">Heavenly Homemakers</a>. <em>Heavenly Homemakers's Guide to Holiday Hospitality</em> is filled with ideas and encouragement to help you stay organized and relaxed while you prepare for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year celebrations with family and friends. In the kids' guide you'll find page after page of craft ideas, games, activities and recipes that kids can make and do on their own or with a little help from you.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://lifeasmom.com/a-simpler-season-the-ebook" target="_blank"><em>A Simpler Season</em></a></strong>, by Jessica Fisher of <a href="http://lifeasmom.com/" target="_blank">Life As Mom</a>. With over 200 pages of ideas, recipes, and printables,<em> A Simpler Season </em>provides you with practically everything you need to get from Thanksgiving to New Years in a calm, cool, collected manner.</li>
<li><em><strong><a href="http://www.holidayentertainingguide.com/" target="_blank">The $5 Dinner Mom's Holiday Entertaining Guide</a></strong>,</em> by Erin Chase of <a href="http://www.5dollardinners.com/" target="_blank">$5 Dinners</a>. This is an entertaining guide to help you be the best hostess or guest during this holiday season. This guide is the antidote to every other holiday entertaining guide out there. Includes 30 simple recipes, from side dish to main dish, dessert to appetizer, that will not disappoint your guests. And, that won’t drain your budget either.</li>
<li><em><strong><a href="http://www.lynnskitchenadventures.com/ebooks/quick-and-easy-breakfasts" target="_blank">Quick & Easy Breakfasts</a></strong>,</em> by Lynn of <a href="http://www.lynnskitchenadventures.com/" target="_blank">Lynn's Kitchen Adventures</a>. This cookbook is full of simple and delicious breakfasts your family is sure to enjoy.</li>
<li><strong><em>Homeschool Printables Pack</em></strong>, by Joy Miller of <a href="http://fivejs.com" target="_blank">Five J's</a>. This single volume includes all of Joy's homeschool printables, worksheets, and charts that she offers on her website. Includes a variety of subjects and is helpful for non-homeschooling families as well!</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?i=1187035&c=single&cl=235161" target="_blank">Click here</a> to buy the ebook bundle for just $5.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?i=1187035&c=single&cl=235161" target="ejejcsingle"><img src="http://i1324.photobucket.com/albums/u618/jmillerfivejs/buy-now_zpsddb57a63.jpg" alt="Buy Now" border="0" /></a></p>
</div>
Zanre5http://www.blogger.com/profile/10595715453463823575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045235179648962328.post-88707255287982646792012-11-13T11:22:00.001-05:002012-11-13T11:22:43.036-05:00Online Christmas Shopping?Last year, for the first time, we purchased many items online for Christmas. That is largely because we got a free gift card, which I will discuss further in another post. But I'm curious, how many of you do a lot of your Christmas Shopping online?<br />
<br />
How many of you use gift cards that you were given as a gift to buy other people gifts?<br />
<br />
<br />Has anyone else been intrigued by the vast number of gift card designs available? Nearly as much thought is needed for picking out what the card looks like as would go into picking out another gift.<br />
<br />
I wanted to share with you Amazon's gift card variety for this year: There is a card style for everyone. And if you aren't happy with that, they also offer cards with your own picture on them! <br />
<br />
Check out the link in my sidebar if you are interested in checking out or buying Amazon gift cards for Christmas this year. Zanre5http://www.blogger.com/profile/10595715453463823575noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045235179648962328.post-36572380572265498382012-11-01T08:43:00.000-04:002012-11-01T08:43:12.458-04:00All Time Favorite Children's BooksHello! I am embarking on a new adventure! I am planning to write my novel this month. I'm a <strike>little</strike> lot nervous because since so many people know, I feel the pressure to actually accomplish it. But that is probably a good thing.<br />
<br />
I am writing a children's novel. I'm asking you to comment with your favorite or (if you are like me and don't have just one) one of your many favorite children's books. And if you have a reason it is your favorite, I would love to hear it. <br />
<br />
I'll start. I've always loved the Boxcar Children (the original. I enjoyed the series, but it has nothing on the first book as far a quality goes). I really like the way as a kid I felt like I was part of the adventure. I can remember thinking that I could have a real adventure even as a kid. And I could taste the berries and cold milk, and though I was not a fan of either in real life they sure sound yummy in the story.<br />
<br />
Please comment below with your favorite book(s). Thanks!<br />
<br />
<br />Zanre5http://www.blogger.com/profile/10595715453463823575noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045235179648962328.post-8729025510394752312012-10-31T23:42:00.001-04:002012-10-31T23:42:46.088-04:00Day 31 of 31 Days of PeaceRomans 15:13<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTUu8cwp-a5CsIruopHLKWIxNHtYcGdApdY4G1PDUGKYbolARtw5LaybqhzJe3NS2sIgsi7L4HZ5oHTzhs1IwDcn9LVrUKF_9D_PEYiR931sEOU2u9A1nszIXwaU6dzT-bAeJS88MOezQ/s1600/peace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTUu8cwp-a5CsIruopHLKWIxNHtYcGdApdY4G1PDUGKYbolARtw5LaybqhzJe3NS2sIgsi7L4HZ5oHTzhs1IwDcn9LVrUKF_9D_PEYiR931sEOU2u9A1nszIXwaU6dzT-bAeJS88MOezQ/s320/peace.JPG" width="320" /></a>May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.<br />
<br />
<strong></strong><br />
John 14:27<br />
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. <br />
<br />
<span class="text Num-6-24" id="en-NIV-3848">Numbers 6:24-26 </span><br />
<span class="text Num-6-24" id="en-NIV-3848">“‘“The <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> bless you</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Num-6-24">and keep you;</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Num-6-24"><span class="text Num-6-25" id="en-NIV-3849">the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> make his face shine on you</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Num-6-25">and be gracious to you;</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Num-6-24"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Num-6-25"><span class="text Num-6-26" id="en-NIV-3850">the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> turn his face toward you</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Num-6-26">and give you peace.”’</span></span> </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Num-6-24"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Num-6-25">All month we have devoted time toward how we are to try to gain self control and guard our mouths to help regain peace in our homes. We have considered how we are to model the peace we desire to see. The above verses, however, remind us of the most important way we are to gain peace. Each verse tells us something about how peace comes to us. The following verbs are used "give", "fill", and "leave". These are active verbs. Someone is giving us His peace, filling us with peace and leaving us with peace. </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Num-6-24"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Num-6-25">We need to go to Him who gives peace and request the gift of the giver. We need to daily take captive our thoughts and tongues. We need to make the effort necessary to achieve the goal. But mostly, we need to ask the gift of the Giver and be willing to do the work necessary to unwrap the gift. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Num-6-24"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Num-6-25"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Num-6-24"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Num-6-25">As we close this month of "Peace" take a moment to review in your mind the verses we've read. Choose the one or two that speak deep to your soul. Begin to pray those words back to God as you seek His help in establishing an environment of peace in your home. No situation is too great of the grace of God. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Num-6-24"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Num-6-25"> </span></span> </span></span>Zanre5http://www.blogger.com/profile/10595715453463823575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045235179648962328.post-82736117166241776302012-10-28T23:54:00.002-04:002012-10-28T23:54:41.322-04:00Day 28 of 31 Days of PeaceGalatians 5:22-23 <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0B37T9oHWajHwfK6Y8fgVXWJG1nXG1r7TXlqhmJNvjiHh_0zZf3YrJ8M8gg5SsvZOEStIjw8yKkQUrGyYDTJvyk_xB7dR2y6hn62yKSqpYD16lObkakyV-XR61SYLJeL1YX6GKMMhfIYG/s1600/peace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0B37T9oHWajHwfK6Y8fgVXWJG1nXG1r7TXlqhmJNvjiHh_0zZf3YrJ8M8gg5SsvZOEStIjw8yKkQUrGyYDTJvyk_xB7dR2y6hn62yKSqpYD16lObkakyV-XR61SYLJeL1YX6GKMMhfIYG/s320/peace.JPG" width="320" /></a>But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. Against such things there is no law.<br />
<br />
One cannot do a series on peace without including this well-known and well loved passage. Peace is part of the fruit of the Spirit. Peace is not really optional, if you look at it in this sense. We are supposed to seek His Spirit. We are to develop the Spirit in us to resemble Him more each day. Part of that "resemblance" is peace. <br />
<br />
Each day, choose peace. Choose to conform your Spirit to His and grow the fruit that shows that we belong to Him.Zanre5http://www.blogger.com/profile/10595715453463823575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045235179648962328.post-65339588367156499532012-10-28T23:01:00.000-04:002012-10-28T23:46:27.145-04:00Day 27 of 31 Days of Peace<div class="heading passage-class-0">
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0B37T9oHWajHwfK6Y8fgVXWJG1nXG1r7TXlqhmJNvjiHh_0zZf3YrJ8M8gg5SsvZOEStIjw8yKkQUrGyYDTJvyk_xB7dR2y6hn62yKSqpYD16lObkakyV-XR61SYLJeL1YX6GKMMhfIYG/s1600/peace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0B37T9oHWajHwfK6Y8fgVXWJG1nXG1r7TXlqhmJNvjiHh_0zZf3YrJ8M8gg5SsvZOEStIjw8yKkQUrGyYDTJvyk_xB7dR2y6hn62yKSqpYD16lObkakyV-XR61SYLJeL1YX6GKMMhfIYG/s200/peace.JPG" width="200" /></a><b>Jude 1:2</b></div>
<b><span class="text Jude-1-2" id="en-NIV-30675"><sup class="versenum"></sup>Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.</span></b><br />
<br />
<span class="text Jude-1-2" id="en-NIV-30675">This is the opening of a letter to "</span><span class="text Jude-1-2" id="en-NIV-30675"><span class="text Jude-1-1"> those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for<sup> </sup>Jesus Christ"</span></span><span class="text Jude-1-2" id="en-NIV-30675"><span class="text Jude-1-1"></span></span><span class="text Jude-1-2" id="en-NIV-30675"><span class="text Jude-1-1"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="text Jude-1-2" id="en-NIV-30675"><span class="text Jude-1-1">How often do we really pray this for ourselves and our families and our brothers and sisters of the faith? For as often as we whine, roll our eyes and complain about the lack of peace in our homes, how often do we come before our Lord, Jesus and ask him for the mercy, peace and love that He desires us to have in abundance? </span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="text Jude-1-2" id="en-NIV-30675"><span class="text Jude-1-1">Today, take that time and pray. Pray for the peace. Pray that the verses we have been reading will penetrate first your heart and allow you to overflow with peace and joy to change the environment in your home.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="text Jude-1-2" id="en-NIV-30675"><span class="text Jude-1-1"> </span> </span>Zanre5http://www.blogger.com/profile/10595715453463823575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045235179648962328.post-64797000930044276102012-10-26T22:08:00.000-04:002012-10-26T22:09:45.504-04:00Homemade Play Dough My kids take random bouts of interest in playing with play dough. I rarely buy store bought play dough, but occasionally the kids will get interested so we whip together a batch of "Kool-Aid Play Dough"<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOptB1ngncq8nNpjCbQYF0wQ105IJraoJtqr3lAkIwArUjh08BKfhBtQXnoYbR4sJklaSVcrwXpyKKiYfMIZFzlb-DX8KD8WMpP7cgkXX-kkn2VUzKZojYsGCuA6BlXpbA4JHVEU8A5uVq/s1600/IMG_3185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOptB1ngncq8nNpjCbQYF0wQ105IJraoJtqr3lAkIwArUjh08BKfhBtQXnoYbR4sJklaSVcrwXpyKKiYfMIZFzlb-DX8KD8WMpP7cgkXX-kkn2VUzKZojYsGCuA6BlXpbA4JHVEU8A5uVq/s200/IMG_3185.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpHRHK7T0Gyhdu9eeK2f5x3gfvQn3NV2atG4YkpcHdliVMXpqWIvHeOa8dQ4IjPncfDSKqM9bNAHS4fouL5aNg527x-fMahOxhG-jxt_cKJ6VNWyHAH6LTlLny_KK9yQO-uphXONaD4G2/s1600/IMG_3183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpHRHK7T0Gyhdu9eeK2f5x3gfvQn3NV2atG4YkpcHdliVMXpqWIvHeOa8dQ4IjPncfDSKqM9bNAHS4fouL5aNg527x-fMahOxhG-jxt_cKJ6VNWyHAH6LTlLny_KK9yQO-uphXONaD4G2/s200/IMG_3183.JPG" width="150" /></a>2 packages Kool-Aid<br />
2 cups flour<br />
1/2 cup salt<br />
2 tsp cream of tartar<br />
mix dry ingredients together<br />
<br />
Add 2 cups boiling water and<br />
3Tbsp vegetable oil<br />
<br />
Mix together to form a ball. Sprinkle table with flour and knead dough. Be careful, it will be HOT!<br />
<br />
<br />
Once kneaded to desired consistency, play. Can be stored in zippered bags for several weeks.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_AmOBwemB9SkKEEWpHc0EwecSUTCTrODja9xsSFZKWwCGiTHe4gqbhDOLJ3HGvma2o6rq7CFvsMX4YJ_uPyL7jH_0ct2zqUVAqxU3I4oH08rwA6_7JQs2g2b321PcMqkCmBmNOVFz2iR1/s1600/IMG_3190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_AmOBwemB9SkKEEWpHc0EwecSUTCTrODja9xsSFZKWwCGiTHe4gqbhDOLJ3HGvma2o6rq7CFvsMX4YJ_uPyL7jH_0ct2zqUVAqxU3I4oH08rwA6_7JQs2g2b321PcMqkCmBmNOVFz2iR1/s200/IMG_3190.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
Zanre5http://www.blogger.com/profile/10595715453463823575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045235179648962328.post-49561644448110990622012-10-26T20:25:00.002-04:002012-10-26T20:25:58.988-04:00Day 26 of 31 Days of Peace<div class="heading passage-class-0">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxGHICdLToiVAOch2Lgqgv-XxMl5-yC8NYNi8U0475eOgBcA0SGPTSZsrOK63yd8M4Mfj7yBDPF61X51YH8JNTMeaJzeNzb9Ms3oFUXh0gmvDr-oM8n9kf6nwr43YHtfAAMIFtktO_XsTJ/s1600/peace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxGHICdLToiVAOch2Lgqgv-XxMl5-yC8NYNi8U0475eOgBcA0SGPTSZsrOK63yd8M4Mfj7yBDPF61X51YH8JNTMeaJzeNzb9Ms3oFUXh0gmvDr-oM8n9kf6nwr43YHtfAAMIFtktO_XsTJ/s320/peace.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Today's verse is Isaiah 32:18, but I wanted to include the entire passage.<br />
<br />
<div class="txt-sm">
Isaiah 32:17-19</div>
</div>
<div class="poetry">
<div class="line">
<span class="text Isa-32-17" id="en-NIV-18277"><sup class="versenum">17 </sup>The fruit of that righteousness will be peace;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-32-17">its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.</span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-32-18" id="en-NIV-18278"><sup class="versenum">18 </sup>My people will live in peaceful dwelling places,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-32-18">in secure homes,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-32-18">in undisturbed places of rest.</span></span><br /><span class="text Isa-32-19" id="en-NIV-18279"><sup class="versenum">19 </sup>Though hail flattens the forest</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Isa-32-19">and the city is leveled completely,</span></span></div>
<div class="line">
<br /></div>
<div class="line">
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-32-19">This passage shows us what God intends for his people: quietness, confidence, peacefully dwelling places, secure homes, undisturbed places of rest - regardless of circumstances. I desire all the good things God has for me and my family. Do you believe these blessings can be yours?</span></span></div>
<div class="line">
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-32-19"> </span></span></div>
</div>
Zanre5http://www.blogger.com/profile/10595715453463823575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045235179648962328.post-49861062130162673782012-10-26T06:40:00.000-04:002012-10-26T06:40:26.125-04:00Salsa!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd1GX3VrnFmj5GdB9HgLcUVfdz6LlIc62pP3XNGbkVSQdGiL6552RFrnkM4tWMVz3HBg88Qind5edYkABRSyzxtizNoxLvbc5oY2y8Fk0lKMpxacw7yqhIXX8N9gEdaz9WQoT6FdI8cZXL/s1600/salsa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd1GX3VrnFmj5GdB9HgLcUVfdz6LlIc62pP3XNGbkVSQdGiL6552RFrnkM4tWMVz3HBg88Qind5edYkABRSyzxtizNoxLvbc5oY2y8Fk0lKMpxacw7yqhIXX8N9gEdaz9WQoT6FdI8cZXL/s320/salsa.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span class="userContent">6-8 Large Tomatoes (chopped)<br /> 3-4 Green Peppers (chopped) Zucchini works also<br /> 2 Onions (chopped)<br /> 4 Cloves Garlic<br /> 3 Tsp Chili Powder<br /> 1 Package Taco Seasoning Mix<br /> 1/3 cup Apple Cider Vinegar<br /> 2 Tbsp Salt<br /> 2 Tbsp Parsley<br /> 1 Tbsp Cilantro<br /> 2 Limes (don't leave out) zested and juiced<br /> 1/3 cup </span><span class="userContent"><span class="userContent">jalapeno</span> peppers (optional)</span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent">This is the recipe as I was given it. I made a few (slight) modifications. I added extra lime juice. I was freezing the tomato, peppers, etc. mix because they were going to go bad before I could get the limes and jalapeno peppers bought. I forgot to add the parsley. I only used 2 oz (per batch) of jalapenos. I doubled the recipe and got 5 pints of salsa. Even my children, who don't generally like salsa, were eating it!</span><br />
<span class="userContent"><br /></span>
<span class="userContent">I must admit, it took a while. I'm not a fast cook. I blanched the tomatoes to make peeling easier. I stood and chopped for a long while. I don't have a food processor, I'm not sure how well it would have worked. </span><br />
<span class="userContent"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtTV_FdDX5N8HLCzQFVhjYIbEOcJ9ATBuO3jZQeTDvlxdzyYJINgFhFhcE77XsP_UnEeJAjtYn-aN1l2eSRTfvErcGxp_mA1zEIKpDNQc3p87JIFtpROeDYxPnd5pO15j4Fk9eAnzVWj2p/s1600/salsa2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtTV_FdDX5N8HLCzQFVhjYIbEOcJ9ATBuO3jZQeTDvlxdzyYJINgFhFhcE77XsP_UnEeJAjtYn-aN1l2eSRTfvErcGxp_mA1zEIKpDNQc3p87JIFtpROeDYxPnd5pO15j4Fk9eAnzVWj2p/s320/salsa2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span class="userContent">I was very pleased with how my first batch of salsa turned out. After it was heated for the canning process, I was less pleased with the flavor, but it had been very runny before and was much better after. </span>Zanre5http://www.blogger.com/profile/10595715453463823575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045235179648962328.post-12287839531634310192012-10-25T23:43:00.001-04:002012-10-25T23:43:32.965-04:00Day 24 (and 25) of 31 Days of Peace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8zsDGt_JtSfx1P3V2mkXXmU0y98y-tYJBRFR-hHIoytMuXngt3P2hhngaAZ8CeLJqSSvV_iGbgX8-vJpgCeaQ0FDLdmvuzW5FCV0CW48mVzzrm59nhuVZ9_7VIclJSTu57O6h2isbCW38/s1600/peace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8zsDGt_JtSfx1P3V2mkXXmU0y98y-tYJBRFR-hHIoytMuXngt3P2hhngaAZ8CeLJqSSvV_iGbgX8-vJpgCeaQ0FDLdmvuzW5FCV0CW48mVzzrm59nhuVZ9_7VIclJSTu57O6h2isbCW38/s320/peace.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
One of the greatest difficulties in this series, besides doing it daily, has been finding my own words to add any measure of understanding or reflection upon what God says in His Word. So today I offer to you two verses from God's Word about being a peacemaker and ask you to reflect for yourself upon two questions: Am I a peacemaker? How can I become one (or a better one) in my home? <br />
<br />Matthew 5:9 <br />
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.<br />
<br />
James 3:18 <br />
Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. Zanre5http://www.blogger.com/profile/10595715453463823575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045235179648962328.post-45632459212659988742012-10-23T13:48:00.001-04:002012-10-23T13:48:34.461-04:00Day 23 of 31 Days of PeaceProverbs 12:18<br />
The words of the reckless pierce like swords, <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCRPpmRIWz09NjsPaSqCtmkZ-KVk2bSA7zogaEqtP-B7_cPima775Jy0Xw4IXshLI2lJBXW60nvZjulJNenZxvXVE-dbUylQFk-tPO49l8dJX2YPXiNkXQd7xI8xncLXeKarrunzRKrkI-/s1600/peace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCRPpmRIWz09NjsPaSqCtmkZ-KVk2bSA7zogaEqtP-B7_cPima775Jy0Xw4IXshLI2lJBXW60nvZjulJNenZxvXVE-dbUylQFk-tPO49l8dJX2YPXiNkXQd7xI8xncLXeKarrunzRKrkI-/s1600/peace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCRPpmRIWz09NjsPaSqCtmkZ-KVk2bSA7zogaEqtP-B7_cPima775Jy0Xw4IXshLI2lJBXW60nvZjulJNenZxvXVE-dbUylQFk-tPO49l8dJX2YPXiNkXQd7xI8xncLXeKarrunzRKrkI-/s200/peace.JPG" width="200" /></a>We read previously about the healing power of words. Again this verse tells us that words are powerful. They can be destructive or healing in power. Why do I keep harping on our words when I'm talking about the peaceful homes? <br />
<br />
In my experience, it is words that most disrupt the calm, peaceful attitude of the home. It is the spoken word that upsets children, causes mothers to get irrational and fathers to get frustrated. Any scuffle is escalated in intensity by the verbal reaction of the parties involved. A well placed spoken word can reduce the intensity, returning all involved to a state of relative calm rather than creating an environment of hostility. Zanre5http://www.blogger.com/profile/10595715453463823575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045235179648962328.post-52292290305485943062012-10-22T23:19:00.002-04:002012-10-23T13:32:03.104-04:00Day 21 (and 22) of 31 Days of Peace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFSXomp7_dXq8kUShUl1gDdBeYnYXE5p9r49QqPA2gqQMkFmMXeXvgDuA-TCBxpJ6Lf2h1vUyrg1565CqIiv6GTTZ3XScMhF8irrJRCwMtbK2c4FkIg-Tz2Vr0mCBOCd00jGew8n-LOKnF/s1600/peace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFSXomp7_dXq8kUShUl1gDdBeYnYXE5p9r49QqPA2gqQMkFmMXeXvgDuA-TCBxpJ6Lf2h1vUyrg1565CqIiv6GTTZ3XScMhF8irrJRCwMtbK2c4FkIg-Tz2Vr0mCBOCd00jGew8n-LOKnF/s320/peace.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Okay, wives, I"m not letting up on you tonight. Wish I could, but it seems pretty clear that this is an important issue in creating an environment of peace. <b> </b><br />
<br />
Proverbs 21:9<br />
Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.<br />
<br />
Proverbs 25:24 <br />
Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.<br />
<br />
No, that is not a typo. You read that correctly. Twice in the book of Proverbs we have the same passage. Not just pretty similar idea, the same. Admittedly, I haven't read it in the original, if you have please let us know, but when you check the different versions, they still match.<br />
<br />
If the previous verses we discussed on Days 19 and 20 say it is better to live in the desert than with a nagging wife and compare a nagging wife to a leaking roof, and twice we read it would be better to live outside on the roof than in a (many translations indicate large) house with a nagging wife, can we really deny the need to address this in ourselves? <br />
<br />
Remember, moms, what you model becomes acceptable to your sons. Would you be happy to hear a daughter-in-law talk to your son like you talk to your husband? Zanre5http://www.blogger.com/profile/10595715453463823575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045235179648962328.post-23019633439075592982012-10-21T23:39:00.002-04:002012-10-23T13:31:31.247-04:00Day 19 (and 20) of 31 Days of Peace<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfrh2juiZD0kHHu1s66LI6Dyt-ObIEgzKAoTbYhd9JCCeoeOyK50N_02Fmsesw5UPl4yivSpQD2O0fcVk_GusC0pMBF9YHp3_tU4hE78Aa8kV1bV-sdulTrunVkScr3StsLRnK81zh4mQb/s1600/peace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfrh2juiZD0kHHu1s66LI6Dyt-ObIEgzKAoTbYhd9JCCeoeOyK50N_02Fmsesw5UPl4yivSpQD2O0fcVk_GusC0pMBF9YHp3_tU4hE78Aa8kV1bV-sdulTrunVkScr3StsLRnK81zh4mQb/s320/peace.JPG" width="320" /></a>Some of us had better hope our husbands don't read these verses too carefully. <br />
<br />
Proverbs 21:19 <br />
Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.<br />
<br />
Proverbs 27:15 <br />
A quarrelsome wife is like the dripping of a leaky roof in a rainstorm.<br />
<br />
<b> </b><br />
I've been focusing most of my thoughts of how to bring about peace in my home toward my interaction with my children and their interaction with each other. But it is equally, if not more, important to have a peaceful interaction between husband and wife. I'm not a husband and don't feel qualified to give much advice to them. But I am a wife and have struggled through the above verses, and can share my experiences to encourage other wives. <br />
<br />
The Bible, the book that we as Christians look to for advice on how to live a full and rich life, mentions nagging quarrelsome wives, not once but multiple times. Perhaps we ought to take a look. A look at ourselves. Are we nagging? Quarrelsome? Show of hands time, who here has had an argument in your head with your husband while he's gone at work which ends with him coming home in trouble for "his end" of the argument that he wasn't even part of? I knew I couldn't be the only one!<br />
<br />
I once had a pastor ask whether we would rather be "right" or "in relationship"? That is not to say we never have opinions, never voice concerns, never disagree. But there are many arguments in marriage that are simply about being right.<br />
<br />
"Turn left. It's the fastest way to get there this time of day."<br />
"No, going straight is faster."<br />
"No, I'm telling you, turning left will save 2 minutes with traffic like this."<br />
<br />
And on and on this discussion goes until one party is mad that the other didn't listen to them and they arrive at the restaurant two minutes later than they would have. Both spouses are angry and a nice dinner is ruined because we care more that we are right about the traffic than that we enjoy a few minutes with each other.<br />
<br />
While that argument sounds silly, I encourage you, look at your interactions with your spouse. Have you ever, upon retrospect, had an argument over things that are of similar importance? Things with no eternal value? Does it matter which way the towels get folded?<br />
<br />
Share your experience, what is a ridiculous argument you felt justified in participating in, knowing you were "right" that you now realize was of no lasting value?<br />
<br />
<b> </b>Zanre5http://www.blogger.com/profile/10595715453463823575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045235179648962328.post-62018871366463578112012-10-18T21:52:00.000-04:002012-10-23T13:30:55.070-04:00Day 18 of 31 Days of Peace<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqt08kBKnvUpUhI5pzvxrg-y-cUrFGlS7SzXLBC4M3RQGUUFUJKvXmzoJsilJLWBtMlLw0p8QAOXqE-TyBndvN6UofjpLjIf14wWzy6MNt12ww1aaQM6XNCm9ds0OeplK15kspHDDwBYQM/s1600/peace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqt08kBKnvUpUhI5pzvxrg-y-cUrFGlS7SzXLBC4M3RQGUUFUJKvXmzoJsilJLWBtMlLw0p8QAOXqE-TyBndvN6UofjpLjIf14wWzy6MNt12ww1aaQM6XNCm9ds0OeplK15kspHDDwBYQM/s320/peace.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Proof positive that I am not yet wise:</div>
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span><span style="color: black;">Ecclesiastes 10:12 </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Words
from the mouth of the wise are gracious, </span><br />
<span style="color: black;">but fools are consumed by their own lips.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"> I often wonder if I will ever learn to manage my tongue and not become consumed by my own lips. </span>Zanre5http://www.blogger.com/profile/10595715453463823575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045235179648962328.post-9900038643555681292012-10-17T13:49:00.000-04:002012-10-23T13:30:23.618-04:00Day 16 (and 17) of 31 Days of Peace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7_etzoPsFtlPns0jfb6rSbCPLOAHGG_0V7cY9fQlHiobskkvYWqnDUfb5rtHe_IYQ80yhcXN0OgoI6K2ktOCktb79MdcM2sN1Sl-BcVYbPiwlx4-KmJE38PBnPEtivGpFNO2pkKmwgx17/s1600/peace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7_etzoPsFtlPns0jfb6rSbCPLOAHGG_0V7cY9fQlHiobskkvYWqnDUfb5rtHe_IYQ80yhcXN0OgoI6K2ktOCktb79MdcM2sN1Sl-BcVYbPiwlx4-KmJE38PBnPEtivGpFNO2pkKmwgx17/s320/peace.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Proverbs 15:26<br />
The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but gracious words are pure in his sight.</div>
<br />
This verse equates thoughts with words. We need to take our thoughts captive and use gracious words to honor and please the Lord. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Proverbs 16:24<br />
Gracious words are a honeycomb, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.</div>
<br />
Here we see that gracious words are healing. How often do we damage and destroy with our words? Are we using them to heal, to build up our friends and loved ones? Our enemies? <br />
<br />
Now that we are half way through our 31 Days of Peace, I want to encourage you to review the verses we've studied so far. What do they say to you about creating an environment of peace by controlling the use of our mouths? What practical ways can you use words to further the peace in your home? I encourage you to choose a verse and begin to recite it to yourself, I personally like Proverbs 16:24 above, to help you begin to develop the habit of speaking kindly and carefully to your loved ones. <br />
<br />
<br />Zanre5http://www.blogger.com/profile/10595715453463823575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045235179648962328.post-43036401891179312632012-10-15T20:21:00.001-04:002012-10-23T13:29:36.900-04:00Day 14 (and 15) of 31 Days of Peace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdHie3FL9hHxRXhhDH9IC5pZ7Ei0g1cPjdwkOOiXsef-M8dvbXsB0fOa0Phf7rVMVIoPk7M0Kah7p4WVMcxYc9kT4tU2bmlqlRDnyrlgSXt6iTUAyYKRqiqrJ35R0xk_ANUbBS1YUisMi/s1600/peace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdHie3FL9hHxRXhhDH9IC5pZ7Ei0g1cPjdwkOOiXsef-M8dvbXsB0fOa0Phf7rVMVIoPk7M0Kah7p4WVMcxYc9kT4tU2bmlqlRDnyrlgSXt6iTUAyYKRqiqrJ35R0xk_ANUbBS1YUisMi/s320/peace.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
How do we foster an environment of peace in our homes? We've been looking at verses from the Bible that teach us that our actions, and more specifically our words, are what create the environment in which we live. Below are two more verses about our mouths:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="heading passage-class-0" style="text-align: center;">
Matthew 12:34</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="text Matt-12-34" id="en-NIV-23524"><span class="woj">You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="text Matt-12-34" id="en-NIV-23524"><span class="woj">say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Proverbs 36:3</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The words of their <b>mouth</b>s are wicked and </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
deceitful; they fail to act wisely or do <b>good</b>.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We are plainly told that in those who are evil reside mouths that are evil. From that, can we extrapolate that in those who are good reside mouths that speak good? "The mouth speaks what the heart is full of." What is coming out of your mouth? Are you speaking good in front of your children? </div>
Zanre5http://www.blogger.com/profile/10595715453463823575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045235179648962328.post-13844999628062221262012-10-13T23:14:00.000-04:002012-10-23T13:28:40.441-04:00Day 12 (and 13) of 31 Days of Peace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikp0B1zzIQ0cf9g1uFM3Utq-F4xdbH2AFvXcZbeXSNVpPGZPPT8uj2xsPlDs4CfrnBr00CAA81-id94QLhcAAYWA5vIcPggOw7OuUB9hv63Q66ds_59uaN3gSNU3h_89gamYoc8DM14zut/s1600/peace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikp0B1zzIQ0cf9g1uFM3Utq-F4xdbH2AFvXcZbeXSNVpPGZPPT8uj2xsPlDs4CfrnBr00CAA81-id94QLhcAAYWA5vIcPggOw7OuUB9hv63Q66ds_59uaN3gSNU3h_89gamYoc8DM14zut/s320/peace.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
My apologies for missing yesterday. As I sat down to write, my wrist ached too much, forcing me to postpone. When I pulled up today's verse, I was amused to see that, much to my surprise, it was pretty well the same as yesterdays. So I will share them both here:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="text Matt-15-11" id="en-NIV-23645"><span class="woj">Matthew 15:11 "What goes into someone’s mouth </span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="text Matt-15-11" id="en-NIV-23645"><span class="woj">does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”</span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="text Matt-15-11" id="en-NIV-23645"><span class="woj"><span class="text Matt-15-18" id="en-NIV-23652"><span class="woj">Matthew 15:18 "But the things that come out of a person’s mouth</span></span></span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="text Matt-15-11" id="en-NIV-23645"><span class="woj"><span class="text Matt-15-18" id="en-NIV-23652"><span class="woj"> come from the heart, and these defile them."</span></span></span></span></i></div>
<br />
<span class="text Matt-15-11" id="en-NIV-23645"><span class="woj"><span class="text Matt-15-18" id="en-NIV-23652"><span class="woj">This entire passage,<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2015:1-20&version=NIV" target="_blank"> Matthew 15:1- 20</a> deals with the </span></span></span></span><span class="text Matt-15-11" id="en-NIV-23645"><span class="woj"><span class="text Matt-15-18" id="en-NIV-23652"><span class="woj"><span class="text Matt-15-12" id="en-NIV-23646">Pharisees coming after Jesus for not following "traditions", specifically ceremonial hand washing before meals. Jesus retorts that they break God's law to uphold their tradition (please read the entire passage for better understanding). Then He explains that which we put in of our mouths isn't the problem, it's that which we spew from our mouths that shows our true heart. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="text Matt-15-11" id="en-NIV-23645"><span class="woj"><span class="text Matt-15-18" id="en-NIV-23652"><span class="woj"><span class="text Matt-15-12" id="en-NIV-23646">One can eat all the right and good things, but that will never make them "good'. It seems to me that this is a comparison of works versus faith. Relying upon what you put into your body to make you holy and pure is tantamount to relying upon works to make you pure and righteous. But that can never change our heart. We must receive a heart change in order that we can put forth good and pure things from our mouths. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="text Matt-15-11" id="en-NIV-23645"><span class="woj"><span class="text Matt-15-18" id="en-NIV-23652"><span class="woj"><span class="text Matt-15-12" id="en-NIV-23646">We are defiled by what we speak, the words that portray the inner heart that we try to hide. Ask yourself, have I defiled myself with my words recently? Pray for the heart change necessary to change the words of your mouth. </span></span></span> </span></span>Zanre5http://www.blogger.com/profile/10595715453463823575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045235179648962328.post-51715288691947572402012-10-11T21:48:00.001-04:002012-10-11T21:48:19.411-04:00Day 11 of 31 Days of Peace<div class="heading passage-class-0" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkNm7O8H52IbjTOCatZM16YlGl1YG2ub956vC7LoqQ8favL5Y2XVgzdzNW1ELrjfOTOnRHC9JhqH8GPPf_QjqA_jb8lWSEzJUrf2PF87rMST9eEOMBuTiPu8ojKtA-E4QqSHtD_joxT9yS/s1600/peace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkNm7O8H52IbjTOCatZM16YlGl1YG2ub956vC7LoqQ8favL5Y2XVgzdzNW1ELrjfOTOnRHC9JhqH8GPPf_QjqA_jb8lWSEzJUrf2PF87rMST9eEOMBuTiPu8ojKtA-E4QqSHtD_joxT9yS/s320/peace.JPG" width="320" /></a>Proverbs 20:3</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="text Prov-20-3" id="en-NIV-16958"><sup class="versenum"></sup>It is to one’s honor to avoid strife,</span><span class="indent-1"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"></span><span class="text Prov-20-3">but every fool is quick to quarrel.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-20-3"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-20-3">Do you ever feel the need to bicker, argue and fight to defend your "honor", your pride? Ever feel like if you can just get one more word in the world will see that you are right and revere you for the amazing genius that you are? Me neither. </span></span></div>
Zanre5http://www.blogger.com/profile/10595715453463823575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045235179648962328.post-69445739064294637092012-10-10T22:10:00.000-04:002012-10-23T13:32:26.487-04:00Day 10 of 31 Days of Peace<div class="heading passage-class-0">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkNm7O8H52IbjTOCatZM16YlGl1YG2ub956vC7LoqQ8favL5Y2XVgzdzNW1ELrjfOTOnRHC9JhqH8GPPf_QjqA_jb8lWSEzJUrf2PF87rMST9eEOMBuTiPu8ojKtA-E4QqSHtD_joxT9yS/s1600/peace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkNm7O8H52IbjTOCatZM16YlGl1YG2ub956vC7LoqQ8favL5Y2XVgzdzNW1ELrjfOTOnRHC9JhqH8GPPf_QjqA_jb8lWSEzJUrf2PF87rMST9eEOMBuTiPu8ojKtA-E4QqSHtD_joxT9yS/s200/peace.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
Proverbs 15:18</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="text Prov-15-18" id="en-NIV-16826"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict,</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Prov-15-18">but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-15-18">I don't know that there is much I can add to this. We must choose which disposition we desire to put on ourselves, hot-tempered or patient. We must practice patience, failing often but picking up and trying again at every opportunity. </span></span></div>
Zanre5http://www.blogger.com/profile/10595715453463823575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045235179648962328.post-8963957607466112732012-10-09T15:49:00.002-04:002012-10-23T13:32:53.201-04:00Day 8 (and 9) of 31 Days of Peace<div class="heading passage-class-0" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqRhEegT0cJChCELIkPp8xydODg48hhI7twSZZiEviBqgrFpxmyw69j_0RQ05KEVtmvi1vyKGQ0MfglvYim0skl78wB8m8UbMgC_cmo_upmJhQwAomqygAs5NfOaZ5VVT3Y5np38sEKRXM/s1600/peace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqRhEegT0cJChCELIkPp8xydODg48hhI7twSZZiEviBqgrFpxmyw69j_0RQ05KEVtmvi1vyKGQ0MfglvYim0skl78wB8m8UbMgC_cmo_upmJhQwAomqygAs5NfOaZ5VVT3Y5np38sEKRXM/s200/peace.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
2 Timothy 2:23-24</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="text 2Tim-2-23" id="en-NIRV-29835">Don’t have anything to do with arguing. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="text 2Tim-2-23" id="en-NIRV-29835">It is dumb and foolish. You know it only leads to fights.</span></div>
<br />
<span class="text 2Tim-2-23" id="en-NIRV-29835"><span class="text Jas-4-1">The two verses we are discussing today are taken from the New International Readers' Version, designed to make more sense to kids.</span> This is the version my kids are memorizing because the NIV says "stupid" and my kids aren't allowed to say that, so they were happier with this version. This verse comes directly before the verse I blogged about on <a href="http://moozannsmind.blogspot.com/2012/10/day-5-of-31-days-of-peace.html" target="_blank">Day 5</a>. But it relates well to the verses we were discussing on <a href="http://moozannsmind.blogspot.com/2012/10/days-6-and-7-of-31-days-of-peace.html" target="_blank">Days 6 and 7</a>. If the verses so far have left any doubt, this surely does not. "Don't have anything to do with arguing. It is dumb and foolish." Well, okay then. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="heading passage-class-0">
<div style="text-align: center;">
James 4:1
<span class="text Jas-4-1"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="text Jas-4-1">Why do you fight and argue among yourselves? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="text Jas-4-1">Isn’t it because of your sinful longings? They fight inside you.</span></div>
<br />
<span class="text Jas-4-1">This verse is not fun. Instead of just telling you not to fight, it makes you look into yourself, look at your heart. I don't know about you, but often when I do that, I find that I don't like what I see. This makes sense in light of the verses admonishing us to drop our quarrels. If, in fact, our fights and arguments are based upon sinful longings, then we out to be willing and in fact eager to take each opportunity to<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians+10:5&version=NIV" target="_blank"> take captive those thoughts</a> and yearnings and drop whatever is causing divisive, sinful feelings. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="text Jas-4-1"> </span><span class="text Jas-4-1"><span class="text Jas-4-1"></span> </span></div>
<br />Zanre5http://www.blogger.com/profile/10595715453463823575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045235179648962328.post-15099791217765668632012-10-08T08:56:00.001-04:002012-10-23T13:33:52.827-04:00Days 6 (and 7) of 31 Days of Peace<div class="heading passage-class-0" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1hjYylFj7Y2Pq4z40zcHTFqRa-lwJXJVy5bTPObptxWW5WwkaZG_5-CJPSvnUmxH7iJS8pPuRJKXOG-NOIVh3qGQ24iuu-CNPCeDrOYZPSshkgbk74WwTcB12flKo8e0SMiGpC0sWqCv3/s1600/peace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1hjYylFj7Y2Pq4z40zcHTFqRa-lwJXJVy5bTPObptxWW5WwkaZG_5-CJPSvnUmxH7iJS8pPuRJKXOG-NOIVh3qGQ24iuu-CNPCeDrOYZPSshkgbk74WwTcB12flKo8e0SMiGpC0sWqCv3/s200/peace.JPG" width="200" /></a>Proverbs 17:14 & 19</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="text Prov-17-14" id="en-NIV-16888"><sup class="versenum">14 </sup>Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam;</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Prov-17-14">so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="poetry top-05" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="line">
<span class="text Prov-17-19" id="en-NIV-16893"><sup class="versenum">19 </sup>Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin;</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Prov-17-19">whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.</span></span></div>
</div>
<br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-17-14">I love how verse 14 says to drop the matter. It seems so simplistic, "so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out." The verse after this one says that God hates for the guilty to be acquitted, so it seems clear that God isn't speaking of just letting other people do bad things to you all the time. It seems to me He is speaking of those silly useless quarrels, which we all have, over trivial things. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-17-14">Ever fight with your spouse of toothpaste? Or who had to get up and turn the light off last night? Those quarrels, bickering silliness, truly can be like breaching a dam. Suppressing those feelings of frustration is just as bad, as that is what causes the dam that is breached to be so damaging. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-17-14">No, God doesn't want us to be victims. And he doesn't want us to hold back years of frustration to pour forth upon the unsuspecting loved one when we can hold the dam no longer. He does want us to "drop the matter". Drop does not imply hide, it means let it go. Stop making it an issue. So many little issues between my kids would not exist if they chose to drop them, let them go. They wouldn't even care in five minutes. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-17-14">The same is true for many marriages. Many marriages are lost of trifles. </span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-17-14"><br /></span></span>
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-17-14">Verse 19 relates to verse 14. "Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin". Some of you think, "Who would love a quarrel?" But a few of you out there are like me, or like I used to be. You deep down love a good argument. It gets your blood pumping, adrenaline flowing. It leaves you feeling quite satisfied, dare I say - proud. But God says loving quarrels means loving sin. That's harsh. Or is it? God clearly shows us in His word that quarreling isn't what He has in mind for His children. We need to seek first His will, His kingdom. Or we are first seeking the world and sin. </span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-17-14"><br /></span></span>
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-17-14">God made provisions for what his people should do should a dispute arise. Clearly He knew we would have disagreements and miscommunications, as fallible humans. We can see from His love and care that He has ways to settle these disputes and issues, therefore when He tells us not to quarrel but rather let it drop, we can trust that He knows what is best for us and understands the difference between a need for justice and a selfish need to be right. </span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-17-14"><br /></span></span>
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-17-14"><br /></span></span>Zanre5http://www.blogger.com/profile/10595715453463823575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045235179648962328.post-1103503868153064162012-10-05T22:52:00.001-04:002012-10-23T13:34:17.913-04:00Day 5 of 31 Days of Peace<div class="heading passage-class-0" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1hjYylFj7Y2Pq4z40zcHTFqRa-lwJXJVy5bTPObptxWW5WwkaZG_5-CJPSvnUmxH7iJS8pPuRJKXOG-NOIVh3qGQ24iuu-CNPCeDrOYZPSshkgbk74WwTcB12flKo8e0SMiGpC0sWqCv3/s1600/peace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1hjYylFj7Y2Pq4z40zcHTFqRa-lwJXJVy5bTPObptxWW5WwkaZG_5-CJPSvnUmxH7iJS8pPuRJKXOG-NOIVh3qGQ24iuu-CNPCeDrOYZPSshkgbk74WwTcB12flKo8e0SMiGpC0sWqCv3/s320/peace.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
2 Timothy 2:24</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="text 2Tim-2-24" id="en-NIV-29852"><sup class="versenum"></sup>And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="text 2Tim-2-24" id="en-NIV-29852">but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="text 2Tim-2-24" id="en-NIV-29852">Today's verse brings in two new ideas we haven't discussed before, yet are so true in the lives of my children: the ability to teach and the idea of not being resentful. Having a larger family, my children are called upon to teach one another in many ways, not just academically. I believe in varying ways we all teach, regardless of the family size. But I can see many times when one of my older children gets so upset because "How can you not know that!" </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="text 2Tim-2-24" id="en-NIV-29852">Am I guilty of that? Only too often. I fume and fuss because they didn't know, which is because I failed to teach. We instruct intentionally, and unintentionally, continually. We teach with our lives, our actions and our words. We need to show love, kindness and patience when we teach our children or anyone God places in our lives. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="text 2Tim-2-24" id="en-NIV-29852">He also tells us to not be resentful. How often do we outwardly perform these tasks He has commanded, yet inwardly sulk and scowl, complaining at the lack of worthiness of those to whom we are showing "love". Not only are we called to behave in a certain manner, we are to reign in our emotions, control our feelings. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="text 2Tim-2-24" id="en-NIV-29852"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="text 2Tim-2-24" id="en-NIV-29852">How contrary this idea is to that which the world would have us believe.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
Zanre5http://www.blogger.com/profile/10595715453463823575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045235179648962328.post-15289899737851159102012-10-04T22:16:00.003-04:002012-10-23T13:34:53.896-04:00Day 3 (and 4) of 31 Days of Peace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZN2q7WCybX6SgY2XPegbsY4aJKAtLCylJheVJS3iqHy3C7Cv-Uh9hqoC4jtk7A_O6nRrkHZ0etzYMTAKXCys-sEZcXs_RORykPEX25POmCBEdrZwPRFlBntFUmCGywllbMgf1KZo4rpi/s1600/peace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZN2q7WCybX6SgY2XPegbsY4aJKAtLCylJheVJS3iqHy3C7Cv-Uh9hqoC4jtk7A_O6nRrkHZ0etzYMTAKXCys-sEZcXs_RORykPEX25POmCBEdrZwPRFlBntFUmCGywllbMgf1KZo4rpi/s320/peace.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Momma's mood, temperament and manner of speech set the environment of the home. This is a painful reality as I wonder why my children speak so unkindly to one another. I have, unwittingly, fostered this environment and now, with the help of this 31 day series on peace, I begin the process of changing the verbal and emotional atmosphere of my home.<br />
<br />
<div class="heading passage-class-0">
<div class="heading passage-class-0">
Ephesians 4:2 -</div>
<span class="text Eph-4-2" id="en-NIV-29275"><sup class="versenum"></sup>Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.</span></div>
<div class="heading passage-class-0">
</div>
<div class="heading passage-class-0">
<span class="text Eph-4-2" id="en-NIV-29275">The above verse speaks of being patient, treating each other gently and being humble. This idea of being humble as related to how we treat one another was new to me. I hadn't considered that part of the problem lies in our pride, in our belief that we are, in some way, superior to the person toward whom we are behaving poorly. </span></div>
<div class="heading passage-class-0">
<span class="text Eph-4-2" id="en-NIV-29275"><br /></span></div>
<div class="heading passage-class-0">
<span class="text Eph-4-2" id="en-NIV-29275">But the following verse really impacted me, and I believe my kids as well: </span></div>
<div class="heading passage-class-0">
</div>
<div class="heading passage-class-0">
<div class="heading passage-class-0">
Hebrews 5:2 - </div>
<span class="text Heb-5-2" id="en-NIV-30033"><sup class="versenum"></sup>He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness.</span><span class="text Eph-4-2" id="en-NIV-29275"> </span></div>
<br />
<span class="text Eph-4-2" id="en-NIV-29275">Oh, my. Relating to others in light of the fact that we are weak, fallen creatures who should treat other as gently as perhaps we would like to be treated. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="text Eph-4-2" id="en-NIV-29275">I realize that I need to employ these verses</span><span class="text Eph-4-2" id="en-NIV-29275"><span class="text Eph-4-2" id="en-NIV-29275"></span> in my </span><span class="text Eph-4-2" id="en-NIV-29275"><span class="text Eph-4-2" id="en-NIV-29275">manner</span> and </span><span class="text Eph-4-2" id="en-NIV-29275"><span class="text Eph-4-2" id="en-NIV-29275"><span class="text Eph-4-2" id="en-NIV-29275"></span>speech</span> </span><span class="text Eph-4-2" id="en-NIV-29275"><span class="text Eph-4-2" id="en-NIV-29275">more </span>than I expect in that of my children. How do I speak to them when they are making poor choices, being disruptive or in general annoying me? </span><br />
<span class="text Eph-4-2" id="en-NIV-29275"><br /></span>
<span class="text Eph-4-2" id="en-NIV-29275">All I need to do to find out is to listen to how they treat one another in the same situation. Then I see clearly how I have spoken to them for way too long. </span><br />
<span class="text Eph-4-2" id="en-NIV-29275"><br /></span>Zanre5http://www.blogger.com/profile/10595715453463823575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045235179648962328.post-83532642798446532352012-10-02T12:53:00.000-04:002012-10-23T13:35:14.060-04:00Day 2 of 31 Days of Peace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKwdiLu4fshyCYsvh_0fBxKqX44Qu3B_UxjLlsu5DtTIcnsfLJQ0wL4I9DGocx4Cgt6UmPmwHkPqZ3MYxjKxYhrx-RrL-Hq1eh_FSs5dcv99tw3rkP1AFQbmvMyNUkN9kz0mJpDKaOFK-C/s1600/peace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKwdiLu4fshyCYsvh_0fBxKqX44Qu3B_UxjLlsu5DtTIcnsfLJQ0wL4I9DGocx4Cgt6UmPmwHkPqZ3MYxjKxYhrx-RrL-Hq1eh_FSs5dcv99tw3rkP1AFQbmvMyNUkN9kz0mJpDKaOFK-C/s320/peace.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Titus 3:1-2 says <br />
<div class="chapter-1">
<span class="text Titus-3-1">"Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,</span> <span class="text Titus-3-2" id="en-NIV-29926"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone."</span></div>
<div class="chapter-1">
<br /></div>
<div class="chapter-1">
<span class="text Titus-3-2" id="en-NIV-29926">We are going to focus today on verse 2: "to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone."</span></div>
<div class="chapter-1">
<br /></div>
<div class="chapter-1">
<span class="text Titus-3-2" id="en-NIV-29926">I have found lately that my children seem to look for reasons to fight and bicker. They will be happily playing one minute and a shrieking match will ensue the next. This verse in Titus helps us see some basic ways we can each work to restore peace in our environment. </span></div>
<div class="chapter-1">
<br /></div>
<div class="chapter-1">
<span class="text Titus-3-2" id="en-NIV-29926">Slander is the spoken word used against someone, in an attempt to malign them and their character. Most of us would like to say we don't do that. But do we? I know I am guilty as charged. I've been known to feel the need to be sure that others know what he did or she said, you know, just the facts. But again the bible shows us that our words are important and under our control. It is not up to us to be sure others know what wrong someone has committed. </span></div>
<div class="chapter-1">
<br /></div>
<div class="chapter-1">
<span class="text Titus-3-2" id="en-NIV-29926">Then I look at the next phrase "to be peaceful and considerate". That statement brings to my mind a pictures of a sweet, serene, lovely lady. I've known some of these. I'm willing to bet you have, too. Are we born naturally that way? Do we have control over behaving in a peaceful, considerate manner? Clearly we do, as God commands it of us. He wouldn't tell us to be peaceful if it was something that only the naturally born peaceful people could achieve. We must actively decide to behave peacefully, not trying to "<a href="http://moozannsmind.blogspot.com/2012/10/31-days-of-peace.html" target="_blank">stir up anger</a>" as yesterday's verse suggested. </span></div>
<div class="chapter-1">
<span class="text Titus-3-2" id="en-NIV-29926"><br /></span></div>
<div class="chapter-1">
<span class="text Titus-3-2" id="en-NIV-29926">"Be gentle toward everyone." Did that say just those you like? Just those who are gentle toward you? Just those who can help your career? Your ministry? No. Everyone. This includes your siblings, your spouse and *gulp* your children. Everyone. </span></div>
<div class="chapter-1">
<span class="text Titus-3-2" id="en-NIV-29926"><br /></span></div>
<div class="chapter-1">
<span class="text Titus-3-2" id="en-NIV-29926">The more I look into bible verses that encourage and help us develop our character, the more I see it as an active work. Despite our natural inclination, we must work to achieve the character we admire. Those gentle, serene ladies are not that way by birth or inclination, but by years of cultivation. Let me cultivate that gentleness in myself and lead my children to do the same. </span></div>
<div class="chapter-1">
<span class="text Titus-3-2" id="en-NIV-29926"><br /></span></div>
<div class="chapter-1">
<span class="text Titus-3-2" id="en-NIV-29926">Check out the other <a href="http://www.thenester.com/2012/09/31-dayers-2012.html" target="_blank">31 Dayers here</a>.</span></div>
Zanre5http://www.blogger.com/profile/10595715453463823575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045235179648962328.post-38278993741337639512012-10-01T23:18:00.001-04:002012-10-23T13:35:33.346-04:0031 Days of Peace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKwdiLu4fshyCYsvh_0fBxKqX44Qu3B_UxjLlsu5DtTIcnsfLJQ0wL4I9DGocx4Cgt6UmPmwHkPqZ3MYxjKxYhrx-RrL-Hq1eh_FSs5dcv99tw3rkP1AFQbmvMyNUkN9kz0mJpDKaOFK-C/s1600/peace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKwdiLu4fshyCYsvh_0fBxKqX44Qu3B_UxjLlsu5DtTIcnsfLJQ0wL4I9DGocx4Cgt6UmPmwHkPqZ3MYxjKxYhrx-RrL-Hq1eh_FSs5dcv99tw3rkP1AFQbmvMyNUkN9kz0mJpDKaOFK-C/s320/peace.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
In the blogging world. many people are using this month as a 31 Day Challenge. I was inspired by a blog I love, <a href="http://www.aslobcomesclean.com/2012/09/31-days-of-lame-excuses/" target="_blank">A Slob Comes Clean, to create a 31 Day Challenge</a> of my own, focusing on a single topic for 31 days. I am not a consistent blogger, so this is a challenge in more ways than one for me, but it nicely coincided with a challenge I've given my kids to begin to speak peacefully in our home. So I opted to combine the two and find a verse or famous quote to study every day and write a post around it.<br />
<br />
So here goes:<br />
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1<br />
<br />
Take a moment to really reflect upon the words. A <i>gentle answer</i> - to me that implies a response, not just speaking gently but answering or responding to someone. <i> Stirs up anger</i> - this makes me think that the anger is existing but the harsh word stirs it, increasing its potency.<br />
<br />
When someone comes at you with angry words or is upset, you have two choices. A gentle answer or a harsh word. The result of your words can diffuse or escalate a potentially already tumultuous situation. You have no control over how someone approaches you, nor the attitude they express. You do have control of, and responsibility to demonstrate control of, your own tongue. This verse reminds us, as we have all experienced, that how we respond can make a big difference.<br />
<br />
I'm linking this and the following posts of this series to <a href="http://www.thenester.com/2012/09/31-dayers-2012.html" target="_blank">The Nester's 31 Day Challenge</a>. Zanre5http://www.blogger.com/profile/10595715453463823575noreply@blogger.com1