HAVE YOU EVER...been on facebook?

We love facebook at our house.  When we joined years ago, it was to keep in touch with some friends that moved to Texas.  Cell phones and e-mail wouldn’t be enough.  Now, we can see ALL of our friends and some we don’t want to see.  Just kidding.   

The pictures are the best.  I’ve been out of high school for nearly 20 years.  When my old friends post pics of their kids, it is hilarious.  You see your friends in their faces.  Videos are always an added bonus.  And my husband uses facebook for all of his world news updates. 

HAVE YOU EVER…thought about what’s real?

Even with pictures, people can post about anything true or false.  Facebook gives you bragging rights.  You can tell the truth or be a “fisherman” or just flat out make stuff up.  

John 17:17 says, "Your word is truth."  The only thing I know for sure is that the Bible is true.  No one has ever been able to defeat God's word or ever will.  


Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.  1 Thessalonians 5:20-21

As Christians, it is not our place to call out people's facebook lies, but it is our job to have a discerning heart.  When seeking God's will, seek His word and nothing else. 

HAVE YOU EVER sought the truth?


Deuteronomy 13:4, Acts 17:11

HAVE YOU EVER...had a puppy?

We just adopted a puppy.  We are dog people.  In fact, just this evening we were having a conversation with our youngest son who is always looking to the future. 

He said, “When I get married, I’m going to ask my wife what kind of dog she wants from petfinder.com.”

My husband and I simultaneously said, “You better ask her if she likes cats or dogs before you get married.”  We all decided that if she liked cats, she was gone. 

My husband and I have had multiple dogs growing up and together.  This one is a Jackabea.  That is a Jack Russell Terrier with a Beagle.  Beagles bark.  Terriers dig.  She does those things as well as chews on everything, including us. 

The experience has taken some major adapting.  We have 3 baby gates and a kennel for her.  All of the doors in the house are closed at all times.  You can only eat at the kitchen table.  It is really almost like having a new baby in the house. 

Do you remember the arguments you had with your spouse after your first child was born?  Having a baby is tough.  You are tired and crabby and they are like an alien.  You have no idea what you are doing and you each have your own way of coping.  This is what my children are going through right now. 

They were very excited about having a dog, but so much has changed.  Sleeping.  Eating.  Exercising.  They have new chores.  Some of us are adapting more quickly than others. 

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing, and perfect will.  Romans 12:2

Our lives and world are always changing.  Change can be a good thing.  God wants us to adapt or change our hearts for Him and Him only.  He rewarded Abraham and Sarah for moving.  Think about Paul’s conversion.  Nobody wants change, but this is the type of change deep in your heart.  A renewing of your mind!  A continuous growth in your faith! 

A FRUITFUL TRANSFORMATION!

HAVE YOU EVER changed for God? 

Genesis 12:3, 1 John 2:17

HAVE YOU EVER...played a game?

We grew up playing games in our house.  My Dad always had a deck of cards with him.  We played “7 Up”, “Go Fish”, and "UNO". We also liked "Yahtzee".   My husband and I love to play “Farkle” and “Poker”.  In college “Spades”  was the game to play. 

My kids have tons of games.   They will not play them together unless someone plays with them.  They play until everyone has lost.  That means there is a 1^st place, 2^nd place, 3^rd place, etc.  When we played games there was a winner and we just played again. They make sure that there is a loser.

For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.  Matthew 23:12

HAVE YOU EVER… taught your child to lose?

At schools now, you cannot play games where there are winners.  It is not politically correct.  Someone always feels left out or mad or sad.  Give me a break.  When I taught in public school we had this amazing P.E. teacher who taught about good sportsmanship EVERYDAY!  I learned so much from her.  I need to ask her to move into my house for a week and give my kids an attitude adjustment.

I am so tired of the tears and yelling.  Everyone is a CHEATER!  My oldest yells, “Whatever” or “Come On!” every time he misses a basket.  My youngest wants to quit half way through if he knows he is going to lose.  Someone else (who shall remain nameless) blames everything on the refs.  

Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.  
Proverbs 25:27

I take fault in this too.  Maybe I let them win too much when they were little.  Maybe I wasn’t using the correct vocabulary from the start; like “good game” or “better luck next time.”  Something is going to change in our house.  I am teaching good sportsmanship.  This has sadly started with me having to continuously call my children “bad or poor sports”, but if you have any ideas feel free to pass them along. 

HAVE YOU EVER been a good sport?
 

Galatians 5:25-26, Philippians 3:14 

HAVE YOU EVER...celebrated Father's Day?

Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.  Exodus 20:12 

I am posting early this week to honor the father in my life. 

Yes, my heavenly father is AWESOME! 

And my birth father has been blessed to be walking the streets of gold for close to 5 years now. 

I am talking about my husband though. 

Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.  Ephesians 5:33

I hear many moms say how much they hate shopping for Father’s Day.  To tell you the truth, it is not my favorite either.  How many colognes, t-shirts, mugs, golf things, or tools can you buy a man?  And they always say, “I don’t care.  You don’t have to get me anything.” 

I also hear mom’s say, “He’s not my father?”  This is true, but you wouldn’t be a mother unless you had a father in the picture.  I know many single parents.  It is tough!  I would NOT want to be doing this parenting job without my partner, my husband, the father of our house!

Ladies, I encourage you to forget about any mistakes he made over the last month or even if mother’s day wasn’t that great.  Recognize your husband on Father’s Day!  And maybe a couple more days OR make it a habit.  He deserves it and already gave you a wonderful gift – your kids!

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.  Honor one another above yourselves.  Romans 12:10

HAVE YOU EVER honored the father in your home?

Proverbs 12:4, Philippians 2:3