A New Way to Look at Philippians

I am currently reading a book titled, "Loving your Husband". It is a bible study written by Cynthia Heald. I have a couple more weeks until our regular women's bible study begins at church so I thought I'd take some time and complete this study.

I know the basics of what this study is going to tell me. That God and only God can be perfect and fulfill my needs. But, even though I know that...it is interesting and challenging to learn more of the word and the intimate verses that remind me that only Jesus can be my everything. It is too much of a strain to expect a husband, (Even one as wonderful as mine), to be all that I need in life.....frankly, it's not fair for me to expect it.

So imagine the bump on my head as I began chapter 1. God obviously has a plan for me to learn something different and to see it in a much different light then what I was expecting. The study starts out with the story of the women at the well (John 4:7-30) and continues with different scripture...I was in an "uh-huh, ok..I've read this before" mentality when "BAMM!" Here came the 2x4!

Philippians 2:3-4
"Don't be selfish; don't live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better then yourself. Don't think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing."

I have this passage underlined and highlighted in my bible. I have read it 100's of times. But today...it just popped. It was different...it was talking to me not just as Christian but as a wife. In my heart today it read something more like this...

"Don't be selfish; don't live to make a good impression on Todd. Be humble, thinking of Todd as better then yourself. Don't think only about your own affairs, but be interested in his, too, and what he is doing."

I never really thought of myself as selfish when it comes to my husband or even really trying to impress him. Yet, I can't deny that more often then not...I am telling him of my thoughts rather then listening to his and yes, if I am being honest...I think very highly of what he thinks of me...

I don't know... but this verse really got me saying "mmmm???" today.

I'll let you know if I get any more head bumps as I finish this study.



See You in My Mailbox,
Christine
IE Mommy
(aka Mama Hawk)

Spread the Word!

If you like what you are reading, please help spread the word. Send everyone you know or that is in your address book a link to my blog.

I'd really appreciate the help in getting it out there!

Hugs,
Christine
IE Mommy
(aka MamaHawk)

Three Things on My Mind.....(not much else!)

I know it is Friday but with all the Holiday stuff it seems like it is Monday. Anyone else feel that way?

I woke up thinking that I really really wanted to go the bookstore and spend my certificate that I got for Christmas. But, well....it's cold out there!

Anyway, that isn't at all what I am thinking about right now. Nope, I have had three random thoughts that I just had to share. None of these connect to each other but well, they are just what I am thinking about right now. Like the title says...not much more in there at 7:30 in the morning...other then I really really R-E-A-L-L-Y needing a Coke or Pepsi!

So the first thing...Does anyone else care that Mervyn's closed? I am so sad. Mervyn's was a dear friend. I remember shopping for school clothes with my Mom at the Mervyn's in San Bernardinon on 2nd Street. That was when it first opened and it was a brand new store and had the most rocking clothes! Mervyn's and I separated for a while as I discovered Nordstrom's and Malls. When I became a mom we reconnected and now, my dear friend is forever gone! Now where am I going to shop for all my "hip and cool" clothes....yeah, right, okay no one believes that line...but really where am I going to shop now????


Speaking of friends....what do you call someone that will travel to Europe and take the time to send your kids postcards? I call that a F-R-I-E-N-D! Here is a tip for all you non-mommies out there. Want to show your friends with kids you really care? Do something for their children. Really, I am not joking. As a mom I don't give a hoot if I get a present or people compliment me...but tell my twins they look cute, make a big deal of the colored picture or friendship bracelet they made you (even if it looks like they made it with their feet! I promise you they didn't, really!), or bring them a little gift....You have my heart! Bend at your knees to talk to them rather than stooping or looking down at them. Make them feel like "real" people and you will ROCK in my book. I was thinking of all the amazing people God has placed in our lives within the last two years and I am beyond blessed and floored.


The last thinking on mind (because I am really craving a soda...with extra caffeine...any Amens out there?) Psalm 37!

This is a beautiful verse that my niece sent to me. I just had to share it with you. Read it slowly and allow the words to sink into your heart and soul.

Psalm 37


5 Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him and he will do this:


6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.


7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when men succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.


8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.


9 For evil men will be cut off,
but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.


10 A little while, and the wicked will be no more;
though you look for them, they will not be found.


11 But the meek will inherit the land
and enjoy great peace.


12 The wicked plot against the righteous
and gnash their teeth at them;


13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
for he knows their day is coming.

Verses 8 & 9 really speak to me, not because I think I am wicked (well, better ask my kids first..on second thought, please don't) but because I know all too well how quickly a temper or an attitude can lead to ruining a day or creating turmoil for your family.

Sometimes...something as simple as seeing someone that has hurt your or caused you pain can ignite that fire. But, I don't want to be cut off from the Lord. Not for one moment. Have I ever been cut off? Of course, I am human. I was born with a sin nature and have the ability to think of "me first" more often then I want to admit.

I have had moments in my life where I have had to dust myself off and come humble before the throne because I "knew" I was not glorifying God. As my husband say, when "I got hit by a 2x4".

Proverbs 24:16 Reminds us "...for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity".

Yes, there are times you have to crawl back, ask forgiveness and start again. Verse 13 reminds us that God is the Alpha and Omega (Revelation 22:13). He truly knows the "end" for each of us. I'm glad that I can rest in the knowledge that He is securely watching over me and out for me.


Now, I am going to get my soda. I am totally addicted to sodas (Please blame my sisters and mom for this fault...note....you DO NOT put soda into children's bottles....ahm....mom! lol but hey, those were the days before seat belts, bicycle helmets, vaccination protest and so on and so on...but I seemed to come out okay...did I mention I wanted a soda?)

Happy New Year

2009! Do you remember the drama of 2000? So what do you do to ring in the new year? Are you a resolution maker? Do you determine to lose weight, clean out the garage, be organized? What?

I am a believer in creating goals but not really a fan of resolutions. This year, though, I have decided that I need to learn to be more disciplined. Of course, discipline is not something that is easily learned. How necessary it is though, don't you think?

I mean...with out discipline how do you create the quiet time you need with the Lord? How do you set boundaries for yourself or your children? How do you create time for your self, for exercise or date nights?

If you know me, then you know all about my "master calendar". It is a sort of running joke with my friends, but I need that calendar without it I am not even sure I know the right way to breathe, lol.

With that calendar in mind I decided that this year I need discipline. You see it is easy to schedule in daily quiet time or exercise but it is just as easy to cross if off the list or move it to the next day.

I want to grow as a Christian woman....I desire to be the Proverbs 31 women and lead my children to a meaningful, life-altering relationship with God. I want to be the helpmate that God created me to be for my husband (Genesis 2:18).

I can only be those things when my time with the Lord is first and foremost. When it is what I desire and crave for first thing in the morning. Are you in that position? Is the Lord's word what you crave for first thing in the morning?

Being thinner, being healthier, more patient, more discerning, more calm and on and on....can only begin with the One who knows me intimately, my creator (Psalm 139).

Yes, I have a lot of goals for 2009. I am so excited because it seems like He is creating my schedule to be freed of so much that I get goose bumps thinking what He will put in those free times. I am excited because my daughters are becoming little girls and getting a true grasp of the world around them. Baby questions are being replaced with real adult observations. I am excited because I am married to a man of God. One who values me and loves me...even when we argue! Yikes, don't gasp of course, we argue! I am excited because I love my church and the friends God has placed in my life. I am excited because I have a family that is close.

But I am excited because this year belongs to Him!

Happy New Year....I pray that every blessing of God's will be yours.

Christine
IE Mommy
(a.k.a. MamaHawk)

Jenny & God...

It will be a brand new year in less then 10 hours! I am so excited about 2009...but more on that later. I wanted to stroll down memory lane today and found some favorites from back in the day!

Each year brings something exciting and new and I love it. Good or bad it is another chapter in your book of life.

But it is fun to cruise down memory lane and remember the "blasts from the past". Listening to the sounds of the 80's reminds me of being young and well, young! Driving around in my brand new red mini truck (remember the mini truck craze?) Big hair, big shirts, big belts and leggings or pegged jeans! Oh I was so cool! It makes me sick to think of the size of my ego, lol. But all in all it was a part of growing up and becoming the woman God has formed me into.

Stroll with me....back in time...to the days of The Cosby Show, Molly Ringwald, Rubiks Cube and L.A. Disco. Yikes...was that really dancing? In every high school, even my Christian one, you had groups of Mod, Punk, New Wave and Preppy.

867-5309/Jenny - Do those numbers sound familiar to you? If so, then you are a child of the 80's and remember the infamous song by Tommy Tutone.

How about Jessie's Girl by Rick Springfield. Are you kidding me? I would have died to be Jessie's Girl! I don't think Rick Springfield had much talent as far as singing goes...but that face! Catch me I am about to faint!

Another song I loved was by Human Leaque "Don't you Want Me?" The song seems like a typical break up song. You know how they went...girl figures out she is better off without this boyfriend and she dumps him. He is desperate and will do anything to get her back. When you watch the video though....well, I don't get it! What the heck are the talking about???? Someone help!

Stacy Q had a great song to dance to...Two of Hearts...was the perfect song to play while driving around in my little truck!

As much fun as it is to stroll back to the 80's....I wouldn't let my girls listen to one of these songs at all! No wonder my parents were always telling us to "turn it off".

Think about the lyrics....YIKES!

Poor "Jenny" had her name plastered on the wall! Every teenage girl's nightmare! But here's the thing....was she supposed to find comfort in this "guy" calling her? Listen to the lyrics again...sounds a bit like a stalker...but then that's a mom talking now. Back then I was like everyone else singing "867-5309!"

Maybe Rick Springfield should have thought better of smashing the bathroom mirror with his guitar if he really wanted Jessie's girl to like him. Of course, the reference to her body make me blush as a mom. I don't even remember hearing those words as a teenager.

"Don't you want me?"...ok, the boy threatens that they will both be sorry! As a teenager I remember thinking "oh, he'll probably date another girl" as a mom I think "Will he kill her? Will he bomb the school?...oh, dear!"

And don't get the mom in me started with Stacy Q!

lol, It is fun to remember the good old days. The sweet memories of growing up are all involved with those songs but I cringe at what I was listening to.

Yes, being young is sweet...but being who I am now...is sweeter. My joy and love comes from the Lord and knowing that forever in his eyes I am a Princess, I am beautiful and I am special....yes, maybe I don't weigh 100 lbs anymore....I'm not Miss Teen County of San Bernardino any longer...but I am something better....I am the daughter of the king. I am forgiven!

When I think of my teen years...I smile. They will always be special. When I think of myself as a young adult...I feel my heart beat because that was when my journey with my husband began....but, when I think of myself now...I cry....because I am a mom, a wife, a women and more then anything a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) being made over and over to glorify God.

I am not worthy of His love or His blessings but he gives them because He wants to (Ephesians 1:2-4) and that makes me cry and smile and laugh!

I have know the Lord for over 24 years and I can only praise Him and look forward to each new day. Each new year in my "God's Tale".....

Tonight when the clock strikes 12:01 I don't want to be watching Times Square. I really don't care what Ryan Seacrest will be doing... I want to be praising my Lord...the reason for 2009!

Take a moment to listen to "these" songs......and be blessed this evening and for all of 2009.

Open the Eyes of My Heart

Come, Now is the Time to Worship

I am Free *This is the most amazing song....

Blessed Be Your Name *Dedicated to my dad, Martin

How Great is Our God

Indescribable

Holy is the Lord, God Almighty

Our Father *By Two or More

Lord, I Lift Your Name on High

Here I am to Worship

Happy New Year!
Christine
IE Mommy (aka MamaHawk)

It's Christmas and ..... You'd Better Be Good!

"What do you mean Christmas Eve is today?"

"Yep, and they say we "s-t-i-l-l" have to be good!"

"Man, that's a lot of work for some toys!"

Ok, I really don't know what the conversation was between these two when the photo was taken. But considering  how they are acting today...this might have been the "Real" conversation.

Regardless...I am ready for Christmas!

Yep,  you heard me...done...ready...and willing to enjoy the day.

Presents wrapped, house cleaned, children washed and food cooked! Praise the Lord!

Like a fool, I stayed up till 3 a.m. last night "making" a present and putting together the special Santa presents that will be opened on Christmas morning.

Yes, I am a glutton for punishment...but I did get to sleep in until 9:30 a.m. so that worked out okay.

I hope that each of you will have an incredible and blessed Christmas. Read the gospel of Luke tonight before you open presents...it will help to bring into focus the "real" gift of the this Holiday!

God bless each of you and Merry CHRISTmas!

Christine

IE Mommy Blogger

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