Are you a Busybody/Gossiper?

I'm sure your first thought is a resounding, "NO!!!"  Yet, I wonder if we were to be honest and examine our lives, would we find something different?

Think about it with me for a moment.  How much time do Americans spend on social media sites, checking the latest news, or asking their friends the latest relationship status about someone at the church.

We seem to think that as long as it is not "bad", it's not gossiping.  This verse pretty much puts a nix in our justifications:

1 Timothy 5:13

And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

Now, we may not be wandering from house to house these days...but really we are.  We're going right into the lives of all of our FB friends, everyday. We're checking up on so and so, making sure we didn't miss out on any news since we missed church last Sunday.

We have nothing better to do with our "idle" time.  So we go from house to house (Facebook page to Facebook page) and catch up on the latest gossip.

I think this is an epidemic in our world today.  Anytime someone tells me about someone else having cancer or something, it is rare for them to mention how they are praying for them or are actually going to do something for them. Instead, they just mention how sad it is, and was excited to be able to share news that no one else has heard yet.  They're sad for the situation, but not sad enough to take action.

Our news media is just as bad.  Why do I need to know every single person that hadn't yet paid their property taxes?  I'm not so against it being printed (for maybe it will be a deterrent for others), but there are lots of people who literally go through the names just to see if they know anyone!

And don't think I'm talking about lost people here!  I'm talking about "professing Christians."

Yahoo News is something I used to keep up on years ago.  Like I needed to know what the largest cactus in the world was named or what some celebrity couple ate for lunch and I don't even know who they are!

Just imagine if we took this time filling our minds with the Word of God instead of useless information!!  Why are we so fascinated with what everyone else is doing?!

Don't get me wrong.  There are times when we want to know more about someone to learn something from them.  For example, if you wanted to be the President of the U.S. some day, you might study President Obama and past Presidents.  You'd be learning all about the office you could.  In those cases, studying about them is not being a busybody, but someone trying to learn.

But I would bet that most of us aren't doing such.  I go on a Facebook Fast every now and then (and I just started a new one yesterday).  I deactivate my personal account and warn everyone about it in advance so they know why I am no longer on their friend's list.  It never fails: I'll have several messages from those who tell me they hate to see me go because they love seeing pictures of my girls or keeping up with my family.  That's fine and all for my close friends and family, but usually, this is from people who will never talk to me otherwise.  They are following my life via social media, without having to have that personal connection with me.

I was in a restaurant a couple of weeks ago and a lady I used to go to church with turned around and said, "I have some gossip for you."  Then she proceeded to try and get some more dirt on me from one of my friends who's family just went through a divorce.  I knew the hurt this caused the family, and this lady seemed to want to get all the information she could to take it back to her friend that had originally told her the scoop.  Obviously, I didn't tell her, but encouraged her to pray for the family instead.

How many times did you say you were going to pray for someone, only to turn around and mention it to someone else and never pray?  I've been guilty of this!  I'm not talking about sensitive information.  But let's say, someone is going through a public divorce and asks for your prayers, but you forget to pray, but you remember to tell so and so about it because they know her too.  You say, "It's such a sad situation."

What's wrong with this kind of talk?  Can I not casually mention that someone has cancer to someone else?  It depends.  Are you telling them because they really NEED to know, or because you think they'd just want to know?  Are you telling them so they will pray for the other or are you telling them just to have something to talk about?

Now I know what you're thinking.  This is harsh!  God doesn't say we can't mention things to so and so.  As long as I'm not saying a lie or anything "bad", it's not gossip.  Let's see what the Bible has to say about it:

 "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers."  Ephesians 4:29

The first part of this verse tells you to not be saying anything bad.  Okay, I think as Christians that is obvious.  But the second part is what is difficult. Out of the good communication we have, what we say needs to be EDIFYING, so that it will minister grace unto those we are speaking to.  In other words, if it's not glorifying to God, it's not something that should come out of our mouths.

Now, I know you're looking at me and saying, "That's too harsh!  God doesn't mean we can't talk about the weather or if Sally has a ballgame tonight."  I would say, only the things that are edifying should come out of our mouths. We must be careful to not write off what the Bible says because we don't like it or we think it's too extreme, or go off trying to find a minister who will tell us this verse says what we want it to say.

Talking about the weather and Sally's ballgame CAN be edifying, but it can also not be so.  It depends upon each case.  Are you talking about the weather because you are admiring God's beauty?  Well, don't you think that's edifying?  Are you talking about Sally's ballgame because you want her to learn to be a pro-athlete someday?  That may not be edifying if it's not for honoring God. I can't tell you that.  But I do believe that you know when the Spirit is convicting you, it is pretty easy to decipher what is edifying and what is not.  However, don't think that just because it's not "bad", it's "good." Only that which is edifying is good.  We HAVE to remember that as Christians.

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I write this post, not to discourage us.  For, we probably all fall under the categories of a busybody or gossiper at some point.  But sometimes, we are so busy looking at the lives of others, we forget about the beams in our own eyes.

Oh sure, it doesn't seem as bad as going out and robbing a bank, but this type of behavior can be very detrimental to those we are speaking about, those we are prying into their affairs that should be none of our concern, and even to ourselves.  It changes our speech, our outlook, and how we view others.  Instead of looking at Cathy as a hard-worker, now all we can see is the marital problems she is having. Now, we are hurting our witness with others because we can't seem to stop talking about it.  Our speech has changed and now our attitude is becoming more and more negative.  What's worse, we don't even realize it.

I ask you to look into your heart today and think of the things that you say.  I'm the world's worst about putting my foot in my mouth.  I can't stand that "awkward" silence.  My husband tells me silence isn't awkward, but I sure do view that differently.  Instead, I fill the void with the first thing that comes to mind, and sometimes, it's something that didn't need to be said.

Will you join me in working on our hearts and mouths?  Let's be conscious of EVERYTHING that comes out of our mouths this week.  Make it a habit to think before we speak.  Is what we are saying edifying?  Or is it meaningless?  Is it just not "bad" or is it glorifying to God?  Do we really need to know this information? Will knowing information that doesn't pertain to us change our view of the person?

I've even heard of friends/spouses who have a code or hand motion when the other one begins to talk too much or say something that could potentially hurt someone else.  How do you handle this part of your life? Have you ever thought about it?  Do you take certain precautions to control your tongue?  I'd love to hear from you so that you may encourage us all!

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Simplifying on the Inside and then Chiseling at the Outside

I know I haven't written a post in awhile.  Things are busy and we are working on simplifying our home.  This is taking a lot of time.  I love getting to write on my blog, but you won't see me on here writing every day to try and earn a paycheck.  I'm not saying there is anything wrong with that, but for my family, at this point in our lives, that just wouldn't be responsible of me.  With little ones, lots of attention is needed, and, therefore, lots of my attention is given to them.  Thus, the blog gets somewhat neglected.  I'd much rather it be this blog than my children.

So where is all of this simplifying coming from?  For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to live the simple life.  When I was younger, I assumed that meant I would be living in some village in Africa, sleeping on dirt floors.  I really believe I could do that.  But I was not prepared to live a simple life with wealth and technology all around me.

I realize that my children have mountains of toys (even though I've tried to keep it minimal), I have tons of clothes (despite only wearing the same things over and over again), and we just have more than we need.  The clutter...oh the clutter....Why do I keep cleaning up something that we really don't use?  The baby comes around and pulls it out of a drawer, so it must be picked up again.  And so I'm in a cycle of cleaning up things that have no value to our home.

All of this clutter is causing me a headache.  I can't get everything I need to get done in a day for the clutter.  So why do I have it?

1)  I'm a tightwad.  I was raised that way.  So the thought of throwing something away I worked hard for (or now, in the case of something my husband worked hard for) is so foreign to me.  As I have been pulling things out for a yardsale and donation, I can still remember the exact price I paid for many things YEARS ago!

1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 

When we think about the love of money, we think about wanting lots of it.  But sometimes there can be a love of little money.  I was obsessing over giving something away that I paid a dollar for!  It's almost a reverse.  I don't really have a desire for having an abundance of money, but my frugality has made money a constant on my mind.  While I do believe in being smart and responsible with money, I also believe we can't let it control us.  It does bring forth many sorrows!

2)  Fear.  I am so scared of throwing something away that I will one day use.  What if I get rid of that vase that I have literally had since our wedding day...that collects dust and has not been used once in 7 years?!...you know, the one I have to move to dust around and find a place for when I need extra room on the table...that vase...the one that doesn't even have a bottom so I can't put things in it...what if I get rid of it and NEED IT?!  Well, first of all, a vase is not a need.  Secondly, I haven't used it in 7 years, so the chances are slim to none that I ever will.  Thirdly, I could just muster up the money to save and buy one.

3)  I don't want to get rid of things people give me.  Often, people are so thoughtful and have blessed our family over the years.  Sometimes it's with gifts we don't really like.  Despite maybe even hating the "thing," I keep it because I really like remembering the thoughtfulness.  Sometimes, it's a gift I LOVE...but then our convictions change (such as videos or modesty in clothes) and we no longer use it.  It could have even been an item I really talked about for awhile, and someone wanted to bless me with it!  If I get rid of that item, since it was given with such thoughtfulness, will that person think I don't appreciate their time to get that for me?  Will they think, "Why bother getting her anything if she's just going to get rid of it?!"


These are the things that have ran through my head over the last several years.  Since we are currently living in a larger home, it's easy to not realize how much stuff we have.  But Mark and I want a place of our own soon, and we know that place will likely be very small....and we are honestly okay with that.  We actually prefer it.  A family is closer knit and there is less to clean.  You just have to be pickier about what stays in your home and what goes.

Well, lately, the conviction to simplify our home has been overwhelming.  Maybe God is teaching me to aspire to be like the Apostle Paul in being content regardless of my current state.  Maybe God is preparing us for a move to a small home...I don't know, but I know the conviction is so strong, that I can't shake it.

As I have been pulling tons of things out of my home, I realize, I don't notice anything being gone.  The only time I notice it is when I open a drawer and it's not overflowing.  Then, I try to remember what was in the drawer....often I can't do it.  When I can remember, I realize how thankful that I am that it's gone and how nice it is not to have to dig through a drawer to find what I'm looking for.

So, I am on this journey of simplifying everything!  Is there anyone else already on this journey, or maybe you've thought about it, but just don't think you can?  I'd love to hear from you.

I plan to make this a series.  I would like to do a series of testimonials from moms who have done this and where they are today looking back on it (you can send me your testimonial to lindysblogspot@gmail.com.  Your submission will remain 100% anonymous).  I would also like to do a post on specifically how to simplify.  It's not as easy as just throwing stuff away.  What if you have other family members involved who are not on board?  What if your husband is against the idea?  What if you just don't know where to begin?  Simplifying is not just getting rid of things, it's a complete change of mindset and heart.  Is that something you're really ready for?

I hope that as I'm going through this journey now, I can give encouragement to others about reminding us that we don't need all of this "stuff" in this world.  Sure that new gadget is neat, but doesn't it just make us lazy?  Doesn't it just make us ungrateful when we go somewhere else and don't have it?


May our hearts be focused on our character and getting rid of anything that stands in the way of a perfect relationship with Jesus Christ!

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Keeper of the Homestead

I want to share with you a great blog I have found!  No, you don't have to be a homesteader (although there is amazing information for those who would like to do so).  If you're a Christian mom, I think you'll be encouraged.

There is something for everyone on Keeper of the Homestead.  On Mondays, she blogs about great recipes.  On Tuesdays, she gives you tips.  On Wednesdays, she has a giveaway (yes, almost every single week, you can quickly enter for a great giveaway.  Sometimes it's about homesteading...sometimes it's a drying rack...sometimes it's fishing lures....There have always been really great giveaways!  On Thursdays, she talks about homesteading, and on Fridays, she calls it "Faith Filled Friday."

She also has a lot of resources that may benefit your family.  Check out how she implements Mom Bucks to help teach her children about saving money (and you even get completely free printables for yourself).  She even offers a way for moms to earn real mom bucks to use as gift certificates in her website store (oh yes, I am doing this)!

This blog offers lots of insight and encouragement for any mom!  I hope you'll check out all of her great posts and products (I just ordered her Volume 4 Homesteading DVD and can't wait for it to come in).  I'm thinking I will have to be doing a product review soon!


So do you have any great websites or blogs you'd like to share?  Please comment below and encourage other moms to find great resources for their family!

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Custom Fishing Lure Giveaway

Looking for a great Father's Day or birthday gift for the hubby?  Well if he likes to fish, enter him for some custom made fishing lures and read this great article about the man who creates them!  Feel free to share and get Shamrock Fishing Product's name out there!

Click here to enter the giveaway.

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Noah and the Last Days

If you like the 180 Movie and Evolution vs. God, then you'll like Living Water's newest documentary, Noah and the Last Days.  Please share with all of your social media below.  We need to get this film out there! 

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Homesteading for Beginners: Volume 1 DVD

Are you interested in Homesteading?!  There is a great giveaway going on now at Keeper of the Homestead, but it ends tonight, so make sure you enter the giveaway!  You can enter the giveaway here.

The giveaway is for a DVD of Homesteading for Beginners: Volume 1.  There will be five lucky winners for this great giveaway!  So make sure you enter right away before time runs out!

Also, they are having a sale this month only on all of their DVDS, so even if you don't win, you can purchase one at a discount!  Good luck!

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Are you a Jezebel? Are you sure?

One of the first things you may think of when you hear about Jezebel is makeup, but it goes far beyond that.

Some women do not wear makeup because they don't want to BE a Jezebel (read 1 and 2 Kings).  But Jezebel was not sinful for wearing makeup.  She was sinful because:

Revelation 2:20

"Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols."

Sure, she used her makeup to lure men in.  In fact, when she fell out the window, the dogs wouldn't even eat her makeup (of course they wouldn't).  But her makeup was not the sin, it was her heart.

Let's not be so technical about something that is not only not mentioned as a sin, but that it really is just there.  It's not good or bad.  It's just makeup.

So why do I no longer wear makeup?  Because I don't want to be a Jezebel....

Did that make sense to you?  Didn't I just say that you're not a Jezebel for wearing makeup?  Let me explain:

 

Just as I think there is nothing wrong with television itself (for it could do some amazing things ministry wise), we do not have any sort of cable or Netflix or of the such anymore.  TV is not the sin, it's what we choose to do with the television that is sinful.  I was wasting my time watching television when I could have been spending that time doing something edifying.  Not to mention, I would be really into a show and hear a curse word, or there would be something immodest.  Would I turn it off?  No, because that would be like saying I wasted that last 45 minutes!  That was the only "bad" part.  The rest is about "good" things.  The t.v. wasn't the sinner....I was.  It's the same with makeup.

So how can makeup be sinful?  I can only give you the example in my personal life:

I wore makeup for the following reasons:

 

1)  I was a girl.  You were supposed to.  Almost every girl I knew wore it.  It was just expected.

 

2)  I wanted to cover up flaws that I had: acne, uneven skin tone, scars, etc.

 

3)  It was stylish.  Just like the new shoes everyone was wearing or that cute purse, it was in style (and has been for quite some time and will probably always will be).

 

4)  I wanted to look beautiful to others and feel accepted.


Look at the reasons why maybe you wear makeup.  Are some of ours similar if you're honest with yourself?  None of those reasons are appropriate reasons to wear makeup with the exception of #2 (which is not in all cases, but in some).

 

You see, had I grown up in some places in this world where makeup is considered hideous, I know I wouldn't have worn it.  I only wore makeup as a culture thing.  I wouldn't have worn it if I would have been rejected by others.  Chances are, you wouldn't either.

Just like Jezebel, it comes down to my heart.  Not the makeup.  Why was I wearing it?  If I was wearing it to please man, or because I felt ugly without it, I was sinning. 

You see, God created me just the way He wanted me to be.  Without makeup.  And for me to say that I need to cover up a "flaw" that He created, well, it's kinda like saying He doesn't do good work.  Actually, that's EXACTLY what it's saying.

Or maybe my excuse was just to look "presentable."  Why?  It was an excuse.  But my heart was really wanting to look presentable to feel better about myself.  So while that statement was true in a sense, it really always came back to me and my selfish desires to fit in to this world.

 

 

Romans 12:1 & 2

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

Now I am not saying that every woman that wears makeup feels this way.  This is how I felt, and I do believe if most women were honest, that's how they feel too.  Yet, I know there are some out there who don't.  But usually, the ones who don't, don't wear it because of the time and cost.

 

I mean look at the cost alone:  American women spend an average of $12,000 annually on beauty products and grooming.  That's staggering!  What could we do with that $12,000?  That is NOT a typo!  I never spent close to that, but yet, I was still wasting money on trying to "please the world."  From Samaritan's Purse, that would buy 1,714 shoeboxes for children for CHRISTmas, it would almost build a church, or you could purchase 171 goats to help families just survive. 

You see, I'm not just talking about cosmetics, but clothes and all of these other things we tell ourselves we "deserve." 

One of the biggest mistakes I made was comparing myself to others.  I mean, I never spent probably even half of what the average person around me spent, therefore, I could feel good about how I spent my money.  Furthermore, I had NO IDEA how God told them to spend their money.  I just knew how God wanted me to spend the money He has blessed ME with.


I'm not saying we can't look nice.  I'm saying that when our hearts are out to please this world, we will NEVER be satisfied.  We always have to look the way that is the current trend for our circle of friends. 



I think my peak was when I was a store manager for a popular clothing store.  I mean, it was "expected" of me to dress and look fashionable right?  Isn't that apart of my job?

Well, my job should never come before my personal convictions.  And I knew that my heart was set on pleasing those around me.  I've always been somewhat of a people-pleaser. 

But what about God?  Does He REALLY care if I wear a blue shirt with a name-brand on it, or one from the thrift store?  Probably only in the areas of modesty and being a good steward of my finances.

Which brings me to another point:  Modesty.  Sometimes, I would let some of my modest convictions slide for the sake of fashion.  Maybe there was the cutest top I had ever seen that was on sale that was just slightly low cut.  I knew I would wear something under it, but when I got home, I didn't have anything that matched, so I just decided to keep it pulled up all night while I wore it.  Only then, I forgot about it.  "Oh well, it's just a very small amount of cleavage.  No one was looking anyways..."

Am I the only one who honestly ever justified these type of scenarios when it comes to this?  There was a time when I was so desperate to be "fashionable,"  that sometimes, when small contradictions were presented to me, I tried to make them "right" instead of just saying, "no."

So basically, I wore makeup to please others and to feel good about myself.  I'm not saying that it's wrong to cover acne.  God didn't make you with acne.  In fact, it's probably how we eat and care for our bodies that caused the pimple.  So covering up that blemish isn't covering up God's work, but for ME, covering up that one pimple was sin because I wasn't covering it up for the right reason.  I wasn't saying, "I'm going to cover this up so everyone isn't asking me about it all day," or something to that effect.  It was, "Oh no, I have a pimple.  That makes me look so ugly.  I can't go out unless I cover it up!"

I know a woman that I used to go to church with that told me a story of being late for work one day.  She didn't have time to put her makeup on and be on time, so she chose to be late to work so she could be "presentable."  In fact, I have never seen her without makeup.  Speaking with her a few times, it is clear she is very self-conscious (she is beautiful, by the way....and not because she wears makeup and dresses nice).  Do you think it is better to be late for work...a commitment you made to be on time....causing others to pull your weight until you get there....leaving your testimony for your co-workers watching....just so you can look the way the world tells you that you should? 

Ladies, we are doing our husbands a huge disservice.  We think we are "looking good" for them by "dolling up."  Now, I DO think we should "doll" up for our husbands, but not in the same way the world tells us to.  We are spending the hard-earned money our husband makes (and maybe your hard-earned money as well) so we can please others.  Likely, it's spending habits like this that put us in the bondage of debt.

 

If your husband wants you to wear makeup...by all means, wear makeup.  But do it for him, not for others.  Our focus should be on pleasing the Lord, and then our husbands.  In fact, most husbands really don't care after a few years of marriage.  He's already seen how "scary" you look in your PJ's, wild and unwashed hair, and without makeup, and he is used to it by now.  In fact, it's probably kinda growing on him. 

It was the same thing with dying my hair.  No, I didn't find anything wrong with it, but it was an unnecessary expense.  At some point, I have to have a little gray, unless I want to be that 75 year old woman (yes I'm thinking of someone now) who has jet black hair and could never stop dying it every two weeks because it would be a HUGE shocker to everyone to see how they would really look when they've always looked a certain way for 75 years. 

It's okay to age....it's going to happen.  We might as well accept it and look at it as getting closer to Heaven...not closer to dying.

My point in this post is to have you evaluate your own life.  Maybe you don't wear makeup or high-priced, fashionable clothes....but maybe you have a judgmental spirit for those who do.  Can I just say, we don't know someone's heart.  I do believe people can dress fashionably and wear makeup and dye their hair and the whole nine yards and do it without sin.  But I believe it is difficult...and for me, I knew I couldn't.

It's too tempting for me.  If I started wearing some of the latest trends...I'd start getting compliments.  Then I'd start getting prideful (which is a daily battle for me)...then I'd want to keep it up so I could hear how great I look again. 

Please don't think I'm saying I will never wear something that is "in-style."  It does happen by accident occasionally.  But that's okay, because I bought it because "I" liked it....not because I was told to like it. 

I want to look nice, clean, presentable....I want to look like a mom.  I think it's a lot easier for me to do that now that I stay at home.  I just think about my children.  Even if I could control my heart from desiring to please others and feel "accepted,"  I know that one day, my girls will be teenagers soon.  They will likely have those same, immature feelings that I sometimes still have.  I want to be the example of confidence in being "content" no matter what state I am in.  I want my children to know if I could only afford to make my clothes, I'd still be happy and hold my head high.  Because my treasure is not in this world....it is my Home in Heaven above. 

So when I see you wearing those HIDEOUS leggings that everyone is wearing right now...I won't judge you.  I won't think, "she's just trying to fit in with everyone else."  You might genuinely like them for yourself and continue wearing them even when they go out of style.

My heart is not on these superficial things.  I don't think God cares if we wear makeup or not. 

 

Luke 18:25

"For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."

But as with having great riches, I do believe the world can use it to lead us astray.  If you're strong, stay strong.  But if you're weak like me, it is far better to cut that out of our lives, than to be tempted to enter back into a world where our hearts are secretly desiring to serve man more than God.


Matthew 6:24
"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."



So let's search our hearts, be honest, follow the Spirit's leading and move on.  It does not matter what you have on your face or wear.  You are not "holier" if you do avoid these things.  What matters is your heart and following the leading of the Spirit.  You know yourself.  You know your weaknesses.  I just hope that if you're like me, and you struggle in this area, you will be willing to take the matter to the Cross and leave it there. 

If you do not struggle in this area, just please be mindful that many of us women do.  I can't tell you how many people will tell me how I need to dye my hair or dress a little nicer.  They are trying to help me fit into this world, but they don't realize they are encouraging me to enter back into a world of temptation.... a place I have turned my back from.

Whatever you decide, Don't be a Jezebel!
 

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Family Bible Time

Below, I want to show you a video of how my family has Family Bible Time.  This is in no way the only way to do it, nor is it a typical day for us.  We just hope that it will encourage you and your family to begin reading the Word of God together as a family.  Individual time in the Word is very important, but we believe that we will not regret having this time together as a family. 

We did forget to say our Weekly Bible Verse together as a family.  I guess with all of the hustle and bustle and transferring everything outside on the spur of the moment threw us off.  But I love that my husband found a beautiful day and decided to take Bible Time outside today!  :)  And no, I haven't had a shower yet...but honestly, I don't most days before Bible Time.  But that's life.  We do not always accomplish the goals we want to every Bible Time.  We forget things, make mistakes, and sometimes have fussy children.  The point is that we do it consistently, regardless.  What are some ways your family reads God's Word and prays together as a family?  Any tips or tricks that have proven to be effective for your family?

 

Since we began Bible Time as a family, we have noticed an even greater closeness amongst one another.  A big benefit is that my children are learning to sit still when needed (although there is still quite a way to go).  This helps when we're at church, at an event, or anywhere where I need 30 minutes or so of being "relatively" still (we had a short Bible Time today). We also include the children in the Bible Time (Hence, the name FAMILY Bible Time).  Araylah is in charge of keeping all of our Bibles and getting them out and putting them away.  Each child gets to pick a song that we sing during worship time (Brea always wants to sing "This Little Light of Mine.")  There are days when we have long discussions about what we read, and there are days when there is little discussion.  Right now, the children are young, so we don't have many questions from them.  Usually it's just a discussion between Mark and I, and we include the children when possible.  However, this will change over the years....so we'll adjust to our family's needs.  No two family's Bible time will look the same. 

I just hope this video encourages you in what you're already doing or if not, to BEGIN having that time together as a family.  If you don't know where to start, I highly recommend Feed My Sheep by Steve Maxwell (it's for Dads/Husbands and is only $10.00).  I receive no monetary benefit from recommending it, but we think it has been really good for your family and may be for yours as well.

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You Know You're a Mom to a Newborn when...

Araylah Grace-2 weeks Old

Whether this is your first child or you're giving Michelle Duggar a run for her money,
Caring for a newborn can be demanding.  Here are 10 ways to know for sure you're a mommy to a precious little bundle of joy:


*You consider showering, but then realize in 30 minutes you'll be covered in spit up again, so a nap sounds like a better use of your time.

*Sleep is actually all you can think about.  If you're reading this now, you're likely nodding off as we speak!

*Even when your husband has the baby, your arm is cradled as if you were still holding the baby.  It's almost as if it is stuck in that position.

*When people come to visit, you're glad to see them, but wonder why they can't see your heavy eyes and why they feel the need to stay for an hour (and when the baby is sleeping).

*When you DO finally take a shower, you jump out of the bathroom in your towel every few seconds to make sure you didn't hear the baby cry.

Brea Faith-2 weeks old

 

*Laundry is always used right out of the dryer.  Who has time for putting it away?

*Paper plates have become popular since all of your washing of dishes now consist of baby bottles.

*You could change a diaper in your sleep...oh wait....YOU DO!

*When the topic of every big conversation consists of poop.

and the #1 way you know you're a mom to a newborn is...

*That despite no sleep, showers, or free time, that little grin makes it all worth it (even if it's just gas).


The first six months always seem to be the hardest.  It's hard to look at the long-term when you're sleep-deprived.  Even though your time is precious, make sure you're spending daily time with the Lord.  That 30 minutes or so will be the only thing that gets you through your day in one piece. 

Remember, God has entrusted this little one to YOU!  He could have given His child to another, but He saw YOU to be the perfect fit.  Even if you're just running on auto-pilot, remember to thank Him for this time.  Not only are you learning patience, but you are serving someone who can't help themselves.  That's what being a mom is all about!

Please share this article with a mom to a little one in hopes it might encourage her today!


Did I leave any out?  Let me know by commenting below!

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Homemade Powdered Laundry Detergent

DIY Homemade Powdered Laundry Detergent

It seems like everyone is making laundry soap on Pinterest these days. I even tried to make some of the Duggar liquid laundry soap. While it seemed to clean, it was very difficult to make, hard to get the right consistency, and it was time consuming. Plus, I had to have 2 five gallon buckets (which became heavy). As much as I love saving money, it just wasn't for me!

Later, I made my own powdered dishwashing detergent. If you use the proper rinse aid, it works like a charm! I spent about $12 for over a years worth of detergent! I loved it!

So that got me thinking. Why not use a powdered laundry detergent? There are many of these recipes on Pinterest, but this is one I came up with on my own and it works really great! I use it in my Front Load HE Washer. I was using the All Laundry Packs, but they actually left lots of suds behind.  This recipe is super simple, takes very little time, and it cleans and smells great!  I'll also throw in some optional ingredients so you can make it to your liking!  What's great about the powder is that you can easily half this recipe if you don't want to make so much at a time (which is more difficult to do with the liquid).  This recipe will fill a 2.5 gallon tub.

What you'll need:

One 2.5 to 3 gallon tub to store your detergent  (I just used a Rubbermaid tub from Wal-Mart)-$3.00
One Smaller tub to keep by your washer so you don't have to keep your detergent in such a large tub (optional)-$1.00
One 4lb 12 oz box of Borax- $5.00
One 4lb box of Baking Soda -$2.50
One 3lb 7oz box of Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda -$3.50
One 2lb container Clorox Oxi Magic Stain Remover (optional)- $4.50
2 bars of Fels Naptha Soap (grated)-$2.50
One 55 oz bottle of Purex Crystals (optional)-$9.00

Total Cost $16.50 to $31.00 (depending upon what all ingredients you choose to use) for about a 6 month supply of laundry detergent (depending upon your family size).  I don't know about you, but I spend that much on my All detergent in about two to three purchases!

Mix all ingredients together in layers.  For example, you might want to mix one quarter of each ingredient in, then another quarter, then another, and then another.  This allows the detergent to mix together well (so you'll have all of the ingredients in every scoop).  I like to mix this with a spoon, but also with my hands as well!  Get it good and mixed!

Add about 2-3 tablespoons (yes tablespoons...this stuff will last for about a year, depending upon your load average) directly to the wash.

*TIP*  As far as grating the soap....I despise using a cheese grater.  My knuckles always hit the sides and bleed and it takes so much longer.  It's too much work.  I like to take a large knife and chop the bar soap up into cubes and then put it in my blender and pulse it about 30 times.

After mixing my ingredients, I put some of it in a smaller container (you could actually use your Clorox Oxi Tub for this) so I don't have to keep that big tub of detergent near my washer (I don't have the room for it).  It's up to you how you store it!  Just keep it in a closed container.

I also like to add some vinegar to my bleach compartment.  You can also add about 5-6 drops of scented oil to your wash.  These are optional, but vinegar will be great for keeping your washer clean as well as your clothes and the scented oil is a must in our family.  My husband works in a chicken plant and it's hard to get that smell out!!




That's it!  Your detergent should last you at least 6 months!  You might have to purchase a lot in the beginning, but you'll save so much in the long run.  If it's hard to purchase it all at once, consider buying one or two ingredients at a time each grocery trip until you have all the ingredients.  After you make your first batch, go ahead and start saving up to buy each ingredient again for backup for when you run out (that way you don't have to purchase it all at once).

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What is a Christian?

Are you curious about what being a Christian is all about?  You might feel like you're a little lukewarm in your walk.  Maybe you're just unsure of your salvation.  I hope this page encourages you to give your all to Jesus and to live daily for Him.

If you think you're a good person and don't need Jesus, you can take the Good Person Test  to prove that you are right.

If you want to find out my road to Jesus and what life has been like since then, you can read My Testimony.

If you are not saved and see so many "professing" Christians out there and wonder what is really the truth and what is hypocrisy, I encourage you to get out your King James Version Bible and begin reading in the book of John.

The truth is, you and I both need the Savior.  Just watch the video below to see that that's true:

If you want to know how to be saved, please click here.  Salvation is not just a one-time prayer, but it is a complete rebuking of sin.  Although we will never be perfect as Jesus lived, we should be daily striving to take up our cross and follow Him.  It has been the best decision I have ever made, and I am so thankful of the assurance of Heaven after fulfilling my purpose in this life.  So what is your purpose in life?

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Affiliates

It is very important to me that I am upfront about any advertising on this blog.  I have some links on the side and sometimes in my blog posts that promote certain products or websites that I may receive a small reimbursement for if you purchase an item through that link. 

Let me be very clear: I only promote products that I enjoy myself.  I would never want to promote something that our family would/doesn't use ourselves.  I just want to pass this information along to you, and if along the way I make a dollar or two, then that's great too!

If you see a banner or referral to another site that is not on this list, unless I just overlooked it, it is not an affiliate (even if it's under my affiliate links tab on the right hand side of this page).  Often, it's just products I really love and want to share.  I get NO FINANCIAL BENEFIT from them.  Examples of ads may include Titus 2 Ministries and No Greater Joy Ministries.

Any sales from affiliate links plan to be used toward us purchasing a home debt-free!  So here are my affiliates:

Deborah and Co-  Deborah and Company is an online website dedicated to girl's, women, and maternity clothes.  They strive to offer modest clothes for women.  Although some of their items can be quite pricey, sometimes you just can't find what you need anywhere else (seems like they don't sell modesty in most stores anymore).  I think this website is a wonderful place to look for some modest clothes!

Moore Family Films-  I love every single one of their DVDS! I think the world of this ministry and was promoting them quite awhile before they had an affiliate program.  I love this family company producing God-honoring films!  I have many of their product reviews under my "product reviews" tab.


Family Vision Films- Check out their Homemaking 101 DVD!  This website also frequently has other dvds available on their website as well so you can find wonderful films all in one place! 


Big Crumbs-  You may have heard of Ebates and Big Crumbs is the same type of company, only way better!  Not only have I found to earn more money with Big Crumbs over Ebates (although I do recommend doing your first time through ebates to earn the free gift card...but after your first purchase, it's not as good), but Big Crumbs offers you part of their company if they ever sellout (the amount you earn off of their sale depends on how much the company is sold for and how much you have earned with them since you've been a member).  It's free to sign up.  Basically, if you buy online, you'd be crazy not to use Big Crumbs.  After signing up the first time (for totally free), it only takes about 10 seconds to use.  You can find out all of my tips on Big Crumbs by clicking here.  If you buy ANYTHING online, this is a great way to make a little money on the side!


If you have a new blog and are curious about affiliates and how to use them, just comment below!  I'm learning the ropes myself and just playing around, but I know it's helping to have someone share their experience and what they've learned!

ChristianBook.com-  I like shopping from Christianbook.com because it offers a wide variety of products that I like.  I often will display products that I like that they sell in order to share with you how I have been blessed. 



MY JOY FILLED LIFE- This is a blog that I have been following for awhile and I enjoy it thoroughly.  She offers some great products in KJV, and those are always hard to find!  I found out she offered an affiliate program, so I jumped on board!  I love it when people offer such quality products and I want everyone to know about them!

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Coupon Codes and a Giveaway!

I have some great discounts to offer you as well as a link for a great giveaway!  Are you ready?

The first discount is for 10% off your entire purchase at Simply Modest Swimwear and the second is for 25% off either ABC Say It With Me Bible Memory Verses, or off your entire purchase at Crowe's Nest Media.

The giveaway is for a copy of ABC Say It With Me Bible Memory Verses AND a copy of For His Own Glory!  I have both DVDS and love them so much!

So let me give you all the info:

Simply Modest Swimwear Coupon Code

 

Simply Modest and Conservative Christian Mom are teaming up to offer you a 10% discount off your entire purchase for the entire month of March.  They offer swimsuits for girls, women, and maternity suits.  You can even purchase patterns to make your own swimsuit!  You can also purchase a ready-made swimsuit or have one to custom fit YOU.  They can make virtually any style to fit your modesty and style standards!  Spring and Summer time is upon us, so let's be honorable to our husbands, fathers, and brothers in Christ and make sure our modesty standards do not change when entering the water.

All you have to do is go to Simply Modest's website and enter this promo code at checkout: CCMBLOG10%

Moore Family Films and Crowe's Nest Media Coupon Codes

1)  ABC Say It With Me Bible Memory Verses- Use promo code "abc25" to get 25% off of your purchase of this DVD.  You can read my full review of this video here.  You can also view the trailer below:

2)  Crowe's Nest Media- Use Coupon Code "moore25" to receive 25% off of your entire shopping cart purchase at Crowe's Nest Media!  I have the video For His Own Glory and I really like it!  It has lots of animals and encourages counting, spelling, and glorifying God!  My two year old loves it!  You can watch their trailer (but check out their website for all of their products) below:

Both Coupon Codes expire March 6th, so hurry! 

ABC Say It With Me and For His Own Glory Giveaway

Now for the giveaway!  Go to Moore Family Films and enter their giveaway through the Rafflecopter!  The giveaway ends in just 6 days, so make sure you go over there to enter!  These would make great gifts for others even if you don't have young children.  I like them myself!

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Ever just had one of those days?

https://www.facebook.com/RandyHowellFishing

I know it has been forever since I have written, but it has been an EXTREMELY busy month!  This year alone, our oven, dishwasher, and dryer have all went out (only the oven has been fixed).  What's worse, I think the oldest appliance is only two years old.  The dryer went out just outside of the one year warranty!  Our last dishwasher, yeah we had it for over 20 years.  The only reason we replaced it was because the inside was rusting, but it worked great and we never had to fix anything on it.  They just DO NOT make things like they used to (yes, I am aware that by making this statement, I just gained a few more gray hairs).

My first reaction is to complain.  Do you have any idea how hard it is to cook without an oven, or how long it takes to wash dishes by hand, or to keep up with the weather to make sure you can hang your clothes up in all of this weather we've been having?!  My husband and I just went to a couples retreat this past weekend and although my clothes were clean, they were definitely those clothes that you hope you never have to wear (and that's saying a lot for me because I am not fashionable at all)!

All of those thoughts raced through my head, but immediately, the sweet Spirit reminded me of how wonderful it is to have been blessed with these items for so long.  Actually, taking a break from them, made me more grateful for the blessings God has given our family, that I take for granted every, single day. 

What's even better?  I haven't been pinning much on Pinterest because I'm living the natural life (thankfully we still have running water for showers)!

I actually enjoy the simple life.  I've always wanted to go and visit an Amish Community.  You know it's very difficult to live simply when everyone around you has an Iphone, but when you're surrounded by people who don't have anything either, it somehow seems easier to live without all of this technology. 

You want to know a secret?  I've actually ENJOYED this little break (and by break, I mean doing extra work that takes longer)....but don't tell my husband, because I eventually do want my dishwasher back (dishes just don't feel as clean without it)! 

Certainly this could all be a coincidence.  However, it could very well be God reminding me of my blessings.  I often complain about not having enough storage.  Mark and I were talking the other day how we should just be grateful to have more things than we have storage space!  What a blessing!  How can I really complain about that?!

So today, I just want to encourage you to think about those little inconveniences in your life.  Maybe your car keeps breaking down and you don't know how you'll get to work.  Maybe your babysitter just quit and you have to find someone before tomorrow.  Maybe you just feel inadequate.  If that's the case, let me share this story with you:

This past Sunday, something great happened.  Randy Howell won the Bassmaster Classic.  Now, for many of you, you could care less about bass fishing, but for Randy, this is one of the greatest achievements he could attain in his professional fishing career.  Randy has never won a ton of big name tournaments.  In fact, he was pretty far behind at the beginning of the Classic tournament.  Yet, he still won. 

When Randy accepted his trophy, he continued to praise God (which I have often heard him do even when he has a terrible day on the lake).  He even noted that by him coming from so far behind, it proves that God is the only one who can get the glory....that it wasn't his amazing fishing abilities, but that it was God's work.  What a great testimony!


So remember, if something in your life seems impossible...when nothing seems to be going right....if you seem to be far behind in the game.....Remember, that's when God gets His glory!

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Children Are a Blessing DVD Product Review

San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival Semi-Finalist 2010

(this post contains affiliate links)

Today I am going to review Children Are a Blessing by Moore Family Films.  I recently watched this documentary and it is wonderful!  If you were ever like me and wondered why people had so many children and what the Bible says about it, this is the DVD for you.  Even if you believe children are a blessing, this DVD offers wonderful encouragement!

This DVD tackles the tough questions that Christians and churches often will not talk about for fear of "offending someone."  I love the point that Shane makes in one of his interviews.  It's something often I have thought of, but he puts it in wonderful terms.  He basically says that we think we are "pro-life" when really we're just "anti-abortion" (paraphrased).  We don't believe in killing babies, but we're not standing up for life...we're just standing up against death.  Where do you stand on this issue?  I'm afraid that for much of my life I was just ignorantly "anti-abortion," not "pro-life" as I had claimed.

This DVD also tackles the Birth Control Pill.  So many of us Christians, myself included, have been deceived into thinking that taking the Birth Control Pill is the responsible thing to do; even by the church.  Yet, when we look at Scripture, we just can't justify it.  And certainly when we look at how the pill works, we can't condone its murdering of fertilized eggs (which are lives).

This documentary can be purchased for download, however, I encourage you to purchase the actual DVD.  There are some really great bonus features on the DVD that are not on the download...and I think the bonus features are just as great as the documentary itself!

One of my favorite parts of the DVD is one of the bonus features: The Children's Perspective.  Here you get to listen to the five oldest speak.  Not only are they well-spoken and far more mature than most of their peers, you can see their genuine gratefulness that each and every one of their siblings are here.  They are so grateful to their parents for not following the "norm."

As the family prepares for their newest edition, you will watch with encouragement seeing a family work together to bring glory to God.  As news of many Christian families being persecuted (more recently of the Christian Family in Texas), this film will encourage families to rise up and stand for life...not just against abortion....in a world that seems to look down upon them.

While our Country is having fewer and fewer children, Christians should be multiplying the earth with more and more children to serve and glorify our God.  Can you imagine what our world would be like if followers of Christ were in the majority?  Instead, we as Christians have fallen for the deception that we can't "afford" children or that it's not healthy for a mother to have many children or even that they are a burden.  Though society is telling us this, the Bible tells us something vastly different.  Will you listen to society or to the Word of God?  This film will encourage the family by reminding us why God designed the family the way He did.  It will encourage us in life...not in death.


If you love the Duggar Family, you'll love the Moore Family!  I highly encourage you to purchase this film!  It's wonderful for families, churches, and to pass along to friends!  I don't want to miss out on any children (a.k.a blessings) that God has for me and I am so glad that people like the Moore Family are standing out and helping to educate other brothers and sisters in Christ who maybe are being deceived as well!

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Sweet Relationships: Chapter 1

Today we are going to begin looking at Chapter 1 of Teri Maxwell's book, Sweet Relationships.  If you have not yet read this book (or at least the first chapter), I encourage you to purchase it!  It's only $10.00 and you can purchase it here.  This book will encourage wives and moms to have better relationships with our family by taking a look at Titus 2:4-5.  I will write a post for each chapter of the book, so if you haven't gotten it yet, go purchase it today, and come back here when you've read the first chapter!

Chapter 1:

The first chapter is primarily an introduction to what we will be looking at throughout the book, as well as requirements in order for us to take this task seriously.  If we really want to stop nagging at our husband and children or if we want to learn to control our anger, we must first begin with these three things:

Salvation-  If you are in any way uncertain of your Salvation, or if you are a Lukewarm Christian, I encourage you to make that right before moving forward.

Daily Bible Time-  I know that for many years as a Christian, I was not daily in the Word of God.  But if you're not currently, you cannot expect to benefit much from this book.  In order for our relationships to grow, we must be learning from God's Word.  If you're struggling in this area, Teri recommends her book Sweet Journey.  This book will guide you through in getting started with daily Bible and Prayer time.

Daily Personal Prayer-  Teri also encourages you to be praying daily with God.  She's not just referring to praying when you have a need, or throughout the day even (although these can be good), but to pray for a designated time during a specific time everyday.  If you are not currently do this, she encourages you to find a place to start in her book Sweet Journey.  I, personally, have found great benefit in a prayer journal.  Not only do I remember to pray for everything I need to, I can see my prayers being answered on a daily basis, which helps with discouragement.  Teri offers a great and simple way for making a prayer notebook here.

If you can currently check off each of the three keys above, then you are perfect for reading this book.  If you lack in any area, I encourage you to make these three keys your priority.  No checklist of things to do and not do will bring long-term effects for your relationships.

After getting through the introduction, this chapter encourages us that the basis of this book is to memorize 2 Corinthians 10:5 and Philippians 4: 6-7.  She has us memorize this Scripture because she knows that once we decide to make a change in our relationships at home, the devil will attack us.  He may do it with our self-worth, with our confidence, or with our failures.  During these times, it's important to be able to throw back these verses (and it's important to say them aloud). 

I will not get into the answers to the questions this time as they were pretty basic from the Scripture.  However, I hope that you are writing them down and personalizing them to your life.  There is something powerful about writing and saying aloud Scripture. 

In the following Chapters, Teri will begin to dissect each of the characteristics of the older women.  In Chapter 2, she will look at what is means to be sober-minded.  I don't know about you, but I don't want to wait until I am older to be a Titus 2 woman.  I may never get there in my lifetime, but I want to daily strive for that everyday.  By doing so, I am giving my children a head start on their path.

I hope you'll join me in a few days for Chapter 2!  I look forward to hearing your comments throughout this book.  Was there anything that struck you in Chapter 1 that you want to share?  You can always choose to comment "anonymously."   Let's start a discussions on our weaknesses and help edify one another into making wise choices in order to strive toward being a Titus 2 woman!


I hope you'll share this page with your sisters in Christ so that we may all be an encouragement to one another.

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We just made a VERY unpopular decision in our home!

This is a picture of my girls taken several months ago.

I have been putting off writing this post.  I actually don't like writing controversial topics, but I often write them because they're usually about topics that I once fell prey to:  thinking children are a burden, watching television, birth control, immodest dress...I could go on and on.  Thankfully, God has opened my eyes to these deceptions, and I am quite confident there will be more as I grow closer to God and see things that I try and justify now the way God sees it.  If you read my blog long enough, you will find posts about these issues and how God opened my eyes to my sin.  In most cases, I was just selfish and didn't want to see my sin, but there are a few to where I was just ignorant of the facts.  This is one of those situations.

Many of you know that I am very pro-life.  That is why I chose to have as many children as God wants me to have....whether it just be the two I have now or 10 more.  Even before I had accepted trusting God with opening and closing my womb, I got off of birth control after I found out that it killed a fertilized egg (since the Bible teaches life begins at conception)....I didn't want to have children at that point, at ALL.  But I am strongly against murder from conception, and I believe God is too.  Therefore, I left the birth control pill for good.

Well, a similar issue has come up, and in a place I would have never thought: my children's vaccinations.

I have always had my children vaccinated promptly.  My doctor even once reminded me that I didn't always have to bring my children in the day their wellness was due.  I can't help it.  I want to do what is best for my children.  I do not have the time, nor the smarts, to research about every single thing for my children.  Often, I have to trust the experts in some areas.

One of those fields I had chosen to do that was in the area of vaccinations.  Obviously, I did have some common sense on the issue.  Facts show that vaccinations (despite some documented severe risks to some children), do save lives.  History shows that if it weren't for vaccinations, we would likely have illnesses running rampant.  Despite serious risks to a small percentage of patients (that are at least documented by the drug companies), I felt like it would be an even greater risk to expose my children to potential illnesses that could take their lives.  I had always heard those arguments against vaccinations, but they seemed a little extreme to me.  I am all about doing things naturally and organically, and even though I only take a Tylenol about once a year, I don't think taking medicine every now and then will kill you.  I always looked at it as if one of my children must die...I would rather it to be from a vaccination that doctors told me that was safe rather than for my child to die from an illness that they contracted because I went against expert's orders.  I don't think I could live with that kind of guilt.

So are you kind of puzzled why my husband and I chose to stop vaccinating our children?  It's probably not what you think.  Basically, we found out that aborted fetal tissue is used to create many of these vaccinations.  I'm not going to get into all of the details about it.  You can do a quick engine search and see that this is true from both Christian and Non-Christian websites.  Trust me, I did a lot of research on this.  I didn't want it to be true.  I want my children to be protected from these illnesses, but not at the expense of an innocent child.  Oh sure, they claim that a baby would have been aborted anyways (as they supposedly choose the babies from those who were already going to have abortions).  But I don't want any part of those babies' blood upon my hands.  I don't want even their cell strain inside my children's arms.  It was just a no-brainer for my husband and me.

Now, I understand many Christian families will say that since we have no control over this issue that it's better that lives can be saved.  I am not judging other families' decisions.  That is not the purpose of this post.  Families have to decide what God would have them do for their children.  My purpose is to simply share our decision so that other families who have the same convictions as our family may be informed so they can make their decision with all of the facts.

My husband and I just feel as though that accepting the vaccinations against our personal convictions would be the same as us "saying" abortion is wrong, but condoning it with our actions.  That's how the devil works.  He knows that I may never go out and have an abortion, but he also knows that if put in a situation to where my children's lives could be at risk, it would be a tougher decision and I would probably try and justify it.  You see, the devil knows that killing a fertilized egg is the same as killing a 5 year old child.  He doesn't care that I won't go out and kill a 5 year old.  Age does not matter to him.  He doesn't care that I don't have the murder weapon in my hand, he just wants me to sit silent and ignore the fact that I could do something about it.

Take, for example the MMR shot (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella).  These shots used to be given individually.  But the drug company combined the shot.  Now, if you're giving your child their vaccinations, which are you going to choose?  Are you going to pick three shots or one?  Of course you'd pick one!  Who wants to make their children get three shots as opposed to one?!  So, eventually, they quit making the shots individually since they are no longer profitable.  You can now only get the MMR shot together.

Why does this matter?  Well it matters to our family because Measles and Mumps are made from animal tissue, but Rubella is made from a 3 month aborted baby.  So, if I want to protect my children in this Country from Measles and Mumps, I can't unless I go against my convictions.  What's frustrating is that there are moral ways to create these vaccines (some previously done in the U.S. and many done in other countries currently).

Here's a great link from Family Council on the matter of aborted fetal tissues and vaccines.

My husband and I are currently seeking alternatives for the vaccinations that contain cell strains from murdered babies.  But even if we never find it, we will trust God. 

About 40,000 people die in car crashes every year in the United States alone.  That's not counting how many are injured.  Yet most every day, I put my children in the car and take that risk...all to go visit my grandparents, to go to church, to buy groceries.   We takes risks everyday.  Certainly, I don't want to take any risks with my children's health or lives that are unnecessary, but I just personally feel that how these vaccinations are made are wrong.  Until they change their ingredients, our family can't support certain vaccines.

I've spoken with my doctor and done a lot of research before making such a large decision....but the evidence is there.  I can't ignore it.

I don't believe we'll ever find a cure for these diseases.  Where did these diseases come from?  They came directly from our (mankind) sin.  They are a consequence of our sin.  If we were to find cures for all of these diseases, and never have consequences for our sin, there would be no reason to turn to God.  But since God is a loving and merciful God, He chastises us and does whatever it takes to get our attention.

I know that someone getting a disease (say an unborn baby, perhaps) doesn't always mean it is their direct sin.  It may be the sin of their mother.  However, there must always be a consequence for sin.

The world, and even professing Christians, spend so much money on trying to stay alive and healthy.  I believe in treating your body as a temple, but I also know that we will all die one day.  We all want to die at the ripe old age of 100.  No one wants to die young.  But what if it is God's will for you to die young?  What if He wants to use a terrible disease to bring others closer to Him?

I'm not saying it's wrong to go to the doctor and try and cure your sickness.  What I am saying is that if you spend your entire life trying to stay alive, but you never fully live out God's will for your life on a daily basis, you might as well be dead.

I welcome comments from those who do not agree with me.  However, it is important to respect each other's decision.  Even a month ago when I was pro-vaccinations, Mark and I always previously supported a parent's right to vaccinate or not. 

Once again, my purpose in this post is not to stir up debate (unless it's healthy) or to divide Christians on this issue.  I just want to make sure that this information is out there.  It is up to you and your husband to pray and seek God on the issue.  May all decisions we make for our families be covered in prayer.

I will post a link to one of the sources I used in my research.  This source is a Christian family physician, and I like the way she put the information together the best.  You can easily see what vaccinations were made from aborted babies and which ones are not.

However, her information is no different from all of my other research.  The facts are the same no matter where you look.  The only difference in the articles I find are whether it is immoral or not.  I don't leave that up to the researchers or writers of these articles, I leave that up to the Spirit's conviction upon my heart and the Bible.  Just like the birth control issue...how the pill works is not debated...it's science.  But the debate is on whether a fertilized egg is a life or not (although it should not be a debate among Christians).  The same is true for vaccinations.  The facts are there.  It's simply an issue of whether you believe it is immoral to vaccinate your children with these ingredients or not.




Here is a copy of the PDF File you can download for more research:
http://www.epm.org/static/uploads/downloads/Vaccines_Using_Tissue_from_Aborted_Babies.pdf


Click here for a list of vaccine ingredients straight from the CDC's website.  


Take note of Human Albumin and WI-38 human diploid lung fibroblasts being used as well as other scary ingredients in your vaccines.  If you read the ingredient list and still take the shots, I respect your decisions.  But please, don't do as I did.  Always make informed decisions and know what it is you're are putting in your precious children's bodies.

I encourage you to write drug companies and let them know (whether you give your children the vaccines or not) that you want them to stop using innocent children's tissue for their vaccinations.

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