Colossians Bible Study

Scripture-

Colossians 3:17- And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the LORD Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Observation-

Words are what we say.  Deeds are what we do.  EVERYTHING  Paul is continually telling the Colossians to be thankful.  I wonder why.  Maybe they had been ungrateful.  Maybe they needed constant reminders.  Maybe they complained a lot.  I am not sure we know, but I never realized this theme so clearly before.  

 Application-

I need to be thankful for the little things and the big things.  In word or deed and everything I do should be done in the name of Jesus.  I don't know if it is more complicated than that.  I guess I am not very good at stretching out my Bible study sometimes.  I know that I, personally, have a baby crying to get up and I sometimes want to leave her crying for a just a few minutes to get my study done.  I am thankful that I have a baby even if she is fussing.  I am thankful for dirty kitchen because that means we are well fed.  I am thankful that I am sitting on a couch practically covered in baby dolls because that means I have daughters displaying a nurturing spirit either that or they wanted to creep me out for Halloween a little early at 5:30am- but still I am thankful.  I will speak with love.  I will work hard in the name of Christ.

Prayer-

 Dear God,  Help me do and say the right things in your name.  I want to thank you for my family- the husband who loves to watch TV, play video games sometimes in excess, but willingly and courageously provides for us, my girls who fight and complain but are learning your Word, and for cute babies who are not always so cute at 2am.  Help me serve them.  Help me serve them by doing EVERYTHING in your name, Jesus.

Amen

Time to Clean

Guess who is coming to visit today?  My mother-in-law.  And guess whose house is an absolute mess?  Mine.  Yup, I feel great...that is sarcasm because you can't see me or hear me.  I am really trying to be that spiritually mature and faithful housewife but I almost really lost it yesterday.  I am just telling the truth and sometimes the day is just survival. 

Yesterday every time I picked up the baby to nurse her I practically fell asleep.  It has something to do with a hormone rush of oxytocin, which relaxes ones body but I felt like zombie.  I didn't even cook dinner- we got a pizza.  I have been overwhelmed and discouraged in general because I am solely responsible for the house.  My little ones need complete supervision for almost all chores.  I could really use some prayer because I am starting to dislike Sundays which sounds so AWFUL and IS awful. 

Dear LORD,
Please help me!  I am tired and discouraged.  I praise your name and want to do what is right.  I want to be responsible.  Help me be the wife and mother You have called me to be. 
In Your precious holy name,
AMEN

Shabby Apple

There is a contest going on at Shabby Apple Win Dresses!!!  It looks pretty awesome!

Good Morning Girls Bible Study Colossians

Scripture-

Colossians 2:8

Don't let anyone capture you [Colossians] with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.

Observations-

Someone must have been spreading around empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense.  Paul's warning had to have come from somewhere or for some reason.  Spiritual powers are real and were strong at this time.

Application-

I don't want to be captured by empty philosophies and worldly high-sounding nonsense.  How do I recognize it for what it is?

If I stay rooted in Christ like the verse before talk about then I will be strong in my faith.  It keeps going back to tree analogy for me.  I drew a picture of it in my notebook so I can't recreate it and I haven't got a scanner to load the picture but I keep seeing the soil which is TRUTH=CHRIST.  The roots are HOPE.  The strong trunk is FAITH.  The fruit from our lives is JOY, PEACE, AND THANKFULNESS.

Prayer-

Dear LORD, Help me stay rooted in your truth, in You.  I don't want to be swayed by high-sounding nonsense and empty philosophies.  Teach me.  Keep me strong.

Amen

I did this Bible study on 10/9/2012.  I also watched Call the Midwife.  I am currently reading Created to be His Help Meet and The Mockingjay.  Sadly, I burnt a pot of beans!  It made the smoke alarm go off.  I am starting to get tired of trying to save money by eating beans.  This is my third attempt- first I didn't let them soak long enough and they were gross and hard, second time I soaked them too long and they sprouted and smelled awful, and this time I burnt them.  I am so very thankful that we have food, though.  I can find many things to be thankful for this week that it will be OVERFLOWING. 

Artsy

1) Skirts or Jeans?

Well since becoming a mom I have lost my figure dramatically and can barely stand anything that is not elastic around my waist so I usually have to go with skirts though they can be a little hard to find at used clothing stores which i swhere I tend to shop to keep cost down.  I love feeling feminine, too.

2) Cats or Dogs?

My husband thinks I am unfeeling or lazy, I am not sure which, but I don't really like animals.  I don't have a close connection with them and frankly I can't read their moods so I am almost always a little scared of them no matter how "friendly" they seem to be.  I associate dogs with too much work (pick up poop, walking them, training them etc.), but I did have a cat that I dearly loved so if I had to choose- cat.  I love how they can just sleep any where and make you feel warm and peaceful.  

3) Cows or Horses?

Oh dear, another animal question.  Again I am EXTRA afraid of horses ("superman" was nearly killed by one for goodness sakes, what does that tell you?)  Cows seem much more useful in that they provide beef and milk so cows is my final answer.  Though horses look very beautiful and majestic from a distance.

4) Wood floors or Carpet?

I love the look of wood floors, but since becoming a mom running a vacuum cleaner over things and hiding them in shaggy brown carpet is a whole lot easier than sweeping every 10 min.  Our hard wood floors are sadly taking a beating from toys, kids furniture, and markers.  I think I have to prefer carpet at this time in my life.

5) Rain or Sun?

Well I live in Salem, Oregon where it rains quite frequently, which I did not realize before I moved here.  I have grown to love it to an extent and it gives me an extra excuse to continue in my comfortable introverted ways.  Though as soon as the sun comes out you usually will find me reading outside under the trees or having a picnic with my girls.   

Domestic

According to dictionary.com
Definition of Domestic-

1.

of or pertaining to the home, the household, household affairs, or the family: domestic pleasures.

2.

devoted to home life or household affairs.

When I was thinking of linking up on the Domestically Divine Tuesdays I wasn't sure if anything I contributed was under the definition of "domestic" so I had to look it.  I LOVE being at home and doing homey things (not homie rap-friend or gangsta but, you know, comfy things). 

Since we are not rich monetarily and I am not ACTUALLY gifted in decorating I keep things simple and everything is from something someone has given me or the dollar store.  This picture is really dark but here is my kitchen window.  Yes, it is dirty.  Yes, it is tacky and simple, but that is me.  I don't want to have to worry about my kids breaking something expensive.  The apple candles were from a neighbor.  I am really into the Scentsy right now too.  I can't wait for my fall scents to come.  

Colossians Bible Study

I am trying to limit myself to one post a day at most so I promise no more today because this is pushing the limit, but I just wanted to remind myself and promote Good Morning Girls just in case I have a reader or two ;-).  We are studying Colossians and I am so excited every morning to wake up and read what God has in store for me!