Day 3 - Do you think God wishes he had never made the coventant to never flood the earth again?

GENESIS 7:1-10; 10:6-20; 10:21-30; 10:31-32
1CHRONICLES 1:5-7; 1:8-16; 1:17-23 (NIV)

As I look at Genesis and this flood that covered the earth, that killed all but this one family and the sets of all animals, I can't help but wonder if God wishes he had never made the covenant to never flood the earth again. Just look at today! God wiped this earth clean because of all of the sin! What is so different from then to what we see when we look at the world today?

Why did God see Noah as a blameless man? Noah followed the Lord and obeyed Him. Having done this and raised his family right they were worthy to live, in Gods eyes... How was Noah so good with all that was around him such as sin, evil, betrayal, murdering, slandering, fathers having children with their daughters, violence, weaponry, and they had even begun forms of technologically? Is there a difference in what God was disappointed in and what caused Him to want to wipe this earth clean and start over - from where we are today? How are we living our lives with the world as it is today? Look at everything around us! This world is full of sin, corruption, lies, New World Order!! Can you believe all of our surroundings? Are we teaching our children what the bible says about the life we are called to live or are we teaching our children that it is okay to accept certain things of the world? So many prophecies are being filled in today's times. Our war on terrorism and the wars around the world in our own neighborhoods, the weapons of mass destruction that are being built and talked about. Over 5 billion people suffer from a food shortage ranging from those her in our own back yard to all over this country! Look at how many children are in orphanages or foster homes from parents that simply can't take care of them! From 1890 to 1900 (10 year span) there was only one major earthquake in the world. In the past 30 days alone we have on record 693 earthquakes around the world (http://www.iris.edu/seismon/last30.html). The tribulations that so many christian people are under today! Look at China, Sudan, Africa, Saudi Arabia, North Korea, Russia, and many Muslim nations, Christians suffer much greater persecution and often times death for their faith! Then there is Matthew 24:14 - between Media, World Wide Web, Missionaries, Radio, the translation of the bible in so many different languages and through all of the technology we have in today's society, we are preaching the gospel throughout the world! In II Timothy 3:1-5,7 it is evident what we are being told about the end times. Just watch the nightly news, look at those around you in this world.

Praise God for the teachings in the Bible to teach us how to live a life that is obedient and pure. Though at times it isn't always an easy life to follow that path of Gods will and instruction for our lives is what will save us from the very end of this earth. We will live in eternity with Him. We need to be teaching our children that it is only the bible that we look for answers from not this world. Lead by example, lead with knowledge, and lead by and with love - just as Noah did. His family was blessed, his family was asked to be the start of the world again after everything and everyone else was destroyed. Why do you think this is? It is because God saw that Noah would teach his children His way. God knows what this world is today. He knows the outcome and the specific day that His Son will return to earth! He is in control! He is Sovereign and Mighty!

Though far from a perfect mother, wife, daughter, and follower my desire is to know Him more. To learn His will, to follow His word! My thought and prayer today is that in all that is surrounding us in the world that is evil and deceptive, that we as Christians will be able to look into the future of a brighter day when we are all joined as one with Him. Not looking to the worldly possessions that make us happy in the moment, but the ones that give us Eternal happiness.

Very Respectfully,
Leslie

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor. - Romans 12:10

Day 2 - How do we effect others? Do you understand that every action, every word, every decision is effecting others?

GENESIS 4:1-5:32; 1CHRONICLES 1:1-4; GENESIS 6:1-22 (NIV): Day 2

After reading these passages today I learned that every thing we do effects those around us. Even when we don't want it to or intend on it touching some one else. Just think, how we treat our children, how we talk to our children, how we talk to those around us... it is picked up, learned, and used by our children. Have you ever sat and talked to a good friends, lets say, 5 year old? When they are telling you a story does their body language, their tone of voice, their eye connection, and/or their words sound familiar? Does it remind you of your friend? I hear the words I say come back back to me 99% of the time from my children. Not only the good ones such as I love you, thank you, please, but more often the bad ones... I said no, don't ask again, how many times do I have to tell you... Although at times it is hard not to laugh that they are saying the very words I have spoken, I teach a double standard in telling them to not talk to me in that manor! Many times have I said something to my kids to think to myself at the very end of the sentence, "Man I sound just like my mom!". I can just see each of my kids now telling their kids the exact things I have said to them instead of having the patience, the time for, and the love for... What am I teaching my kids when I am too busy doing something that seems important to me at the time and not stop what I am doing and help my child, play with my child, or just be there for them?
In today's reading we start with Cane and Abel. Cane's offerings were not in the Lords favor although Abel's were. Cane could not except that he needed to work harder and do what the Lord was calling of him to receive the Lords favor. Instead, he took his brother to a field and killed him. Cane's sin took hold of his life. How true is Romans 6:23a " . . .the wages of sin is death."? Sin that is not dealt with, not confessed, grows and takes control. When you stop sin and confess it cannot grow. We need to rule over our own life and determine do what is right. We need to recognize what sin does to us, confess, and over come!
As I look at my kids, all four of them, I do not want any of them to feel as though I am looking upon one with favor and not the others. There are different things I love and adore about each one of my children. Sean, he is a strong young man who looks to his father for guidance while trying to make a life for himself. Brooke, she is so beautiful inside and out! She loves the tender touch when you walk past her. Brianna, she is the most strong willed child we have! She is rarely indecisive, she knows what to say that will push your buttons, and she has a tendency to try to rule the house. Yet, when Brianna wants to be close to you she can say the most sweet words, give the greatest hugs, and know what you need when you need it. Jayce, our little man, he 3, we are learning more and more about him. He gives the best kisses, and I find that he compliments and says positive things to people. Each of my children are different, yet they are all loved the same. The journey each of them have gone through so far in life has come with love and the desire to be raised in a Christian home. My prayer for my children is that they all feel the love that is shared in our home. That they continue to love one another! I want to be a mother after Gods own heart and listen to His calling for my childrens' lives! Living a Godly life, teaching by example, and Teaching the Love of the Bible!

Very Respectfully,
Leslie

Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. - Ephesians 4:32

Day 1- God made Rob for me, who did God make for you?

Genesis 1:1-3:24 (NLT) - Day 1

Do you believe in marriage? Do you believe there is one person that God created just for you? He created Eve just for Adam! He created her for his liking and to be his partner. With the tree of life, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, He gave us full will of knowledge and understanding, but leaves it in our hands to decide what is good and evil. He specifically placed someone special in Adams life. He gave him a wife, a partner. He did not call us to be alone. He called us to be happy with and in one another. After thinking about it and knowing that God specifically calls us to not be unequally yolked, it finally makes perfect sense to me. After my first marriage ended, I quickly realized I did not love the man I had married, I loved the idea of trying to make it on my own. Being a girl raised in churches I knew God, I had accepted God as my Lord and Savior, while my ex denied there could be a God. Now, knowing that the first marriage Rob entered into was between two people who were unequally yolked as well, it makes the path that God has in our lives clear. Though at times, I have not followed God and the calling He has for my life, He now has made it evident that His Will will be done! He placed Rob in my path when He knew I was in need of a lifelong partner. A partner after Gods heart too! After the first dance we shared, the first date, and all of the firsts in between... He has called me to be Robs wife, to be his partner; He made me for Rob and Rob for me.
Now, I find what the Lord spoke to Eve, then to Adam, to be one of the easiest things to see today. He told Eve that pregnancy and birth will cause pain, and went on to say how we as women will want to rule over our husbands, though our husband is the head and rules over us (NLT Genesis 1:16). Do you find this true? It isn't that I want to "rule" over my husband, however, I would like not to feel ruled over. As for what the Lord told men, it is more true today then ever... it takes the sweat of your brow to make a living (NLT Genesis 1:17-19). Understanding that God knew at that point in time that there was going to be struggles between woman and man he could have stopped it, He didn't though. He let the earth grow, be sewn, the fruits multiply and here today we are! We were all made for a purpose. We are all made in the image of His Majesty!
As wives let us remember today, that our husbands are our 'ruler' and as long as they are obeying God and His commands, we are to abide and follow! Respect the men in your lives with words of encouragement and not discipline. Make home life a pleasant place to be. It isn't always easy to want the best for your husbands, but they should come before yourself! They should be the first person you are praying for every morning when you wake up and the last person you are praying for every evening before you close your eyes. Ladies let me tell you something I have learned, even if it isn't said, you are appreciated! Men, husbands, remember this, as women we look to you for direction. We lean on you for your example and for understanding. All though you sew the ground and work HARD for the living we (women) look for the tender touch and tender hand that closes our day. Pray for us, pray for the mother of your child/children, pray for the words of tenderness through the day so you can come home and feel comforted in your home.
God uses marriage to help us not be lonely, but to enjoy life, establish families, and raise children. It is a beautiful gift! After going through a study (even though not completed), I am starting a new chapter here... In believing in marriage and it isn't only about the other person and what they need to change, it is about yourself, about dealing with our own issues with the help of our life long partner. God put them there for a reason! Do you know the reason He put them in your life? My thought for this journey in my life today is this: appreciate what I have right in front of me, be patient, respond positively (even when I am upset), and to love!

Very Respectfully,
Leslie

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. ~Ephesians 4:2

This is the beginning...

So, today is March 16, 2010. Creeping up on 29 years old, married to a man I adore, 4 kids, and learning what God's calling is in my life. This is one of the hardest questions I ask myself! Every time I think of this my heart tells me the only way that I will have these questions answered is to be in His Word! To be living by His will and in His light. This is why I have set a goal: My goal is in this year beginning today I will read the bible in a year. Walking through the pages that were written for every single one of us is just what I need. At times I find myself looking at my life as though there were 4 different - completely separate - parts to my life when in truth, there is only ONE; One me; One heart; One family; One life to fulfill... to better explain: Every morning I wake up to the wonderful sounds of my children walking through my door to wake me up because they do not want to be alone. After the snuggling and good mornings are exchanges we get up, make daddy coffee, get Brianna ready for school, take Bri to school, take Brooke to school and come back home to get daddy ready for work. In the time I am gone, Rob, wakes up, usually makes himself a cup of coffee, gets a muffin, and is talking with little man about his great tricks and encouraging his awesome mind at the age of 3. We hang out with dad while he gets ready and kiss him in his uniform before he leaves for work. For the rest of the day I spend the day watching cartoons, making lots of "I'm hungry" requests fulfilled, and cleaning before having to go pick up my beautiful girls, get home and start dinner, and clean up again. I have loved being a stay at home mommy for 5 years now! The opportunity to help out when and where needed, to see my children grow, to be there for my pre-teen and her schooling, to be on call any time my husband needs an escape to talk or to get out of the office for a bit... These are the very things I believe for the past 5 years I have been Called to do. Lately, the question has come up of where do I want to be in my life. Right where I am is fine, but yes, I have other dreams and desires that I hope one day to fulfill with a heart that is following Gods Will- not my own! Mary Kay has been an incredable company to be a part of, photography/videography is one of the things I find most rewarding not only for myself, but for others, and then there is cooking and baking! My happiest times have been spent not only in my own kitchen, but eating in restaurants where the food is delish... yes, I said it... delish!! When I can look at my husband after ordering, just praying everything comes out perfect, once the dinner arrives that eye of disappointment is usually what we see. Only a handful of times have we ordered and gotten exactly what we felt like we paid for. One of those places was in Minnesota called The Neighbors. For the 5th year anniversary of the day we met my husband introduced me to a taste of great food, great service, and great wine (not to mention the wonderful company of 5 roses, an embroidered candle, and a wonderful man by my side). This is what started me into really looking at foods, restaurants, service, front of house staff, back of house staff... Then of course, as any one who knows me at all knows, I started watching anything that Chef Ramsey is on! I watch cooking shows, experiment, taste, and try the new. This is where I find myself today! - Desire filled to be in a restaurant - yes, my own restaurant would be ideal, but there is work involved yet to do before getting there. First step is to go to Culinary Arts School! - Le Cordon Bleu - This is my next dream- March 16th 2011 is my goal! For now, the bible in a year will help me to hear Gods calling, I will continue to raise my children, support my husband in his career and his musical talent and dreams, and to get life on the right path that God will be my guide. There are many things about myself I need to change... This change is beginning...

Very Respectfully,
Leslie