"The abortionist had to sign my birth certificate."

Thank you to Sola Sisters for the original post.

Romans Road - Free E-book

Awhile ago I participated in a group writing project on the Romans Road. You can read the complete project by clicking in the image below.

Word-Filled Wednesday

Two of my favorite "gifts"

James 1:17 ESV

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Taking Every Thought Captive

This is a repost of something I wrote last fall. I really need to read it myself right now, and I will refer back to this in a different post later this week.

*************

2 Corinthians 10:5 (New International Version)

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Though I've read it many times, this verse really struck me last week.

Take every thought captive.

I have been striving to put this into practice over the past week, and have found that it is transforming my marriage.

It's so easy to slip into "oh poor me" thoughts when my husband is harsh with me right when he comes in the door, forgets something that was important to me, or just doesn't seem to pay any attention to me.

Normally any of those things would result in me treating him poorly as well. That has not been very effective. It usually ends in a bigger argument.

It really is a sin. God has provided me with a wonderful husband, and when I choose to look for faults, I find them. When I choose to be a victim, I am one.

But when I choose to love and serve my husband even when he is gruff, I honor God. When I take the "poor me" thought captive, I see it as a sin. It is a failure to be thankful for the husband that God has provided for me, and it is a failure to respect my husband (Eph 5:33). When I respond lovingly to him, I am sharing the love of God with him. He is blessed by it, and things have been so much more peaceful at home. What a blessing!

“Watch your thoughts, for they become words.

Watch your words, for they become actions.

Watch your actions, for they become habits.

Watch your habits, for they become character.

Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”

Training myself to take each thought captive is hard but possible... by grace alone.

Thankful Thursday

Thank you to Iris at Grace Alone  for hosting Thankful Thursday this week.

As I've been enjoying this precious "newborn" time the last two weeks I've been reflecting a lot on the importance of my family.

My husband has been so strong, patient, and kind through the difficult pregnancy and now through the newborn baby days.

I'm so fortunate to have parents who love the Lord and have been married for 38 years. I am so thankful that I grew up in a stable and loving home and that I still have a great relationship with my parents.

I also have wonderful grandparents. One grandfather has gone to be with the Lord. My other grandfather is recovering from a major cancer surgery. I hope to be able to bring the baby to Iowa to visit him and my grandmother soon.

The other grandmother was in town last week and got to meet her new great -grandson:

I wrote about Grandma Theora HERE - she truly is a Proverbs 31 woman.

I have been blessed with in-laws who love the Lord. They took very good care of me while I was on bed rest!

Last week the Teen came over and we had a wonderful visit - it was so nice to have lunch with both of my boys!

Hmmm...it seems he might be taller than me now.

We also had a great dinner with my aunt and uncle and three of my cousins last week.

I am truly blessed to have such a great family.

Word-Filled Wednesday

Psalm 127:3-5 ESV

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.