The Issues that Really Matter

So I subscribe to Nancy Leigh DeMoss' devotionals. She is an amazingly wise woman who gives great insight into Biblical truth. If you would like to find out more about her and her ministry click HERE.

Today this came into my inbox and it was exactly what I needed.

Where do you stand on the issues? I'm not talking about the presidential race, as important as that is. I'm talking about your relationship with God. Are you a candidate for revival? Can God trust your deepest beliefs and record?
For instance, you may oppose abortion, but do you foster hate in your heart toward anyone? Do you protect yourself against hurt and bitterness that leads to anger and murder in your heart?
How about the issue of marriage? Are you committed to the permanence of marriage? Do you treat your own marriage as sacred, caring less about personal happiness and more about reflecting the love of Christ?
And when it comes to judicial restraint, are you seeking to understand God's laws with an eagerness to apply and obey them? Or do you alter them to fit your own preferences?
As the political rhetoric heats up this season, spend some time evaluating your own positions on important spiritual issues. Are you a candidate for revival?

Tis the Season

For baking! At least it is for me. I do some but not much baking in the spring and summer (in a state where homes are built with no AC I get too hot with the oven on). Fall ushers in all the excitement of being at home. I love to be cozied up with the kiddos (when they are not sick :P) in the house playing games, baking, and snuggling. (When they are sick I feel more trapped in the house than I do excited to be here - bad mom I know!)

My friend Jenn introduced me to The Joy of Cooking. I have a vintage copy that has become my cooking/baking bible!

Quick Oatmeal Cookies

Sift and place in a bowl:

1/2 cup brown sugar

Sift and add:

1 cup all purpose flour

Add:

6 tablespoons soft butter

3/4 cup rolled oats

1 beaten egg

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 granulated sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 tspn cinnamon

Once well blended add:

2 Tabelspoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

Chill the dough until easy to handle. Then rolled into 1" balls and flatten in the palm of your hand. Place on lightly greased and floured tin. Bake at 375 degrees for about 10-15 minutes.

A New start (Part 1)

The Reason:

… well how about a recommitment instead? At the beginning of the year I made a new commitment to the Lord to put to practice things I had learned about being a godly woman, wife, mother and friend. I started off the year strong but unfortunately allowed the busyness of life to dull down my commitment. Once again I am living in state of contentment because of memories of stronger days.

While reading my bible the other day I unintentionally came across a verse that I had committed as my life verse in the beginning of the year and have since let slip.

"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads, teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the Lord swore to give your forefathers as many as the days that the havens are above the earth. "

~Deuteronomy 11:18-21

These are strong commands. It is my responsibility (especially as a homemaker and mother) to be forever mindful of the ways of the Lord, to introduce my children to Him in all things, to be in constant dialogue with the Lord throughout the day. My every breath should be for him. It sounds radical but when I was committed to faithfully practicing these verses I was able to walk in peace and love; two things that I severely lack when I am running things on my own.

The Blessings Promised:

"If you carefully observe all these commands I am giving you to follow-to love the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways and to hold fast to nations before you, and you will dispossess nations larger and stronger than you. Every place where you set your foot will be yours… . No man will be able to stand against you."

~Deuteronomy 11:22-25a

So – if I commit myself to these things then the Lord will bless me. He will allow me to make a lasting footprint in the name of the Lord on this world. He will remove obstacles that Satan puts in my way and pour his love and grace on me. It is important to him that I understand that His ways do not change and we are to hold onto the purity, morals, and convictions of generations past.

The Consequence of Disobedience:

The verses preceding these commands make clear the consequences of going about things our own way.

"Be careful, or you will be enticed to turn away and worship other gods and bow down to them. Then the Lord's anger will burn against you, and he will shut the heavens so that it will not rain and the ground will yield no produce, and you will soon perish from the good land the Lord is giving you."

~Deuteronomy 11:16-17

Of course this is so true. When I am not in constant fellowship (not constantly communicating with God throughout the day) I begin to bow down to other gods - idleness, discontentment, selfishness, anger, impatience. While I am not looking for rain to produce good produce I view this statement to mean that my fellowship with the Lord will be severed by my disobedience and his blessings will cease. Since I am no good on my own, without the grace of God flowing through my life, I will not be able to glorify him as he desires.

Coming to California for Christmas

Check out my website
www.beforeitsgonephotography.com
if you are interested in having some pictures done. Click on enter blog! See you all soon!

The BIG 05!

That's right. My boy is turning 5 in two weeks and I am soooo not ready!!! So today I thought I would put together some pictures of his past birthdays.

The day he was born:

Had to spend 10 days in the NICU:

Going Home: 1st Birthday: 2nd Birthday:
3rd Birthday:4th Birthay: This past week:

If Only (This one really hit home for me!)

Sometimes we fuel our discontent by playing the "if only" game.
"If only we didn't have to move . . ."
"If we lived closer to my parents . . ."
"If we had a bigger house, I wouldn't be so cranky."
"If I were married, I wouldn't look at those magazines."
"If I wasn't married, I'd start to give to the church."

We get deceived into thinking we'd be happier with a different set of circumstances.
"If he was the spiritual leader he was supposed to be, I probably wouldn't be leaving him."

The truth is, if we're not content in our present situation, we probably won't be happy with another set of circumstances. Joy comes when we focus on the love and faithfulness of God. He'll be with us no matter what else is going on. That's why the apostle Paul could say, "I've learned to be content whatever the circumstance."

No matter what you're facing, you can choose the pathway of contentment. Choose to trust God, and find His joy and peace.

By Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Pumpkin Patch Kids

A House Full of Sickies

Coughing, sneezing, whining, crying, sleepless nights, more whining – that has been my life for the past month now. We here at the Bonner house seem to be passing the same germs around and around and around. Just when I think we are all better we get it again. We have missed out on so many fun things and the gorgeous colors of fall because we have been stuck in the house trying to recover.

Finally I decided it was time to take Marcus to the doctor, he has had the hardest time getting better and has been consistently sick the entire time. Just when I thought he was getting better last week he seemed to be worse by the start of this week. So we went to the clinic on base and spent 2 hours there having chest x-rays, monitoring and breathing treatments. Turns out the little guy caught RSV this last go around. So he is on an inhaler through the weekend and we have to keep a close watch on him. He is also being quarantined because he is highly contagious.

I think Landon and Jayelyn might go stir crazy. Jeff took them fishing last night to get them out of the house and yesterday I took them for a drive (oh how fun their life is with mom huh?). Jeff also seems to be pretty sick, but he has had a weak immune system since he got out of boot camp (where is caught pneumonia and got down to 117lbs). On top of being sick he had to get his nasal mist flu vaccination – yay just what we needed flu germs too! I don't see how introducing the flu to an already sick body builds immunity but then again I'm not a doctor :P.

Say a prayer that I stay healthy – I've had my share of sickness throughout, but God has given me the strength (although I've been lacking patience) to be able to care for everyone. Granted the house is a mess and I'm exhausted – but life is still good.

And because I can't blog without a picture here is the tree in our front yard. Oh how I love fall!

God at the Polls

By Nancy Leigh DeMoss
Imagine God going into a polling booth on election day. Instead of voting for a public official, God is looking for a candidate for revival. Would He vote for you? Consider these important issues:

How is your record on homeland security?

Have you set up necessary guardrails to avoid temptation?
Are you actively screening what comes into your home via the Internet and television?

What about foreign affairs?

Have you been active in communicating truth in order to reconcile people to the Lord?
Do you befriend and keep open dialogue with those who are unsaved in hopes they might become a part of God's kingdom?

What's your record on education?

Have you spent adequate time learning God's Word?
Are you intentional about equipping yourself for His service?

We have tough standards for someone running for the highest office in our land. Are you asking God to help you follow biblical standards as a candidate for revival?

Have You Missed Me?

Hi my blog stalkers ;)! I've been told by quite a few of you that I've been missed. Let me just say – I love that! The truth is that I've missed you too. Sadly you aren't the only one who has been seeing less of me so has housework, homework, and friends. Who is probably sick of me?– the computer. I think my bottom might actually fuse to the chair. Sad isn't it? It is the price I've had to pay for business. It has been such a blessing, my new photography venture, it is just a matter of balance.

Instead of running around with my camera snapping shots of my kids every chance I get I'm often photographing other people, editing their photos, working on my website, or learning new things! And I LOVE every minute of it. I think I know what I want to be when I grow up! I'm still getting a degree in Elementary Education, because I strongly value education. I just don't know if I will go to work in that right away.

If you have been worrying about the welfare of my children or that handsome man I'm married to, no need. They have been well taken care of and loved and remain my number one priority. What fun would life be if I neglected them. We still have time to get out and play, laugh, and take a few pictures to share.

(Isn't her haircut just wretched?)

I hope to figure out how to include blogging in my usual activities soon. Still trying to work out my new schedule. I hope that you are all blessed. Love and hugs!