Sunflower Faith

Archive for February 28, 2009

28 Feb 2009

Finding a new church home

I think we may have found a new church home through the blessings of our Heavenly Father.

I had posted some time ago that we had been searching for a new place to call “home” and there were many tears and prayers along the search.

Ironically, it was a lesson in “waiting” that came off a page of “When Wallflowers Dance”.

Psa. 27:14-Wait for the Lord; Be strong, and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.

Waiting is so hard for the Christian.

Ever said a prayer and just felt like you were sitting there with your toes tapping, thinking…okay…something should happen.

But it is definitely a part of the Christian journey and a woman, at a women’s bible study, I was able to attend for the first time, describe waiting very well.

She talked about how we live in a fast pace society where we expect things now and often trade quality for quantity. Just because we can get,whatever it is, right now doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good for us.

So why was it important that we find a new church home. It’s a vital component to the Christian growth and maturity.

Yes we can just turn on the television set or radio, but when you think about it, think about the lack of accountability and the lack of personal interchange that really happens.

There is no church elders or pastor, that when something spiritual, emotional, mental, or just need to be there, arises, that a television show can offer as finding a church home that is biblical based can provide.

Church is more than just a support group and it’s not for entertainment; It’s for support, encouragement, accountability and conviction.

And going to church and having fellowship with other believers, isn’t an option, it’s a necessity that hiding behind a computer or watching a television can’t really supplement.

From the article,”Why Christians Need Fellowship“, it is wonderfully explained that,

“So it is within the body of Christ, the Church (1 Cor. 12:27). For the blood of Jesus Christ to have its continual cleansing effect over our sins, we must remain attached to Christ’s body. If we sever fellowship with His body, we risk cutting off the circulation of the cleansing blood!

Keep in mind, salvation is based on “faith,” and is not earned by performing “works” such as attending Church (Eph. 2:8-9). But fellowship with Christ’s body, the church, is critical in helping to sustain your faith by providing ministry, encouragement, and an atmosphere of spiritual “cleansing” and growth.”

Imagine how much harder it is to fall from grace or follow God’s word when you know you have a body lifting you up and helping you up.

The reality is that we are ALL imperfect and no one is perfect and can never get perfect without the help of Jesus Christ, but we aren’t going to get there, trying to do this alone. We need each others as brothers and sisters to help each other in our walk and there is a difference in our walk when we are among fellowship with those who can help us when we feel like we can’t make our walk.

It’s easy to say…I don’t need to go to church, I’m fine but a quote that I came across came to mind,

“A famous preacher once said “show me a professing Christian who seldom attends Church, and I’ll show you a backslider who needs to get their heart right before God.”

Yes, I know the saying that going to church is like going to a garage doesn’t make oneself a mechanic, but never going to church at all or finding reasons not to go is also the same as a plant that never gets water, will never grow.

Dr. Dale A. Robbins, provided eight great reasons why a Christian should go to church. In “Why Should Christians Attend Church?”, he stated:

1. It is an expression of love to our Heavenly Father

Seriously, if you really care enough about someone, part of that is wanting to do everything to get to know them and what better way, but through the fellowship of other Christians.

2. Builds up our spiritual strength

The difference between a carnal Christian and a spiritual Christan is one degree of choice. We can choose to run from God and ourselves or we can choose to say, no matter what, my relationship with Jesus Christ is more important than what other people think, what the world thinks and that as a Christian, I want to grow strong and mature and it helps to have that through active, face to face, fellowship with other Christians.

The only thing that really keeps a person going isn’t the church itself. There are plenty to choose from, but it’s our own choice. We can say, I’m going to ask God in prayer to lead me to the church, HE wants me to be at and I’m going to actively look and open myself up to what I’m being led to and part of that is by not just being passive but active.

3.Special visitation of the Lord’s Presence

“For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them” (Matt. 18:20).

There is nothing like being in a sanctuary and listening to a pastor preach and singing words of praises and worship with other people and just feeling the power of the Holy Spirit running in a room.

4. Provides fellowship with other Christians

Yes we have television, radio and computers, but there really isn’t any connectivity or accountability like we can get from meeting either weekly, twice a week,or even daily with fellow believers. The advantage of having face to face contact, is having that living person to help provide the needed support and guidance that sometimes just relying on an inpersonal machine doesn’t provide.

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17)

For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins” (Heb. 10:24-26).

5. It’s an obedience to God

Truth is that no man is an island. We isolate ourselves and we dont’ have that check and balance to making sure we are walking in the face.

I think this quote sums it up best,

“Once again, we are reminded that a great part of the purpose of the gathering is for the consideration of our brethren, coming together to help motivate and encourage one another. This is a responsibility charged to every believer. To reject church attendance, is a rejection of one of the sacred duties of the believer. “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4:17).”

Being a Christian isn’t something to hide in our homes about.

What is more humbling, there are Christians who are not able to gather due to persecution but who still do and risk their lives and face death, to come together in the name of Christ.

6. Accountability to spiritual leadership

We’ve all been hurt. We’ve all been to churches that just didn’t fit right or whose hurt us,but it’s not God, it’s people.

That’s not a reason still to give up seeking a strong, bible believing church that is there to help encourage and strengthen. Imagine if you gave up, everyone else gave up….There will be no church…there will be no guidance.

It is easy to see that one cannot genuinely be under submission to a TV pastor who has never met you. Nor is it possible to be under submission by visiting a different church each week. The Bible tells us to know them that are over us in the Lord (1 Thes. 5:12). Submission necessitates a commitment and relationship to a local body of believers and to their spiritual leaders.

The t.v. pastor doesn’t know you or what is going on in your life; He is not there to guide you and help you with questions.

It’s easy to hide in an impersonal worldand think, “I’m in control” , I can do this myself but is that really submission and truly growing and maturing as a Christian? After all, that type of thinking made us fall in the first place?

7. Going to church combines our strength in prayer

In a sense, being a Christian is being part of a spiritual army that works as a body not as a part. Imagine going to battle and the only person is just you; Not really great winning odds, but as a Christian, as you build those vital fellowship links, the strength through and in Jesus Christ does grow.

In times of sickness and in health, just having that power of prayer behind you is helpful.

8. Honors the Lord’s Day

Can’t really say much there.

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Ex. 20:8)

I’m very grateful to our Heavenly Father that it seems He has led us to a very strong, bible believing church that, for as few times we have gone.

Already we have begun to be involved with the bible studies going there and thinking of either joining or starting a Life group to become more active participants there.

Looks like this is the one.

What makes me feel more at home? One of the things that really help was during the sermon and even during the bible study, the rustling of bibles being opened and search….music to the ears.

There is always a church home somewhere for someone and it’s just a matter of keeping persistent and keep looking; When hearing and understanding God’s word is the goal, He will open the door for you.

Surprise on our kitchen counter

We are planning on starting a garden this year, starting literally from the ground up with container garden as we get the yard ready for actual planting.

Psalm 92:13 (New International Version)

planted in the house of the LORD,
they will flourish in the courts of our God.

This is our first year and among that, we wanted to get ready for winter planting, but in the meantime we are starting off with, I have to say, a good start of plants that will offer just as much from a container.

Well…while my husband and I were talking, I went to get an onion from our wire vegetable basket and one of our onions were beginning to sprout.

Although this one won’t be ready for planting, please correct me if I’m wrong Gentle Readers, this onion will eventually yield seeds to actually plant onions from.

For as the earth brings forth its bud, as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

~ Isaiah 61:11(NKJV)

I’m still learning about gardening so if anyone out there can offer me some insight, that would be fantastic, but I wanted to say a quick prayer of praise to our Heavenly Father, for what we feel is a good start on being not only self-sufficient but just learning to appreciate what He blesses us with.

The kids are excited since, though we haven’t officially started working on studying plants, apparently our Heavenly Father has decided to get us started on our “raising a garden” lesson.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your humor and blessings and promises of hope each day.

Like plants, our growth in Jesus Christ, starts as a small sprout, bursting through where we feel there is nothing that can be grown. We may feel we are “dead soils”, but in and through Jesus Christ, we are ripe for growth in His arms.

1 Corinthians 3:7 (New International Version)

So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow

Sunflower Faith | No comments | Tags: "Christian Life", faith, Gardening, God, Jesus Christ, red onion

27 Feb 2009

Growing Long Hair Checkup • Memes • Uncategorized

Growing Long Hair Challenge Update

For those of you who are open to taking the challenge of growing your hair long, I would love to hear from you!

Leave a link in “Mr.Linky” and let us know how your first week went and for this first week discussion, what are some of the things you are using (other than not cutting your hair) to encourage your hair to grow out.

If you are just finding out about this for the first time, drop by my post here to read more about the challenge and grab the linkback button that is below if you would like to participate.

<a href=”http://sunflowerfaith.com/the-growing-long-hair-challenge/” target=”_blank”><img border=”0″ alt=”Growing Long Hair Challenge” src=”http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/sunflowerfaith/pierre_renoir_YoungGirlCombingHe-1.gif”/></<br />
a><br />Come join the “Growing Long Hair” Challenge.<br/><br />

Sunflower Faith | One comment | Tags: growing long hair

25 Feb 2009

Word-Filled Wednesday

Word Filled Wednesday

This week is very special for my husband and I because it is the week of our wedding anniversary.

Being married isn’t without it’s difficulties, but at the same time, being married is filled with joy and revelations that are only gained, by working hard, keeping up the persistent to work things out, no matter how hard it can get and learning that in the end, we both are in it for a common goal.

This is a strong reminder how much our marriages are like our relationships with our Heavenly Father, except it’s not about a romantic love, but an agape love that is based on choices not emotions.

We choose to love Him as He has chosen to love us, but the same, it’s no one else, but us, who chooses to continue our relationship with Him or to discontinue our relationship.

I love my husband and I am in gratitude to our Heavenly Father for blessing me with being my husband’s wife, friend and companion.

We have our up’s and down’s but I am slowly learning that no one else is responsible for how I approach this, then myself.

Yes we both have our faults but we have our strengths too and it’s up to me to decide what to focus on. I can focus on our weaknesses and in the process, miss out everything that is wonderful and great with my husband or I can focus on our strengths as a married couple, as spouses, as friends, as companions and build a strong foundation.

No one ever said marriage was easy, but if I seek perfection, I lose out in a relationship and life that God has blessed us both with. Instead, I am grateful that we are both imperfect, we have our own ways and in the process, and in our awkward dance of marriage, we compliment, we lift each other up and we both strive forward toward a common goal of serving and lifting our Heavenly Father up in praise.

I find when I focus on what is wrong with my marriage, things are never right and rather than really feeling the blessings God has brought into the life of this family as a whole, I start to lose sight of the big picture.

This is a hard lesson I’m learning, that even goes with taking better care how I speak about him and what I speak about him.

Titus 3:2,”To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.”

I am is wife, I am his best friend and something I’ve learned the hard way, is that WE are THEIR cover. How we speak about them to others, reflects badly just as much on us as it does for them.

Isn’t it a great thing that our Heavenly Father is that perfect groom, who doesn’t focus on what is wrong with the “bride” but instead focuses on everything that is right with us and how we can do better for Him and for us and for everyone.

I am thankful to our Heavenly Father that He doesn’t quit when the going gets tough, but instead says, “He knows we can do it because He has already done the hard work.”

The same goes to my spouse, my husband, my friend.

I feel bad for the times I don’t appreciate him as much as I really should and I feel great for the times when we just know, he is there, I am there, we are there and we are moving forward.

Kinda like finally finding that same rhythm and rather dancing against each other, we are dancing together.

Happy Anniversary my dear love, my best friend, the life of my life and our children’s life and may God grant me more discernment and appreciation to you and through you, what God has blessed us both with.

Lord, please give me discernment in eyes, tongue, heart and soul and help me grow to be a better and more fitting wife and companion to my spouse-my friend-my husband. Help me be a source of pride and friendship he needs and deserves.

Lord, help me treat him tender as we treat the tender roots of a young plant and encouraged rather discouraged; Love rather than grieve and just remember that our husbands are humans too, they have feelings too though they may not show it, it is there.

Lord, teach me patience and humility and loving submission to my husband and be the wife he deserves and I want to be for him and for You.

Sunflower Faith | 11 comments | Tags: scripture, the 160 acre woods, Word-Filled Wednesdays

24 Feb 2009

Uncategorized

Finding comfort under God's umbrella

Recently we received some concerning news that a family member was showing signs of Parkinson disease so they were going in for testing.

This came under heels of praise that another family members cancer was successfully (Praise God) being treated and looking, for the time being, won over and my own news that my health was in the clear after some personal concerns.

Through it all…rather than treating this with a “oh no, not again,” the family instead reacted with, “we are safe in God’s hands and no matter what He brings us, we will see it through for He has already conquer”.

For unbelievers, this maybe seized on as sign of God’s failure or “what did you do” or “you deserve this” or maybe a sign of weakness, but for the believer in the healing powers of Jesus Christ, but all the more, the loving Grace of our Heavenly Father, this is a sign of true belief that no matter what comes along…its not of God, but rather of an imperfect and broken world that HE has conquered and sees to deliver us through.

Rather than groan and wish for deliverance, instead, we give praise that no matter what, He is there and will see us through and in the end, one day, we will be free of the broken world and resting in the loving and perfect world, known as our Heavenly Father’s home, that waits for us one day.

We live in a stormy world where we don’t know what tomorrow may bring, or we may be abandoned or feel abandoned , or maybe, we may feel alone, but through it all, no matter what, this is all temporary , compared to the permanent world of Our Heavenly Father and the world, He prepares for us.

Not much was said on the heels of this latest discussion, other than wait and see what test results brings and we will go from there. I know no matter what…God has already promised us that…..“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[ have been called according to his purpose.-Romans 8:28″

Keep strong Gentle Readers and keep the faith in our Heavenly Father. You may feel the world is bowling you over with one thing after the other, but through your faith in Jesus Christ, our Heavenly Father above, is and will see you through, no matter what happens.

All that happens..are but small grains of salt that will one day, mean nothing. Don’t let worry become a new disease to threaten the joy,hope and faith that our Heavenly Father has to offer.

This sounds silly,but to quote off from the beginning of “Star Wars-The Clone Wars”,”Fear is a disease and hope is the only cure.”

As a Christian…we could add…Hope through and in Jesus Christ is the only cure.

Sunflower Faith | One comment | Tags: devotional, faith, General Musings

23 Feb 2009

Uncategorized

When Plugins go bad…Fixed comment problem with blog

I noticed the past few days that there wasn’t much commenting on my blog (not sure if that is a bad thing or a good thing…lol) and I am so grateful to, Bev of Christian Homekeeping, for alerting to me, the fact that the blog was not letting anyone comment (including myself).
I hope and pray I’ve solved the problem and apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused anyone who may have tried commenting.

Sunflower Faith | No comments

23 Feb 2009

Uncategorized

Simple Woman's Daybook

Come Join the Simple Woman Daybook each Monday

FOR TODAY February 23, 2009…

Outside my window…the weather is clear and blue, Praise God.
I am thinking…this is a slow week for school since we are doing testing and will be concentrating on reading.
I am thankful (always)for…our Heavenly Father, my husband and my kids and that our Heavenly Father is there when we need Him and He is just there, when we don’t realize we need Him.
From the learning rooms…a blank dry erase board waiting to be filled
From the kitchen...the smell of hot chocolate and cinnamon toast
I am wearing…a long sleeved shirt and jeans
I am creating…a new blog post
I am going…to get myself and the kids ready for school
I am reading…the bible and will be starting “Pocketful of Pinecones“.
I am hoping…for hope.
I am hearing…there is hope.
Around the house…it’s slightly chilly and the dogs are chewing something that is okay for them to chew.
One of my favorite things…is hot chocolate with coffee.
A few plans for the rest of the week: school is a main priority, invited to join a weekly bible study and will be working on lesson plans for the new term.

Sunflower Faith | One comment

21 Feb 2009

Memes • Sunday Praise and Worship

Sunday Praise and Worship

: To find out more on how to participate in Sunday Praise and Worship, come here.

Be not discouraged because of your soul's enemies. Are ye troubled with
thoughts, fears, doubts, imaginations, reasonings? Yea, do ye see, yet,
much in you unsubdued to the power of life? Oh! Do not fear it; do not
look at it, as to be discouraged by it; but look to Him! Look up to the
power which is over all their strength; wait for the descendings of the
power upon you; abide in faith of the Lord's help, and wait in patience
till the Lord arise; and see if His arm do not scatter what yours could
not. So, be still before Him, and in stillness, believe in His name;
yea, enter not into the hurryings of the enemy, though they fill the
soul; for, there is yet somewhat to which they cannot enter, from whence
patience, faith, and hope, will spring up in you, even in the midst of
all they can do.-Isaac Penington
qhpress.org/texts/penington/

Sounds like something we can all use in these days and time.

We live in times of uncertainity and questions; our economy is in turmoil, we don’t know if we want to know what will happen tomorrow, but through it all, though the storm is raging high waves around us, Our Heavenly Father is in the center of it all and saying, “Be still”.

It seems easy sometimes to go, God can’t solve this but the reality is that He has and He will.

He has seen far worse and far better than we ever can, so what seems a storm to us, is but a raindrop to Him.

In the midst of lifes turmoil and an uncertain times, share how or if you feel this draws you closer to our Heavenly Father and His word and if not, what ways do you think, you can do for yourself and your relationship with Jesus Christ, to “Be Still” and grow closer to Him rather than feel as if there is a rush of worry, pushing you along?

“Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you.”
–John 6:27

Sunflower Faith | No comments | Tags: Devotionals, faith, God, Jesus Christ, Memes, praise, scripture, sermons, Sunday memes, Sunday Praise and Worship, worship

20 Feb 2009

Charlotte Mason • Nature Study

Outdoor Challenge #1

: Outdoor Challenge by “Handbook of Nature Study” Blog

Due to last week being Valentine’s Day, I ended up postponing our first week doing Nature Studies to this week instead.

The funny thing is that the weather had been pretty bad and not much to see outside when we were able to go out and about, so I guess our Heavenly Father, provided us with a means indoors, and we and the kids ending up talking about “Mosquito Hawks” and they were wanting to raise butterflies.

Right now the weather isn’t conducive to raising butterflies but “Mosquito Hawks” didn’t mind and we had quite a few so we spent a lot of time, indoors and with hot chocolate, observing the fearsome “Mosquito Hawk”.

This was perfect timing, because hubby and I had to keep reassuring the kids that “Mosquito Hawks” were not interested in them only to have one of them come running up to us a few days later, crying, because a “Mosquito Hawk” was caught in a spiderweb and they wanted to save him or was it a her?

Right now, we are currently doing an “Animal Nature Book” class that is being offered by “Learning Things” so this has been a great way, since the weather is anything but friendly, to use the time to put together our notebooks (it’s been hard to find a cheap 8.5 x 5.5 binder).

I plan on doing a short introductory study on insects after we learn about the 5 kingdoms mostly due to weather related reasons and the only “nature” we see right now are our dogs and maybe a spider and, oh yes, mosquito hawks; lots of mosquito hawks, but no mosquitos or insects (I’m sure their out there,just probrably huddling in their homes with a mug of hot whatever it is that insects will drink in their mugs,lol).

For their “Animal Notebooks”; I’m using that to keep worksheet related works, printed information and more for the kids to use more as a “reference book” and looking to create an 8.5 x 5.5 working nature journal,mostly because it would be easier to pack and bring with us when we have nature field trips and are out and about.

Hopefully as the weather clears up and it gets warmer and the critters start coming out…we can do more.

Meantime, I was blessed to be able to get a copy of “Pocketfull of Pinecones” and looking forward to reading it!

Sunflower Faith | No comments | Tags: Charlotte Mason, handbook of nature study, nature study, Outdoor Challenge

20 Feb 2009

Book Study • Uncategorized

Growing Long Hair Challenge-Encouragement

I just wanted to keep up the encouragement to everyone who is trying to grow out their long hair; It’s a work of progress that takes time, faith and care.

What I will do is post this every two weeks with updates versus every week, mostly because there is so much one can talk about hair, lol,and like,long hair doesn’t grow out overnight, talking about it every week, gets…hmm..what’s the word? Boring…LOL.

I would like to try and post a picture and encourage anyone else who is participating to post a picture in two weeks if feasible. If your shy and don’t want to, that’s alright.

If you are wondering what the “Growing Long Hair Challenge is about” and would like to participate, I invite you to click on the button on the right sidebar to find out more or just hop on and to participate in the “Growing Long Hair” challenge,place the following on your post

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