Further Up and Further In

  

One of my favorite things to do with my children, while driving in the car, is listen to the audio drama of The Chronicles of Narnia. The Cd's were a gift to my children from my mom. I never read the books as a child, although my sister did. She had the entire collection of books. For years I remember going to bed, gazing at all the books on our bookshelf in my room, and always wondering what those particular books were about. They seemed so strange to me, with strange pictures on the cover. Never though, did I dive into reading them. What a treasure I was missing out on.



   We have listened to the Narnia Cd's multiple times, never tiring of their excitement, mystery, and moments that leave us gripped with emotion. I never realized these stories would shine such a light on God, and His love for us. The final CD, The Last Battle, has such a powerful ending to it. Aslan the lion (a picture of Jesus), is calling the children (who have grown up throughout all the stories) to come further up and further in, into the new Narnia (a picture of Heaven). It is the most beautiful thing. No matter how far they go with him, there is always more beauty, more grandeur. I can't do the story justice, but it is so God.

 

I feel, in my own life, although Jesus is not calling me into heaven yet, He is calling me into more of Him here on earth. The more of Him I get, the bigger He becomes, and the smaller I feel. The more beauty I see, the more I want to be like Him, and less like me.

 

When you want to be aggravated...

"Come Further Up and Further In..."

 

When you have self-pity...

"Come Further Up and Further In..."

 

When you want to judge...

"Come Further Up and Further In..."

When you are afraid...

"Come Further Up and Further In..."

 

When you are stressed...

"Come Further Up and Further In..."

 

When you want to quit...

"Come Further Up and Further In..."

 

When the enemy lies...

"Come Further Up and Further In..."

When you feel alone...

"Come Further Up and Further In..."

 

When you can't see the way...

"Come Further Up and Further In..."

 

There is joy in Him...(Nehemiah 8:10)

 

There is confidence in Him...(1 John :14)

 

There is humility in Him...(2 Chronicles 7:14)

 

There is boldness in Him...(Hebrews 4:16)

 

There is peace in Him...(Philippians 4:7)

 

There is perseverance in Him...(Galatians 6:9)

 

There is truth in Him...(Psalm 119:160)

There is comfort in Him...(Matthew 11:28-30)

 

There is light in Him...(Psalm 119:105)

 

What more do we need? What can we do on our own? What can we be on our own?

It is all found in Jesus. When we leave the path of this world, and what it says is right, and comfortable, and self pleasing...and fling ourselves wholeheartedly into Jesus, we can never fail.

Every moment of every day is a choice to come Further Up and Further In, in Him...



A peek into my medicine cabinet~

 

I believe in using the things our Creator has given us to help heal our bodies, that HE created.

I want to share with you some of my all time favorite "go-to's" when colds strike my family.

SALT:

When those noses start to run, I immediately get my salt.

 

There is nothing like it. I like to use a good quality natural sea salt.

I mix about a 1/4 tsp. of salt with 1 cup of warm water.

 Then I get my little sucker bulb, my child (or myself). Head over the sink, I squeeze a full bulb of that warm salt water up each nostril. Repeat if needed. It's amazing what comes out of those little ones' noses, that blowing alone, will not budge! It's not the most pleasant experience, but my kids know that it helps them so much, and will even ask me to "do their nose" when they feel stuffy. The great benfit to using the salt water, is that it kills the bacteria, and helps loosen up all that mucous, and expel it. If the bacteria stays in the nose and sinus cavity (which is where a cold starts), it will multiply, and spread to other areas, like the ears and throat.

COLLOIDAL SILVER:

 I have been using colloidal silver, with wonderful results, for years. It is used as a natural antibiotic. My whole family (even as babies )have enjoyed its benefits. After doing the salt water procedure above, I will drop two drops of colloidal silver in each nostril. The best way to do this is to lay on a bed with your head slightly laying off the edge. Once the drops are in, I have my children lay down for a few minutes to let the silver work, before running out when they sit up.

 Colloidal silver can also be dropped in the ears, and the eyes. I have healed many ear infections and pink eye using it.

HONEY:

When my children complain of a sore throat, I make them honey cinnamon tea (unless they are two years of age and younger).

I heat water (not to a boil, just warm, so it does not kill the good things in the honey and cinnamon) and pour it into a tea cup. Then, I add one teaspoon of  local honey, and 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon. I give them this usuall two times a day when they have a sore throat.

Health Benefits of Honey:

1. Prevent cancer and heart disease

2. Reduce ulcers and other gastrointestinal disorders

3. Anti-bacterial, anti-fungal

4. Increase athletic performance

5. Reduce cough and throat irritation

6. Blood sugar regulation

7.  Heal wounds and burns

8.  Probiotic

GARLIC:

 

Garlic has so many healing properties. One being that it helps to ward off colds and viruses. For myself and my two older children, I will finely chop one tsp. of garlic (usually about one clove), and let it sit for about 15 minutes. I put it in a spoon, and cover with honey. Then, down the hatch! The honey helps get the garlic down :). My little ones (three and five) can't quite take this yet, but they will one day. It is really not that bad, and the results are worth it.

 

There are many other things I use, as well as these, to strengthen our immune systems and help us get through a cold without letting it turn into something worse and having to go to the doctor to get on antibiotics. These are just a few of my favorites.

 

Be blessed, and healthy...

 

Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. Genesis 1:29

 

"The Art of Mothering"

moth·er

/ˈməT͟Hər/

Noun A woman in relation to a child or children to whom she has given birth.

Verb Bring up (a child) with care and affection: "the art of mothering".

Synonyms mama - mamma - parent - mom - ma - mum - mummy   As mine and my husband's quiver has grown over the years, I am realizing that the "giving birth" part of being a mother is probably the easiest part of all. The beauty of carrying a child inside of your body, and feeling the first little kick, and seeing your belly swell to the point of not being able to see your feet anymore is such a God given gift. After all He is at work in you in such a powerful way. His hand is upon you everyday as He knits that little one together. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. Psalm 139:13  Once you hold that precious baby in your arms for the first time, you are never the same. Your love multiplies beyond what you could ever imagine.   Then those little ones begin to grow (quickly). They begin to have new needs, new desires, new challenges, new joys. As a mother who is with her children, virtually all the time (since I home school), I get a lot of time to practice the verb of mother Bring up (a child) with care and affection: "the art of mothering". This is an enormous task, that requires dependency on the Lord for strength and help.   ...with care~ Feel concern or interest; attach importance to something: It is easy to just 'get through the day', but those little ones know whether you are really interested in what they are saying, what picture they just drew, their story, their fear. They know, and it is so important to make the effort to show them you care; that you really are interested, and see what they are trying to share with you, as important. If we make a habit of brushing them off now, and not truly listening, will they come to us when they are older? Will they feel the connection, and comfort of sharing things with Mama then? ...with affection~ A gentle feeling of fondness or liking. Physical expressions of these feelings.   These little eyes are watching us like a hawk. They do not miss a thing. They can sense joy, silliness, love, fear, frustration. My children are like sponges, and they respond to my cues. I can't hide my emotions very well, and they know it. Our children need to feel that they are liked. They need hugs, kisses, tickles. In the business of our day we need to always remember to express our love and not just assume they know we love them. Those extra kisses on the head, the random hug, or cuddle, can make all the difference in their little hearts. Keeping up with the daily demands of being a mom isn't easy for anyone. But being strong, and joyful, and not letting your stress and frustrations shine through is something I know we all need to work on. It is so important that our kids see Jesus in us; that they see the fruits of the Spirit "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control". To me, that is harder than giving birth any day :) A Mother's Influence I Took a piece of plastic clay And idly fashioned it one day, And as my fingers pressed it still, It moved and yielded to my will. I came again when days were passed; The bit of clay was hard at last, The form I gave it still it bore, But I could change that form no more! I took a piece of living clay And touched it gently day by day, And molded with my power and art A young child's soft and yielding heart. I came again when years were gone; It was a man I looked upon; That early impress still he wore, And I could change that form no more! Anon.   Some days I feel the task is too great. How can I effectively mold these precious lambs, and influence what they will be? But God is in us. He holds our hand, and says follow Me. Listen to His still, small voice. Be encouraged.You are not alone.

A Prayer For Your Children

Society today has almost convinced us that children are a curse. But, God's word clearly states: "Children are an heritage of the Lord, and the fruit of the womb is His reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that has his quiver full of them." This confession of God's Word will activate faith in your heart. As you make this confession before God, remember that He watches over His word to perform it and it will not return to Him

 

A PRAYER FOR YOUR CHILDREN 

"Father, Your Word is true and I believe it. Therefore, in the name of Jesus, I believe in my heart and say with my mouth that the Word of God prevails over my children. Your Word says that You will pour out your Spirit upon my offspring and Your blessing upon my descendants. I believe and say that my children are wise and that they take heed to and are the fruit of godly instruction and correction.

 

 I love my children and I will diligently discipline them early. Because of that, they give me delight and rest. Father, I take Your Word that says You will contend with him who contends with me and You give safety to my children and ease them day by day. I confess that You, Lord, give Your angels special charge over my children to accompany and defend and preserve them.

 I believe they find favor, good understanding and high esteem in Your sight, Lord, and in the sight of man. I confess that my children are disciples taught of the Lord and obedient to Your will. Great is their peace and undisturbed composure. I believe I receive wisdom and counsel in bringing up my children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

 And Your Word declares that when they are old they will not depart from it. So, I commit them into Your keeping and I know and have confident trust that they are watched over and blessed of the Lord all the days of their lives in Jesus' Name." Amen. (a prayer and confession by Kenneth Copeland)

 This prayer blesses me, and it I am confident when I pray it, that I am praying the Word of God over my little Lambs.

 My loves,

 My heart beats,

 My gifts from Heaven.

Thankfulness ~

11/3~ thankful for our new kitten"Leo"

         We got him October 5th from a family in the country

 He shares the same birthday as Elijah~ August 31st

He also shares his hair and eye color :)

 We have had him about one month, and he has been such a joy so far. He loves to eat, play, sleep...and meow...alot. I love his personality! He is very much a "people" cat.

 

 

11/4~ thankful for candy apples





Baker, FL

Heritage Festival

Give Thanks ~

day one:

 give thanks for four beautiful blessings:

                                                        Olivia Rose ~ 9

                                                        Ethan Alexander ~ 7

                                                       Elijah Matthew ~ 5

                                                        Emma Raine ~ 2

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
(Psalms 127:3-5 ESV)

day two:

thankful to live in a beautiful city and enjoy blustery,fall days on the sea shore~

 

 

Everyday Moments

I can't say that I have anything to profound to share today that will change any one's life...but there were some moments that changed mine.

I got to watch as my seven year old little Ethan cleaned the entire kitchen for me. Emptied a clean dishwasher, loaded it, with sink piled high of dirty dishes, cleared all counters and wiped them clean. Amazing. Melted me.

I got to share in the joy of my little Emma getting overjoyed as she went pee pee on the big girl potty. And then running with her, in sheer excitement, to the kitchen to get her "emdinem" (M&M) as a reward.

I got to laugh with my dear Elijah as we fumbled through kindergarten phonics together. Smiling and learning together...him his letters, and me patience...knowing this season will all too soon be passed, and I shall miss it so.

I got to see my Olivia. Growing up. She is nine. She is amazing and has a precious heart. I reveled in a quiet moment before bed, just me and her, reading Angelina Ballerina. She's not too old for stories. In fact she still needs them and longs for that time.

I was blessed today just being a mom. Not being in a hurry. Not overlooking moments in time that will change me, soften me, cause me to stop and smell the roses...my roses...my gifts from heaven.

Being able to soak in the beauty of my life. My simple everyday moments. Such a blessing.