This song had my attention the first time I heard it.  It reminded me of my friends that struggle with their identity in Christ, not seeing themselves as Christ sees them and living in a constant state of fear and unworthiness.  This is my gift to my friends who struggle in this area–an encouragement to remember who they are– and not only are they loved by me, but also by the one that created them, sent His son to die for them and wants them to live in the freedom that His love provides.

I came across a great giveaway today and wanted to share….

Have lots of photos sitting in a box or in a file on your computer?  Photo books are a great way to preserve the memories while reducing a bit of clutter.

What are photo books?  Photo books are a way of creating a digital scrapbook of your favorite photos and the printing them into a book–you can also do this for recipes, artwork, etc.  Inkubooks is offering this free to Simple Mom readers–all you need to pay is the shipping costs.  They are also giving away 5 books of any style and size to 5 Simple Mom readers.

Read all the details for this great giveaway!

…to myself

    The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me.

And I give them eternal life, and they shall never lose it or perish throughout the ages. [To all eternity they    shall never by any means be destroyed.] And no one is able to snatch them out of My hand.

My Father, Who has given them to Me, is greater and mightier than all [else]; and no one is able to snatch [them] out of the Father’s hand.

I and the Father are One.  John 10:27-30 AMP

Thank you, Father, for your words of LIFE.

I have not been very active on this blog lately–partially because of trying to focus on my tasks at home, but mostly because I have had quite the writer’s block!  I feel that I really want to share some things that have been going on with me personally in hopes that it will be an encouragement to you as the reader of this blog.Over the past few months I have have felt myself going in a downward spiral–some days I would seem to be “up”, but I was continuing to go deeper and deeper into a self-absorbed depression.  I was anxious most of the time and had very unrealistic and untrue thoughts and doubts about the people closest to me.  I was beginning to come to the conclusion that I was really losing touch with reality.

Then yesterday, God spoke to my heart.  He showed me an area in my life that I had allowed to become a hindrance to a close relationship with Him.  That area has to do with my identity.  Since coming home to be with my family full time, I have been trying to replace the identity that I had at work with things and people around me now.

But those things can’t replace the identity I have in Christ.  Knowing I am His child–that I am loved and cherished by my Father–that my identity comes from being in fellowship with Him–and nothing else can satisfy me as much as a relationship with Him can–this is what God spoke to me yesterday.

As I was sharing this with my husband who, by the way, is so wonderfully patient and beautiful (inside and out), I felt a sense of peace totally consume me.  The act of recognizing this issue in my life, speaking it to those around me and allowing it to really penetrate my heart and completely basking in the love that God has for me has brought that peace to my heart.
And then this morning in my inbox….

How are we going to get a life that has no lust, no self-interest, and is not sensitive to the ridicule of others? How will we have the type of love that “is kind . . . is not provoked, [and] thinks no evil”? ( 1 Corinthians 13:4-5  ). The only way is by allowing nothing of the old life to remain, and by having only simple, perfect trust in God— such a trust that we no longer want God’s blessings, but only want God Himself.

This is where I am choosing to live–wanting only God to be my source of identity–I fellowship with Him daily and am complete in Him.  Only then can I be the absolute best wife, mother and friend that I can be.

*excerpt above was taken from My Utmost for His Highest Daily Devotional.  To read the entire devotional, go here.

*Thanks to Public Domain Pictures for the use of the rainbow photo

So sorry I have been absent from this blog, but as I am living my very busy life right now, I am thinking about what to write and where to share my thoughts.  Did you know that I have 4 blogs?  And another one waiting in the wings…..hmmm, what am I thinking?  Well, apparently alot as I am trying to place different trains of thought into different segments.  Therein lies the confusion…where do I write what I am thinking, do I write at all, and does anyone really care?

As I ponder what topics drive me to write a post, the topics that I am passionate about (at the moment) are church life, foster/adoption, education philosphies and my family.  So, as I ponder these topics you may see me write about them here, although probably not foster/adoption or about my family (at least not in the detail that I write on our family blog).

There is another subject, though, that has been making it’s way into my thoughts quite a bit lately, and that is the subject of simplicity.  Whether it is regarding nutrition and health or caring for my family, I am really contemplating the idea of simplicity as it pertains to all areas of my life.  I am recognizing that there is way too much focus on what we don’t have in our lives than embracing what is within our reach right now.  There are so many “things” that can take our focus off of what is really important and to me what is really important is my relationship with Christ and my relationship with my family and friends.  Anything else does not even compare—why should I allow it in my life?

So, my friends, I want to share a link with you that talks about simplicity, and what some may define it as.   I liked this thought:

“My goal is to live as simple as possible and enjoy the journey….”

That really sums up my point…To enjoy the journey I am on, I must look at life through the lens of simplicity.  To see God in all things and to enjoy what is placed before me at each moment.

I have been thinking for several years now about the idea of simplicity. It seems that we as a culture would be wise to really think about what we consume, why we consume and if we really need to consume. I am especially aware of simplicity when it comes to raising my children. I want to teach them to be good stewards of the earth and the things they are fortunate to own. I want to model this to them. With the addition of a toddler into our home, that is still in diapers, I have been particularly cognizant of the burden that using disposable products places on our environment.

I have come across several blogs, websites, newsletters, etc., that focus on the idea of simplicity. Many of them have given me a wealth of information that really causes me ask the question, “why do we do what we do?” One of the blogs that I have come across recently is one authored by Michelle Kennedy Hogan called Organically Inclined. The range of topics found at Michelle’s blog includes homelessness, homeschooling, simplicity, gardening, raising teens, eating well, etc. She has authored several books as well, none of which I have read, but I certainly hope to in the near future.

Michelle has a contest happening right now:

“Organically Inclined has just gotten some sweet products. From today (July 8, 2008) through next Friday (July 18, 2008) make a comment on any of our blog posts and you will be automatically entered to win an Organically Inclined cotton tote bag (check them out here) filled with a copy of Michelle’s book “Without a Net,” a copy of Michelle’s book “The Big Book of Happy,” a gift certificate for one gDiaper cover of your choice; an Organically Inclined bumper sticker and a variety of green cleaning supplies!”

I hope you will be encouraged to read Michelle’s writing and that you would be truly inspired to simplify your life in actions and in community with others.

Well, here I am, once again, beginning a new journey. It feels good, but somehow not quite complete. It is only in the beginning stages, literally hours, but still a little surreal.

I ended my time working as a teacher in the school system today. It was a decision that has been in process for several years now. When we decided that public school wasn’t working out too well for our son and we decided to homeschool him, I began thinking of changing my path as well. So, two years later, I am at that “jumping off” point. I know it is what I am to do, for myself and my family and most importantly, it is what the Holy Spirit has led me to do. The feelings that I am having at the moment are a little like I am walking away from my identity as a “teacher of children with special needs” and walking toward completely embracing my identity as a “follower of Christ”.

I think the natural feelings I am having right now are just that, “natural”. They will pass soon and the picture of who I am and who I am going to be will begin to look much clearer to me. My family needs me—all of me. And I need to be completely surrendered to my Father, who has many wonderful things planned for me and for my family.

There is freedom in following the leading of the Holy Spirit. There are also unknown experiences awaiting. I like that….I like knowing I can totally trust my Father with EVERYTHING in my life and know, have confidence and be assured in his love for me.

I already see things a little clearer by simply writing these words…

Listening to the radio this morning, I heard a familiar song, one that I hadn’t heard in quite a while. As I concentrated on the lyrics, I was reminded of how fragile life can be. I was also reminded that without a relationship with Christ, how lost we are….and how confusing and difficult this world can be to us. Thank God for His grace and his love that is with us at all times. What an incredible gift….may we live each day basking in His love for us.

My, it has been a while since I have written here! Life has certainly gotten busy and I am finding my time just slipping through my fingers. We are in the process of adopting a beautiful little girl, which you can read about here and I am entering the end of my time in the school system. After the month of May, I will be walking a little bit lighter and how good that will feel!! Until then, I will sprinkle my sporadic thoughts here and there.

There are some thoughts that I would like to just put there really for the sake of getting them off my chest and if it provokes any thoughts in you, I would love to hear them.

I have read some thoughts recently about what the “biblical” Christian or church should be doing in the lives of others. Most of the content relies heavily on speaking biblical truths to people no matter how much it hurts, when–of course– speaking it in love, because the heart behind this biblical motivation is to encourage them in their relationship with God.

My question is this…

Should we be describing our way as “biblical”? Isn’t that implying that all other ways are not biblical—and isn’t that placing ourselves above others–and these are brothers and sisters in Christ, mind you–and making them feel intimidated, guilty and unloved? It seems that Jesus’ goal was to bring people to himself and love them unconditionally– wherever they are in their life.

I am reminded of the woman who was caught in the act of adultery and was face to face with Jesus. Here is how he responded:

The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

“No one, sir,” she said.

“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” John 8:3-11

I read this as an example of speaking to another in love. I do not think that throwing people’s sin in their faces is an act of love. Jesus showed love to this woman and yes, gave her a direction to leave her life of sin, but after seeing the love come through the eyes of Jesus, why wouldn’t she?

In this same passage, Jesus speaks to the Pharisees very bluntly, which I believe is an example to make note of when people are judging others by human standards:

“Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. But if I do judge, my decisions are right, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid. I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.” John 8: 14-18

Jesus backed up these words by not placing judgments on others. He sets the example for us…the life of a follower of Christ should not be to judge, but to show love. That is our role.

But let’s really get down to the definition of Christian….what does this mean? In my opinion, if we call ourselves Christians, we should be just that…..followers of Christ. A follower of his teachings, his example, his life. I’m not sure this means being a follower of a particular doctrine or procedure for living. If so, where does the Holy Spirit fit into our lives? What if the Spirit is speaking to us to accomplish something that goes against the grain of our structure? Do we ignore the voice of God?

My intent in this post is not to point a finger at anyone. I am simply someone seeking to know what it means to live a life in a deep and meaningful relationship with Christ and with those in my home and community. I just tend to believe that the idea of condemning and judging others with the label of a “biblical” Christian, goes against everything that Jesus taught and lived out.

I came across this quote yesterday and thought I would share it:

“Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God” Jim Elliot

This quote certainly puts into perspective what we do daily. There are many times that I get overwhelmed with the tasks that are before me. I may show from my expressions that I am not happy with my present situation.

Although, when I read this quote, it reminds me to keep my heart fixed on the Father and to allow His light to shine through me and onto the lives of the people around me. This is my calling….may I do it with enthusiasm and joy!