Change Is Coming!

Photo by Twice is Nice books

I have an exciting announcement to make about Faith's Firm Foundation.  Remember a while back when I said, "I'm finally going to do it"?  I was referring to redesigning my blog.  Well, due to circumstances, I was not able to completely redesign it at that time, but I did make a few changes, my header being one of them.  I've had to wait on the Lord's timing in the changes I've made.  Well, there are more exciting happenings coming!


I think of my blog in much the same way that I think of my home.  As a Homemaker and a Stay-at-Home Mom, I love to rearrange things from time to time.  Furniture, pictures, everything.  I am one of "those people."  I want my home to look nice, but also for the Lord to use it as He sees fit.


There are two kinds of people: those who like to decide exactly where they want their furniture, and they put it there, and never look back.  They are perfectly content!  And then there are people like me.  I rearrange furniture often.  I purposely buy furniture that will look good in either the family room or the living room (or maybe a bedroom or two!).


That is how I look at my blog, too.  The changes I make here, though, are always with the goal to make it not only more appealing to the eye, but also to make it really worthwhile for you to take the time to read.  Really Biblical and really practical.


The next big step I'm going to take is actually several steps.  Still not going to do the major redesign right now, but I've been working for some time towards the goal of moving from Blogger to WordPress.  It didn't work out as easily as I'd planned.


But, I'm finally making the move to WordPress, Lord willing, next week!  Hurray!  The move, for me, is a big change.  For you, I hope, it will be no big deal and that there will be no unpleasant changes.


However, if you do not continue to receive my posts in your inbox or reader after Thursday, June 16, 2011, please come over and re-sign up!!  Resubscribe!!  I want to continue to be a part of your life, and I don't want you to miss out on a single post.


Over the last 2-1/2 years that I've been blogging, I've continually looked for ways to improve, to learn new things.  I've thought of this blog as the Lord's blog, and I've asked Him to grow it, to expand its territory, even as I deepen the message by spending time with Him in His Word, among other things.  A little over a year ago, I switched to my own domain name:  www.wendygunn.net.  I've "redecorated" now and then.  Now, I'm migrating to WordPress.  There will also be some minor changes in appearance, and the placement of blog elements:  so keep coming back next week to see what will be happening!


I want to give you a heads up, though, that on Thursday, June 16, my blog will be "down for the day" due to work related to this exciting move!  But, please come back Friday!


Also, on this coming Monday, June 13, I will not be having my usual linkup associated with "Mondays Are Great!"  Please check in all week.  You never know what you may find.  I may be posting some special things in light of the exciting changes being made!

I'm Finally Going To Do It!

After thinking about it for a long, long time, I'm finally going to do it.  No, I'm not jumping off a bridge, or anything like that.


I'm redesigning my blog.


You saw some changes today.  You're going to see many more changes coming.  I'm not sure how long it will take to get the final layout up and running, so please be patient with me, ok?  I am just an ordinary person, with no special training or special skills in web design, just a great desire to blog within a budget and a willingness to learn!


I'm excited and I hope you'll like the new "look"!
Stay tuned!!

As part of my

"new" blog objectives,

I'm reviving the Love and Marriage Series on Wednesdays.

What on earth does redesigning my blog have to do with Love and Marriage, you ask?  Staring at the individual elements of my blog all day has made me think of an analogy which blogging has to marriage.

You can look at your spouse day after day, and then one day you may realize you haven't really "LOOKED" at them for a long time!

Would you be able to describe for an artist what your spouse looks like?

How many details would you be able to give?

Years ago I heard about a simple act that takes only 30 seconds that was transforming marriages!  Tonight when your hubby comes home from work,

take 30 seconds and just look at each other--gaze into each others' eyes.

It may just change your marriage and your life!!

Is Your Blogging Out Of (His) Control? Manage It (Victorious in Christ) Monday

[It was as if God chose to highlight and put an exclamation point at the end of this post this morning when He allowed posting on Blogger to be impossible for me and a whole lot of the population for many hours! ]

Blogging? Under God’s Control?

How does your family feel about your blogging?


Do you get comments from them that indicate they are slightly resentful?


Do you ever wonder if you’re spending too much time on the computer?


These are questions that have hit home for me in the past, and I wonder if they do for you, too.  Will you, along with me, take a look within and honestly examine them now (and from time to time in the future)?  Too often, for me, the answers to the above questions have been “Yes”.  I continually strive to bring this area under subjection to my Lord and Savior, even as I aim to bring all areas to Him.  If I call Him “Lord” (as every Christian must), then He has to be Lord of blogging, as well, and Lord of my computer.

If He’s not Lord of all

He’s not Lord at all

Becoming unbalanced and out of control.  It doesn’t happen all at once; it happens little by little.

Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines:for our vines have tender grapes.Song of Solomon 2:15

Beware of the little foxes that destroy your fruitfulness for the Lord. This is a visual aid of what being out of His control in this area looks like:

God	#1		Blog	#1
Husband	#2	Shifting	God	#2
Children	#3	Priorities	Husband	#3
Home	#4		Children	#4
Blog	Way down the list		Home	Way down the list

This blog is His.  It's committed to Him. But that is not enough.  He entreats me to commit all aspects of blogging and time I spend on the computer: every word and image I see and post on this screen; every thought, decision, imagination, and emotion, to Him, each day.  I don’t own anything.  Everything that I have is His and given by Him.  I hereby commit it again to Him.  I lay it on His altar.  May what I write be directed by Him, and glorifying to Him.

I am seeking to keep life in balance.  That’s a difficult proposition.  It doesn’t matter what season of life I’m in, satan seems to always try to get me out of balance.  But, if, when writing to you about being a Godly Keeper at Home, and encouraging you in your role as a wife and mom, my family at any time experiences suffering because of it—imagined or real--then I must take a step back, evaluate, confess any sin, and change!

What place does blogging have in your life?

Has blogging (or Facebook or Twitter…or anything else) become an idol?

Does your husband or family feel neglected?

What will you do about it?

Learning New Things and The Fear of Failure

Learning Blog designing on my own has certainly been an adventure!  I am sure that there have been some interesting sights to behold while elements at times were flying out of control.  I've learned a lot, though, and I really love to stretch myself to learn new things, and not be afraid to fail once in awhile.  I have tried to instill this quality in my children, of not being fearful to look foolish or to perform less than perfectly, or to be humbled, when you're sincerely trying to do something that's new to you. It's a hard one, because we all want to appear at our best to others, to be thought well of, especially by those we admire.

Sometimes we parents analyze too much.  I'm not big on psychology.  I prefer to look in the Bible for my answers. But when I found these tips in an online article in Parent Map, I thought they were very helpful, aside from the label placed on the behavior. (Side note: Personally, I don't want to be put into a box, preferring to believe that God is changing me day by day into a faithful and not a fearful person.) So, may I suggest a new title for these suggestions:  from "Tips for helping the risk-averse child" to "Tips to help your Child be Courageous, Confident and Faithful".)

Tips for helping the risk-averse child

What can parents (and teachers) do to help risk-averse children meet new challenges? Chris Ladish, M.D., offers these tips:

• Emphasize effort as much as outcome. Praise the fact that the child tries. Help lay a foundation for the child to develop a self-appraisal that is defined in terms of effort and willingness as much as in the end result.
• Take breaks. None of us are at our best when pushed beyond our limits. Taking a break and then coming back to a task can help a child regroup and feel more energized to return to that task.
• Try to end on positive notes. Divide complex tasks into smaller, more doable segments, and celebrate the completion of each.
• Create a healthy balance between challenging projects and tasks, and easy ones.
• Review the day with your child. Spend time talking about success.
• Catch the child doing "right." The more a child hears and receives praise for positive efforts, the more that child will come to internalize that message. The expectation is that this will contribute to an increased willingness to keep trying.
• Embrace failure and assist the child not to fear it. Failure or lack of success is an essential element of learning that helps us shape our future strategies to challenges. All of us had to fall many times before we learned to walk.

The Bible is replete with examples of how God used "failure" in a person's life to teach them spiritual lessons and to bring them to where He could use them in a mighty way.  Help your child see that there are lessons to learn from failing.  Turn him to the Word of God, and encourage him to try again.

Do you have a story of success in this area? How have you taught your children, or yourself, not to be afraid of failure--and to try, and learn, new things?

My Blog Woke Up Feeling "A Little Off" This Morning

When I went to sleep last night, everything was fine. You know how it happens:  sometime in the night "your baby" becomes sick--you're not sure what happened, but they're definitely not "well"!

That's what happened to "my baby"!  Overnight my blog took a turn for the worse! We're consulting with "experts" and trying "prescriptions"--please pray that "my baby" will recover very soon, and forgive her "appearance"--she's "a little off" today!!

*Update* My "baby" seems to be alright now, but we'll keep her under "observation" for 24 hours!

Blog "Gems" Unearthed

Mentoring and networking--to me, that's what blogging is all about.  A web (no pun intended) of interwoven relationships!  Let me introduce you (my priceless jewels of followers) to some new "friends" of mine!  They are truly gems, I think!  Tonight I walked through a door into the wide-open fresh air of encouragement, through reading the blogs of some wonderful Christian women who love the Lord and are excellent communicators.  Some are published (or wannabe) authors, and love words as much as I do!  You will be encouraged by their writing.  I love their genuineness, their humility, and their ability to put "my" feelings into "their" words.  Let me share with you some of the blog "gems" I unearthed tonight:

• A Christian Mommy Writer (http://www.christianmommywriter.com)
• The Ready Writer (http://kennishahill.blogspot.com)
• My Heart Speaks  (http://mineheartspeaks.blogspot.com)
• My Writing Loft (http://mywritingloft.blogspot.com)
  
• The Top 100 blogs on Christian Families (http://becomingaradiologist.org/top-100-blogs-on-christian-families) This last is what it says, a list of blogs on Christian family life. 

The exciting thing is that through these blogs, I also found a whole network of other Christian women:  wives, moms, and bloggers who blog their faith and write encouragement.  Authentic Christianity:  Can you smell the fresh air of Christian encouragement?

Follow Friday: Time to Make Some New Friends and Gain Followers!

Welcome, Old and New Friends!  Introduction to you who don't know me:
I am a SAHM, wife, mom and Homeschooler, though my teaching days are completed, as my "children" are now 24 and 20, though still single and living with my wonderful husband and me at home.  My passion is to help and encourage young women, wives and moms to fulfill their God-given role, and I love to write, so this blog is my way of doing it all.  
Specific themes that I have written on which you might enjoy (click on the links) are my

• Hospitality Series: check out "The Ghastly Guest"  and "The Goldens"
• Love and Marriage (Mondays Now on Wednesdays) Series: just completed some fun Courtship Stories and now I'm doing a series of interviews, showing How and Why the subject of Courtship applies to you as a mom of little ones--Wonderful ideas and insights.   (Grab my button on the sidebar to let people know)
• Timely Tips on Tuesdays (Everything helpful: from organization, to scheduling your prayer time, to child-training, to running a home, to tips for you as a mom to littlees)

So, get a cup of coffee, tea or glass of lemon water, sit for a little and enjoy reading!
I also really love meeting new people, so please let me know you were here, so I can get to know you!  I will try to visit your sites, if you leave me information in your comment!

The way it works is you write a post with the image above in it, telling a little about yourself and how to link up (if you need more details, go to one of the three hostesses' sites on the list).  Then you link using the code at the bottom of the sites, (McLinky). (Linking on one links to all three, so you only have to do it once) and link to your post with the Friday Follow image above, and follow the three hostesses. Then visit as many of the other participants as you want, and comment (and follow if you want), letting them know you came through Follow Friday. When someone comes to your site, go back and visit theirs and reciprocate by following, if you want. They're adding perks, (there's a Mothers Day giveaway) but the main perk is the opportunity to meet other bloggers who may have something in common with you, that you'd never know were there any other way. Disclaimer: Like everything else in the world, don't leave your discernment at home. 

Old and new friends, check out my Food Friday posts where you'll find great recipes! Check out the great recipe for Jambalaya today!

Changed my blog design, but not finished yet

I, um, made some......changes......to my blog last night. Some of them I like, and some of them are in......process......yet.  In other words:
Please be patient with me...I'm not finished yet.
......Please be patient while this unprofessional "blog designer" goes at it--
............Thanks a million!  Oh, and if you're new here, please read my recent posts, and I'll be back soon to post a Food Friday Recipe!
Blessings,
Wendy

Awards: The Sunshine Award! and My Friends Who Truly Deserve It!

I don't know what to say.  God's timing is nothing short of, well, there's no word for it.

I just received this wonderful award, which I so don't deserve, especially right now.

You see, receiving this award practically collided headlong into my having to ask forgiveness from someone for an extremely thoughtless comment that I left last week. 

I pray that this award will remind me of what I should be aiming to become.

Thank you so much, Kela at Pursuing What Is Excellent!  Thank you for the award, and for being an example of what it symbolizes! Blessings on you!

This was a very hard decision, and there were more I wanted to give the award to, but here are the wonderful ladies I am passing on this award to: 

After this is passed on to YOU… Here’s how it works:

1. Put the logo on your blog and/or within your post.
2. Pass the award on to twelve bloggers.
3. Link to the nominees within your post.
4. Let them know they received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and the link to the person from whom you received this award.

Each one of you is a total ray of sunshine to me--Love you, and God Bless You!

Jami at Intentionally Living...My Faith, My Love, My Life

Alyssa at Days to Remember 

Denise at Shortybear's Place

(Go down to the bottom of the page, turn off the music, and then watch Denise's video--you will be blessed.)

Kylie at Our Worldwide Classroom

Nancie at More Than Conquerors

Ria at Life as a Wife

Celina at La Esposa del Pastor...yo?

Amy at Raising Arrows

Nicole at Mama to 3 Blessings/Our Homeschool Blog

Lisa at Extravagant Grace

Kelly at Wisdom Begun

I have received two other awards in the last couple of months, and I apologize that I never got them passed on and posted!  I'll try to get them up here by the weekend. Thank you so much for thinking of me!

Winners of My Very First Blog Contest and Giveaway!

Yay! to All of You!!

First, here's how I did the drawing:  Due to the fact that the number of contestants was manageable, and it was fairly easy to do a drawing without using an outside random generator, I decided to save the money, and do the drawing myself.  I used index cards and assigned one card for each entry of each person, (and assigned a number to each entry), writing on each card a small number in the corner. I shuffled the cards thoroughly, and cut the deck, and used a different system for drawing the winner each time I drew, (counting from one end and then another, I counted out cards equal to my age, my daughter's favorite number, the perfect number 7, half of the number of index cards, etc., and the card I came to next was the winner).  During the whole time of the drawing, my eyes were closed. After counting out the cards, I drew a card, all with my eyes closed.

I drew for the three most valuable prizes first, from most valuable to least, in order: in other words, everyone was in the drawing for the most valuable prizes. Then, after those three, all the prizes were pretty much the same value.  I numbered sticky notes with the numbers of the remaining prizes, and with eyes closed, mixed them up.  Before each drawing, with eyes closed, I shuffled (I'm always accused of overshuffling), and cut the deck.  Still with eyes closed, I went through the process mentioned before, for drawing a card.  After each drawing, still with eyes closed, I reached out and picked a sticky note, and attached it to the card.  I didn't know until the very end of the drawing which numbers (or in other words, which people) had been picked.  After all the sticky notes (prizes) had been drawn, and attached to an index card, I wrote down the number of the prize, and the number of the winner next to it.  Until this moment of typing the following list, I still have not actually looked to see who won what.

Here are all the winners!  Congratulations to all of you!!

The first three prizes drawn, in order by value:

Nicole at Help! Mama Remote won Beauticontrol's Detoxifying Body Facial (valued at $41)

Steph at Mommy of 2girlz won Giorgio Eau de Toilette (.13 fl. oz.) and Body Moisturizer (1.6 fl. oz.) (valued at approximately $15)

Kel at Between the Lines won "No Greater Joy, Volumes 1-3", by Michael and Debi Pearl (valued at approximately $14)

Then, the rest of the prizes (all valued at approximately $10 each):

Alyssa at Days to Remember won "To Train Up a Child" by Michael and Debi Pearl along with the Magnetic Notepad and matching Recipe Cards

Heather at Fields of Heather won the Bath and Body Works products (Gift card)

Jen at Be Thou Exalted won "The Excellent Wife" by Martha Peace

Colette at Jamerican Spice won the eGift Card for Amazon.com

Rachel at Finding Joy won the "Pick Your Level Weight Loss Pilates DVD" with Ellen Barrett

Amber at He who watches over you will not slumber won "Five Love Languages" by Gary Chapman

Susan at Susieqtpies Scraps of Life won "Wrestling Prayer" by Eric and Leslie Ludy

Again, Congratulations to the Winners! 

and Thank You so much to all who entered!

 

Important Notice To the Winners: (I will be contacting you by email, if you gave me the information, or I was able to find it, or I will be commenting on your blog to let you know you won).

If you are a winner,  you have until Thursday night, April 22, 2010, 10 PM CST, to contact me at faithsfirmfoundation@embarqmail.com with information on where to send the prize (your name and address), or I will draw another winner for that prize, and announce it here on my blog.  After receiving information on where to send the prize, I will send  you a confirmation email, and let you know when I have sent the prize.

Are You A Kindred Spirit? Kindred Connection Link-up Starting Today!

Are you a Kindred Spirit?  I hope so.  I would love to meet more of you. I think I've found a new one.  And she's started something. This isn't an "I'll follow you if you follow me" thing. You know, sometimes you find out you've followed or are being followed by someone who really won't appreciate what you do. So Kristin at "Windy Poplars" is setting out to start a new kind of thing--well here's how she said it:

"The goal: to connect with and get to know other Kindred Spirits and their blogs. Is your blog a KS blog? Chances are it is if you blog about some (or all) of the following things: marriage, faith, family, homemaking, decorating, crafts, cooking, travel, saving money, style, and a little bit of everyday life!"
(Don't you just love that? It gives me a warm feeling just reading it.)
So, if you truly are a KS, visit Kristin at Windy Poplars and grab the button, copy and answer these questions in a post (or comment if you don't have a blog), then link up with Mr. Linky, and visit other Kindred Spirit blogs.  I hope there are lots of you who I haven't met yet who really are Kindred Spirits:)
 

1. If you could describe your desired lifestyle in one word, what would it be?

Oh, I can't do this in one word, but:
Lots of people, lots of hospitality, good food, travel to many places and meeting more people, quiet family times in between, and sharing Jesus Christ and being used in His service...(except for wanting more travel, it sounds like what I've had!)
2. What style of home is your "House of Dreams"? A large 1800's house, like these: (you said "dream" didn't you?)

3. If you could live in a fictional story/movie, which would it be and why?

That's a really hard one. But maybe because I just watched "Facing the Giants" recently, I would say that movie, because it's a life of expectant faith, believing that with God anything is possible!  A life of being used of Him and seeing everything and every moment in my life as His vehicle for bringing glory to Himself!
4. Do you prefer coffee or tea? Favorite kind?Definitely coffee!  I just found a chocolate truffle coffee bean made in Minnesota! Can you believe it?

5. Share the last sweet/romantic thing your hubby did for you.

My husband scheduled a time for each of us (myself, my son and my daughter) to have him all to ourselves once a week!  And on my night last week, he took me out for dinner, and listened and talked, and shared Vanilla Bean cheesecake--it was wonderful!

Announcement!!

Wow!!  How exciting!!  100 Followers!!

To celebrate, I want to do something special, but I haven't decided what it will be, so stay tuned--I will definitely let you know!!

Thanks for your faithful

readership,

encouraging comments,

and

friendship!

My dear followers

Each one of you is very special and I pray for you.

Philippians 1:3-4:

"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,  

always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy."

Thank you for being my Fantastic First 100 Followers!!!

Blessings,

Wendy

Follow Friday: Welcome! I look forward to meeting you!

Friday Follow: March 26 with ** CASH GIVEAWAY**

Sponsored By:

<a href="http://toothsoap.com/healthy-products.php?af=1154655" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/dperry_2007/toothsoapbutton.jpg" /></a>
Somehow, I can't believe that it's Friday already! But welcome to Follow Friday!
And Welcome to all of you who are visiting me for the first time!  I am a SAHM, who Homeschooled her kids, now 24 and 20.  My passion is to be an encouragement, to teach, mentor and disciple younger moms. I love meeting all of you, and getting to know new friends has been such a blessing!

Friday Follow is hosted by One 2 Try, Hearts Make Families and Midday Escapades!  This has been a good way to meet other bloggers and gain new followers.

 

This week there is a GIVEAWAY just for Friday Followers, so grab both of their buttons after linking up.

Toothsoap.com " I LOVE TOOTH SOAP®" 
CASH Giveaway!

From One2Try, here is the scoop on the cash giveaway:

THREE one hundred dollar cash prizes up going to be awarded from Toothsoap.com as a thank you for your Friday Follow participation!

Contest Requirement: To be entered into the contest for three 100 dollar cash prizes please do the following: 

• Please place the Toothsoap.com button on your blog post today for Friday Follow and also on your blog sidebar.
• During the week of March 26 - April 2, 2010 THREE winners will be chosen AT RANDOM to win a 100 dollar cash prize from TOOTHSOAP.COM
• Winners are selected by random.org using the Friday Follow Link System
• Winners selected MUST have the Toothsoap.com button on displayed prominently on both their Friday Follow post and blog sidebar to be eligible to win said prize.
• Winners will be notified by email and by blog comment by team@toothsoap.com.
• Winners have 24 hours from notification date to claim 100 dollar cash prize via email.
• Cash prize is payable by Paypal.com or check from Vitality Products to winners (winners choice).
• Contest ends Friday, April 2, 2010 at the stroke of midnight. 
• Open to US & Canada Residents

Here's how to join Friday Follow:

• Link up your blog name and URL using the MckLinky below. Only need to add on one blog to be seen on all the blog hops. 
• Grab the Friday Follow and Sponsor buttons and include both on your Friday Follow blog post.
• Follow the Friday Follow hostesses listed in the first 3 slots.
• Follow as many other blogs on the list as you'd like
• Take a moment to comm
• Comment on the blogs telling them you're from Friday Follow
• Follow back if you like, when you get a new follower through Friday Follow

The list is new each week. The links do not carry over. Please link up each week for new participants to find your blogs. The list is only open to add your blog links on Fridays. It will be visible all week to visit the blogs listed. 

Also:
Each week they will randomly draw from all the links, one Friday Follower for the next week's Friday Follow, and the chosen blog will be placed in the highly coveted number 4 position on the blog hop.  
 

Thankful Thursday: I Have A Blog Button!

Well, it is Thankful Thursday, and it took me all night and all day, but I think I fixed my RSS feed problem and (drum roll, please) I made a Blog Button!! (If it worked,) I feel a huge sense of accomplishment! But I must apologize, for you wonderful followers are going to get a bevy of backed up blog posts in your reader!  Yes, if you haven't checked in recently, and thought I'd gone on vacation, you're in for a surprise--I have been posting and it hasn't been updating for about a month, maybe 6 weeks. If you're new to my blog, get a cup of coffee, sit back and read a spell and Welcome!

So, all my new friends out there, and my followers, please go over to the sidebar and grab my button and subscribe to my feed, so all my work wasn't for nothing! I will be watching to see if that little number starts going up, for I know that a lot of you have tried to subscribe and quit in frustration, when it didn't work.  Again, I apologize!  So, please let me know how it goes! I am so excited.  Is it silly to be thankful over getting a technical problem solved, and getting a little button? Probably. But that's ok.  I don't think it's silly to be thankful for every little thing that God gives you in life, and today there is so much to be thankful for: life, health, sunshine, family, friends (bloggy and otherwise:), and most of all Salvation through my precious Lord Jesus Christ, who was willing, for the joy that was set before Him, to go to the cross, and die for me.  Praise the Lord--God the Father accepted His payment for my sins, and raised Him from the dead, and He is seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven! But what's more, I am seated with Him, and because the work was finished on the cross, and greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world (satan), I have power over temptation and sin, and no fear of death, for when I die, I will immediately go to be with my Lord and Savior, where I will live forever with Him.  If that doesn't make you thankful, nothing will!

What are you thankful for? To participate and read other thankful posts, visit Laurie (Thanks, Laurie, for hosting this month!) at Women Taking A Stand!

Link to "What Hill Are You Dying On?"

Joanne at Blessed (One So Blessed) has written an excellent post for Exemplify Online that, if you are a woman (wife or daughter), you need to read.  I related to it all too well.  It is entitled: "What Hill Are You Dying On?"  In answer to that question, some of us would have to say, "Why, every hill! There are none too small!"  I find myself challenging and correcting my husband, and also my children, all too often, setting up a confrontational home environment.  The Lord has convicted me that it is pride.

 Only by pride cometh contention:

but with the well advised is wisdom.  

Proverbs 13:10 (KJV)

When pride cometh, then cometh shame:

but with the lowly is wisdom.

Proverbs 11:2 (KJV)

I was raised by a dad who demanded absolute respect and obedience.  Unfortunately, he had a rebellious daughter.  He said everything dogmatically. So did I.  He was prone to say, "Look at me when I'm talking to you!"  And I would be looking somewhere else thinking about what I was going to say next! Ready always to defend myself, or correct that little thing he said wrong! (In later years, he mellowed, I got saved, and we became very close!) But, in my growing-up years, if you wanted to be heard in our home, you had to speak up loudly and firmly!  So, I learned to say things as though they were the gospel truth, even when I was really unsure, or didn't even realize I was doing it!  This habit got me into a lot of trouble in my early years of marriage.  My husband pointed this trait out to me on more than one occasion.  I am still learning not to die on every hill, and to choose my battles (another phrase that my husband likes to use).  I *think* that I have learned this lesson: that prayer is more effective than my words, and that I don't need to say everything that comes into my mind!  These are some statements that I have thought to say to my children, and haven't.  "You can't go out looking like that!" "What were you thinking!"  "Surely you knew that _____"  "When did you start eating that? You don't like that (food)!"  "You're becoming ___, and you'd better change fast, or you're going to _____." But I have actually said much worse!

Now, in my own family and marriage, I see that "speaking our minds" is a characteristic which is "caught".  Do you women and girls who are reading this know how much influence you have on the atmosphere in your home?  I have been startled, shocked, amazed and humbled when I have made an effort to change my tone, at various and sundry times, prompted by the Holy Spirit, to be more _____ (fill in the blank: cheerful, gentle, encouraging, non-complaining/grateful, praising of others), and I have felt the spirit of our home completely transformed!

Lord, make me submissive

Give me a meek and quiet spirit

which is beautiful in Your sight.

Amen.

RSS not working

To all of you trying to get the RSS feed to work, my apologies!  (Yes, I have been posting.) I just found out why it's not working, and I'm attempting to fix the problem--I will let you know when I've got it up and running!  Until then, please follow using the regular method! Thank you for your patience everybody!

My Response to the New York Times Article on Bloggers

In response to a lot of hooplah over the New York Times article about bloggers and the Bloggy Bootcamp, I wrote this comment to Tiffany and Heather, of the Secret is in the Sauce, and founders of the Bloggy Bootcamp. I hope you'll read the article, if you are a blogger, or just interested in knowing what they're all talking about.  I might add, that I am not on the bandwagon of giveaways, PR, etc., though, if that's what you do, fine.  My purpose is to disciple women, to help them, to do what the Lord tells me to do.  I pray that what I write is pleasing to Him, and also helpful to you. Today is no exception.

Here is my comment over on SITS:
"Tiffany and Heather,
Let me first say, I don't blog for money. I'm a SAHM who loves the Lord and wants to help other women. However, though the title was an "unfortunate choice" and a bit misleading, this article is excellent, and is, or will be, an avalanche of free advertising for SITS and Bloggy Bootcamps, and all the blogs this New York Times author linked, if you don't shoot yourselves in the foot by attacking it. May I suggest that perhaps you need to take a step back and gain some perspective. Tiffany and Heather, this article praised you.

Quoting, "Yes, they had come to Bloggy Boot Camp, the sold-out first stop on a five-city tour. It is the brainchild of Tiffany Romero and Heather Blair, the founders of the Secret Is in the Sauce, a community of 5,000 female bloggers. Boot Camp is at once a networking and social event, bringing together virtual friends for some real-time girly bonding, and an educational seminar designed to help the participants — about 90 percent of them mothers — to take their blogs up a notch, whether in hopes of generating ad revenue and sponsorships, attracting attention to a cause or branching out into paid journalism or marketing."

Other positive quotes,
“The blogosphere is where authentic conversation is happening,” said Pamela Parker, a senior manager with Federated Media.."Marketers are recognizing that they want to be there, associated with that authentic conversation,” Ms. Parker said.

"Embellished with professional graphics, pithy tag lines and labels like 'PR Friendly,' these blogs have become a burgeoning industry generating incomes ranging from $25 a month in what one blogger called 'latte money' to, for a very elite few, six figures."
We're not all making big bucks, or even trying to, but obviously many are trying to sell on their blogs. Have we become supersensitive? Are we taking ourselves too seriously or do we just need to take a good hard look in the mirror?

This was not hate, or if it was, may I stand next to you, Tiffany and Heather, the next time you're receiving some?
Wendy
Faith's Firm Foundation
www.faithfultojesus.blogspot.com"

(If you go to SITS, read Kevin Berry's very well-written, unbiased opinion, which I totally agreed with.)

Comments?

Home School Blog Hop: Random Questions!

Today at the Home School Blog Hop,

we're doing something very fun!

The Theme for the Week: Random Questions!

Join in!  These are easy and not embarrassing--

Thanks, Kylie!! Our Worldwide Classroom is hosting!

1. What time is it right now?
7:45 AM

2. What are you wearing?
My pajamas and full length pink robe.

3. What is your mood?
I'm happy, contented, trusting the Lord. (After a weekend of being on my knees, tears, spiritual battle...)

4. What is one thing your children learned today?
My daughter learned to share and be really open with me so that I can understand why she really loves something, because all I know about it sometimes is what she tells me. She realized that how she portrays something through her words, is how I perceive it!

5. What did you make (or are you having) for dinner?
We're having lasagna, garlic bread and green beans with french fried onions:  leftovers from having company last night!

6. What's one book you are currently reading?
I'm actually reading two smaller books, little by little, because they're almost devotional in nature--calling me to a deeper walk with the Lord. The first is "If You Will Ask" (Reflections on the Power of Prayer) by Oswald Chambers, really deepening and broadening my thinking on prayer and opening up my relationship with God--I love it! The second I just started--I've had it for years, but I think just the title "Surrender--The Heart God Controls", I had to be really ready for it:) (It's by Nancy Leigh DeMoss.) Interestingly, at the beginning of Chapter 1 there's a quote by Oswald Chambers!

"Surrender is not the surrender of the external life, but of the will; when that is done, all is done.  There are very few crises in life; the great crisis is the surrender of the will."

7. What behaviour (in people) is the most common but also the rudest?
Interrupting an other person while they're talking.

8. What can you see out of your nearest window right now?
There is an absolutely gorgeous sunrise out my window--a wonderful gift from God!!

9. What are you currently praying for?
I'm earnestly praying for my children's marriage partners right now.  That God would not let those persons marry someone else, make them all completely surrendered to Him, bring them together with each other in His perfect timing, make them all ready and make their marriages to be used of Him to bring about Godly seed, and much, much fruit!
Note:  I've been praying since before my children were born (and now they're 24 and 20) for their marriage partners.

10. What is your favourite hot beverage?
I drink coffee every morning (no cream no sugar)--just started when I turned 50:)  I do love a frothy chocolatey with whipped cream capuccino/frappacino whatever, but rarely get that. The key word in there was chocolate, in case you missed it:) !

This was really fun, actually!  I hope you'll join in and I am really looking forward to getting to know YOU!
Blessings,
Wendy

Follow Friday: Come Follow Me

It's once again Follow Friday where you can find new blogging friends and gain new followers. Here is how it works if you want to participate:
Link up your blog name and URL using MckLinky (see below)
Follow the Friday Follow hostesses listed in the first 3 slots. Follow as many of the blogs listed as you want. Comment on the blogs you follow, telling them you're from Friday Follow, and Follow back when you get a new follower through Friday Follow. The Blog Hop is the same at each of the three host's blogs, so you don't have to add your blog at each site. And that's all you have to do--it's as simple as that.

Resources to Ignite the Fire of Your Faith

Do you want to be more passionate about Christ?  Do you feel you've lapsed into complacency?  Do you wonder if you're making a difference in the world for Christ?  There's a new book coming out, by the Harris twins, Brett and Alex, called "Start Here: Doing Hard Things Right Where You Are", scheduled for release March 16, 2010. If you haven't heard of "Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations", their earlier book, I recommend it to you.  That book and these two young men started a revolution against complacency, irresponsibility and rebellion in youth, and of passion for Christ, and they (coincidentally) call it, The Rebelution. (click on the link to go to their blog: disclaimer--I don't subscribe to everything they say and do. I believe that they will challenge you, especially young people, to a closer walk with God. But, Dear friends: As I give recommendations, I try to know that what I'm recommending is good for you, but each of us is ultimately responsible to be discerning and check everything against the Word of God to make sure that it lines up.  I hope that you will do that with everything that you see here.)

Today, I'd like to share some Resources with you that my 20-year-old daughter, Kelsey, loves, and we recommend, that will challenge you to be more passionate about your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Have you ever heard Mark Cahill speak, or have you seen him on YouTube?  Now, *there* is a man with a passionate message that will change your life!  Kelsey had a neat idea: she wanted to do something special for her birthday, (her 19th)--so she invited about 10 girls over to watch Mark Cahill's "Lukewarm No More" message.  Of course, there was the usual laughter, food, fun picture-taking and girl-talk mixed into the evening.  They also played a game using random pictures (found online), such as a man playing a trumpet in the middle of a park, or a woman mountain-climbing.  Each girl had to pick one, and, with 5 minutes to prepare, share a Bible verse, an analogy or a testimony relating to the picture they chose.  They spent some time in prayer, as well. She challenged them to get more serious, as a group, and as individuals, about their faith.  "One Thing You Can't Do In Heaven" has really inspired her to take her faith in Christ much more seriously, and to be passionate about sharing the gospel. His example of witnessing is phenomenal.


You *will* be challenged.











For the last few years, Kelsey's been raving about Paul Washer!  She has listened to countless of his messages on the internet.  Now, we're starting to hear others rave about him, too.  His messages are direct, boldly Biblical, and passionate. And not what you are used to hearing. (Called "Shocking"!  The first message Kelsey ever heard by Paul Washer was the highly discussed YouTube/Tangle video "Shocking Youth Message," which has now been watched by hundreds of thousands of people.  Are you sure you're saved?  Don't be fooled.)  I really recommend watching him.  He's so on fire!  You'll find a link to some of his messages further down on my blog on the right. He'll really make you examine your heart and ask hard questions. How obedient am I and how much do I really love Christ--where's the proof in my life?

 ...and Francis Chan.
We don't know a lot about him, but we've listened to some of his messages, and we're finding out about him. What I've heard him say has been very Biblical.  Kelsey's favorite thing about Francis Chan is that he is so in awe of God and he sees God's Fingerprints in even the trivial things in life--his passion and zeal are contagious. 
I have to say I was impressed, when I read that he gives 90% of his income away as well as all his royalties from the sale of his books.   (bookshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Chan)
One thing is for sure, he challenges your way of thinking about your life. From 2 minutes of listening this week, this was my challenge from the Lord: Where is your home? Is it here? or is it in Heaven? Are you so aware that Jesus is coming back and so looking forward to His return, that you think, "Would I want to be here doing this if He came back right now?"

We've gotten complacent. Let's start here,  rekindle the fire in our hearts for the Lord, and not be afraid, no matter how old we are, to do hard things for Him.
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