I heard this poem by Amy Carmichael being read yesterday. How convicting…

Thankful for Calvary’s love,

When I was a teenager I had to have my wisdom teeth cut out. During the time of my recovery (and while I was doing my chipmunk impression), I could only eat soft foods. I ate yogurt…for several days. Ever since then I couldn’t stand the taste of the stuff, I don’t care how much doctoring I did to it. Then a couple years ago my husband and I visited the B&B I shared with you recently, The Windover Inn, and she served us yogurt with our breakfast. It was delicious! It didn’t have the tart taste I’d remembered yogurt having. When I inquired about it she told me she got it at Ingles and that the brand is Stonyfield.

I buy the fat free French Vanilla in the 32-oz. container for a little over $3 and it lasts me a couple of weeks. I add some fresh fruit and granola and have a great breakfast or evening snack. The small containers are convenient, but much more expensive. You can get some good coupons on their website. They have a .50 off the 32 oz., and if you use that at Ingles they will double it. This really is the best yogurt – you must try it!

I’ve shared some of my favorite money-saving websites with you in the past that point you to sales and coupons. Between those web sites and the Sunday paper, I end up with lots of coupons. Keeping them organized is really important. I tried the little coupon holder with the pockets and dividers, but it seemed like all I did was shuffle through each pocket looking and looking for the coupon I knew was in there. I was on the lookout for a better system.

Here’s what I came up with:

I don’t know about you, but I always like hearing someone give their first-hand opinion of products that are supposed to do something grand (I guess all products are made to do just that, aren’t they?) I had used Crest Whitening strips some years ago, and so far I’d have to say I like these Listerine strips better. They are easy to put on, and they dissolve in your mouth. There’s no messing with taking them off in ten minutes. After about 15 minutes they’re gone. They have a pleasant minty taste. I’m half way through the two week period it takes for them to do the whitening, but I must say I can see a difference already. I would certainly say they’re worth using. So now every one’s going to be staring at my teeth when I talk to them, right? It’s okay, go ahead. 🙂 **Smile!**

Country Living

Does a mother really need instruction on how to love her children? Doesn’t it just come natural? It must not, because the instruction in Titus 2 is for the older woman to teach the younger woman “to love her children.” This month’s instruction in our Bible study by Elizabeth George was a good encouragement for women – no matter in what stage of life we find ourselves.

We are reminded that our first responsibility is our relationship to God. As we love Him, then we can better love our husbands; our second responsibility. Our next priority is our children.

As Elizabeth travels around the country speaking to women, she finds that one of the most asked questions from young women is: “Where are the older women?” These are young women looking for an older woman to help guide them as they seek to obey these very commands. Elizabeth said, “It’s not that we don’t necessarily know what to share, it means that somehow our lives are too busy to help them.” We need to be teachers of these good things if there is someone younger than ourselves that needs a guide. Will that person be you and me? I pray so!

How to have a heart for our children:
1. A mother is to teach the Word of God. Proverbs 1:8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother. This is a dual role for the parents.
We as mothers are to teach the Divine Law of God. The mother is key when it comes to imparting the Word of God to the children. Somebody in the household has to reach over and turn off the television and pick up the Word of God. You’re never wasting time when you teach your children the Bible. Isaiah 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

We never know what our children are going to face. Corrie Ten Boom’s father instructed them that the Word of God was a precious tool that He could use through them. Through the persecution that Corrie suffered during World War II, the Word was her comfort during the hard days of the concentration camps, and she used it to minister to many – even her enemies. Pouring the Word of God into our children will prepare them for whatever God has for them.

2. A mother is to teach her children wisdom. Proverbs 6:21 My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother. Proverbs 31:1 1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him… This is teaching that is based on God’s Word. Deuteronomy 6:5,6 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart. It has to be in our heart first, then we can pour it into our children’s lives. All day long, every breath, every sentence, when you sit down, when you rise up – 24/7 this teaching of the law of God is going on in your house. This takes work to teach diligently. We have to choose to mention the Lord.

A Christian aunt or grandmother can make a huge difference in child’s life. In every small thing we must relate it all back to God. There are more opportunities to do this if the television is off! “I don’t care if ‘the wheels on the bus go round and round!'” Every mother can sing that, every child can sing that, but what is more important is, what do they know about God’s Word? What do they know about the Lord Jesus Christ?

We talk about what is important to us. We talk about people, the news, all kinds of things, but if we fail to talk about God’s Word, we are relaying a very important message to our children. Our words are important, but our walk is also important. What are we doing? What are we not doing? It can be positive, it can be negative. We are to talk it, we are to walk it. As Patch the Pirate says, “Your walk talks, and your talk talks, but your walk talks louder than your talk talks!”

3. We are to dedicate our children to God. Proverbs 31:2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows? This is King Lemuel’s mother writing instruction to her son. Hear the passion in her voice! Here is a son, either dedicated to God, or asked of God in prayer, but the piety of this mom is to be what God wants her to be towards her son. He is often the subject of her very earnest prayers! Many mothers of “famous” Christian leaders” had mothers that gave hours a day or a whole day a week just to pray for their children! Our prayers are one way we dedicate our children.

We also dedicate our children through our practice! Many often bring the children to church for minimal exposure instead of maximal! We give them just a little taste when they need a whole helping! Elizabeth shared with us that she saw her role in her girl’s life to get them to the church for every activity that was offered. She said, “It wasn’t a spiritual gift, but it was the gift of driver! That’s what I was!” Dedicate your children to God.

4. A mother is to love her children. This is an affectionate love. We become children lovers.

How do you love your children?

• Do provide the necessities – food, clothing and rest.
• Do be predictably happy. Proverbs 113:9 He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children.
• Do be the giver of everything – that’s your role. We give and expect nothing in return.
• Do have a ball. Make everything fun. Be silly. Make sure fun is a part of your family’s diet.
• Do make everything special. You have to make a meal anyway; make it special. Make the day special.
• Don’t give to others what you haven’t given to your family first.
• Don’t double book. Don’t be on the phone when your children are arriving home. Don’t have meetings in the evening when you could have had it earlier in the day.

Some have had kings in their lineage,

some to whom honor was paid,

not blessed of my ancestors, but –

I had a mother who prayed.

I have a mother who prays for me,

who pleads to the Lord every day for me,

Oh what a difference it makes for me,

I have a mother who prays!

Some have world success,

and trust in riches they’ve made,

but this is my surest asset –

I have a mother who prays!

My mother’s prayers cannot save me,

only mine can avail,

But Mother introduced me to Someone,

Someone who never can fail.

Oh yes, I have a mother who prays for me,

who pleads to the Lord every day for me.

Oh, what a difference it makes for me,

I have a mother who prays!

–Author unknown

God has given us an assignment if we’re mothers, aunts, or grandmothers – we are to have a heart for our children.

‘Til next time,

I would like to introduce you to a very special lady in my life – my mom, Mildred Ray. What a blessing it is to have a godly mother who encourages her children and grandchildren in spiritual matters. She has always been my greatest point of motivation in homemaking, cooking, baking and decorating. She truly has the gift of hospitality.

I’ll never forget when my husband, girls and I were making our move from Indiana to Tennessee nine and half years ago. What a respite my parents’ home was to my family! We were moving all our earthly possessions in a U-Haul truck. My husband drove the truck and our older daughter was with him. I was following behind in our minivan with our younger daughter and our cat, Oreo. Oreo got out of her cage and was sprinting across the dashboard of the van as I drove, the U-Haul broke down 45 minutes after we left, I got a terrible migraine, and we had a three hour trip ahead of us! When we arrived at their house, the lights were lit to welcome us, though it was midnight or after. My mom had prepared a beautiful spread of refreshments for late arrival, had hot chocolate and all sorts of delicious treats ready, along with soft beds and warm quilts waiting to give us rest. Only heaven would have been better than that welcome! That was one of many times that we’ve been the recipients of her hospitality.

She has opened her home to many, many people over the years, and has made each one feel they were the most welcomed guest she’d ever invited. I learned hospitality from watching her. I invite you to take a peek into her heart and home as you read the post below penned by the most loved mom in the world…mine.

Denise has asked me to be Guest Blogger today. I have never been a teacher, as such, but I’m never at a loss for words, so I can hide behind the computer screen and say a few words.

I am past the three score and ten years, the Bible refers to, so I have the advantage of looking way back.

I was saved at the age of six. I fully understood my need of a Savior while listening to the “Children’s Bible Hour” on the radio. My Mother was right there to lead me in the Sinner’s Prayer, as I confessed my sins and asked Jesus into my heart. She has always been a good example of a godly Mother, and I miss her daily. Today, is the 30th Anniversary of her death, and Home Going. I know she is with the Lord, but her teachings and influence have stayed with me, and I’ve never forgotten her ways.

All I ever wanted to be was a wife and Mother. Today, in our Society, that is not as revered as it should be, but is still most important in God’s structure of family.

We have three daughters, and son’s in law, six grandchildren, three of their spouses, two great grandchildren, to date.

We are close knit, but far flung, so get togethers with all attending. doesn’t happen as it once did. Yesterday, I had the privilege of having one daughter and her husband to dinner after church. I fixed every one’s favorite, fried chicken, and all that goes with it. I have always loved cooking and baking and fixing a pretty table. I am very resourceful, and try to use things I have in different ways. My son in law loves coconut creme pie, so I baked one for his birthday this Tuesday. We had a wonderful time of fellowship, and that is so important.

Don’t let your advancing years diminish your role in the family. Grown children and grandchildren need Mothers and Grandmothers, too. Be there with your comfort, gentle words of encouragement and love your family ALL of your life.

Proverbs 31:27 She looketh well to the ways of her household and eateth not the bread of idleness

I am blessed, aren’t I? My only regret in her writing this post is finding out that she fixed fried chicken and coconut cream pie yesterday – two of my favorites! I thank her for sharing her heart with us and for the lessons she continues to teach with her life and her pen.

Did you have a mom that taught you from her life? What did you learn from her?

With love,

Oh, my! Two days this week and my post has been “late” – in my way of thinking anyway. I try to have it ready so it will be posted early in the morning, but this week with being out of town and not always having Internet access, my plans have not always worked out!

Today I got up and my first thought was “blogging,” my next thought was “No, time with the Lord.” If I don’t hear from Him first, I have nothing to say to others. I was reminded of a quote by George Muller, who said that the first duty of his day was to make sure his heart was right with God. Now, that’s a plan to stick with! So, after having had my quiet time, though this is late, it’s in God’s time. 🙂

I use a Bible study book for my weekend devotions and I was working today on a study about busyness (God knew I needed that!). Claudia Barba made the statement that years ago we judged a person’s status by their leisure time. Today we judge a person’s status by how busy they are. I see this even in “well known” preachers. If they have a lunch date scheduled, three phone calls while at a meeting, text messages and beeps while in the car driving to that luncheon, and a schedule that takes them into 2050, wow! They must be important! Yet, that’s not what Jesus’ life exemplified. He was never rushed, never in a hurry or scurrying about to do this and finish that. He always made time to talk with the Father before ministering to others, and He finished the work God gave Him to do!

If you find yourself frantic, trying to get everything finished that’s on your “to-do” list for today, stop and make sure you’ve first had time with the Lord. Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. You will come to understand what He wants you to do, and what you can let go of. So often we’re busier than we should be because we’ve added things to our schedule that the Lord never intended. As you obey His direction, you’ll also have His strength to be able to finish the task.

As I contemplated writing this post I thought, “I’ve written about this a lot this week,” but it seems that every time I turn around I bump into my own inclination to go my own way, or speak to others that are so busy with other things that they make very little time for what matters most. Wherever you are in this area, I trust you’ll get done today exactly what the Lord desires – nothing more, nothing less!

See you in church Sunday,