Cafe Chat

What are some lies out in the world (secular views) today about women that contradict what God says in His word about how women should be/act? Diving a little deeper…What are some lies that are still out there in our Christian circles about women? (Feel free to talk from a single woman’s point of view or a married woman’s point of view)

If you don't already know this, I am the one that comes up with the "Cafe Chat" questions weekly, so this week (at least for the first part of the question) I would like to hear what lies you all think are still out there in the "secular" world. However, I will take the time to name a couple lies that I think are still out there in our "Christian Circles".

One big issue out there is that many women do not understand fully what it means to be a submissive wife. The word "submissive" normally gets some kind of strong reaction when mentioned in a conversation... I remember thinking the "S" word was a bad word for a long time. I definitely am not an authority on how to be a submissive wife, but I believe overall, that I now can be called a submissive wife, even if I don't act submissively all the time. I would love to hear more about what you all think about submissiveness, please share...

Another thing I see a lot of is how women disrespect their husbands in front of others (the husband may nor may not be present). Sometimes the disrespect is so subtle that it may not be noticed by everyone, but I sure notice. One reason I have my "disrespect radar" up is because I was horribly disrespectful to my husband in the early/middle years of our marriage. (TAKE THE STUDY, OR READ THE BOOK, "LOVE & RESPECT BY EMERSON EGGERICH...IT IS AN AWESOME STUDY). Primarily, when I talk about disrespecting husbands, I am referring to when women correct, or make fun of their husbands in front of others. There are many other ways for a woman to disrespect her husband too.

I have definitely changed in this area with my husband, and I have to continue to work at everyday, but at least I feel like my eyes have been opened by God to show me my sin in this area. I am very thankful for that :)

Forgive me for being a little choppy with my answers this week. I am normally more focused, but I am lacking sleep desperately today, and I wanted to get this post out today because tomorrow is a busy day for me, but I do think this question is an important one. As Christian women we need to challenge each other everyday in all areas of being a godly woman ...Let's agree to hear the truth, even if it is hard to hear... Freedom is at stake!!!

Jenny Girl...Get Better Soon

To my sweet "Euchre" WINNING Partner :)
I hope you recover very soon... I am so sorry about your accident, and that you had to have surgery. I know my Fwend is watching out for you too, so I will have her give you an extra hug from me, but I will tell her not to give you one of my typical hugs or that just might send you into excruciating pain.

I will be there in about two weeks, and I can't wait to see you and have some great conversations... Love ya!!! (If anyone reads this that knows Jenny, let her know I posted this for her)

Thankful Thursday

I have not participated in the "TT" meme for awhile, but thought today would be a good day to participate...Please see the post right below this one (14 Years)...that is what I am thankful for today. Blessings :)

14 Years

( The pictures are of me and the hubby on our honeymoon... Only I would think it was cute to take a picture in front of the bathrooms... What a clueless "Adam and Eve" we were :) We honeymooned in the Poconos at one of those resorts with the Champagne Glass Tub...visions of grandeur danced in my head :)

Happy Anniversary Hubby!!!

Today we celebrate 14 years together, and as we discussed just a few days ago, the fact that we are still together and HAPPY is one big Miracle :) However, this post will be dedicated to the One that gets all the credit for our marriage...

My hubby and I offer praise to you, God, the Lover of our Souls...You are the constant source of strength and love that flows through this household even when we do not recognize it. You have set in motion plans for good that keep surprising us everyday!!! We are thankful for the worst times in our marriage because it helps us appreciate the best. Thank you for showing us the key to loving and respecting each other more...that key is that we first need to love You more (I am learning to do that more everyday). You are GOOD, LOVING, and RIGHTEOUS!!! May your Way be the only Way we ever will seek in our lives together!!!

With Love,
Your two stumbling servants,
K & A

Cafe Chat

What is a positive tradition or godly character trait that you learned from your extended family that you hope to pass down to your own family?


Last week, I asked the question about a generational sin or negative pattern that might have been passed down through your family line, and this week I wanted the focus to be on something positive that was passed down from your extended family...

I will spotlight my mother and my mother in-law today.

Although, my mother did not become a Christian until her 30's (I was nine) she was a wonderful example of someone who was selfless...not selfish, selfless. I know every human is selfish to some extent, but I just really do not remember too many times when I saw my mom look out for her own needs first. She gave until it hurt. I on the other hand have struggled with selfishness pretty much my whole life...until now :) God has really been challenging me these last few years in regards to being a selfless person... Boy, do I have a long way to go, but through God I will grow less selfish everyday. I also have a wonderful example in my mother to look at when I need to see how selflessness works :)

I also wanted to say something positive about my mother in-law. She is a true example of what it means to be a servant. She has such a servant's heart, and when she does serve she does it with a joyful attitude, even if the circumstances are not so joyful :) I have learned a lot from my mother in-law, and I hope to pass down to my own children the value of serving...

In Christ I can do all things... Blessings (Click on the button above to participate in today's Cafe Chat Meme)

Casting Crowns Video

Cafe Chat Meme

What is one habit, negative pattern, or sin that has been passed down your family line from generation to generation that you do not want to pass down to your own family line? What steps are you taking to make sure the habit, pattern or sin is not repeated in your own family?

There are a few answers that I could give to this question, but today I will choose two... Something negative that has been passed down on my side is Fear &Worry. Most people wouldn't consider Fear or Worry a sin, but they are. God tells us not to Fear and Worry, and I have a hard time with both of these sins.

Although, I have now been working on my Fear& Worry issues with the Lord for a long time, I still feel I am not spiritually free in the area of Fear& Worry. For me the F/W thing plays out in weird ways, kind of with Obsessive Compulsive behaviors. I won't go into long details today, but will tell you how I am trying to NOT pass these sins (BURDENS) onto my children.

I guess the most obvious way I am trying to break the cycle is not to let my children hear me talk about being fearful or worried. Although, I can't say I always do this, I think this will be a major way to help my kids with not following my pattern. I also feel that I must push myself when I am fearful, and let the kids see me rely on God to conquer my Fears & Worries. I think as my kids get older, I just need to keep the communication lines open with them so they can understand how they can go to God to conquer their Fears and Worries. I know I am not guaranteed that my kids will not struggle with these emotions, but I know I can arm them with the truth of God's Word, and they will be able through God's power to conquer the sins of Fear and Worry. I don't want my children to be paralyzed spiritually and emotionally like I have been from carrying around Fears and Worries my entire life (it has been about that long :( Things can and will by God's grace be different for my kids.

Blessings, and make sure to visit the "Internet Cafe" today, and answer today's meme question.

My First Official "Cafe Chat"

Hey Blogville,

I am posting my question for this week's "Cafe Chat" at the Internet Cafe site (see sidebar for instant link). This is my first official question as a contributor to the Cafe... For now this is what I will be doing instead of my "Know & Tell Friday" meme... Heather and Reese (I will try to get link up later), participants of the "Know & Tell" meme are kind of taking over for me with posting new "Know & Tell" questions every Friday. Please visit their site when you get a chance to check out their questions every week.

Saturday is the official day that you can go to the Internet Cafe and link up with the Mr. Linky feature to answer the "Cafe Chat" meme. Go ahead and click on the button on this post, and it will link you to the home page of the "I.C.", and then click on the "Cafe Chat" link/meme. Here is this week's question...

May 17 -

What is one habit, negative pattern, or sin that has been passed down your family line from generation to generation that you do not want to pass down to your own family line? What steps are you taking to make sure the habit, pattern or sin is not repeated in your own family?

Think about this question, and feel free to post about the answer on your blog...remember the Mr. Linky feature will be on the "Cafe Chat" on Saturday so you can link up, and then it will be easier to read each blogger's answers. I will post my actual answer to this question on Saturday.
Feel free to leave a comment today too...

Blessings,

New Venture

I was asked by a blogging friend, Amy to join the team at Internet Cafe... Click on the link to learn more about the Internet Cafe. Amy had participated in my "Know & Tell Meme", and she felt like I would be a good fit to head up the "Cafe Chat" weekly meme. So, each Saturday I will come up with a thought provoking (or I hope it is thought provoking :) question for all visitors to the "Internet Cafe" to answer. I will be taking a break from my regular "Know & Tell" meme for awhile, but in the meantime please visit the "Internet Cafe" to answer the question of the week. It works a lot like the "Know & Tell" meme, but it will only be one question.

Blessings and I hope to see you all over at the "Internet Cafe" :)

Day 41

Today is day 41... I have not looked at my blog for 40 days.

I write this entry with a little trepidation because things are different for me now, and I am still trying to figure it all out, but can I say that our God is so Good!!! Even though it has been 40 days, it feels more like it has been 4 years... I mean, I feel like I have learned 4 years of lessons in 40 days. I have been getting "To Know Him" in these last 40 days, and I am determined to keep up the work of knowing Christ Jesus more everyday.

The blog break was inspired by a book titled, "A Call to Die" (a 40 day journey) by David Nasser. In the past, I would probably have passed over a book with the word "Die" written on it, but not in this season of my life. If you are looking for some spiritual meat, and a challenging devotional this book is the one for you.

Something else happened at the beginning of the 40 days that I did not mention in my last post. I know for years now that God has been leading me to give up TV, not because all TV is bad, but because TV was an idol for me. For over 3 years (probably more) I tried to come up with all kinds of formulas to keep TV in my life, but formulas don't work (Right, Fwend?). Right before I started the "Call to Die" book, I had been reading a book from Lysa Terkeurst (see earlier post), and as I was reading one of the chapters in the book (on TV, no less), I believe God confirmed in my heart that the time had come to give TV up completely.

So I began my 40 day journey with no TV, and no blogging. I was pathetic the first week of my break, and I kind of acted like a big baby about giving up my precious TV and computer, but praise God my attitude changed, and I embraced the "fast" from my idols.

At present, I am blogging (Obviously :), but I am not sure where blogging will fit into my future. The Television thing is something I feel God is calling me to give up indefinitely... I don't know if TV will be in my future...we will see.

Again, this post is probably so choppy with my thoughts, but I have come "undone" a little, and I am not sure who I am, but I feel this is a very good thing. Before I close, I must just praise God, because HE IS FAITHFUL. Honestly, I didn't believe I would be OK without TV, and I am. Taking this break has allowed me to find my way back to God again. I had filled my life with so many worldly things that I could not hear God speak or feel His presence, and now I do...

I Love Him, and He has been faithful to show me so many things about myself. Things that need to change, things that need to go, things that are true, and things that are not. Not to far into the 40 days I was in an actual EARTHQUAKE (WHOA), and I think the night before the Earthquake (or a couple nights before) I was thinking that God is shaking me up, spiritually speaking, and I am not sure what is going to be left when He is done. Well, I guess I do know... HE is going to be left in me when it is all done.

Pray for me if you think of it... I need prayer... I have been marked deeply, and I long to go deeper with Jesus.

Blessings to all (if there is anyone out there anymore :)