Everlasting God

The other night after I put Aiden to bed, I went to bed to read.  After a bit, I realized Aiden was singing a beautiful song in his sweetest little three year-old voice.  I listened for a while and then thought to grab my iPad off the nightstand to record what he was saying.  The following was sung in his own made up melody:

I don't trust in a bad guy, I trust in Jesus. And Jesus is the one who gave me my armor so I don't be scared. And mommy and daddy buyed me my armor....at the tore, but I don't know what tore. 

His name is Jesus, little baby Jesus. Jesus used to be a little baby. And I call him Jesus.  Everlasting Jesus.  I'm singing a sad song. I don't have a katar (guitar). My katar is at Pop and Kiki's house. Everlasting Fodder. 

And now I am singing of God. Everlasting God. He doesn't like to go away. He likes to stay with me if mommy and daddy feed me peanut butter I will get sick and die. And if I die I will be with Jesus. 

Mommy and Daddy. That thing keeps going. And God is God, yes he is. There is nothing scary in my room.   But my favorite color is purple, it's orange. I'll show mommy what color this is. Everlasting Fodder. 

I'll be big like a parent. I still have to be a kid. I've already been a baby. I love God, he is my favorite. I don't need anything. Jesus is da best. He's da best, he's da best. Jesus is da best. 

Then he stopped and spoke a prayer:

Jesus thank you for this day. And thank you for this song that I singed for you. Please God. I trust in you, God. I trust in you because bad guys come and I don't like the bad guys. I want to be your buddy. I love you Jesus. Amen. You are 'pecial. 

And now I'll sing the first song.  Now I will be your friend. And I pray that you will be with Trevor, Nathanael and C4. And help Z....he is very sick. And help his sickness right now to go down in the tunnel. Right now.  Yup, down in the tunnel. 

Then he was back into song about his John Deere tractor and how he trusts in Jesus. 

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

The Excellent Wife, Ch 18

The Wife's Anger...Overcoming Impatience

True confessions...

Normally each week I read the chapter on Monday and then again on Friday. This week I didn't read it until Tuesday and it was one day too late. You see, Monday evening I got frustrated and vented that to Shaun. While I was talking to him, I briefly thought you should stop and think about this first. Give it a little time to ponder and then bring it up if you still think its worth it. But alas, I plunged ahead and said what I needed to say.

We don't ever yell at each other, but I sure know how to make biting remarks that I regret later and I'm also pretty proficient at pouting.


"Anger and resentment are two powerful emotions you are likely to feel when you are frustrated or irritated. Getting it off your chest does not help the frustration, it only compounds the sin and guilt."

Oh, so true.

"Become keenly aware that each and every time you have an outburst of anger, your sinful flesh sets itself in direct opposition to the Holy Spirit."

I cannot afford to live my life in opposition to the Holy Spirit.

"The contrast between one who stirs up anger and one who subdues anger is abundantly clear. One is a fool. The other is wise. One is harsh. The other is gentle. One produces strife. The other pacifies contention. One will spout folly. The other ponders carefully before he answers."

Does anything more need to be said?

Biblical Steps to Change Character from Anger to Gentleness

1. Teaching--choose several scriptures relevant to you, meditate on them and memorize them. Know them well


2. Reproof--ask others to hold you accountable to let you know when you seem to be angry


3. Correction--later, think what you should have said. How should your countenance and tone of voice been. Confess each specific angry incident to God and to others if you have offended someone. Do it every time


4. Training in Righteousness--think and act accordingly to the Word of God repeatedly until the gentle and loving responses are your first thoughts instead of afterthoughts. Ask God to change your heart and character. "Humble yourself, cry out to God in prayer for help, roll up your sleeves, and get to work."

I really liked these steps. They seem to be practical and doable...doable being the operative word! You have to think right thoughts. "Right thoughts are compassionate, kind, humble, gentle, patient, forbearing, forgiving and loving" Colossians 3:12-14

There's my favorite subject again...thoughts! What things am I dwelling on? I want to get to the point where I don't even have room for angry or hurtful thoughts because they are drowned out with God's Word.

God really used my little outburst on Monday night to make this chapter very real and timely for me. So many of the other concepts we've been studying were coming to my remembrance this week: respect, putting on love, going the second mile, love is not a feeling its a choice, selfishness, instead of wounding your husband, use your tongue to bring healing, a Christian wife's goal is to glorify God, etc, etc....My prayer is that I will truly take these things to heart and be an excellent wife.

The Excellent Wife, Ch 17

Conflict...Quietness of the Wife's Spirit

In this chapter on conflict, the author said there are basically three types of conflict:

• Differentness
• Selfishness / Sinfulness
• Righteousness

Differentness is not right or wrong, its just...well, different. I think differentness conflicts happen, for the most part, in the early stages of a relationship. Eventually, after arguing over and over about how to squeeze the tube of toothpaste, you come to a compromise. Or you buy two tubes.

Overcoming differentness is "forbearance", which is basically "putting up with the other person's traditions or idiosyncrasies". Neither person should insist on having their own way and if you know its something really important to your husband you should "willingly give in graciously for the sake of unity and for the sake of remaining under your husband's authority."

Over these 14 years, Shaun and I have worked out and come to understand most of our differences. In fact, I think we appreciate each other more because of them.

"The sin of selfishness is the number one reason why people do not get along." Yeah, totally makes sense. I don't think I've ever seen it boiled down so simply, but its true. Forget all the 25-reasons-your-marriage-is-in-trouble books. The conflict is because one of us is sinning by being selfish. This yields "angry outbursts, pouting, manipulating, nagging, or resentment". Ug-ly!

The third conflict trigger is righteousness. Essentially, arguing over how to interpret Scripture. "A wife needs to be careful to separate her own personal interpretation of God's Word from the level of God's absolute Law".

Attitudes Needed to Solve Conflict

1. Humility "a humble person view himself in proper perspective to God and others".
2. Gentleness "strength under control". Tenderness and compassion, calm while under pressure, careful and thoughtful when responding during conflict
3. Patience taught through tribulation and testings
4. Forbearance "self-restraint and putting up with one another"

Difficult? Yes, because we are all, by nature, selfish. However, "Love does not seek its own way" I Corinthians 13:5. As I prefer Shaun and "put on" love, I will be loving him instead of being selfish. As Peace said in chapter 9, "you do not have to feel 'led' to be unselfish, you just have to do it".

The Excellent Wife, Ch 16

Communication...Control of the Wife's Tongue

An excellent wife, who can find her? For her worth is far above jewels...She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. Proverbs 31:10,26

This chapter presented nine principles regarding the tongue. Personally, God started to deal with me about my words back in chapter 2 when we started talking about sin and just being reminded of the fact that I am a "creature serving the Creator" and my "view of like is to be God-centered, not self-centered."

I hate to admit it, but I often find my thoughts still in the adolescent stage of I know everything and I have handle on the truth so that qualifies me to judge you. What I am slooowly learning is that I do not know everything and I am commanded to not judge anyone. "It is presumption for one person to believe they know what another person is thinking or why they did what they did." When I apply this to my husband, it helps me shut my mouth. Is it possible there is a piece of information I do not have? Would he have thought that through and then hurt me purposely anyway?

I married a Mechanical Engineer and he fits many of the associated stero-types. He thinks everything through and does nothing without a solid reason behind it. I try to remember not to ask his reasons for doing things because I've learned over the years that there always is one and if he shares it with me, it will bring on brain spasms.

Just as an example, sometimes he's looking for a particular pair of socks and if, after a couple minutes of searching we cannot find them, I'll slip up and ask why he needs those socks. Always, he is ready to give me a 20-point-domino thought process of why those socks. Mid-way through, I am begging for mercy. It would be fun to have him on as a guest sometime so you can see for yourself...its truly crazy.

Anyway...I just have to remember to not pass judgement on the "motives of men's hearts" I Corinthians 4:5.

If you read my take on the last chapter then you know I was excited to see the first point this week is:

A Wife's Wrong Words Begin With Wrong Thoughts and Motives

For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. Matthew 12:34

"Heart in Scripture includes a person's thoughts, choices, or motives. Your 'heart' is not some emotional part of you that you have no control over. What you think about is a choice you make." My thoughts, my words, the condition of my heart are My. Choices. Its so important that we are constantly dumping good, edifying stuff into our heart.

From chapter 3:

"How hard you work at putting on the right thoughts and actions will directly affect how much like the Lord Jesus Christ you become in this life."

Hands down, my purpose here on earth is to glorify God. If my life is not about that then why was I put here for this little speck of time? I know it brings glory to Him when I speak kind, loving, healing words to my husband. Now I just need to practice!!

The Excellent Wife, Ch 15

Honoring Christ...Key to the Wife's Motivation

This chapter was again dealing with submission. I'm getting that it is a vital part of being an "excellent wife"! The author listed out 20 motivators to being submissive, since it does not come naturally to most wives. Thankfully, Leslie listed them out if you want to see the full list.

Mind-over-matter, speak-to-yourself things really make sense to me and help me in many areas of life. "Regardless of her feelings, she should honor Christ by developing a mind-set or a resolve to do the right thing in the right way with the right motive whether she feels like it or not. In the process, her feelings will eventually change."

It is vital that we change our thinking from "What can I get out of this? to How can the Lord Jesus Christ be honored in this?" That gets the focus off of me, me, me. The "me" world gets old quickly and at some point you have to realize "its not about me"! Its such a liberating concept to grasp.

"Thus says the Lord, 'Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,' declares the Lord. Jeremiah 9:23,24

If you just skimmed over that verse, go back and read it again. Wow! I don't remember reading this verse before, or maybe it just finally speaks to me now. I want to know Him. I want to understand the God who is loving, just and righteous.

I know it to be true in my own life, the more I spend time with God, reading His word and talking to him, studying His character, the less I am concerned with watching out for myself and making sure everyone is taking care of Lisa. Regrettably, it only takes missing two or three days of my set-aside time with God before my selfish heart takes over.

So to me, the Study the Character of God point is first and all others flow out from doing this.

The Excellent Wife, Ch 14

God's Provision...Resources for the Wife's Protection

This chapter contained eight biblical ways God protects a submissive wife when her husband sins against her. The all require action and obedience to God's word.

Communicate Biblically

"God-honoring responses are gentle, loving in tone, and edifying to the hearer." In other words, thinking what you are going to say before you say it. What a concept!

Overcome Evil With Good

How is this done? "When a husband sins, instead of dwelling on what he did and plotting a way to get back at him, a godly wife prayerfully considers a specific, practical act in which she can render a blessing to her husband. After she thinks of it-she must do it!" There's that action-on-my-part thing again! "Having a second mile attitude will also help prevent a wife from becoming embittered."

Make A Biblical Appeal

• should be done for the purpose of achieving the husband's objective or desire


• motive can not be manipulation


• do it respectfully


• use good timing


• make the appeal only once (the whole nagging-wife-dripping-water thing)


• always prefaced or concluded with a statement that we are willing to do what our husbands ultimately decide

Give A Biblical Reproof

This is telling someone that what they are doing is not right according to the Word of God. It was a lengthy section with some good information. "All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be adequately equipped for every good work." II Timothy 3:16,17

Respond Biblically To Foolish Demands

"A foolish man is one who rejects the Word of God and does what is right in his own eyes." Do not answer a fool according to his folly lest you be like him. Proverbs 26:4 "The tendency for may wives is to respond to mistreatment by their husbands with sinful anger, fear, pouting, clamming up, yelling, going home to mother, crying, making brutal verbal attacks or other defensive behavior." In other words, responding to a fool like a fool.

Seek Godly Counsel

Obviously, its important counsel is given by a godly person who knows and believes the scripture, that the Bible applies to everyday life and that it is given so that we can lead a life pleasing to God. "Such a person will believe that the Bible is true and is without error and that the Bible can not lead people astray if it is properly understood and obeyed."

Church Discipline

"If your brother sins, go and reprove him in private, if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two of three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church" Matthew 18:15-17

Involve the Governing Authorities

This step is used only when there is danger to the wife or her children. Passively submitting to physical abuse is never right.

All these steps were laid out in detail. I appreciate the fact that God has given us such a clear path to take in our relationships. The Bible is so practical and useful. I'm also thankful that God has given Shaun to me. I never have to get to far into these steps. However, the perfecting the first two is enough to last me a lifetime! God-honoring responses in a gentle and loving way and a second-mile attitude. Yeah, that is plenty for me to work on!

A Verse A Day

All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. II Timothy 3:16, 17

This month of A Verse a Day in June has been a great experience for me. Its amazing what is held in these scriptures, in the Bible. All of it 'God-breathed and useful' to me. Its there everyday just waiting for me to find both the little nuggets and huge revelations alike. God, I thank you for your word, and I pray that you would help me use it for 'every good work'.

A Verse A Day

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6

Today I am praying this for my friend who needs strength and courage to get through a difficult situation and also needs to be reminded that God does not forsake us, without exception. What can man do to us if God is on our side.

A Verse A Day

Ephesians 3 (the Message)

14-19 My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God

My Uncle Lee and I were sitting in the lifeguard's chair, nice and early like we both like it, looking out at the Atlantic Ocean enjoying the quiet morning and God's creation. There are so many verses and praises that come to mind when I am in such a place as this, at such a time, but I like this one because the ocean seems endless, it goes as far as the eye can see, too much to ever be able to measure. The ebb and flow of the tide is so consistent, predictable. This is how God's is love for us, for me. Limitless, never ceasing.

A Verse A Day

"Hannah prayed, and said, My heart exults and triumphs in the Lord; my horn (my strength) is lifted up in the Lord. My mouth is no longer silent, for it is opened wide over my enemies, because I rejoice in Your salvation." I Samuel 2:1

A Verse A Day

"A time will come, however, indeed it is already here, when the true (genuine) worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth (reality); for the Father is seeking just such people as these as His worshippers." John 4:23

God is calling us all to be true worshipers. When we start to discover who He is and that He fills the longing we have to love something supremely, then we can not help but be worshipers.

We will all worship and glorify something or someone, but I want my response to be to the King of kings, my Lord.

A Verse A Day

"Therefore be imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]." Ephesians 5:1

The Excellent Wife, Ch 13

Biblical Submission...Basis of the Wife's Protection

"Submission is the way that all Christians should respond to God and the way the wife should respond to her husband. She can respond with tenderness, gentleness and gracious obedience or she can respond with harshness or irritation."

Although the topic of submission has been covered, I think this chapter went deeper into it, emphasizing "But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything" Ephesians 5:24

The author points out that the verb "be subject to" in the Greek is a military term which means to be ranked under in military order. "This ranking of the wife under the husband's authority was sovereignly chosen by God so that there will be order and harmony in the home."

I've never been in the military, but I've read enough and seen enough to know that there is order because each rank is clearly defined and followed.

Because I trust my husband and he is wise and godly, this picture of order means safety and protection to me. Shaun is the leader in our home, but that doesn't mean he is a dictator. Actually, he consults me on any major or semi-major decision. He is happy for my feedback and input and is always respectful in seeking out my thoughts on a matter. From our history together, I can also rely on the confidence I've gained from watching him put my needs and the needs of our children first in the decisions he makes.

Usually I am thankful to submit to the covering that Shaun is to our family. I need to make sure I am being joyfully obedient and that my life and my actions are glorifying God. Eleven specific ways a wife is not submissive to her husband were listed, here are a couple:

• She argues or pouts or gives him the cold shoulder when she does not get her own way. Proverbs 21:9
• She directly defies his wishes. I Samuel 15:23
• She worries about the decisions he makes and takes matters into her own hands. Philippians 4:7 & 8
• She does not pay attention to what he says. James 1:19
• She does not discipline the children as she should (even after her husband asks her to). Proverbs 29:15

After reading this list, I realized I have not yet "arrived" in the area of submission, however, I truly want God's heart in all areas of my life.

A Verse A Day

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way." Psalm 37:23

What a promise! My walk with God is established by being obedient with one step at a time. For the good or the bad, He has not given me the full picture ahead of time, but He's proven to me over and over that He's got it all under control, I just need to be obedient to His leading. This weekend, I was just thankful that God is the one who guides my heart and my life. Sometimes I fail, but He is always there to pick me up and continue on with the journey.

The Excellent Wife, Ch 12

Submission...the Wife's Joy

Although I am exactly one week behind in this post, I didn't want to forget it, especially since it was a short chapter concerning Submission and Joy:

"God is always working His purpose in a wife's circumstances. He wants to develop Christlike character within her and give her the special opportunities and privilege to glorify Him."

"Being filled with the Spirit encompasses both wifely submission and joy...If you are 'Spirit-filled', you will be expressing gratitude to God in all circumstances daily. Gratefulness should often be in your thoughts as well as verbally expressed."

Its so important to the atmosphere of our homes when we have a thankful attitude and are filled with joy. This joy comes from being in the will of God, from spending time with Him.

The author challenges us to "commit yourself to learning submission". I like how that is put. We need to put in the effort to learn it. Practice. Talk to yourself. This is God's plan and it works.

A Verse A Day

"Wait and listen, everyone who is thirsty! Come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Yes, come, buy [priceless, spiritual] wine and milk without money and without price [simply for the self-surrender that accepts the blessing]. Isaiah 55:1

God's way is so hard for us to understand, especially in the society we live in, where "there is no free lunch". His salvation, love and grace are free for us. In fact, there is no way for us to pay or "work it off" even if we wanted to.

I remember when I started going back to the library as an adult. The first couple times I went, it felt very strange to be walking out with books without my credit card having been swiped or cash exchanging hands. The library materials are free to anyone who wants to walk in and check them out.

Accept the blessing...its already been paid for!

A Verse A Day

"For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy." Psalms 61:3

God is so many things to me, but I love the picture of this in my mind's eye. A shelter, a strong tower. Selah!

I was just telling a dear friend how much I have enjoyed this (partial) month of daily posting a scripture. When I first began, I thought I'd just use something from wherever I was reading that morning, but that hasn't happened once. Instead, God has spoken a verse to me each day at sometime throughout the day. Its been an incredible, unexpected experience. Join us if you can!

A Verse A Day

"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing." II Corinthians 2:14, 15

A Verse A Day

Just a few moments ago I was cleaning up the kitchen from dinner, thinking about all I should do tonight, all that needs to get done this week, this month, tomorrow before 8 AM. I was also stewing about what someone had inadvertently done that annoyed me. That's when God quietly gave me this verse:

"Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth!" Psalms 46:10

Be still. And know. Be still. And know. All of my striving, all my effort is in vain if it is not for the glory of God. And so I thank you Lord for gently reminding me to take a few minutes to breath a prayer to you, to give it all to you.

I didn't remember the second part of the verse, but as a bonus, I'm typing during a thunderstorm...that is cause to "recognize and understand" that He is God and He will be exalted in the earth.

A Verse A Day

Our Internet service was down all day yesterday and some of the day before, so I'm just picking up here.

"As for me, I will continue beholding Your face in righteousness (rightness, justice and right standing with You); I shall be fully satisfied, when I awake [to find myself] beholding Your form [and having sweet communion with You]." Psalm 17:15

My most favorite time of the day is first thing in the morning when I take my coffee and bible and head out to the porch and spend time with my Lord. In the winter it is in the rocker by the wood stove, but these last couple weeks have been in the early sunshine, with the birds chirping. I'm so thankful its nice enough to be outside "having sweet communion" with Jesus.