Genesis 17:1-11 (English Standard Version)

Abraham and the Covenant of Circumcision

My TAKE: Covenants are very important, but we sometimes take them for granted. They aren’t just important for the here and now, they are vitally important to our future generations. The decisions that we make today will affect our future, either in a good way or a bad way. I want to make decisions that will prove my love to Jesus, and not just what I would like to do. When I study the lives of Christians from the Bible, it is encouraging to me, and I can draw strength for my journey. It is a religious heritage that connects me to my ancestors’ dedication toward fulfilling a covenant to God, thereby keeping me tied to a covenant to God. I have a hope that has stood the test of time, and the results are evident everyday: answered prayers, safety in times of danger, a true hope in times of distress.
If God can change a man such as Paul, and use him to make a difference, then I am assured that He can use even me. I pray that I will become more aware of the CALL that God has upon me, and that I will make the choices that can impact my future generations in a positive way.

HTHs,

Sharon

Can you believe that spring is finally here? I have enjoyed two very pretty days, with weather that couldn’t be better. It reminds me of a song, that we all know here in the south, “Nothing could be finer, than to be in Carolina in the morning”. I am sure, if you live in another state, and your weather has been great lately, you just might argue with that song. Well, I live in SC and the song fits us to a T!

I have been busy getting the house in order and doing some spring cleaning. It is a good thing that spring has sprung, because the cleaning couldn’t have waited much longer. Perhaps, it is the increased Vit D running through my system, that has caused me to have more energy, and a stronger desire to get things done. Whatever, the reason , I am thankful.

Over the past few years, God has been convicting me to be a better helpmate for my husband. Molding me into the woman, that I need to be. I have learned to never under-estimate God’s ability to meet our families needs. I am constantly amazed, at the great works taking place in our lives.  Even if, we never even lift  a finger. Of course, with many blessings that come our way, we do have to make an effort here and there in order to see the fruits of our labor. One major area that God has worked within me is to take Proverbs 31 and write it on my heart. What an incredible life lesson of motivation for women! God did make a woman to be very strong, able bodied, frugal, talented and wise. And we can, that is, when we allow Him to take us under his wings.

Proverbs 31: 10-31

The Woman Who Fears the LORD

^10[d](P) An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than^(Q) jewels.
¹¹The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
¹²She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
¹³She^(R) seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
¹⁴She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.
¹⁵She^(S) rises while it is yet night
and^(T) provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.
¹⁶She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
¹⁷She^(U) dresses herself^[e] with strength
and makes her arms strong.
¹⁸She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
¹⁹She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
²⁰She^(V) opens her hand to^(W) the poor
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
²¹She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in^(X) scarlet.^[f]
22She makes^(Y) bed coverings for herself;
her clothing is^(Z) fine linen and^(AA) purple.
²³Her husband is known in^(AB) the gates
when he sits among the elders of the land.
²⁴She makes^(AC) linen garments and sells them;
she delivers sashes to the merchant.
^25(AD) Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
²⁶She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
²⁷She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
²⁸Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
²⁹“Many^(AE) women have done^(AF) excellently,
but you surpass them all.”
^30(AG) Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
³¹Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates.

God has revealed a very important area of “necessary” growth to me, that, of becoming more frugal. I have always tried to get the most for my buck.   I have to admit, I was being strong willed and stubborn. I thought that “I” could not do anymore to save and make the income of my husband go any further. “I” was doing the best that “I”could with what was available. Then I read Titus 2. That was an eye opener for me. God was point blank telling me, that it was necessary for me to teach those younger than me. Well, that was a little intimidating for me, how could I teach others, if I wasn’t teachable.

Titus 2

Teach Sound Doctrine

¹But as for you, teach what accords with^(A) sound^[a] doctrine. ²Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled,^(B) sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. ^3(C) Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior,^(D) not slanderers^(E) or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, ⁴and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, ⁵to be self-controlled,^(F) pure,^(G) working at home, kind, and^(H) submissive to their own husbands,^(I) that the word of God may not be reviled.

With my convictions,  there came a strong desire to fulfill my commitment, to be a better helpmate to my husband. Suddenly, I began to observe the habits of other Godly women. As a result, I began to see good examples, everywhere I looked. The INTERNET has been a good resource to find helpful ways to become more frugal. I have learned a lot in the last years, and the time has come for me to share these lessons with others.

I will start a series of videos, and  I hope they will be helpful to all who watch them. I would not be where I am today, without the help God has given me. I am what I am because of Him, and I give all glory to Him for the gifts, He has given to me.

I do hope that you will find these lessons helpful,  if you have any  ideas that you would like to share, please send them. I know that God is not finished teaching me, and I am still a work in process. Forever, I will be ” one” that can be taught!

HERE IS THE LINK FOR THE FIRST VIDEO:

Here is the link for the second video:

Here is the link for the third video:

Word Press Introduction!

Well, I have taken the next step!  To all of you Pro-Wordpressors, I am in awe!  Hopefully, I will be able to conquer this new set up.  I know, that I will love the added features available with this website.  I can hardly wait to learn all of the ins and outs of the whole system here.  It will take me a little while, but I do love a challenge!  I will slowly introduce myself over the next few weeks, but just to give you a brief intro, here goes:

I am married to my wonderful husband, Randy, together, we are trying to live our lives under the supervision of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Yes, we are Christians on a journey together, and find ourselves incredibly blessed!   We had our 22 year anniversary last December, and we celebrated that with our two children, DS-Chandler 18, and DD- Sarah-14.  We live on a farm in the upper- mid-state of SC.  We farm cattle, turkeys, and grain crops.  We have been homeschooling our children for 6 years now, and love the lifestyle that it offers us.  Reading, cooking, sewing are just a few of my favorite past-times, however, it does seem there is very little need for anything to fill extra time, there isn’t much!  I do love surfing the web and learning all, I can about the goings on here and there.

I have found, that I really love touching base with others that have the same interest as I do.  Many have been so kind, as to share their talents and gifts with everyone.   I  feel that it is time, I do the same.   I am looking forward to sharing a few of my passions with those, that might benefit a little from my humble findings.

Without further adieu, my next post will be the first in a series of my favorite passion…………COUPONING!  I hope that by sharing all that I have learned, you too, will learn something that will benefit you and your family!