Swimming Upstream: Living a counter-cultural life

It's been awhile since I have blogged, so I have a lot of thoughts built up in my head. I have a daughter,son-in-law and grandson in Africa and a daughter volunteering her time at Above Rubies about an hour and fifteen minutes from home, so the house is a lot quieter these days, with just Amber (13) and Josh (12) here with me during the day. I guess the point of this post is to share about our lives with its challenges and immense joys, and to say that the challenge of "swimming upstream" against the norms of our day can be discouraging at times, but that the life it has produced is well worth the effort and sometimes persecution.

I believe that daily routines are important in providing security to children, so our days during the school week (we homeschool) look much the same. They have a schedule for breakfast during the week which they are responsible for making (ex. Monday-oatmeal, Tuesday-eggs and biscuits or toast, Wednesday-Peanut butter and toast, etc) They clean up their mess in the kitchen. We do morning devotions, then I read to them recreationally for awhile. This time of giving myself and my time to them in this way is so sweet and rewarding, even on those days when Joshua has the fidgets and sighs several times during the process. After this, I usually have them do a chore outside of some kind, so that they have a break before bookwork. Lunch comes either before or during bookwork, depending on how early we get started.

One of the joys of homeschooling is that I can use whatever books or curriculum that I choose, and I can skip the garbage (such as teaching evolution as truth, perverted sex-ed, and relative truth). One of the other joys is that I can throw the whole schedule out if we have something else we need to get accomplished. We school all throughout the year, so we actually end up putting in more days than public school kids do, even with the days we choose to take off. I don't follow the breaks, holidays or schedules of the public school (because I don't have to!). I figure we are well-qualified to decide what days we want to take off without outside input. Before we moved, this resulted in a glorious family 2-week vacation each October at a beautiful campground about an hour from our (old) house. The only people present were quiet retired couples whom you hardly knew were there. This suited our family fine, as most of us don't prefer crowds at all.

After bookwork is free-time, during which they have a small list of items to complete at some point before bedtime. This usually gives them at least a couple of hours per day to play or do whatever they want. The joy of homeschooling is that their schoolwork IS their homework, so they aren't doing double work every day. Right before Jeff heads to bed, he leads our evening devotions (which I LOVE), and then we have a time of intercessory prayer for the needs on our lists. We each pray out loud for whatever is on our hearts. I can't express strongly enough how important this devotional and prayer time has been. The spiritual power of gathering as a family to devote time to prayer and study of His Word is felt strongly in the room, and I would encourage ALL Christ-honoring families to incorporate some form of this into their families. Uniting as a family in this way will reap eternal rewards; I sense this is true, so we always try to make time for this important part of our day. And it does require self-discipline, because any family can find at least 10 other things they could be doing instead of devotions and prayer, but once the habit is established, it is simply precious, precious time that I crave like water. I just want our lives to reflect that we are serious about God and His word. I don't want to fall into the shallow, follow-the-crowd, God-on-Sunday-and-Wednesday only crowd. There are martyrs the world over suffering because they were bold enough to stand up for their faith. They are very serious about their faith and following Jesus; that's the kind of faith I want.

This lifestyle we have cultivated definitely goes against the grain of society, and we like it that way, although at times it can be very lonely, and very hard. We don't feel like we have to keep up with the Jones', possession-wise, entertainment-wise, fad-diet/exercise plan-wise, or any other wise. On the other hand, we also don't charge into every fad in the Christian world, because fads in theology and church-related things blow through just as strongly as in the secular world. We have let God have control of our lives, and He has led us down some paths I never thought I would be on. For example, we went from the typical family with cable tv, rushing to see most of the new movies put out, buying our kids all the new Disney and kid-related movies, to down-sizing to having only Sky-angel (a satellite branch of Dish network that is Christian-oriented programming), and now we have no cable, no Sky-Angel, and no television. What I find ironic, and counter to everything that Jesus taught, is that most people think this is a bad thing! Like filling our minds with drivel and perversion is a right we should exercise, and exercise often.

That's not to say we never watch anything, or that our kids don't ever watch anything, because we do on occasion. We have two portable DVD players plus the computer on which we can watch something when we choose to, but those things we allow ourselves to watch has decreased as the movies have gotten more explicit. We also have taken a stand on anything with an occult-based theme, so that knocks out a bunch more choices. Basically, Jeff and I watch Monk (and there are a couple of episodes of that we don't allow ourselves), and the kids will occasionally watch something from their remaining selection of movies. Most of Amber and Josh's media entertainment consists of their complete collection of Adventures in Odyssey tapes. It's not that we don't understand or have never felt the pull of television and movie addiction, because we have. It's just that we have chosen what we feel is a better way. Just because we want it, or might enjoy it, doesn't make it a good thing. It really is okay to sometimes say no to our flesh for the glory of God and the betterment of our persons.

Jeff and I like it that we no longer feel the burning need to run and see the latest movie, or waste much of our time sitting in front of the screen, and we don't have to run out and buy the kids every new movie that comes out. We take our role seriously of protecting their eyes and ears until we feel they are mature enough to make those wise choices themselves. The innocence reflected in their eyes is worth all of the effort of resisting the times. That is not to say that we haven't had quite explicit conversations with them regarding the issues of their times. They know about homosexuality and what God has to say about it. They know what they need to know about sex, and what God's design for it is. We protect them from the constant bombardment of inaccurate and perverse interpretations of these issues, but we don't protect them from the issues themselves, because God's word deals with these things very clearly.

There is no sure-fire guarantee that our children will make Godly choices as they grow up, but I think that being proactive in all that we do is a good deposit into their futures. And they are worth it. They are worth some self-denial on our parts to give them something even better. A Godly teacher put it something like this, "Forsake the good, for the sake of the best."

I believe my job is to pour myself completely into my family; to honor, respect and love my husband as the head of our home; to teach my children daily about the most important things in life. I don't find that it insults my individuality at all to seek after these things. In fact, I have found the only fulfillment I have ever experienced in this life. Above all, I want to be a woman in whom Jesus can someday say, "Well-done, good and faithful servant." I live to hear those words.

Homemade Herbal Tea Bags

This afternoon, I worked on making my homemade herbal tea bags because I had used my last one a couple of days ago.  I gathered my materials:  empty press and seal tea bags, my two herb boxes full of herbs, and clothespins to hold my tea bags closed because this set of bags hasn't sealed like they are supposed to.  But that's ok, because the clothespins worked just fine last time.  I just took it off before brewing, and if any herbs came out of the bag into my tea, I just strained them off.

Empty Tea Bags

My assortment of individual herb bags

After spooning herbs into the bags, this is the finished product.












Herbs, in general, are one of the safest things that you can use. I mix and match what herbs I put in each tea bag. I may have 3 herbs in a bag, or I may have 6 different ones. The only herb I have dropped from my tea bag repertoire is nettle, because I just don't like the taste of it in tea. Also, any herb where the root is used is not really suitable for tea bags, as you have to boil it longer to extract the medicinal properties.

These bags I made make a gallon of tea. Sometimes I add sugar, but these all have stevia, a natural herb sweetener, in them, so I won't add additional sugar.

I get my herbs and empty tea bags from two places: bulkherbstore.com and morethanalive.com

This is not hard to do, and offers a lot of health benefits over store-bought tea
bags of any kind. This time I made around 15 bags, which will make 15 gallons of herbal tea. Should last awhile....

Granola Recipe

Fruity Granola Bars
Makes 12

10 oz jar of applesauce
1/2 c dried apricots, chopped
3/4 c raisins
1/4 c raw sugar
1/2 c sunflower seeds
2 t cinnamon
3/4 c dried cranberries
2 T sesame seeds
Scant 1 c oats
2/3 c wheat flour
2/3 unsweetened coconut flakes
2 eggs


Preheat 400. Grease 8" square tin. (Can also line with parchment). Put first 8 ingredients in a bowl and mix. Add oats, flour, coconut, and eggs and gently stir. Evenly spread in pan. Bake 25 min until golden and just firm to touch. Let cool.

Leaving Civilization for Awhile

We are leaving tomorrow to go camping at LBL (Land Between the Lakes) for 13 days!  Our clothes are packed, the food is mostly packed, the dogs are strapped to the top of the van (just kidding), and we will be heading out in the morning after final preparations like hooking up the camper and getting gas.  It only takes about an hour to get there, but it feels like a world away from everyday life.  This will be our third annual LONG fall camping trip.  We like this time of year, because it is very peaceful.  Most of the campers are retirees who don't venture out too much, and we just about have the place to ourselves.  This is a blessing, because most of us don't like crowds.

I did my final run to the grocery store today.  I am usually a stickler for fairly healthy eating, especially watching our refined sugar intake.  HOWEVER, this is CAMPING, and different rules apply.  I got marshmallows,  honey graham crackers, oreos, chips, and a few other junk items, along with the usual 10 pounds of apples (my son, Josh, eats at least 3 per day!), bananas, chili fixin's, eggs,  pancake mix, etc.  One thing I didn't bend on was the processed meats like sandwich meat and hot dogs.  After reading another article on the nitrites put in those meats to improve color and preservation and how unhealthy they really are for you, I decided to avoid them whenever possible.  I am sure that at some points here and there we will consume these things, but it won't be because I have them in the house to eat.

Anyway, the least relaxing part of the trip will be the DOGS!  In case you don't know already, we have four - two Australian Shepherds, Gabe and Ellie, a Border Collie, Sahara Desert, and a Shih-Tzu mutt, Jazmyn.  Sahara and Jazmyn are used to traveling, but our almost one-year old babies, not so much.  Not only that, but they like to bark a lot more than the other two.  Do they make Dimetapp for dogs?  (just kidding, kinda)  But we will adjust, and hopefully they will all make great strides in Camping 101.

I love to get up early and walk around the campground before too many people are up and moving.  I usually take one of the dogs with me for a little stroll.  Almost always, Josh is already up and riding his bike here and yonder, with his boundless boy energy.

We usually try to get a spot right on the lake.  If it is available, our favorite spot has the trees situated just right, and when we back up into it, all you can see out the back window is beautiful lake, like we are on a houseboat!

Of course, we grill a lot, make fires to sit around, take walks and bike the trails (I usually skip this part due to allergies and not catching my breath well).  We play team football in the nearby field, card games, board games, and take LOTS of pictures.  We drive into the nearest town a couple of times for lunch or grocery shopping.  This year, we are picking up my mother-in-law, who just moved into her daughter's house, and taking her to lunch one day.  She doesn't drive anymore, and is looking forward to getting out with us.  And Jeff and I will be taking one night out as a date night! Woohoo!!

I don't know if Jessie will be with us during next year's camping trip, because we don't know exactly when she will be leaving for Africa, and how long she will end up staying.  She has been called to work with orphans in Uganda.  We aren't sure which orphanage just yet.  If you haven't read her blog, please do!   And please pray for her safety, and that God will work out a way for her to arrive safely in Uganda without a "mission team".  And if you can donate any amount to help her get there, that would be such a blessing.  She has already been diligently saving her money, and is looking for a job.  She also has received over $200 in support already!  The "donate" button on her blog is linked to an account that is solely for her trip expenses.  (http://www.caringfortheorphans.blogspot.com/)

Anyway, we expect to have a very blessed time on our camping trip.  We are a very close family, and enjoy spending time together.  I am thankful for their presence in my life, and I am thankful that we have the means to go on this trip. 

If we cross your mind, please pray for our safety :)

Blessings,
Debbie

What Jesus would Say to Me

I was waiting at an appointment with my daughter today, and began thinking about what I could write for my next blog entry.  I decided I would pretend that Jesus came to my house, in person, and examined my life and my heart in their current states.  And then I thought about what He might tell me, teach me, or admonish me about.  The following is what I came up with:

He would remind me that as His child, my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and encourage me to eat even more healthy than I am - to cut back on caffeine, eat even more whole grains, and eat more raw foods.  He would say I am still abusing my body too much.

I think He would be proud that I haven't taken any medicine since May (my liver thanks me as well).  I have learned that even though I have aches and pains, I don't have to pop a pill.  And yes, if I was dying, I would definitely take life-saving medicine!  But menstrual cramps, headaches, leg aches, etc., I can tolerate.  And I will not ever take an antibiotic except as a last resort.

Jesus would tell me that sometimes I am still entirely too selfish, and to remember to always put others first, even when I "don't feel like it".  I suspect this will be the thing He has to keep reminding me, hopefully less as time goes on.  I don't know about you, but it just doesn't come naturally some of the time.  I can easily be polite and prefer others by holding the door open and letting them go first, or letting a car get in front of me that is trying to pull out.  But things that hurt more, or inconvenience me more, are harder to do - though not impossible.

I think He might compliment me just a little on beginning to grasp that the church doesn't exist inside four walls, that pure religion is widows and orphans (James 1:27), not a sermon and a song and send me on my way, although I do love my hymns and worship music.  That every person doesn't have to "do church" the same way, even if on a day other than Sunday, as long as we aren't forsaking fellowship.

He would tell me to take EVERY thought captive, which is truly an exhausting job some days.  And that just because I was raised a trucker's daughter doesn't justify the words that cross my mind sometimes.

He would remind me that there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus, and that my early morning rants at myself before I rise are neither Godly nor accurate.

He would tell me that my lifelong insecurity is totally inappropriate for a daughter of His.  That He loves me and my identity is found in Him and Him alone.  And that although my past affects who I am, it is NOT the deciding factor of my present or future.  That by His power, I overcome all things.

I think He would be fairly pleased with my love and devotion for my family, but even then, would probably have some words of advice for me.  Because no matter how well we do something, it's never quite exactly how He would do it.

I think He would be glad that I know what I believe, but would want me to soften my defense of it at times (even more than I already have over the years).  Although, to be sure, He wasn't very soft with hypocrites.  Only with those who had a heart for Him.

He would probably tell me to read my Bible more, and my Christian fiction less.

And although I have made great strides in prioritizing my life, He would tell me that sometimes I still make too big a deal out of small things, "Debbie, that does not warrant such turbulent emotions," He would say. (or maybe, "Get over it, would ya?")

He would tell me that considering what a stubborn, independent woman I used to be, I have become a fairly submissive wife, but that some days He thinks I have forgotten everything I learned.

He would tell me that my children were given to me to guide, train, and love, and not to fall apart when they prove they are, indeed, human.  To guide them through the mistake (sin) and pray they get it right the next time.  (and that really, dirty handprints all over my walls are NOT the end of the world).

He would tell me He's glad I usually do the speed limit because we can't afford speeding tickets. :)

And the Father would look down and say, "Debbie, I am glad I sent my Son to cover your sins, because if it were up to you to make it, I wouldn't be seeing you someday."

So, now that I've critically analyzed my life, I plan to commit these things to some serious prayer, and continue on the journey to being more like Him. :)

 Because I do want to be like Him.  I love Him so much.

I hope my confessions have helped in some small way. 
   

Part 2: From the book "Is God on America's Side"

This blog of mine is to share my heart on issues - whether they be spiritual issues or health/natural living issues.  This particular entry is to continue my notes from my journal on the book "Is God on America's Side" by Erwin Lutzer.  

This was not a long book, but I did enjoy reading it for the most part.  It made me think about the way I think about what our duties as Christians are.  The basic premise of the following excerpts is that as believers we should focus on sharing the gospel, which actually saves a person for Eternity, and by this salvation to change the person's heart by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, which then changes their lives and the way they live them, as opposed to focusing too much energy and time trying to change legislation and "reclaim America", which may change policy to make it more user friendly for the believer, but doesn't and never will change morality of the people.

So, the rest of this blog will be my notes from the book.

Even among the churches who believe the gospel message, there are many who choose to focus on some of the more positive aspects of scripture without declaring the whole counsel of God (note from me: which isn't always positive!)

Let us humbly admit that we have slid too far to think that we can reverse the course of this nation simply by having "the right people" in Washington.  The unseen battle is more fierce than the one we see in our newspapers and on TV.

Our task is not to save America but to save Americans (I love this) by living the gospel.  There are some things only God's word faithfully lived and believed can do.  We do not take the cross that should humble us and turn it into a club that would make the world shape up.

We (should) disagree humbly.  We don't (shouldn't) complain when the media is unfair, just as Christ didn't complain when the soldiers were unfair.  We don't (shouldn't) castigate others as if our cause is dependent on endorsement or fair reporting.  We should not be alarmed if unbelievers act like unbelievers; we should be alarmed, however, when believers act like unbelievers.

We do what is right and take the consequences.  It is not necessary for us to win in this world in order to win in the next.

God's success does not depend on the favor of the city of man.

Amen.   You can get the book here.

America and our mission as Christians

This is a quick read, and a pretty good book.  I didn't necessarily agree with every point he made, but for the most part I did.  

Excerpts from "Is God on America's side" by Erwin Lutzer.

Moral laws are limited in power; they cannot make people do good nor can they make godly families. Our message must be more radical than any government policy. It is a message that must penetrate the depths of the human heart.

Our first calling is to lovingly confront the greatest lie of Satan in America: that each person can come to God in his own way, with or without the sacrifice and priesthood of Jesus.

But let us not think that getting a community to change its laws means that it has been "christianized" or that its citizens are closer to believing the gospel.

Christianity is a message that a holy (and yes, loving) God punishes sin, and if we do not flee to the protection of Christ, we will be separated from God forever in Hell. Redemption and not Reformation is what we should be about.

Get his book here .  (Affiliate Link.  Clicking on blogger's links and occasionally purchasing what they recommend helps to support their families.  Thank you for clicking.)