Spirituality and Your Mind - Voddie Baucham

Here is the introduction for this message:

Have you ever asked someone for advice about a specific situation only to receive the cliché response: "Just pray and the Lord will give you a "peace" about what you should do." Is that really a Biblical response? How does that fit in with Romans 12:2 which says that we are supposed to have our "minds" engaged in what we are doing? In this sermon, Pastor Voddie exposits this text and gives the church the implications behind this line of reasoning.

I recently listened to this message about "Spirituality and Your Mind" by Voddie Baucham. I must admit, I have been guilty of thinking this way in the past (my Bible College days) and much of my 20's.  If you can, listen and be blessed and encouraged.
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=8141123285

9 Ways to Get Rid of Hidden Toxins in Your Kitchen

This is another short article on "spring cleaning" in the kitchen.  Here are some great alternatives you may choose to use.  Enjoy!
9 Ways to Get Rid of Hidden Toxins in Your Kitchen

Teaching or Learning?...Yes.

 Isaac, Michael,and I had just finished building a fort with the Lincoln Logs and were pretending we were defending one of the forts during WWII. (I realize that there wasn't an actual  fort like ours during WWII... but we like pretending.) I decided to make this a "lesson" too by pulling out our DK Publishing "Battle" book to look up some of the tanks. (This is an awesome book for historical battles and leaders with great pictures.)
Isaac piped up , "There's Eisenhower." We flipped back a few pages. "There's Churchill. There's Stalin. There's Hitler."  (I thought to myself, I didn't even know who all these people were three years ago.) Isaac (age 5) continued, "...there's a German dive bomber, there's a German Messerschmitt, there's a b-17 Flying Fortress." "There's a Spitfire!" shouted Michael (age 4). "And who flew the Spitfire airplanes?" I asked.  "The British did." answered one of them. I silently laugh at how much more my children know than I do about these war planes, tanks, and other weapons.  Then we continue turning pages until we get to the 9/11 page (with a picture of the Twin Towers being hit, as well as a picture of Osama Bin Laden).  Turn a few more pages to the invasion of Iraq with a picture of "Shock and Awe".  Isaac asked what that was. I was not prepared to answer that question...so I read the caption at the bottom of the "Shock and Awe" picture. I read it was when we bombed Iraq with smart bombs and missiles. "Why?" was of course the next question.  Again, I was not entirely prepared to answer this question...I was trying to remember...did it have something to do with 9/11...weapons of mass destruction?  So I answered, "Well, it happened after 9/11 so it must have something to do with that."  Then Zechariah (7 years old) asked, "Why would we attack Iraq if Osama Bin Laden was from Saudi Arabia?" (Ok...now I really am not prepared to answer these questions.) "I have to look that up, Zechariah...I'm not sure."

So, I share this little story to say that homeschooling is not only teaching my children but it is also learning alongside with them.  Learning how to learn is kind of our motto. (Something I missed in school.)

A friend of mine suggested posting about what a day of school looks like for us, so I plan on getting that together soon.  I'm sure grandparents would also find that interesting.

As I type this the boys have been watching "Tank Battles" (computer generated real tank battles from different wars).  "Mom, did you know that the turret on the T-72 turns really slowly?"  Hmmm, nope didn't know that either.  (However I do know what a "turret" is because they told me a few weeks ago.)

A Day at Jail...a Fieldtrip

What a treat!  We had another fieldtrip last week to the Police Station. 

Here is our group in one jail cell!

Michael flashing a smile and his "badge" in the police car.

This is why we are teaching our sons about being a "wise son".  Now they know what it would feel like in the back of a police car! ;)

We enjoyed our time at the Sweet Home Police Station!

"My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; For length of days  and years of life and peace they will add to you." Proverbs 3:1-2

Fake Food: Removing Food Toxins

Here are some great tips on "spring cleaning" in the kitchen department...For the last few years I've been learning more and more about our food. Especially since having children, I want to make sure I'm making the wisest choices for them...so they too may learn how to eat healthy foods.  Now by healthy I don't mean "fat free" or "low fat".  I am referring to whole foods.  I try to make an intentional effort to make everything from scatch and use things in their natural form.  If you are interested in learning more or perhaps a refresher here is an article I just recieved today from "Keeper of the Home."
Fake Food: Removing Food Toxins

Taking Time to Listen

"Music can be an instrument for the expression of worship, but there are other spiritual disciplines that come closer to the essence of pure worship-activities like prayer, giving, thanksgiving, and listening to the Word of God as it is proclaimed and expounded.  It is significant that Jesus spoke of truth, not music, as the distinctive mark of true worship (John 4:23-24)." (Quoted from the book "Worship the Ultimate Priority" by John MacArthur)

In our day, we as believers have so many resources at our fingertips. One of the greatest resources I've found that works for me as a busy mother is listening to sermons or bible studies on the computer. While folding clothes, making dinner, and exercising are great times I like to take advantage of filling my mind with His Word.  Constant learning of His Word and growing in the knowledge and grace is what we should desire...after all, He has made us a new creation.  I thought I would share some of my absolute favorites (these are ones that CHANGED my life) that you might be blessed by as well.  These are all free downloads.  You should be able to simply click on the links below.

Hard to Believe - John MacArthur

How God Transforms Our Identity -Elyse Fitzpatrick

Shepherd's Conference 2004 - RC Sproul

May He continue to encourage and strengthen you.

Firestation Fun

A friend of ours from church set up a "fieldtrip" for a few of us that homeschool.  Here we are at the firestation, waiting for the ladder truck to extend it's ladder.

They even sent a fireman up the ladder to demonstrate. (Brave souls!)

Inside the ambulance. 

Firefighter Zechariah ready for action!

The firemen let the kids aim the hoses at the some cones for a competition.

These last pictures are in succession...watch Michael take aim...like a rifle.

Don't mess with this.

Good times.  Good memories.