Where I Stand

I have received a few e-mails asking about my briefly mentioned background, including my reference to my time in the LDS church in my past post and wanting to know where I stand now. So for those interested, here's a 101 on my beliefs and religious background. ;)

Churches (and other groups) I have attended/been part of are (not necessarily a member): Uniting, Anglican, Orthodox, Brethren, Mennonite, Pentecostal, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Science, Revival Centre, LDS (Mormon), the Family, and various Baptist churches... whew.

Several of those were in quick succession in which I came and then left dissatisfied not long after. The longest memberships have been with the LDS and Baptist. For a long time, especially during my teens years I was intent on finding what the real Biblical truth was, hence my list. How I came to find God and Christianity is a post all of it's own. Needless to say, I found my place and my truth. :)

I currently attend a conservative Independent Baptist Church which preaches the Word each week and is filled with God-seeking people who are striving to live for the Lord. I feel extremely blessed to have found this little, but long standing, church. I've been here for the longest time and have no intent on leaving anytime soon. :)

Unlike a lot of others out there, I hold nothing against those places and people and refuse to speak ill of any of them, no matter how in error I may believe them to be, now. I have taken things, as such, from a couple of other places I've attended believing them to be of worth. For example, I believe in the headship veiling for women, however I only cover during prayer and church at the moment. I also practice modest dress, long hair on women, skirts/dresses only and we hold a Family Home Evening each week because regardless of affiliation it's a wonderful thing I think all families should strive for. All in all, I hope that when my time comes to face the LORD, He will find me worthy of trying to live my life for Him, although very imperfectly, and that's all I can ask.

My Big Mouth

"Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles." - Proverbs 21:23

Lately I have been feeling chastened by the Lord in regards to my mouth and the things that come out of it, especially when I'm in a bad mood or with the wrong people. I think it's something that everyone struggles with once in a while - isn't it great knowing that we have a Father who cares enough to highlight our secret weaknesses and help us overcome them, though?

I came across a particular list at momof9splace that I thought I would share. It's been such a blessing, and it will be printed out soon for my constant reminder. :)

Don't Open Your Mouth When:

1 - In The Heat of Anger

Prov. 14:17, "He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated."

2 - When You Don't Have All The Facts

Prov. 18:13, "He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him."

3 - When You Haven't Verified The Story

Deut. 17:6, "At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.

4 - If Your Words Will Offend A Weaker Person

1 Cor. 8:11, "And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?"

5 - When It Is Time To Listen

Prov. 13:1, "A wise son heareth his father´s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke."

The Same Words, from the same father, will be interpreted at Instruction or as Rebuke depending upon whether you are Wise or whether you are a Scorner.

6 - When You Are Tempted To Make Light of Holy Things

Eccl. 5:2, "Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few."

7 - When You Are Tempted To Joke About Sin

Prov. 14:9, "Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour."

8 - If You Would Be Ashamed of Your Words Later

Prov. 8:8, "All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them."

9 - If Your Words Would Convey The Wrong Impression

Prov. 17:27, "He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit."

10 - If The Issue Is None of Your Business

Prov. 14:10, "The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy."

11 - When You Are Tempted To Tell An Outright Lie

Prov. 4:24, "Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee."

12 - If Your Words Will Damage Someone Else's Reputation

Prov. 16:27, "An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire."

13 - If Your Words Will Damage A Friendship

Prov. 16:28, "A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends."

14 - When You Are Feeling Critical

Eph. 4:31, "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:"

James 4:11, "Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge."

Titus 3:1-5, "Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, 2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. 3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;"

2 Peter 2:10, "But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities."

Jude 8-9, "Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. 9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee."

James 3:9, "Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God."

15 - If You Can't Say It Without Screaming It

Prov. 25:28, "He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls."

16 - If Your Words Will Be A Poor Reflection of The Lord or Your Friends And Family

1 Peter 2:21-23, "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:"

17 - If You May Have To Eat Your Words Later

Prov. 18:21, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."

18 - If You Have Already Said It More Than One Time

Prov. 19:13, "A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping."

19 - When You Are Tempted To Flatter A Wicked Person

Prov. 24:24, "He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:"

20 - When You Are Suppose To Be Working Instead

Prov. 14:23, "In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury (poverty)"

My favourite hymn

Be Still, My Soul

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.

Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, believing, to Thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.

Words by Ka­tha­ri­na von Schle­gel

Translated by Jane Borthwick

Music by Jean Si­bel­i­us

Welcome to the world little Jennifer Duggar!

It's such a blessing to see a family praising God in the media for the birth of a new child being born, and even more so, their 17th! :) Go read the story here.

Return of the Daughters

I am SO excited about this upcoming documentary!

Return of the Daughters

What a wonderful and God-inspired idea!

Inspirations

I'm sure that everyone has sites and blogs that inspire them on a daily (or at least regular) basis. I'd love to share some of mine - maybe they are ones that you've already been to, but maybe there is one you haven't seen before. Please have a look and be blessed!

Some Godly families...

Maxwell Family Blog
The Duggar Family
Serven Family Blog
Girotti Family Blog

And some inspirational women...

Tammy's Times
Biblical Womanhood
A Joyful Handmaiden
Veiled Glory
Homeliving Helper