2011 at 3:51 pm | by Nicole Whitacre
Filed under
Homemaking
...Cindy Watson! As always, it was a difficult decision; but we think you’ll see why she is the winner of our $100 gift certificate to her favorite home store. Cindy writes about her “spot”:
Here’s one messy entry! This is a room that serves as our laundry room, sewing room, storage room, kids crafts and games room, and even a small section for things that won’t fit in our pantry. So as you can see in the first 3 pictures, it was clean up time.
After 2 days of work, we threw out 4 large black garbage bags full of stuff we don’t use. I am so excited that I actually want to get in there and do laundry, sew, and just stare at my clean shelves. You’ll also notice that there are a couple of empty shelves too—room to grow!
Congratulations Cindy!
2011 at 12:01 am | by Janelle Bradshaw
Filed under
Biblical Womanhood 52home
9:49 p.m.
52home
2011 at 3:56 pm | by Nicole Whitacre
Filed under
Motherhood Young Children
Being a parent of young children can sometimes be a confusing experience. You face many new challenges that you don’t always know how to handle. Thankfully Scripture provides the clarity we so desperately need. And God has provided wonderful teachers to help us apply biblical principles in parenting to our every day lives.
On Saturday, my brother-in-law, Brian Chesemore, hosted a morning seminar on Parenting Ages Infant to Five. I’ve heard great things about it from my friends who trekked across the river to attend. You can listen and benefit without leaving your house. Simply download all three sessions:
Biblical Principles of Parenting
Training, Discipline, and the Rod
Questions and Answers (w/ Kristin Chesemore and Ben & Erin Wikner)
Enjoy!
2011 at 11:33 pm | by Janelle Bradshaw
Filed under
Biblical Womanhood 52home
12:44 p.m.
52home
2011 at 5:20 pm | by Carolyn Mahaney
Our church lost another dear friend last night. Nineteen-year-old Amy Calderone went home to be with the Lord. On December 14, she suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and last night God took her home. Amy was a godly young woman who, even when she was healthy, wrote many songs and poems expressing her “intense anticipation for heaven.”
“She was not afraid of death,” said her mom, Patty, “knowing she had been reconciled to God through Jesus’ death for her sins, and raised to new life by His powerful resurrection. Rather, she understood death to be the gateway into God’s very presence.”
Dave and Patty: we rejoice that Amy is worshipping in the presence of the Savior she loved so much. And we grieve with you and your family. We are praying for you!
There’s substance that’s casting these shadows
There’s reason behind all this pain
All gold is made pure by refining
And plants cannot grow without rain
He’s promised to hold you and keep you
He’s told you that he’s always there
His Word says He’ll never forsake you
Or test you past what you can bear
So trust in Him all through this darkness
Hold fast to the truth of His Word
Be certain of His gracious promise
And rest in Christ Jesus our Lord
For one day all pain shall be broken
Renewed shall be joy that was lost
All death, pain and fear have been conquered
Because of His death on the cross
~Amy Calderone
2011 at 9:48 pm | by Janelle Bradshaw
Filed under
Biblical Womanhood 52home
52home
2011 at 2:33 pm | by Carolyn Mahaney
Today we are grieving the loss of our dear friend John Spiro. He passed into glory yesterday, following a long battle with ALS (Lou Gherig’s disease).
I remember when he came to our house for dinner, only one day before the disease finally confined him to his home. His wit and humor were still on full display, despite the constant discomfort and pain. He talked of God’s goodness and mercy and his anticipation of meeting the Savior. He was full of faith.
John mentored many young musicians to skillfully play for God’s glory. He encouraged, challenged, and influenced countless friends to follow hard after Christ. He cherished his family with all his heart. He inspired all who knew him by his stalwart trust and unflagging joy in Christ. The church he loved will bear the imprint of his life and legacy for many years to come.
It was an honor to have known him.
Kathy, Gabriel, Joseph, and Amanda—we love you dearly and we are praying for you!
“I have fought the good fight, I have kept the faith, I have finished the race.” 1 Timothy 4:7
2011 at 11:40 pm | by Janelle Bradshaw
Filed under
Biblical Womanhood 52home
3:51 p.m.
52home
2011 at 9:46 pm | by Nicole Whitacre
Filed under
Fun Stuff Friday Funnies
Bridgette sent us a funny story that all sleep-deprived moms will relate to:
I recently had my 5th baby in December. Last week my oldest daughter lost her top tooth and I had sent a picture of her to my friends asking if they had seen her missing tooth for fun. I had taken her tooth and placed it in an envelope for safe keeping and placed it in my desk. It just so happens that my sister-in-law was visiting and saw me do it.
The following week my daughter lost her other tooth. I was looking everywhere for the envelope I had put her previous one in but could not find it. Once again I took a picture of her and sent it to everyone asking if they had seen the other one.
A day later I got an e-mail from my sister-in-law (who had returned back home) telling me that one of my daughter’s missing teeth had been found. You see I had put her tooth in an envelope that was from a wedding card I had filled out and given to my sister-in-law to give to this new happily married couple. Little did I know it was in that envelope!
Since my sister in law was the one who gave them this card, I was told that they had the tooth and thought it was very funny it was inside!
Don’t forget that Monday is the deadline for the Pick One Spot Contest. See you then,
Nicole for Carolyn, Kristin, and Janelle
2011 at 11:44 pm | by Janelle Bradshaw
Filed under
Biblical Womanhood 52home
10:38 a.m.
52home
2011 at 2:14 pm | by Nicole Whitacre
Filed under
Series The 5 O'Clock Club
For all you new 5 O’Clock Club members, here’s some encouragement from Marcia, a veteran early riser:
And of all the wisdom shared in Feminine Appeal, one of the single greatest practical influences it has had on me is this habit of rising early, and seeing the value and joy of doing so. Rhythms of life, with now three young children, keep changing, but this single element of my life holds like an anchor and is precious to me. It is not the habit itself that is inherently precious, but the communion with Christ that it has enabled for me and in me. Rising early is no guarantee that I will have sweet communion with Christ. But, practically speaking, rising early is the greatest guarantee that I will have time in the day for communion with Christ. And by His Grace, rising early has been a tool leading directly to that end, and thus of invaluable worth. Thank you for your continual encouragement. I smile to look over the long list of fellow women in the 5 O’Clock club. Kindred Spirits. All praise to Christ.
Visit our 5 O’Clock Club page to read other testimonies of grace or join the club.
2011 at 7:18 pm | by Janelle Bradshaw
Filed under
Biblical Womanhood 52home
10:38 a.m. Snow Today
52home
2011 at 2:43 pm | by Nicole Whitacre
Filed under
Fun Stuff
Did you know that Don’t Waste Your Sports is for moms too? So one woman discovered and wrote to tell my dad about it:
Dear Mr. Mahaney,
As I read the girltalk blog this week, I found your sermon titled, Don’t
Waste Your Sports. I want to thank you for sharing what God has taught you
about the ways parents, coaches and children can glorify God in their
sports.
I was struck by the opportunity I have wasted as a wife and mother. My
husband coaches soccer and our children both participate in club soccer, in
our area. Coaching and playing soccer have been an area of contention in our
marriage for many years. In fact, in my pride and arrogance, I had sent a
link to this exact sermon to my husband a few months ago. Yesterday, I had a
good listen for myself. The Lord used your teaching to humble me.
I had wasted the opportunity to honor God by gladly submitting to my husband
in this area. I had wasted countless drives to games and practices
complaining, rather than giving all glory and honor to the Lord. This is an
opportunity to shepherd my own heart, and the hearts of my children. This is
an opportunity for our family to talk about and make much of God on way to
the field, on the field, and on the way home from the field!
I am so thankful for God’s grace, through your teaching and the opportunity
we have to not waste our sports, but instead do all for the glory of God!
Sincerely,
Erica
To purchase the book, check out the website. Or, read a recent review here.
2011 at 8:50 pm | by Janelle Bradshaw
Filed under
Biblical Womanhood 52home
4:30 p.m. 4-Year-Old Snowflakes
52home
2011 at 4:59 pm | by Janelle Bradshaw
Filed under
Biblical Womanhood Fear
Last Thursday, Nicole encouraged us to enlist our friends as allies in our fight against fear. Great advice. I have benefited more times than I can remember from friends speaking truth into my life.
But sometimes those trusted friends may not be available or maybe they are getting a little tired of saying the same things to us over and over. That’s probably how my friends feel! There is another group of friends that should be consulted daily in our fight for faith—books and sermons!
Books that are rich in truth of who God is, and sermons that faithfully declare God’s Word should be among our best friends. And hey, and the great thing is, they are never busy or unavailable! I have a few books and messages that I have read and listened to dozens of times in my battle against fear and unbelief. A few of our favorites are:
Spiritual Depression by Martyn Lloyd Jones,
Running Scared by Ed Welch
Trusting God by Jerry Bridges
Beside Still Waters by Charles Spurgeon (you can look up fear or anxiety in the index)
Sweet and Bitter Providence by John Piper
A Shelter in the Time of Storm by Paul Tripp
“Be Humble, Be Alert” sermon by Rick Gamache
“Antidote to Unbelief” sermon by Mike Bullmore
“The Troubled Soul” sermon by CJ Mahaney
So if you find yourself battling fear today, pick up a book or listen to a sermon. Your soul is sure to be strengthened!
Page 2 of 3 pages < 1 2 3 >
