Tend To Your Own Front Porch...

 

Tend To Your Own Front Porch

There was a Sunday school lesson that was taught to me years ago,

And I wanted to share with you what that lesson was

 And how I still try today to live up to that lesson.

Every single day we will have things that will come into our lives,

That are problems that we had nothing to do with!

Some of these things or people will try to control and take advantage of us!

We need to learn to discern which are from the Lord;

And those that are stumbling blocks to steal, kill and destroy us.

Lesson

We all will have things that try to bombard us on a daily bases;

But we must be very careful that we do not try to take another persons problem

upon ourselves. And subject ourselves to things never intended for us.

God has given each of us our own homes and front porches.

We need to tend to our own porches daily.

We must sweep them daily to clean off the debris that blow upon them.

(Sin, Sorrow, Unforgiveness, Self pity, Lies, Jealousy, Hatred)

We talked about the only way we could help others was when we

Swept our own front porches off;

Getting the plank out of our eye,

So we could see to help them get the speck from their eyes removed.

But we all know that takes the power of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit!

He told us way too many times we as Christians get involved with other peoples

 Problems that we were never intended to be involved in!

He was a very wise man and he spoke truth!

We now have what I see as a social gospel, we need to enable and help everyone!

When we do not forsake our sins and yet expect others to support us!

Wrong theology, and unhealthy thinking!

We are told to disciple others not enable them to live in ungodly ways!

I believe we are all seeing, so many people that do not take responsibility

for their own choices and lack of godliness and willingness to work.

Holding grudges and really not forgiving others is sin!

But when we continue to do the same thing over and over again,

Yet expect a different outcome is insanity

One thing that I am learning as I see so many people hurting from

being mistreated by others is this;

Be very wise with whom you get involved with!

Be careful what you say to them!

Do not give your time or money unless you have prayed about it!

Learn to know when to say enough or when to say NO!

You ladies have been given the charge to keep your own front porch,

Cleaned and swept off and in order.

If you are spending all your time and strength and words to enable others is 

not pleasing to the Lord or being a good helpmate to your own husband!

Do not waste your resources for a sloth or a person who will not repent!

We need to love others, sometimes by not helping and yet praying for them!

Why I Love Linens And Lace...

There are just some things that just seem like whoever made or designed them

 had a special purpose in mind. And I have always appreciated their effort!

When you take the time to add something that brings just that little pop.

I little tablecloth or doily or table runner just does that in my home!

I also enjoy a nice set of kitchen towels or bathroom towels.

On a few of my widows I have the actual drapes or curtains,

 but I also like to add a lace valance, or a matching fabric for that

extra fullness and touch.

I enjoy keeping my home and rooms in order,

 but it really is just a few little things that make it

cozy and homey!

I enjoy looking at magazines or an antique shop and see how they

Have arranged some of their items on bookcases and end tables and

China hutches. Also, just a word of caution, we can overdo and have

things start to look cluttered.

I do have a drawer that I keep my linens and doilies and table coverings in.

I have a few that I use in the fall and winter months;

And some that are for spring and summer!

I have some things that I have found at thrift stores and antique shops.

I also have some that belonged to my grandmother and mother.

I always try to wash these linens and doilies on a gentle cycle and line dry them!

Every now and again, I will go through these and give a few away!

My sister has always wrapped a gift for me in a nice linen or lace.

And she adds a pretty ribbon and it makes a lovely way to wrap up a gift!

I also try not to make things too frilly or girly as my husband

enjoys more natural colors. He has a great taste in color and design.

Seriously, he has great taste!

I think it is important to ask their opinion on what they like.

But if he says whatever you like dear, then go for it!

I little bit of both and in different rooms you can do a bit different in each!

A little paint and a new throw rug can jazz up any space!

~This is the perfect time of the year to keep an eye out for a few pretty treasures~

Why We Must Guard Our Husbands Reputation...

 

Guard Your Husbands Reputation...

"The Heart of her husband safely trusts in her,

And he will have no lack of gain."

Why guarding our husband's reputation is a powerful way to help our husbands to trust in us!

So many men are run down by their wives in their words and actions!

When we do these things it gives others an open door to think less of him.

I have even seen it when a Mother talks in a demoralizing way about their father,

and just laugh as it is a big joke.

A reputation can be smeared in an off colored joke or an action

that shows we do not respect or honor them.

We must be very careful to speak only of their better qualities;

to our parents and friend and mostly the children.

We are not to compare our husbands qualities to other men!

Praising our husband's strengths is a gift we can give our husbands!

We also must not be a source of embarrassment to our husbands.

Crude talk or joking

Our manner of dressing

The way we manage our finances

Being where we are suppose to be

(He knows where you are)

We are called to be a treasure to our own husband's!

Can Your Husband safely trust in you?

Lilly Of The Valley Flowers And A Memory...

 

When I was a child, we had amazing patch of Lily Of The Valley Flowers

The memory of the aroma of these flowers still lingers with me!

How can something so small and dainty leave a lifelong impression upon me?

I remember one time laying down next to this patch of flowers;

And I said I am going to remember this wonderful sweet smell forever...

~ I did ~

We need to make the effort to capture moments,

It is such a powerful thing to remember a sweet memory!

I remember my mother had the most lovely periwinkle blue dress.

She would wear it for only very special occasions.

I loved it on her!

I remember seeing her one time in that dress and I said to myself,

"She is the most beautiful mother in the world"

~ She was ~

I remember sitting in a big white Chrysler vehicle one sunless day,

And in front of that car stood a black hearse.

My Grandmother was in it, waiting to be buried in the cemetery.

Our family matriarch had died!

~ Gone ~

It is just another day in the life and times!

Will I leave a legacy of a sweet smelling aroma,

Is the fragrance arising day and night!

Will the day God calls me home be etched in a loved ones mind;

And the small and special moments of a special day be remembered?

We can make a difference...

We can be the one to deposit wonderful memories!

Every day has great big possibilities to change and encourage;

To each and every person God has given you!

I think as I have looked over the worst lie of the enemy of my soul,
Has been this one;
What you do does not make one bit of difference in this world or in the lives of others!


I know it is a lie, because I have seen the fruit of my life now!
And I am still here to plant seeds and sweet memories...

~ Sweet Memories are a gift of love ~

Blossom Where You Are Planted In The Country Or City Or Young Or Old...

I think Wild Flowers Are So Pretty...

They just grow wherever they find a bit of soil and sunshine and rain!

~Blossom Where You Are Planted~

Well, we have all heard that saying I am sure;

But it really can help to think of it in each new season of our lives.

Some days we can feel a bit out of sorts!
Like when a new season starts or ends,

But I always try to take stock and look at the positive. and count my blessings!

I think one of the loveliest women I know are the ones who blossom

and grow in every season of their lives.

We can become tired and worn out at times, but we must revive

our hearts back to life and live...

How many decades have you been graced to walk and live and breathe?

How many times have you looked out into the future and felt overwhelmed?

But when you look back you can see the hand of God molding you!

The reason we can blossom in any season, is because we have been

given the endurance to allow our roots to go deep!

It does not matter where we live;

Every place will have its own struggles

Every season has unique situations.

We have wisdom and grace that comes from each year we live!

I am a country girl at heart;

But I also lived on  the outside of NYC

But what I have learned is this---

You must blossom in every place God sets your feet;

Because sometimes in the beginning your heart might not be there yet!

We have so many that need to see the genuine and real contentment in us!

~We can be a source of hope and encouragement to others~

I think we enjoy blogging because it gives us a safe place to love and guide,

others that have a kindred spirit.

You can blossom even in the darkest days and the dry soil;

When we look for the blossom in another life or blog post of another blogger we get inspired.
Thank you to so many of you with your cooking and crafts and words of wisdom!
We all play a role in each others life.
But it must be for the good to help us adapt and blossom!

We can grow where we are planted and blossom and produce fruit!

Sometimes it requires some true grit,
(Or manure)

Other times it's pure grace...

The Jesus Calling Book Is A Very Scary Devotional...

If this blog post will open even one ladies' eyes it is all worth it for me!

We do not like to rock the boat or step on toes, but a false teaching is like

Drinking a bit of poison each day;

Eventually you will believe a lie and die...

Toxic Devotion

The King's Dale

Jesus Calling Book Review

The Lighthouse Blog

Sarah Young writes, 

This is what is written in the first few pages of this book!

I knew God spoke to me in the Bible;

But I was hungry and I wanted more...

She waited with a pencil in hand!!

Firstly, I want to say that I bought this book for a devotional for myself,

I thought it was so good and I bought a few copies for my dear friends.

I now feel very bad that I did this;

Because after a time I realized that this book had some real issues!

After I read it, I saw some things that were very unsettling for me.

It reads like it was to be on the same level as scripture for one.

(Very DANGEROUS)

I also saw that it really hit the emotional button for women!

(Almost a romance novel written to each lady)

We now have a church that expects and believes in

"Divine Revelation Knowledge"

A devotional book that is written from the divine leading;

Is what my dear ones is what scripture is for!!

Written by

"The Holy Spirit"

Mostly Ladies are so drawn to this type of material!

I feel like I was deceived and that really bothered me...

So for that very reason I now write this post!

So maybe you will see the error of this false doctrine!

This devotional now sells to not only the women, but men and children!

If you are of the Apostolic movement you believe in divine revelation daily.

But I believe after the New Testament was written

"The Cannon Was Closed"

We are told NOT to add to God's Word

The battle is raging over the sufficiency of God's word!

Remember, Sarah Young said herself, she wanted something MORE...

Sounds a bit like Eve in the garden, she had everything!

We are told to contend for the faith!!

But now days the faith is now put in YOUR Faith,

See the danger?

God is not your lover or husband!

He Is GOD

"Yes, He loves your soul and He cares about you in every detail!

But this practicing His Presence and waiting to hear Him speak is,

(Very NEW AGE)

This book is written in the first person FOR Jesus to each lady reading it...

(I Jesus will do these things)

DANGER, Why??

Because that is only done in the Bible!

Is she writing "Scripture"

This is where you must look at this and decide for yourself Dear Ones!

Once again we ladies are being fed a warm and fuzzy Jesus, with a very emotional side!

Ladies eat this up!

I can write this blog post because I was not discerning enough at first to see the errors!

But I no longer feel that this book is sound in any way!

Beware!!

You can open a few links on the top of this post to do 

(Your Own Research)

Speak Truth And Expose What Has Caused You To Stumble...

Sometimes I just think I stay in the quiet place!

I want to be shielded from the hard things!

But mostly I have walked right into the very things that would do the most harm to me!

I have written a post that has taken me way too long to publish;

But better late then never, but sometimes it really can be too late.

I

This post will come out tomorrow!

I may offend a few, but I know it is the right thing to do!

If we always stay far away from the hard stuff we will become weak;

And we are called to endure!

So I finally wrote it and I will either sleep like a baby tonight or cry like one,

As I repent and have sorrow in my heart for all the lies I believed.

Knowing what you believe is a powerful thing,

Truth will one day be revealed...

Read tomorrows post if you're interested in what I found out!

My Post, Click Here...

Our Spring Tea Cup Exhange...

 

 (Old Country Roses)

From Royal Albert

My Lovely Tea Cup From Our Tea Cup Exchange

I received this lovely cup with many goodies in a pretty round decorated box!

I received it from a lovely blog called

Virginia Retro

There was a vintage apron tucked inside her box!

A spring in bloom sachet set package called

"Lilacs in bloom."

A roll of vintage lace of pretty pink and beige in color.

(I will use this lace for something special)

A linen cloth with flowers on it and a very pretty blue and white handkerchief.

Also a pretty little bag with small mint green hand soaps!

And also a wee little doily made of lace.

Also, there was an array of different tea bags to choose from!

And the box she sent it in, was decorated very pretty!

Tea For You

Tea for two is always better...

Loved that sweet handkerchief!

This tea cup exchange was really fun for me!

I enjoyed receiving this lovely package in the mail.

Thank You Pam from...

Virginia Retro

But I also had fun making up my own little gift box and

Mailing it, to now a very new dear friend!

Tonia from...

All Thingz Sewn

I hope all you ladies enjoyed the spring teacup exchange, as I know I did!

And Thank You Stephanie for all the hard work it took to put this together!!

Here is where we all will be sharing our gifts and teacups and mugs.

The Enchanting Rose Blog