A Special Visit

We had a whirlwind visit from a special family member. We went shopping and played games, hiked and visited.  Thanks for stopping by on your way somewhere else!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was quiet at our house.  Chief went off to work and kids and I just made a special meal and got caught up on home duties or homework. We shared things we were thankful for, beyond the "usual" and read some Bible texts together.

The First

While everyone up north talks about the cold and snow for Thanksgiving week, I picked our first zucchini of the season.

Our little fall garden is waayy behind schedule. I am hoping we get a few beans and more squash...maybe some carrots and beets  by New Years. The cauliflower plants are being chewed on, so don't think they will produce.
I made the mistake in previous years of giving the broccoli leaves to the dog when I pulled out the plants after harvesting two or three pickings. Now he has gotten the idea that he can go into the garden and munch on the growing plants.  So probably no broccoli this year.

But doesn't he look just so innocent?!

To Train Our Thoughts

Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6

I have known this text for many years.   Recently the conviction has come to my heart of the need to train my thoughts. It is also my duty to train my children on  how to control their thoughts.

Thoughts shape our behavior, our attitudes, and our words. What we think eventually comes out through the mouth or in our actions .This ultimately reveals our character and our eternal destiny is affected. Thought processes begin in our brain. In private. Where no one else can visit.  But God can see. He knows what is there.

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. Proverbs 23:7

This is why it is so very important to guard our thoughts.  To think positive, uplifting thoughts.  To keep our minds pure so the Holy Spirits'  prompting can be heard. It is important to openly discuss this process with our children, and for them to see us conquering our own negative thought tendencies.
Negative thoughts can be very destructive to any relationship, including our most important  relationship with God. Satan would  like to hijack our thoughts and keep the negative thinking cycle going.
Finally brethren whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is anything praiseworthy- meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8
For my family I have developed  some strategies to implement in the battle to capture and retrain our thoughts.
1.Ask for divine help
2.Memorize scripture promises that apply, and recite them periodically.
3.Hold one another accountable
I encourage you to contemplate what you can do for your family to build 'right thinking' habits.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself  against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4,5
May the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in Thy sight, oh Lord, my strength and my redeemer. Psalms 19:14

Words Are Power

Deuteronomy 6:6,7 says "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.  You shall teach them diligently to your children"       

Words are containers of power.

They can be used as a healing balm to a hurting soul, or as a slashing sword to cut  a wounded heart.

It is important that we train our children to listen to the words they say.  We can teach them to think before speaking. However, parents must model the think before speaking process.

"Children don't always listen to their parents, but they do imitate them."

The Bible says "The tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell."  James 3:5,6

A blogger friend shared an object lesson with her children to stress the importance of words.It is a simple way to help our children understand this concept.

1.Squeeze toothpaste out of the tube...then put it back in.

2.Place a drop of  Tabasco Sauce on your tongue...then quickly get a drink of water!

It is a sobering thought to realize that the words we speak can carry such great power.  Thankfully we are not left to flounder without help. The book of Proverbs is filled with incentives and reasons why gaining control of our tongue is so important.

"The mouth of the righteous is a well of life." Proverbs 10:11

"The tongue of the wise promotes health" Proverbs 12:18

"Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones"

Proverbs 16:24

"The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly" Proverbs 15:2

"A wholesome tongue is a tree of life" Proverbs 15:4

But how do we gain a wholesome, wise, and righteous tongue?

1. Through earnest prayer

"Create in me a clean heart oh God"

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight Oh Lord, My strength and my redeemer"! God knows our need, He hears our cry, and His grace is available.

Ask for perception and awareness of the words that we speak as we begin this building process.

2.Repeat Bible promises out loud.

When you hear yourself speak The Word, this  internalizes what you are saying and it empowers you for necessary change.

Our words affect those around us. We are either building up, or  tearing down those who hear our words. Our children are especially vulnerable as they absorb what they see and hear from adults around them.

May the words that I speak today Heavenly Father, uplift and encourage others.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

A Favorite Song

What A Friend We Have in Jesus

What a friend we have in Jesus,

All our sins and griefs to bear;

What a privilege to carry,

Everything to God in prayer!

Oh what peace we often forfeit,

Oh what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations?

Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged;

Take it to the Lord in prayer!

Can we find a friend so faithful?

Who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness;

Take it to the Lord in prayer!

Are we weak and heavy laden,

Cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior still our refuge,

Take it to the Lord in prayer!

Do thy friends despise forsake thee?

Take it to the Lord in prayer!

In His arms He'll take and shield thee,

Thou wilt find a solace there.

by Joseph Scriven 1855

Camping!

We had a fun weekend hanging out with  a few of the college kids on a camp out. The weather was perfect and the association was refreshing.

There is always a sense of relaxing comfort when getting away from the usual regular schedule and out into the fresh air. It renews and energizes me.  Gives a new perspective on life.

The fall colors are nothing compared to the north, but we appreciate what we do have!