Christian Headcovering (Part 1)

*Image from Garlands of Grace, a Christian site that sells head coverings. I have purchased a few of their coverings and recommend their products*

I want to blog a bit about the Christian head covering issue from the infamous 1 Corinthians 11 passage and my views on it. I am doing this with a tiny bit of apprehension, just because I know it's a bit of a controversial passage, and I know a lot of people will not agree with me. This point of this series is not to explain the passage in depth (although I will try to provide some resources to help with that). The point is to explain my views on the issue and how I came to a conclusion about the passage.

Let me start off by saying a few things right off the bat:

• Head covering is a personal choice of mine based on my convictions after studying 1 Corinthians 11 in depth. I wear a headcovering in church and usually during Bible study. I do not cover full time.
  
• Head covering has nothing to do with a person's salvation. Many religious groups that practice head covering are only doing so to give the appearance of godliness but they deny the power thereof.
  
• I do not judge other Christian ladies or look down upon those who choose not to wear a head covering because of a different interpretation of 1 Corinthians 11. Like I said before, this is a matter of personal conviction.
  
• 1 Corinthians 11, although a difficult & controversial passage, is in the Bible and thus in due season, Christians should take the time to study it and pray about it.

Where I'm At
I have been wearing a head covering when in church since the Fall 2010 when my husband and I studied the passage in depth and came to the conclusion that the head covering in 1 Cor 11 is a literal head covering in addition to the hair, and it is relevant for today and was not just intended for the church back in Paul's day. Until that point, we had studied it on and off during different times for a couple of years, never coming to a conclusion or feeling like we fully understood it.

Growing up, this was not my view on the issue. Sure, I read the passage several times in my youth, but I never fully understood it. The passage always bothered me because I just didn't understand it. However, I had never once heard a sermon on that passage, and I didn't know any other Christians who wore a head covering to church. I was always under the impression that 1) the head covering is a cultural issue meant only for that specific time in history and/or 2) the hair is the only covering and there is no need for a second covering.

A few years ago, we attended a church where some of the women wore head coverings. In my ignorance, I was somewhat freaked out by this this first time we attended as I immediately coined them as "legalistic." One of the first things I asked a friend of mine was why they did this. Did it have something to do with salvation? Did they believe you had to wear one? Did I have to wear one to come to their church? The answer to all those questions was a resounding NO. It was a matter of personal conviction for the women who chose to wear one. Oh, okay. That was new to me and prompted me to study the issue once again. We attended that church until my husband was done university and then we moved back to our hometown. The entire time we attended there I did not once wear a head covering. I just never was convicted about it and didn't want to wear one just because some of the other women did.
On and off I would study the passage again, but I just never could feel like I understood it properly. I read commentaries looking at it from different viewpoints, but I wasn't convinced in my mind and heart about an interpretation.

In the summer and fall of 2011, my heart was prompted again to study the passage. This time, I stumbled across a sermon by Pastor John Macarthur on the passage. Although Pastor Macarthur ultimately comes to a different conclusion than I do, it was from his sermon that the 2 biggest issues were properly explained to me. That sermon was a big turning point for me with gaining understanding about that passage. The two issues that were finally settled for me were 1) there are 2 coverings (the hair and another covering on top of the head). 2) Verse 16, which I had previously misunderstood, which says "But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God." This verse confused me as I thought it might mean that if the issue is contentious, then it shouldn't be practiced. I also was confused by "we have no such custom". I thought...no such custom of what? practicing head covering? But then why would Paul bother explaining about it if they didn't practice it? Pastor Macarthur explains this verse very well and in fact, it means the very opposite of what I thought it might mean. It actually means that we have no such custom of being contentious about the practice, and if someone wants to be contentious and go against what Paul is writing, then they are essentially the odd one out for (lack of a better term) because all Christians including the Corinthian church and the other churches of God practice this without any contention.
I think that's where I'll stop for today.

Life is Fragile - A Miracle

We witnessed God's hand of miraculous protection this past weekend as our brother in law (who is also my husband's best friend) was in a very serious accident. His work truck hit a semi as the semi tried to cross a busy highway and cut right in front of him. Miraculously, he did not break any bones or suffer any life threatening injuries. Anyone who saw the picture of his truck knows just how much of a miracle it is that he is alive, not to mention doing fairly well, considering.
His sister got married the day after the accident, and we were all able to make it up there for the wedding, even our brother-in-law who was discharged from hospital the morning of the wedding.

It was an emotional weekend. Tears of sadness & tears of joy, feelings of fear & feelings of relief, prayers of pleading and prayers of praise. We were reminded again of how life is so fragile, so precious. A reminder that this is not the end. There is an eternity beyond this life. An eternity in heaven for those who place their faith in Christ. Priorities change. Suddenly work isn't so important, having a clean house, getting things painted and projects completed - It just doesn't matter. Family matters. Friends matter. And most importantly, faith matters. And not just any kind of faith. Faith in Christ, the true God. We are reminded that our life is not our own. We can do "everything right" to be safe and healthy and live a long time, and yet when God calls us home, He calls us home. There is nothing our brother-in-law could have done to stop this accident. He was not at fault and did not have time to stop. He had no control of the situation. God knew he'd be there to meet that semi right then and there. He knew that semi would cut right in front of him at that exact moment. Why, we do not know. But we know there's a reason.

Our brother-in-law is saved; he knows where he's going when he dies. Many of those who attended the wedding do not know where they are going, but they definitely heard the gospel. The name of the LORD was glorified at this wedding, and it was an awesome day as we witnessed our good friends wed before God, family, and friends. We heard the good news, we heard testimonies of God's grace and faithfulness. It was a very good day. At the request of the bride and groom, the good news was preached during the ceremony. Some might think it is not an appropriate time to share the message of the cross at a wedding. But as our dear friend and brother in Christ preached, there are 2 very important questions in life. The second most important one is who will you marry? But the most important question is...what will you do with the Jesus of the Bible? And so I ask you, my dear readers...what will you do with the Jesus of the Bible? There are only 2 choices; receive Him by faith or reject Him for all of eternity. I pray you know Him personally.

Today, I am grateful for God's hand of protection on our brother in law's life. I am grateful for family and friends. I am grateful that we had the privilege of attending our good friends' special wedding day. The day of the accident could have been a very different day. We could have lost our dear brother-in-law and friend in a moment. As a result, the wedding could have been a very different wedding. But God had a different plan. It was not his time to go, and we are so grateful for that. But the reality is that any one of us could go at any time. Don't think your life is your own. It is not. Only God knows the number of days He has already ordained for you to live. Be sure you know where you are going should your days be up today. Be 100% sure. It is the most important thing.

When a near-tragedy like this occurs, especially so close to home, it's like the Lord gently takes me by the shoulders and says to me, "Don't you see what's important? No...don't you see who is important. It's about people. It's about Me, your Saviour. It's about sharing the Good News with others. Don't keep the Good News to yourself. It's meant to be shared. Don't you see? You're not in control, but I am. Trust Me. Trust Me. Trust Me."

Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!



P.S. Please take some time to pray for a relative of mine whose son has a rare and fatal metabolic disease (Her blog is on my sidebar under Rainbows and Earthquakes). He has either a serious virus or infection in his lungs right now. He and his family need your prayers.

Be Courageous Enough...

Last night I was listening to a Christian radio program that I occasionally listen to in the evenings. They were discussing being a mom and raising kids. Truthfully, I wasn't listening all that closely and can't remember much of what they talked about. I can't even remember who they were interviewing (I think her name was Lisa), but something that this lady said really resonated with me. She said that something God had spoken to her was, "Be courageous enough to let Me write your children's testimonies." That literally brought me to tears. I cannot tell you how much I can relate. When I heard that, it seemed as though God was speaking directly to my heart, "Jenna, be courageous enough to let me write Ellie's testimony."

The times I have prayed for our daughter to be healed are too many to count. I have so many questions as to why God hasn't healed her yet. I suddenly realized that instead of letting God write my daughter's testimony, I have been trying to write it. In my testimony for our daughter, I have written that she is miraculously healed in this lifetime. It suddenly struck me that perhaps that is not God's testimony for her life. I don't know what He has planned, whether it is to uphold her whole life with the prayers of His people, or whether it is to miraculously heal her, or whether He will take her before I think it's her time to go.

So often I forget the words in Psalm 139 "in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them." There is nothing, nothing I can do to add to the number of days that God had already ordained for our daughter's life before she was even born.

Thinking about this, I've realized that I have even tried to write my own testimony at times. What do I mean by this? I have dreamed and hoped of growing to a ripe old age with my husband by my side and grandchildren running around and then someday in the very, very far future dying peacefully and painlessly in my own bed...or I have hopes of never dying at all, praying that the Lord will return before I die. And while I think it is alright to pray for such things, at the same time, I must remember that God is sovereign. I am not. My purpose is not to live a happy, care-free life. My purpose is to glorify God and point people away from myself and toward Christ. His ways are not my ways. His thoughts are so much higher than my thoughts. I must be courageous enough to let God write my own testimony, as painful and trial-full, as long or as short as it may be, with the prayer that God will get the glory.

For me, it's an impossible task on my own strength. I simply am not courageous enough to do so. My sinful self would much rather try to take control and pretend I can control it all. However, I know that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, including letting go and letting God. That is not to say we shouldn't pray. Of course we should pray! And pray often! Pray for our children's salvation, safety, and health. Pray for wisdom in training and raising our children. Pray for miracles. Pray for healing. I know I won't quit praying for my daughter to be healed. But while I pray, let me never forget to follow our Lord's example and also pray not my will, but Thine be done.

*linking up to Raising Homemakers*

Trusting God: A Lesson in Faith From My Great Grandma

This will probably be my last post until we hear something from the specialist we are seeing on Monday. We are reformatting our computer, so I won't be posting for a day or two now. I just want to thank you all so much for praying for our little girl. Please keep praying for her healing, if it be God's will. We are praying for a miracle to happen in her body (if it hasn't already, which is very possible) and that there will be no doubt as to the power of God. We know God hears our cries. Psalm 34 has been a very important passage for us during this time, as God gave my husband this Psalm when he was praying a few weeks ago.
I just want to share with you a lesson in faith and trusting God from my Great Grandmother who died before I was born. I never met her, but I have this story about her, which has really stood out in my mind these last few weeks. I'm retelling it (with a few changes to keep some anonymity) from a story my Great Aunt wrote down about her mom (my Great Grandma).

"This memory distinctly stays in my mind because it was my first lesson in trusting God. I was sixteen years old at the time. The year was 1942. Our community had no rain, and the crops were burning up. It was extremely hot and dry, and the church had called a prayer meeting to pray for rain. Being the end of June, the school had a wiener roast planned, which happened to be the same day as the prayer meeting. When Mom and Dad left for the prayer meeting (they typically walked to the church from the farm and they were in close proximity), Mom said to us, "If you see any clouds, get out of the coulees. If you don't leave right away, you won't get home tonight." The school was planning to have their wiener roast in the coulee and the road out of it would be impassable if it rained because of the soil conditions.

In those days, the roads were not graveled as they are today. Mother picked up her rubber boots and took them with her as she and Dad headed out the door. We had such a downpour that night that we barely got back to the yard. Dad had to clean a lot of mud off his shoes the next day from his walk home from church in the mud. She trusted God enough that it would happen, that she took her rubbers along, believing she would need them for the walk home in the rain. She was the only one there who did so. She took action in expectation of an answer. Even if she had been the only one at the prayer meeting, she knew God would answer her prayer."

We are convinced that the fact that our daughter's name means God Answers Prayer is no accident. We know the meaning of her name is significant; we just don't know in what way yet. Please have faith that God can heal our little girl if He is willing. Don't give up. Don't lose hope. And, please don't stop praying. Have faith that God will use this situation to glorify His name. We don't know what the future holds, but we know Who holds the future.

Time... How Am I Spending It?

Lately I have been giving a lot of thought to how I spend my time. Am I being a good steward of the time God has given me? Or...am I wasting the time God has given me? Am I efficient with the time God has given me? Or...do I need to straighten out my priorities and and get back to "first things first"?

After doing some serious thinking, I have to conclude that I have been guilty of both wasting time and being inefficient with my time. Generally I would not consider myself to be a lazy person, but I definitely struggle with keeping "first things first". I am often "busy" all of the time, but that does not necessarily mean that I am being busy at the right things. There IS only so much time in a day...24 hours to be exact...or 1440 minutes. Each minute is precious, and God cares how we spend each one of them.

I think I have been in denial as to how much time I spend on the internet. While I do not think there is anything inherently wrong with Facebook (well..maybe there is, I don't know!), I am embarrassed to admit that I think it's become a major time waster for me. I am hesitant to deactivate my account because I do like to keep in touch with some of my relatives whom I do not get to see very often. Through Facebook, I can see their photo albums, which I really enjoy. BUT I have decided that I need to set up some limits for myself because I am simply too undisciplined to keep myself in check otherwise.

Although I do not watch a lot of television, I do spend quite a bit of time on the internet, reading blogs, looking up how to do stuff, etc. The internet can be a good thing. I have learned A LOT of useful things from reading information on the internet. The thing is that if I am not careful, I can spend too much time on the internet when I should be doing other things. So, I am setting a time limit for myself.

God has given me the job of being a wife and mother. My time needs to be spent accordingly. My little one is only little for so long. These are critical times for training and teaching her, and I simply cannot afford to waste the time I have been given.

So, in practical terms, what is my plan of action?

1) Get off the internet. No, not completely, but I am going to keep track of the time and limit myself. For starters, I'm going to allow myself 1 hour a day in total online time. This hour online is for reading blogs, articles, writing on my blog, etc. I'm going to start with that and keep a log. Truthfully, I don't know how much time in total I have been spending online most days. I think 1 hour is very generous and reasonable (this is combined time during the whole day), and if I find I have to cut it down a bit more, I will.

2) Check my Facebook no more than once per day. I have a terrible habit of checking my facebook page each time I go on the internet. That has to stop. I gotta be honest...I think this will be a tough one for me. Ridiculous, I know. That's why I have to limit myself.

3) Go to bed at a decent hour. I find that I am just so tired all the time, and I really believe I have not been getting enough sleep. Our daughter (just over a year old now) is still not consistently sleeping through the night without waking up. We are at the point where we do not go to her at night unless she really needs something (besides just our attention) but she will still "complain", sometimes for an hour or more (not cry, but just make noise and play around in her crib) which still prevents me from sleeping; I am a VERY light sleeper. My goal is now to be in bed at 10:30 p.m. I plan on reading for half an hour and then lights out at 11 p.m.

4) Develop and stick to a daily schedule. I have been working here and there on this for the last little while. I am a pretty detail-oriented person who likes things to be done in a particular way most of the time, so this will probably be the easiest change for me. The schedule will be somewhat flexible. I mean...all mothers know that things rarely go according to plan, but I think that having some predictability in each day is a comforting thing and can help a person be more efficient with the time they are given. If the important things are scheduled in, I am more likely to get them done.

I am really hoping and praying that by spending less time on the internet, I will have more time to devote to the more important things in life. Maybe I'll keep tabs on myself by reporting in on my blog. No guarantees, though. I only have so much time now, right! ;) ). So, you'll excuse me if I don't blog regularly, won't you? I just have more important things to do!
Note how 1 Peter tells us to "pass the time of your sojourning here in fear." I'm going to try to be more careful with how I pass the time.

¹³Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

¹⁴As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

¹⁵But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

¹⁶Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

¹⁷And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

¹⁸Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

¹⁹But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

1 Peter 1:13-19

A Dream I Had Last Night

Last night I had a dream that was incredibly vivid and really challenged me. I can't even describe to you just how real this dream felt. I often dream at night, but usually I either don't remember my dreams or they are not really that important. I thought I would share this dream, though, as it seemed especially important. The dream actually reminded me of Daniel 3 when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to worship the golden image and were thrown into the fiery furnace as a result.

Here is my description of the dream from my memory:

The first thing I remember is that I found myself either traveling or living in a country where Christians were being persecuted and killed for refusing to worship either an appointed image or person. The law in this country was that every person must fall down and worship this different god or image at certain times when there would be a call to worship. I did not see an actual image to worship, but in my dream I saw people all around me falling down and worshiping at the call to worship. I knew that anyone who refused would be killed by the sword, beheaded immediately by men riding on horses. The part I really remember is brief. I heard the call to worship and saw hundreds of people around me falling down to worship this false god. I became nervous, knowing that as a Christian I must not worship a false god, but also knowing that I would be killed if I refused. I remember struggling a bit with this as I saw everyone prostrating themselves at the call to worship. I knew I could not deny the one true God and my spirit became strengthened as I refused to bow. I remember seeing 3 or 4 others in front of me who also refused to bow. There we were, only a handful of us standing while the hundreds around us were on the ground worshiping a false god. Then, I saw the men riding on horses with their swords galloping toward us to kill us. That is when I woke up.

This dream really struck a chord in me. I can't really explain it, but it just really challenged me and got me thinking. Here in North America, most of us don't face this kind of persecution where we could be killed for our faith and face that reality daily. It got me thinking about whether or not I would be obedient to God even when facing the sword. I don't know what it is like to have to live in a place where, constantly, my faith in Christ could cost me my life, but I hope I would be obedient to God even in the face of persecution. This dream reminded me to pray for the persecuted church.

This dream brought to mind the passage in John 21 where Jesus asks Peter 3 times, do you love Me? We need to ask ourselves - Do we love Christ? Do we really love Christ? Are we willing to be obedient to Him even unto death?

When the Lost Come to Your Door

What do you do when those who are lost and desperately deceived come knocking at your door?

We are told to always be ready to give an answer for the hope that we profess.

They were nice ladies, well-dressed and kind, but desperately deceived. It was just last night during our Bible Study one of my friends had mentioned that a Jehovah's Witness came to her business the other day, so we had discussed a bit about what JW's believe and how to biblically respond to them and had prayed for opportunities to share. Then this morning two Jehovah's Witnesses came to my door! In the 4 months we've lived here, this is the first visit I've had from them.

I was upfront right away that I am a Bible-believing, born again Christian, and so I invited them in to talk. I saw it as an opportunity to try to share with these poor ladies who the true Jesus is.

Our talk was fairly brief, about 10-15 minutes. We read several passages from the Bible. I tried to think off the top of my head as many passages as I could that refer to the Trinity and the deity of Christ. I also mention the failed prophecies of the Watchtower Society, proving that the Society is not from God. I notice that they basically ignore that and all the passages that we read referring to Christ's deity and just try to focus my attention to a few verses either taken out of context or referring to Jesus's nature as man (which are correct - Jesus is both man AND God).

Then, my baby starts getting fussy, my timer for my bread is going off, and things just don't seem to be getting anywhere, so I offer them a Bible tract for JW's, which they politely refuse, and they leave. They said they might come back again sometime. Whether or not they will, I don't know. So, I offer up a prayer to the Lord Jesus Christ, praying that perhaps something I said or read from the Bible would stir up doubt in their heart about their false religion. I also get busy - studying the Bible more, learning about how to biblically respond to JW's, and trying to get a tract put together with Bible verses for the next time the lost come right to my door.

Read this to find out if you have the true Jesus.

Resurrection Day

For a bit of an explanation as to why our family does not celebrate "Easter" in the way it is commonly celebrated today, you can read this.

Update**Also, you can read this. **

Christ's atoning work on Calvary's cross and the fact that He rose triumphantly from the grave should be on the forefront of the believer's mind every day. Our family does take time, however, to especially celebrate this during the same time many people do the "Easter thing". We prefer to refer to this day as Resurrection Day.

Isaiah 53 is an Old Testament prophecy, which speaks of our Lord Jesus Christ, who fulfilled it. Jesus made intercession for us to God through His payment for our sins on the cross. By placing our faith in Jesus Christ alone, we can be reconciled to God through Jesus Christ. To read more about how you can be saved, go here.

¹Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?

²For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

³He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

⁴Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

⁵But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

⁶All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

⁷He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

⁸He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

⁹And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

¹⁰Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

¹¹He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

¹²Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

We have hope today because Jesus rose from the dead!

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3

Christ the Lord is risen today. Alleluia!

I plead with you to consider what the Lord Jesus Christ has done. Have you placed your faith in Christ alone? If not, Christ is knocking at the door of your heart; will you invite Him in? Stop trusting in your church institution, stop trusting in your works, stop trusting in your baptism, stop trusting in your traditions and rituals. Repent from your sin, and place your faith in Christ alone for your salvation.

Gospel for Asia Sponsorship

When most people think of sponsoring a child in another country, they think of well-known organizations such as World Vision or Compassion International. Today I want to put a plug in for a ministry that I really like. It is Gospel for Asia and they have a sponsorship program too, but you may not have heard of them before. The reason why I like sponsoring a child through Gospel for Asia is because their main goal, unlike some other organizations, is to spread the Gospel! It says so right on their home page, and if you take the time to look around their website, you will find that the spreading of the Gospel is what Gospel for Asia is all about.

Do we need to clothe the poor, help the destitute, and feed the hungry? Absolutely. But let me ask you this. What does clothing the poor, helping the destitute, and feeding the hungry help if those people die without coming to a saving faith in Christ? Those people will still perish forever if they die without Christ. We need to meet their physical needs AND spread the truth of Jesus Christ. We need to provide them clean drinking water AND explain how they can receive the Living Water. These need to go hand-in-hand.

Through Gospel for Asia's Bridge of Hope program, you can sponsor a child. This child will get to go to a Bridge of Hope school where they will receive meals, an education, medical care, etc. and ALSO hear the gospel. These children are usually from the Dalit caste (also known as the "untouchables") and, sadly, are often considered less than human.

What else do I love about this ministry?

100 % of the sponsorship money goes to the field! NONE of it goes to administration costs!

AND

You can sponsor a missionary, too!

The other day I received a newsletter in the mail that highlighted testimonies of people coming to Christ through the ministry of Gospel for Asia. I was so encouraged to hear how missionaries are passing out gospel tracts, witnessing, and how children sponsored through the Bridge of Hope program are learning about Christ and sharing with their families! I also receive letters from our sponsor child and can write back to her.

If you are interested in sponsoring a child, please consider the ministry of Gospel for Asia. Gospel for Asia cares about the physical and spiritual needs of people, with spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ being their highest goal.

Make a JOYful Noise Unto the Lord

I have often been told that a wife and mother sets the tone in her home. I have found this to be very true. For example, if a wife greets her husband with a scowl when he comes home from work and she immediately begins complaining about what a terrible day she has had, her husband is NOT likely to respond with a "Hi Honey, I'm so happy to be home!" On the other hand, if the wife decides to greet her husband with a smile and a kiss and takes the focus off of herself and her problems and instead puts her focus on her husband and asks him about HIS day, the husband is much more likely to enjoy coming home after a hard day's work. Those first few minutes when your husband walks in the door can often set the tone for the rest of the evening. I know this from personal experience.

In the same way, the mother sets the tone at home with her children. For example, if the mother goes about her household tasks with grumbling and complaining, she can expect her children to do their chores with grumbling and complaining. But, if the mother is whistling and singing while she does household chores, her children will more than likely whistle and sing when they do theirs. My daughter is still a baby, but I see how my attitude already sets the tone in the home. If I am excited and cheerful, my daughter will usually start smiling and get excited. If I am grumpy, she tends to get upset more easily.

Although I fail at times, I try my best to set a joyful and pleasant tone in my home. I try to greet my husband with a kiss and smile when he gets home from work, no matter how hard my day was. When I go about my daily household tasks, I like to put on some Christian music and sing out the words with a spring in my step. Not only does this keep my spirits lifted, but it also keeps my heart and mind focused on Christ and what He has done for me. It cultivates thankfulness in my heart when I sing melodies about what Christ has done for me. It helps me take the focus off of myself and my problems. Now, I am an alto and struggle to hit the "high notes" sometimes, but when I sing in my home with my family, I often belt out the words like there's no tomorrow! Sometimes I hit the high notes, sometimes I don't! But you know what? I don't care! I am making a joyful noise unto the Lord. Sometimes in the evening, my husband and I will sit at the piano together and just sing hymns unto the Lord. We do not always sing on key, but we are making a joyful noise unto the Lord.

Living out the Christian faith daily in the so-called "mundane" things of life is so important in raising our children to follow the Lord. Christ has paid the price for our sin! Our Saviour lives! He is good! He is faithful! He is mighty to save! This is where our JOY comes from. It is the joy of our salvation! Let this joy be evident in your home. Let's follow Jesus' instruction in Matthew 5:16 to "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father, which is in heaven." As a homemaker, the only people you might encounter today may be your husband and children. Don't forget to let your light shine before them, too!

Choose to make a JOYful noise unto the Lord today.

My Testimony

*Updated February 2013*

Praise the Lord! I am a sinner saved by grace through faith!

My desire in writing this is to boast only in the LORD and not in myself.

I am so thankful to have been raised in a Christian home. My parents were NOT the type to just simply take us to church on Sunday but live our life how we please the rest of the week. My parents spoke about Christ often and lived out their Christian faith daily in my life. I placed my faith in Jesus at a very young age - I think I was about 5 years old. I don't remember exactly how old I was, but I distinctly remember the event. My Mom had shared with me the gospel, and I remember that I understood that I was a sinner, Jesus died for me, and that I needed Jesus to forgive me and place my faith in Him so that I could be saved. I remember kneeling beside my parents' bed in their room with my Mom and praying to receive Jesus into my life. Even though I was quite young, I am confident that I was saved at that moment because after that, I had a real passion to tell my unsaved friends about Christ. Even when I was 6 or 7 years old, I remember sharing the gospel with our unsaved neighbour friends and telling them that they needed to be saved.

I went to public school, and although it was not always easy, I tried my best to be a light shining in what was often a dark place. I was very blessed to have some Christian teachers and also some Christians friends in my class.  I remember, however, my grade 7 teacher in particular was very antagonistic toward Christianity. One time he told the class how the Bible didn't make sense and then went to misquote a scripture. I remember trying to correct him about the scripture and telling him what the Bible really said. There were many times where I would leave the class or stay home from school while the class watched certain movies or had Halloween parties, etc. There were some other Christian classmates who would also skip these types of things.

I have definitely had seasons of my life  growing up (and now as an adult) when I have wrestled with wholly trusting the Lord in all things.

I struggled a lot with depression and anger in grade 7, but one night when I was at a breaking point, I called out to God, and the Holy Spirit led me to turn to a certain page in my Bible. I had 2 Bibles in my room, but the Holy Spirit led me to turn to a certain page in my kids' Bible. On that page was a little bubble that read, "Down in the dumps?" and then explained how when we are feeling low, we need to remember the good things God has done for us in the past and the good things He will do in the future. There I read Psalm 40 and was greatly comforted. That was a HUGE moment in my Christian walk.

Grade 7 - 9 were fairly difficult years, struggling to live out my Christian faith in the midst of going to a public school and having a few Christian friends but often feeling very alone. I never got into the partying scene, and I did not question my faith in the Lord, but I really struggled with desiring worldly acceptance and becoming prideful about worldly accomplishments instead of only concerning myself about what is pleasing to the Lord.  The summer after grade 9 at Bible Camp, however, the Lord really taught me how to fully depend on Him and trust Him. I no longer needed boys to like me, I didn't need to be the prettiest girl in the class, the best athlete, or have the best marks. Those things were all fleeting and vain. They built up pride in my heart, which was sinful. The Lord showed me that all I need to do is follow Him no matter what the cost. That was a season of enormous growth for in my Christian faith. I was baptized that summer and also met my husband that summer.

In High School, I had some very good Christian friends, who were strong in their faith. I spent 3 summers working at a Bible camp and also took a short term missions trip to work with the homeless. I am very thankful for those Christian friends I had in high school and for the Lord stretching me while working at camp in the summer.

I met my husband when I was only 16 years old working at Bible Camp. I basically knew right away he was the one I would marry. I got engaged while still in grade 12 and was married the summer I graduated from high school. Then I moved away from home to live with my husband while he attended university. I also attended university for 2 years in hopes of becoming a school teacher (more about that journey some other time :-) ).

About 3 years after we were married (and I was in my 2nd year of university), the Lord really starting working in our hearts to open our eyes to more things that we needed to repent from. I was shocked and appalled by the things I was seeing and being taught at university. Sin was so rampant there and paraded around. Christianity was mocked. Yet in our own life, we had many things we ourselves needed to repent of. One Fall Sunday after church, we both looked at each other and realized there was much worldliness that had crept into our own lives. God showed us that we should not compare ourselves to others, but that the Word of God is to be our standard in all things...including music, tv, and entertainment choices. We started trying to make every single decision based on what would be glorifying to God. Through some amazing circumstances, the LORD led us to a wonderful group of believers who were really committed to the Word of God. We both grew a lot in our faith through the guidance of the people attending there, but due to my husband's work, we had to move away. That spring, we also made the decision that I was not going to continue my university education.

There are many more things I could share about how God has worked in my life, but it would be pages and pages and pages to tell it all. I do not mean that I am perfect or that there is any good in me.  I only mean that the Lord is faithful and HE is good! He will accomplish His purposes. When I start to stray from His ways, the Lord disciplines me and helps me get back on track. God is so faithful and good! I pray that you know Him, too. If not, please click here to read how you can be saved. The Holy Spirit continues to work in my life, convicting me of sin, molding me, and shaping me into the likeness of the Lord Jesus Christ, and I am constantly reminded that I am only a "sinner saved by grace through faith." Even though I still sin, the power of sin has been broken in my life. And when I do sin, how thankful I am that I have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous (1 John 2:1), in Whom I have placed my trust. Through His atoning work on the cross and His shed blood, He paid the penalty for my sin. By placing my faith in Christ alone, my sins are forgiven, I am saved from God's wrath, and I will live with Him eternally.

To God be the Glory - Words by Fanny Crosby

To God be the glory, great things He has done;
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
And opened the life gate that all may go in.

(Refrain)

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory, great things He has done.

O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,
To every believer the promise of God;
The vilest offender who truly believes,
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.

(Refrain)

Great things He has taught us, great things He has done,
And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;
But purer, and higher, and greater will be
Our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see.

(Refrain)

Bible Verses For The Pilgrim

Here are a few Bible verses I'd like to share that relate to Christians having a "pilgrim" mindset on this earth.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God." Colossians 3:1-3 (emphasis mine)

For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:20 (emphasis mine)

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. Hebrews 11:13-16 (emphasis mine)

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. 1 Peter 2:9-12 (emphasis mine)

Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on pilgrimage. Psalm 84:5