Growing In His Glory: February 2013

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

February's Pinterest Pick: Faux Chalkboard Herb Pots

One of my goals for 2013 is to try a different Pinterest pin each month.

Last month I made these delicious Salted Caramel Pumpkin Muffins. While I was tempted to try another recipe, I dared myself to be bold and go crafty. These cute faux chalkboard herb pots were calling my name:

Source: craftsbyamanda.com via Keri on Pinterest

So, I gathered my supplies:

3 terra cotta pots ($1.99 each)
DecoArt "Patio Paints" in Wrought Iron Black, Blue Jay Blue, Sweet Pea Green, & Petunia Purple ($1.99 each)
A paintbrush for each color (you can buy a pack of 4 for $1 at Dollar Tree)
Elmer's silver paint pen ($3.99)

And the girls painted their wooden birdhouses ($1 at JoAnns) while I painted my pots.

So I painted two coats on each pot. Then, after the paint dried, I added black paint for a faux chalkboard finish.

After the black paint dried, I wrote the names of herbs I use frequently in the kitchen: basil, cilantro, & chives.

I have seeds to plant in each pot, but until the weather warms a little, I'm using them as decorative pieces in the house thanks to my mom :)

I think they turned out pretty cute.

Do you have potted herbs in the house?
If so, which are your favorites?

If you aren't already, I hope you will follow me on Pinterest for these and other fun and delicious ideas!

For other Pinterest posts, check out:
January's Salted Caramel Pumpkin Muffins

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Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Why Comparing Hurts Us & What We Should Be Doing Instead

Photo credit: Jorge Macri

Last night as I was running on the treadmill at the gym, I noticed all the women working out around me.

Some were working harder than others, pumping their arms and legs up and down on the elliptical behind me. A few were walking at a moderate pace on treadmills nearby. One woman was cycling pretty slowly behind me and to my right.

But on both sides of me, the women were booking it! My competitive nature wanted to know their speed and distance, and I was tempted to glance at their screens to find out: to see how fast I should be going, how far I needed to be running.

But I didn't.

Instead I began to wonder: "Why am I comparing myself to these women who I know nothing about? They may be life-long runners. They may be in training. Not to mention their personal lives and the trials they might be experiencing. I know nothing about them."

Photo credit: latinofashionwk

And yet how often do we compare ourselves with other women? We want to have the most fashionable clothes, the biggest and most beautifully decorated homes, the most athletic children, the shiniest jewelry, the creme de la creme.

But in our quest to be the best, we will always fall short.

Remember how Peter questioned the risen Christ about John:

²⁰Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” ²¹When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?”

John 21:20-21

Jesus had just asked Peter three times "Do you love me?" and poor Peter, as usual, didn't get it. He was worrying about someone else when he should've been worrying about himself.

I love how Jesus, in His perfect wisdom, responds:

²²Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”

John 21:22 (emphasis mine)

What matters isn't my pace or distance, it isn't how fashion-savvy you are, it certainly isn't how immaculate your house is or how athletic your kids are.

What matters is that we're each living out God's purpose in our own lives.

As I mentioned the other day, we all have a purpose. Instead of worrying about what someone else is doing, I need to concern myself with what God expects from me.

"You follow me!"

My prayer is that I will stop comparing and just be who God has called me to be.

Do you struggle with comparing?

Other posts of interest:
"Why Can't I Be More Like Her?": Why Moms Compete & How to Stop

If you would like to have Growing in His Glory delivered to your inbox, click here: Subscribe to Growing in His Glory. Or join us on Google Friend Connect, Facebook, Twitter, & Pinterest.

Linking up with: The Better Mom, Raising Arrows, Mama Moments Monday, The Modest Mom, Time-Warp Wife, Teach Me Tuesdays, Titus 2 Tuesdays, Top 10 Tuesday, Leaving a Legacy, Women Living Well Wednesdays, Raising Homemakers, Raising Mighty Arrows

Friday, February 22, 2013

Weekly Wrap-Up #2

I haven't done a weekly wrap-up in weeks, but we've been sick and busy and I haven't had the motivation. But this morning I was up at 5 with a hungry baby, so I figured I'd stay up and write :)

Here's what I've been up to this week:

What I'm Reading

I finally started Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights this week, and now I know why I haven't read it before: It's dull. But I'm trucking on because I really want to read more of the classics, and I'm participating in Quirky Bookworm's Classics Catch-up Challenge.

I've also started reading Sheila Wray Gregoire's The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex. Now before you shutter in revulsion, hear me out: This is a biblically-based book on the topic and it's full of humor, wisdom, and wit. I'll give a full book review afterwards if you're interested.}

What I'm Writing

This past week I started a mini-series on why we go to church:

"Why Do You Go to Church?"

"Are You Fulfilling God's Purpose?"

What's Inspiring Me

Source: jonacuff.com via Keri on Pinterest

These are some posts that have made me stop and think this week. I strongly encourage you to read them:

"Who Should Determine the Size of a Family?" - Bambi @ In the Nursery of the Nation (This post is challenging on so many levels yet sound in Scripture and beautifully articulated and reasoned.)

"Because Sometimes Words Need to be Buried Under Cow Poop" - Melanie @ Only a Breath (Don't we all ache when our kids hurt? Why? Because we've experienced the pain ourselves, and sometimes we're still hanging onto it.)

"Your Dream is Weird." - Jon Acuff @ Jon Acuff.com ("You will never influence the world by trying to be like it." Good stuff that challenges us to pursue our dreams no matter how weird they may seem to others.)

What I've Been Doing {My Goals}

Source: spelloutloud.com via Keri on Pinterest

Trying to find a preschool for my girls for next year

Taking children to the doctor (fun fun)

Researching birds and activities to do with the girls (I love this post--"Learning about Birds: Six Activities for Young Children"--from Spell Outloud.)

Some dreaming about the future of my blog and the possibility of launching something new {Please pray for me in this. I really need wisdom & clarity.}

Some running {The 5K is 4 weeks away!}

Some reading {See above}

What have you been doing this week?

Praying God's blessings on you this weekend,

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Are You Fulfilling God's Purpose?

I've been struggling lately with my purpose. Yes, I'm married with 3 kids, so undoubtedly I have a purpose or two.

But what about my purpose within the context of the Church?

What else can I do to be useful?

How can I be the hands and feet of Jesus?

What can I do that will matter eternally?

Earlier this week I asked the question: "Why do you go to church?" and shared how my reasons have metamorphosed over time.

Today I want to continue that thought and consider our purpose within the Church because we all have a part to play, a role to fill, a job to do, in order to make the body of Christ function like a well-oiled machine.

¹⁰For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10

First, though, we need to know what our gifts are.

Photo Credit: lunatico photos

Spiritual Gifts

Through the Holy Spirit and God's grace, we have been entrusted with spiritual gifts that we are expected to use to build up the Church.

Some of these spiritual gifts include the following, taken from Romans 12:6-8:

Prophesying {preaching God's message, see also I Corinthians 14:1-3}
Serving
Teaching
Encouraging
Contributing to the needs of others
Leadership
Showing mercy

As a young adult, I took a spiritual gifts inventory at my church that really impacted my work in the church. This online Spiritual Gifts Test for Adults is very good at helping you determine your own spiritual gifts as is LifeWay's Spiritual Gifts Survey. The survey revealed that I am gifted in the areas of discernment, teaching, and organization/administration. However, be sure to ask God for wisdom and guidance in this endeavor.

For more on spiritual gifts, read 1 Corinthians 12.

Photo Credit: Ben Sutherland

Talents & Abilities

In addition to spiritual gifts, God also gives each of us specific and unique talents that He expects us to use to further His kingdom.

For me, that talent is the ability to write. I feel called by God to write to teach, encourage, even evangelize to the world. If I am not using my talent or if I'm using it in a way displeasing to God, then I believe that I am sinning.

Everyone has a talent or two that can be used to achieve God's purpose. Perhaps you have a skill in communicating, singing, working with small children or teens, drawing, playing music, cooking, or decorating. All of these talents (yes, even decorating) can be used for God's glory.

Whatever your talent or ability, it's important to recognize that it comes from God and that He expects you to use it for His glory.

Photo Credit: ZionNPS

Living Out God's Purpose in Different Seasons

As you go through different seasons in your life, you still have a responsibility to use your gifts and abilities to build up the Church, but the way in which you use them may change considerably.

Over the years and throughout the different seasons in my life, I have had to use my gifts and talents differently. For example, before having kids, I taught Bible class to children on a regular basis. However, once I started having my own kids, I stopped teaching at church because of my responsibilities to my babies.

However, no matter the season you're in, we are all expected to work. Caring for children is not an excuse for not working and using your spiritual gifts and talents. In fact, I think if you see your children as a mission field, you can achieve a lot for the body of Christ by teaching and nurturing them at home.

Maybe you stop using your primary gift all together and start using a lesser one. Or perhaps you find a different way to use your spiritual gift or ability that is more conducive to the season you're in at the moment.

And when this season ends and my children are older, I hope that I will once again teach Bible class at church.

Photo Credit: PurdueBob

What Are You Doing?

Do you know what your spiritual gifts and talents are?

If not, I encourage you to study the scriptures and pray. Ask God for wisdom. He will direct you to where you need to go.

If you do know, then are you being useful to the body of Christ, or have you been sitting on your laurels waiting for an opportunity or for someone to ask you to get involved?

Now is the time to work!

⁵⁸Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

I Corinthians 15:58

As we pursue God's purpose in each of our lives, I pray we will do so in love and humility, working for His glory and not our own.

Blessings to you,

If you would like to have Growing in His Glory delivered to your inbox, click here: Subscribe to Growing in His Glory. Or join us on Google Friend Connect, Facebook, Twitter, & Pinterest.

Linking up with: The Better Mom, Raising Arrows, Mama Moments Monday, The Modest Mom, Time-Warp Wife, Teach Me Tuesdays, Titus 2 Tuesdays, Top 10 Tuesday, Leaving a Legacy, Women Living Well Wednesdays, Raising Homemakers, Raising Mighty Arrows

Monday, February 18, 2013

Why Do You Go to Church?

Photo credit: Silent Shot

Growing up we went to church "every time the doors were open." That meant twice on Sundays and once on Wednesday evenings. I never questioned why we went; I simply did as I was told, believing that regular attendance was a necessary part of being a Christian.

As you may imagine, though, my heart wasn't always in the right place because I didn't understand why I was there other than "to worship God."

To me, the church was a building where Christians met to worship together. I didn't understand that the church is the Church, that is, the body of believers who meet together because of their mutual love for the Lord. Instead, I went to church for a variety of different reasons.

Reasons Why I've Attended Church Over the Years

At times I have attended church out of compulsion:

My parents made me go.
"It's what I do on Sundays."
I felt guilty for not going.

Other times I went to church out of fear of losing my salvation and going to hell.

But there have also been times when I attended church out of an earnest desire:

To be part of something bigger than myself
To attain Godly wisdom & understanding
To encourage & be encouraged by other saints
To serve those in need
To teach children about God's love for them

My Shifting Feelings

As I have grown and matured both physically and spiritually, my feelings toward the Church have shifted. No longer do I go to church out of compulsion or fear. Now I attend church because I see its purpose and my own role within that purpose.

The Church's Purpose

To evangelize (Matthew 28:18-20)
To build up/edify/encourage the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-12)
To unify the saints (Ephesians 4:13)
To know Jesus (Ephesians 4:13)
To become like Jesus in every way (Ephesians 4:13,15)

The purpose of Church isn't to sing a few hymns or listen to a good sermon or even to fellowship with other believers, although those are all good things we do there.

Ultimately, the purpose of the Church is Christ:

¹⁵Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, ¹⁶from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

As I grow in my faith, I grow in Christ, who is the head of the Church. I have a role to play in making sure that the Church is unified, built up, and working together under Him, for it is only through knowing Jesus that we have the hope of eternal life (Philippians 3:11).

Why do YOU go to church?

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

For the Love of Reading: A Busy Mama's Tips for Making Time to Read

It's "Love of Reading Week" at Quirky Bookworm, and I'm all excited because what do I love more than books?

God, yes.

My family, certainly.

But I can't think of anything else that quite fills me up like a good book.

As a mom of three little ones, though, finding time to read is a challenge. However, like everything else in life, I earnestly believe that if we plan for it, it will happen.

Here are some of my personal tips for making time to read:

1. Take advantage of the kids' sleeping times.

Duh, I know. But I'm serious about this. If you want to be a better cook or writer, you use any and all free time to practice cooking or writing. If you want to read more books, you use those precious minutes to read!

Some of you may think me lazy, but nap time in our house is also Mama's time to read, rest, and write. Establish that as law now, and when the toddler is no longer napping, she will respect your space and keep quiet so you both can read.

2. Take a book with you wherever you go.

Whether you're partial to the tangible book or like reading on your Kindle, iPad, or smart phone, have something read to read with you at all times. I always put a book in my purse when I have to go the doctor or ride in the car.

Or check out E-Reader Girl where you can find free e-books to download. You never know when you'll just be sitting idly by waiting. Why not have a book to read to the pass the time?

3. Pencil it in!

Carve out time each day just for reading. After reading Christin Slade's awesome e-book "Blog at Home Mom: Balancing Blogging & Motherhood," I devised a daily schedule or docket that includes reading time for everyone, including Mama.

Perhaps you have an allotted time to do meal prep or household chores. Why not add 15-30 minutes to your schedule just for reading? Even when the kids are awake, we do blanket time where they sit quietly and play for 20-30 minutes each day. My girls love blanket time and so does Mama because I get to read. Win-win!

4. Get up with the chickens!

Photo Credit: SMcGarnigle

Yes, you're tired, mama. I know. I am too. But I'm desperate for time to read, so I wake up with the hubs around 5:00 most mornings just to read my Bible, plan my day, write, and read something fun. Now there are mornings I sleep in because I've been up and down with a child, but I love having the quiet mornings to myself just to read.

5. Read with the kids, but not necessarily together.

This one works well if your children are already reading, but even if they aren't fully literate, set out some books--maybe new ones from the library or some they haven't seen in a while--and everyone sits quietly and "reads" or reads whatever the case may be. My four and two-year-old love to do this because they feel all big and grown up.

6. Read aloud together.

There are so many fantastic read-aloud books for you and the kids to enjoy. Might I recommend a few? All Our Days has a great post on Cynthia Rylant chapter book read-alouds, perfect for preschoolers.

I also like Modern Mrs. Darcy's (free) e-book Paper Gains, which is chock full of excellent classics for kids.

Some of our favorite read-alouds are the Amelia Bedelia books by Peggy Parish, Fancy Nancy books by Jane O'Connor, and Maisy books by Lucy Cousins.

Sure, we are all busy Mamas, but that doesn't mean we have to relinquish a good book. The house will always be dirty and there will always be something we need to do, but--FOR THE LOVE OF READING--take a break right now and read a good book.

It's how we grow.

What about you, busy mama? How do you make time to read?

Blessings to you as you grow in His glory,

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Linking up with: The Better Mom, Raising Arrows, Mama Moments Monday, The Modest Mom, Time-Warp Wife, Teach Me Tuesdays, Titus 2 Tuesdays, Top 10 Tuesday, Leaving a Legacy, Women Living Well Wednesdays, Raising Homemakers, Raising Mighty Arrows

Monday, February 11, 2013

What My Husband Does NOT Want for Valentine's Day

Yesterday I posted on the importance of asking your husband what he wants for Valentine's Day.

But I bet you might not have thought about what he doesn't want. Lucky for you, I've been thinking about that a little bit lately. Call it an effort to "grow" as a wife, an area that has been weedy and uncultivated as of late.

Here's what I'm slowly learning after a little over 5 1/2 years of marriage.

My husband doesn't want...

A nagging wife

"A continual dripping on a rainy day and a quarrelsome wife are alike; to restrain her is to restrain the wind or to grasp oil in one's right hand."

Proverbs 27:15

Disrespectful & disobedient children

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother' (this is the first commandment with a promise)..."

Ephesians 6:1-2

To be spurned romantically

"The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time..."

1 Corinthians 7:3-5a

Discord in the home

"And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which you indeed were called in one body..."

Colossians 3:14-15

Ugly words

"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."

Ephesians 4:29

No matter how many ads try to convince me otherwise, my husband doesn't care for a shiny new Michael Kors watch, a 47" HD TV or a fancy dinner at Ruth's Chris Steak House or anything that isn't practical.

What he wants is to love and be loved by his wife and children and to come home to a peaceful house where he can rest and enjoy his family.

What are some things you know your husband doesn't want for Valentine's Day? What can you do to ensure he doesn't get them?

Please feel free to share your wisdom in the comments. I'd LOVE to hear from you.

Blessings to you,

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Wives, Have You Asked Your Husbands What He Wants for Valentine's Day?

Photo Credit: kewl

This week is the week! Valentine's Day is this Thursday!

Do you know what your husband wants? Have you asked him?

Chances are, if you're anything like me, you've bought gifts for the kids (or at least know what you plan to buy): a cutesy stuffed animal, some chocolate hearts, a fun toy. Children are fun to buy for, and it doesn't require a whole lot of thought to find something they will love.

But the hubs? That's a different matter all together.

Maybe you haven't even thought about what to get your man either.

This week Courtney at Women Living Well challenges us wives to ASK our husbands what they want for Valentine's Day.

Sounds like a no-brainer, huh? But until yesterday, I hadn't done it.

Why?

Because I know what he wants, and it isn't candy or a new shirt or a fancy meal. He could care less for any gift I could buy him or any food I might spend hours making. His love language is physical touch. Need I say more, ladies?

However, in keeping with the challenge, I posed the question.

His response?

"First, I want to be with all my girls, and hug and kiss and love on them."

"Then, I want some special time alone with my wife." {This remark was edited just a smidge.}

My response to him?

"Honey, I think we can do that."

Have you asked your husband what he wants for Valentine's Day?

Do you already sorta know the answer?

If so, how can you prepare yourself if it might require some sacrifice on your part?

{I'm rejoining the "Be My Valentine Marriage Challenge" this the 4th & final week. Join us for other great ideas!}