Unwholesome Speech

Posted on May 29, 2009 by Kelly

Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. -Ephesians 4:29

This past week I have been busy weeding through those I follow on Twitter. Tweeting is fun and I enjoy the people I have gotten to know through it. Lately that enjoyment has been disturbed by uncouth speech. Curse words and flippant uses of God’s holy name are thrown around like insults amongst politicians during campaign debates.

And it is not just the men who are guilty. It is also the women, whom God has called to have an “incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit” (1 Peter 3:4). Flinging around curse words has almost become chic in Twitterville and Bloggyland.

I really feel it unfortunate that I even have to bring this up. Do people realize how unprofessional foul language is? It is difficult to take seriously any person who talks this way.

And so? The answer?

Stick with those blogs and websites that are edifying. Find that a funny gal you follow on Twitter is throwing words around loosely? Decide whether or not the comedy is worth brain cells being used up on cussing.

In the end, you will be all the better for it.

Ancient Egypt Salt Dough Map

Posted on May 26, 2009 by Kelly

Our adventurous journey into Ancient Egypt has allowed for many fun, hands-on opportunities. Our first activity using Year One Unit One with Tapestry of Grace was sculpting a relief map out of salt dough. The climate we live in hindered the drying process and so it took weeks to get to some level of having dried. Our patient waiting paid off. The kids had great fun! Here are a few photos of the painting process.

Mountainous ranges to the east of the Nile

The River Nile is surrounded by desert

River Nile Tributaries

The green around the River Nile shows vegetation that was plentiful around the river

And, the finished product: Ancient Egypt

JVC Everio BlogHer Sweepstakes

Posted on May 25, 2009 by Kelly

We have a great video camera that seems to be on its last leg. I also want to attend BlogHer one of these days. What do these two sentences have in common? This: JVC is graciously going to give four blessed people a paid trip to BlogHer ’09 (airfare, registration, food, and hotel taken care of!) AND one of their JVC Everio camcorders.

Awesome.

Want a chance to win this? Head over to the JVC BlogHer Sweepstakes and enter.

Nathan Clark George Giveaway

Posted on May 22, 2009 by Kelly

Molly, over at Counter-cultural School, is one of my favorite bloggers. In addition to her already awesome blog, she has started a new blog called My Audio School. In honor of this new blog, she is giving away a Nathan Clark George DVD. This is what Molly has to say about it:

“There are two main parts to the DVD: a live concert and a documentary about Nathan’s homeschooling family.

I was really encouraged by the 35-minute documentary. Nathan and his wife Patsy wanted to minister through Nathan’s music without sacrificing family time, so four years ago they packed up their life and took it on the road. Homeschooling with babies and toddlers underfoot is a challenge, but what if you were doing it in a motor home while traveling the country? They call their RV an “incubator for sanctification”, and they share honestly about the joys and struggles of living in such close proximity.”

I do not know about you but I would love to win this. She gives you four different ways to try and win this. Head over to her blog to learn more!

The Beginning of My Green Smoothie Adventure

Posted on May 21, 2009 by Kelly

I admit it. I have finally come to a stage in my journey towards healthier living that I just do not care for.

Really, really do not care for.

Green Smoothies.

Okay, okay. It all began when I blended up all the beneficial ingredients – raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, water, and spinach – and found that the color was not green. Disappointment numero uno.

I would like to say that after reading quite a ton of literature on the health reasons for drinking green smoothies that I took my first sip and I was in love.

However, I was not in love. I was far from it.

Blech.

It tastes like spinach, people.

I know that Popeye loved it and probably so did that tall, skinny chick that hung around him. And it is green and green stuff is supposed to be good for you. You know the whole “the more colorful it is, the better it is for you.”

But, really.

I am on my third glass of the day and it keeps tasting more and more. . . spinach-y.

So what am I doing wrong, folks? How do you all make your green smoothies? How do you make them taste more fruity and less spinach revenge?

And if you can let me know before tomorrow morning when I get to whip up another batch of this green-leafed goodness, I would so appreciate it.

Seriously. I Am Married to the Sweetest Man on Earth.

Posted on May 19, 2009 by Kelly

I received these beautiful tulips today. In a pitcher from the Netherlands no less.

He is quite the guy.

I love you, honey.

God Wants No Hypocrites

Posted on May 6, 2009 by Kelly

I am coming out from the fog of many sleepless nights caring for a teething infant. Yes, my baby who it seems only yesterday was born is working on three upper teeth. Her two bottom front teeth are so cute poking through when she gives us her beautiful smiles.

I am in the midst of an ever-constant range of motion. Our house is never still or completely quiet. Little children tend to add that to a home and many times I begrudge that. I want peace and quiet. And, of course, what I want is what matters. Right?

Oh. so. wrong.

As the oft-quoted catechism answers reminds us: Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

It does not amend at the end with an “Oh, by the way, you only have to glorify God and enjoy Him if you feel like it.” That way creeps into our thinking as mothers more often than we want to admit. Or even acknowledge privately.

Mother’s Day was yesterday and while I think it is just swell to honor our mothers and all of their hard and sacrificial work on our behalf, we tend to forget Who really gave up more than we will ever be called to. A perfect Son was killed for imperfect, horrible, evil people.

God gave in love. Are our sacrifices important and lovely if we moan and complain while we go about our day? Hardly. Romans 12:9-13 says

“Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. “

As wives and mothers, may we purpose to always “be kindly affectionate” with those who are closest to us. May we lay off our self-seeking ways and emulate that perfect Man. Only then will this past Mother’s Day and any future Mother’s Days have any meaning.

In His grace,

photo courtesy of: peasap

Wisdom Begun

Monthly Archives: May 2009