I have a dear, dear friend that struggles with the violence in the Old testament. We had several discussions about it. Then I found a story on Darin Hufford’s Free Believer’s site that helped me explain the importance of perspective.

Thirty-eight years ago, in a remote neighborhood in Omaha, Nebraska, a young stressed-out mother came running out of her front door towards her two-year-old baby boy. She literally body slammed him with full force sending his little frame flying across the front lawn.

She then proceeded to grab him in full view of all the neighbors and beat him repeatedly up and down his body. The child was screaming at the top of his lungs, but his mother was relentless.

Several neighbors came running from their homes. One gentleman called the Fire Department and the woman next door called the police. Within several minutes, the entire neighborhood was surrounding this helpless two-year-old boy, waiting for the paramedics to rush him to the hospital. It was a frightful terrible day that actually took place in our lives when I was in the first grade.

The woman was my mother, and the little boy was my brother Brian. He nearly lost his life that day.

Did my mother go to jail for the incident? NO. Did Child Protective Services pay our home a visit after that? NO. Was Brian afraid of her after what she did? NO.

In fact, quite the opposite. He was drawn closer to her. Brian will openly tell you today that our mother was right in what she did, and he would do the same thing to one of his children if the situation called for it.

The situation was this; Brian was on fire. He had been playing with matches and lit his pants on fire. My mother was doing the dishes when she looked up and saw her baby boy completely engulfed in flames running across the front lawn. She ran out and literally saved his life with what she did.

My point is this; some people would ONLY see my mother beating Brian and they would love immediately make judgments on her mothering skills. Other people, because of the angle they were viewing the incident from, saw the fire. They called her a hero.

It all depends on what angle we see things from. When you hold to “God is love”, you position yourself where you can see EVERYTHING from a perfect angle.

Today, I stand in even greater appreciation for what Christ did for us all because these Old Testament passages reveal to me the magnitude of what was accomplished on the cross. I would not have come to that beautiful truth if I had not married myself to “God is Love.”

No matter what circumstances look God is working  and using the situation to teach you more about him and make his life available through you to others.

Jesus said, “My Father is always at work, to this very day and I, too, am working.” John 5:17

Trusting God knows what He is doing means that we are so confident in his love that we can embrace any circumstance knowing He will work it for good (Romans 8:28).

Having trouble with that? It would be so easy to trust if we knew all the answers. Having faith in the mist of storms or circumstances we don’t understand can be a Believer’s greatest challenge.   It is easier to trust what we can see and feel over trusting God’s love for us.

If we read Scripture passage that doesn’t make sense we need to do what my dear friend does now. Assume God had a bigger and better plan.

If we end up in a bad situation or God seems distant we have to learn to look beyond circumstances and beyond our abilities.

It is possible to learn to trust. Ask Father to renew in you a right spirit.  Ask for wisdom. He promised if you ask He will give it.

Turn your focus to Christ and place your trust in His might and love. He will never let you down. When we rely on Him we will have chosen that good part, which will not be taken away (Luke 10:42).

Absolutely nothing—neither problems, nor circumstances—can take away the wonderful peace and assurance that result from trusting God. Rest in Him in every situation and remember things are not always what they seem to be.

Darin Hufford is the author of The Misunderstood God: The Lies Religion Tells About God It is a must read for every Christian!

Visit Darin’s site Free Believer’s Network for excellent articles and check out the Into the Wild Podcast. I listen to them all.

I lost my camera the week before so I didn’t take photos but many others did so I’ll share a few from others.

Loved meeting and spening time Heather (SprittiBee) and her sweet family.
Please be in prayer for Heather’s mom who was hospitalized in Nashville during Blissdom.

Pensive Robin made arrangements for a Blissdom prayer coffee which was my very favorite part of Blissdom –meeting other believers. I met so many many sweeties. Thank you Robin for connecting us.  This photo is 3 Robins. Robin Pensive, me and flat Robin OHSH who could not make it to Blissdom.

Connie from SmockityFrocks took this photo from a XB90 (ladies committed to reading the Bible in 90 days) meeting that I missed!   (back row) Allean C., Kimberly of Raising Olives, Toni of The Happy Housewife, Melissa of Multi-Tasking Mama, Cheryl of Advenures of a Somewhat Crunchy Mama, (front row)Aubrey of Freeman Bits, Monica of Daily Dwelling,  Amy of Mom’s Toolbox,  Connie of SmockityFrocks and Mandy of Pennies and Blessings.

This video shows a clip from the first session. Ladies and laptops.

It was a busy place.  This is breakfast.

Lunch (I won a cookbook!)

The Opryland  Hotel is beautiful.

Cozi helps you stay in communication and share memories—all in one place. Its super-duper easy to use and quick and FREE!

Its easy to schedule repeat events by family member: You can schedule things like

• Homeschool 8:00-1:00 weekdays
• Laundry every Tuesday and Fridays 1:00-3:00.
• Bath time Christopher at 7:00 David at 7:30.
• Bowling every Tuesday 2:00.

Create your grocery list on Cozi and have them on your phone call toll-free from your cell phone to have a your shopping list read to you. Neat huh?

What You Can Do With Cozi

Free Groceries Contest

Cozi is giving away FREE groceries for a YEAR! To celebrate 10 million items on Cozi shopping lists, they are giving away free groceries, gadgets, and more. Click here to enter.

This 27 minute audio includes what I feel is the most important advice I could share with Christian homeschoolers.

Click Here to Download Homeschool Danger Audio

THREE WILL WIN!

I will choose three winners for The Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach Ebook (500 page $24.95 Value!).

1. First winner will be a random drawing from the comments below. Just add a comment about the homeschool audio to for a chance to be selected.
2. Second winner will be a random drawing from all bloggers who blog about the Homeschool Audio. Just shrare a link with your blog readers about the audio  and leave the link to your blog post in the comments.
3. Third winner will be a random drawing from all Twitter users that Tweet
   Tweet:  Homeschoolers: Listen to important Homeschool warning audio by @Heartofwisdom http://ow.ly/14cKU #HOWBLOG
4. The drawing for the three books will be Feb 12, 2010. Anyone is welcome to join in. International OK.

My Free Gift to You

FREE: Choosing and Using Homeschool Resources (31p PDF)
Includes list of classics by grade level

Read about The Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach

Click Here to Download Free Audio

The words in Romans  7 sum up the Christian’s utter inability to live righteously, in his own strength.

I can anticipate the response that is coming: “I know that all God’s commands are spiritual, but I’m not. Isn’t this also your experience?” Yes. I’m full of myself—after all, I’ve spent a long time in sin’s prison.

What I don’t understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can’t be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God’s command is necessary.
But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can’t keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don’t have what it takes. I can will it, but I can’t do it.

I decide to do good, but I don’t really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don’t result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.

It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.
I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question?

The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different. (Romans 7:14-25 The Message)

Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Since the foundation of the world, God’s purpose has been to bring all things into harmony with Him, giving us an exhilarating and inspirational relief from the fearful and depressing heaviness of sin.

God, who is perfect and holy, has always desired such a personal relationship with man, but human sinfulness made that seem impossible.For one thing, we all have rebelled against God’s authority and deserve the death penalty (Romans 3:23; 6:23). But more than that, we were born with a corrupt nature inherited from Adam (Psalm 51:5), and neither good works nor moral values can overcome it.

Only when I abide in the Lord and in the power of His might, then I become strong. (Eph. 6:10)..

God alone could remedy the situation. His solution is to change our nature so we can be in His family. Nonetheless, divine justice must still be satisfied, and only a perfect sacrifice can pay for our sins (Deuteronomy 17:1).

Christ’s sacrifice gives us the opportunity to choose to live in Adam, under condemnation, or in Christ, justified. Christ accepts those who are unacceptable and receives those who are rejected. I am filled with gratitude that He accepts me.

http://www.reverendfun.com

When we allow the Holy Spirit to teach us the depth of our sin and the dear price paid for those sins we will not be able to help but resist pride, recognize His mercy and love Him with all our being.

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

I made this Blissdom pocket planner for the Blissdom ladies. You can easily folded into quarters and slipped into a jeans pocket.  Extra space is provided for your personal notes.

Download the Blissdom Pocket Planner

Must See Blissdom Posts

• Just Something I Made: terrific idea for organizing business cards with tags.
• Organizing Your Way made a terrific 26 page printable planner (with a packing list)
• The Thrifty Mama has listed Blissdom Restaurant Deals
• Thursday Wisdom Workshop Agenda
• Blissdom Session Agenda

Official & Unofficial Blissdom Events

Unofficial events marked with *

Thursday

• 8:30-9:30 Breakfast
• 9:30 Blissdom Opening Remarks and Attendee Meet & Greet
• 9:30 Keynote Speaker
• 11:30-1 Full Session
• 1:00 Lunch
• 2:00-3:00 Expo Hall & Round Table Discussion Groups
• 3:00-4:00 Session 1
• 4:00-4:30 Break
• 4:30-5:30 Session 2
• 7-9:00 Blissdom Kick Off Cocktail Party
• 7-11:00  Country Party* Country Inn & Suites Goodlettsville
• 10:30 -12:00 Blissful Bites and Bubbles* Old Hickory Steakhouse Opryland Hotel

Friday

• 8:30-9:30 Breakfast9:30 Blissdom Opening Remarks and Attendee Meet & Greet
• 9:30 Keynote Speaker
• 11:30-1 Full Session
• 1:00 Lunch
• 2:00-3:00 Expo Hall & Round Table Discussion Groups
• 3:00-4:00 Session 1
• 4:00-4:30 Break
• 4:30-5:30 Session 2
• 7-9:00 Blissdom Cocktail Party
• 7-10:00 Savvy Blogging Round Table Dinner* Radisson Hotel
• 9-11:00 InCourage BeachParty* Suite #5139, Cascades, Opryland Hotel
• 9-11:00 Potato Tastemaker Party* Lincoln Presidential Conference Rooms C, D & E , Opryland Hotel

Saturday

• 7:30 Share A Random Moment  Prayer Breakfast*  Pensieve Robin
• 7:15-8:15 BlissDom Morning Walk
• 9-10 Breakfast
• 10-11 Session 1
• 11-11:30 Break
• 11:30-12:30 Session 2
• 12:30-2:30 Lunch
• 12:30 Foodie Lunch* $5 Dinners and Savor the Thyme
• 12:30-3:30  Blissdom Ballroom
• 3:30-4:30 Session 4
• 4:30 Break
• 5:15 Final Keynote & Closing
• 6:15 -7 Musical Performance by Harry Connick, Jr and photo/autograph session
• 8-11 PJ Party and Game Night

Sunday

• 9:00 Blissdom After Party Meet Up* at The Pancake Pantry.
• 10:00 Photo Walk* with i heart faces
  meet at Broadway & 5th Ave near Ribby’s BBQ

1. Start with a Wordpress blog– its the best. Learn about WP Plugins.
2. Find a good WordPress theme but don’t stress too much you can easily change it later).
3. Blog at least 3  times a week to build relationships.
4. Be Truefaced. Don’t wear masks.
5. Learn how to write a attention grabbing headline
6. Never use black background with white text. Some will disagree but I can’t stand it.
7. Join Twitter to find like-mined friends. They will eventually read your blog. Before joining Twitter read this.
8. Use lots of paragraph breaks and sub titles. No one likes to read long never-ending paragraphs.
9. Use white space–lists, bullet points, and images. Make post easy to scan.
10. Read everything you can at Problogger.net

Start Here

Problogger.net

Also see Best Ways to Improve Your Blog

My Favorite Books on Blogging

1. Letting Go of the Words – Super book. I am re-reading it.
2. Problogger - Knows his stuff inside and out.
3. Right to Write – Love her voice!!
4. Don’t Make Me Think - Best book on website design.
5. Naked Conversations – On blogging for business
6. Twibes -  About connecting and building relationships.

Whats you blogging tip or question?

1. He hungered, yet fed multitudes. Matt. 4:2; John 6
2. He thirsted, yet is the Water of life. John 19:28; 4:14
3. He grew weary, yet is our rest. John 4:6; Matt. 11:29-30
4. He paid tribute, yet is the King of kings. Matt. 17:27; Rev. 19:16
5. He prayed, yet hears our prayers. Mark 14:32-42; John 14:13-14
6. He wept, yet dries our tears. John 11:35; Rev. 21:4
7. He was sold for 30 pieces of siler, yet redeems the world. Matt. 26:15; I Pet. 1:18-19
8. He was led as a sheep to the slaughter, and yet is the Good Shepherd. Isa. 53:7, John 10:11
9. He was put to death, yet raises the dead. John 5:25; 19:33

“…a condition of complete simplicity – costing not less than everything.” ( T.S. Eliot)

“Not only do we only know God through Jesus Christ, but we only know ourselves through Jesus Christ; we only know life and death through Jesus Christ. Apart from Jesus Christ we cannot know the meaning of our life or of our death, of God, or of ourselves.” (Blaise Pascal, Pensées)

By a Carpenter mankind was made, and only by that Carpenter can mankind be remade. (Desiderius Erasmus)

We wear masks because we want people to accept and like us. We wear many different masks, not only to make ourselves look good, but often motivated by a sincere desire to make God look good.

If you are being accepted by the people around you because of a mask, deep down you know that it is only the false front that is being accepted – not the real you.

The real you will remain terribly alone. You might receive acceptance from wearing a mask but you will  miss intimacy! Intimacy = Into me see.

In the book TrueFaced by John Lynch, Bill Thrall, and Bruce McNico explains most of us wear a mask in one of three basic categories:

1. Those of us who pretend we are “doing just fine.”
2. Those of us who are constantly searching for new techniques to help us “get better.”
3. Those of us who wear “pedigreed masks,” “the ‘together’ folk, the postcard family: well-educated, well-heeled, well-groomed, well-assured . . . and, well, a lot of work for the rest of us.”

This video is about how the  Truefaced message of grace is creating freedom and hope in lives!

Taking off a mask begins in prayer. Peel the layers away revealing yourself fully to God then you can feel free to reveal yourself to others.

Keeping up Appearances

Many Christians measure  their spiritual walk (and others)  based on a checklist of all that they have done for God. This easily leads to legalism and bondage.

Jesus doesn’t want us to “do” because He has already “DONE” the work when He died on a cross for our sins.

Everyone strives for something. Meaning, success, hope, fulfillment… Often this path leads us to a place of disappointment and shame. What if the journey of striving took us to a different place? To a place where the real us met everyone else. ~ Truefaced Blog

Our goal should not be  trying to earn God’s love, and keeping up appearances but focusing on the awareness that you are already his beloved. To walk in that love and allow it to flow through us into others.

We All Fall Short and We All Struggle

We all have fears and doubts and fall short of where we want to be. Most of those women you admire who seem “picture perfect” are probably struggling with deep insecurities.

Take off your mask and leave it at home. Be yourself. Wearing masks prevents women the opportunity to share their tests and trials.

Don’t settle for plastic lukewarm relationships.  The more vulnerable we became, the more fulfilling our relationships are. Become mask free and experience real acceptance.

Get to know your sisters in Christ.  Let  masks and walls  be removed and an honest wonderful fellowship and sisterhood begin.

For More See:

• Truefaced: First Chapter
• Why Do I feel the Need to Hide (video)

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

I’ve often thought, “It is a good thing God only gives the Light for a few steps at a time because if I saw any further down the road I’m not sure I would take the next step.”

Faith is a Commitment to a Promise: A Covenant

The patriarchs had faith to live according to God’s commandments, trusting in God’s promises. Biblical faith is faithfulness , a fruit of the Spirit.

When faith is developed creates deeper relationships. God wants a committed faithfulness and emotional trust in him. He sent his Son so that we could have a relationship with Him.

In several key passages by Paul (Rom 3:22, 26, Gal 2:16, 20, Eph 3:12, Phil 3:9) the construction of the Greek word “faith” can be translated either as a subjective genitive (Christ’s faith) or as an objective genitive (our faith in Christ).

God Takes the First Step in Our Faith!

We’ve been taught our faith saves us. But God takes the first step– through Christ by His Spirit–providing the faith (emudah)  to develop our relationship with Him.

The Hebrew word for faith is אמונה (emunah – Strong’s #530) and is an action-oriented word meaning “support”. Our Western concept of faith places the action on the one you have faith in, such as “faith in God.” But the Hebrew word places the action on the one who “supports God.”

Emunah means faithfulness, persistent determination, holding steady, holding firm, holding true to what is true: the faithfulness of God. Our readiness to fully devote our lives to the service of God and sacrifice our life for the sake of God is the expression of our emunah in God.

Emunah means to believe in the truthfulness of a person as well as having emotional trust in a person. In the desert the children of Israel complain that God brought them out there to kill them. God says that they do not have emunah. (Deut 9:23, Ps. 78:37). They did not trust God.

Trust (faith, enudah) is important in every relationship we have. Trust removed can destroy friendships, marriages, businesses, and governments. Trust is grossly underestimated. It impacts us daily, not only in our relationship with God, but with every relationship and every endeavor in which we are occupied. Trust effects our homeschooling.

God Actively Seeks is an Intimate, Loving relationship with His Children.

Like the other fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control) faith is a category of relationship. The fruit in our life is from our relationship with the the circle of the Triune God. It flows from the circle through us.

This faith involves decision and has to be renewed regularly. Faith is response in relationship;  an ongoing thing, a process. We continually receive faith as a gift like manna.

We are amazed to hear the stories of Israel losing trust in God again and again resulting in disobedience and sin. However, we do the same thing each time we lose faith in God.

God Longs for Our Devotion!

God longs for our devotion, rock-solid faithfulness, loyalty, truthfulness, honesty, integrity. He desires us to have absolute trust in His Word and His trustworthiness.

God does not want a people who simply adhere to a set of rules no matter how well intended. God said in Hosea,

“For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, and in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings” (Hosea 6:6 ).

Sacrifices meant nothing because their hearts were unfaithful to God. God wants obedience and not sacrifice (1 Sam. 15:22), mercy and not religious rituals.

Next time you have trouble taking the first step ask God for the faith you will need. He promises to supply it!

Free Martin Luther King Lapbook (13 page PDF)
From Nearly Free Homescholing

Visit my Heart at Home Homemaking Blog for organizational ideas, decluttering tips, and more.