Listings 1/5/12

Listings:  Recommended Listing of Links
A Forgotten Text? Why is that, I wonder? (HT: Challies)
Very thought-provoking post on Ephesians 5:12. “For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.”

Family Photo Album Tips {Photography Project}
This is a great article on organizing your photos to create a printed photo album at the end of the year. This is good for those who don’t get into journaling with scrapbooking. The time to get started is now!

Making Things Pretty with Pallets
I love these ideas for making furniture using pallets. My favorite is the bookshelf!

The Joy of Quiet (HT: Challies)
This post was very interesting on how much we need quiet, but discovering it nearly impossible to find with all our machines. “In barely one generation we’ve moved from exulting in the time-saving devices that have so expanded our lives to trying to get away from them–often in order to make more time. The more ways we have to connect, the more many of us seem desperate to unplug. Like teenagers, we appear to have gone from knowing nothing about the world to knowing too much all but overnight.”

AlbertMohler.com – Podcast
Every weekday, Dr. Albert Mohler gives a 15-minute podcast called “The Briefing”. It is current news from a Christian perspective and provokes Christians to approach our age from a biblical perspective.

Bob Ross: Painting Mountains
One of my best friends, Bobbie, and I used to watch Bob Ross on PBS (before we got very busy with families–smile). We each actually have a couple of paintings that we did while following his tutorials. Very fond memories!

T h e * H o t * C h o c o l a t e * S t a t i o n
I liked this idea for a Hot Chocolate Station. Aren’t the marshmallows so pretty in the jar?

Free Downloads on christianaudio
Each month, christianaudio.com has a free audio download. This month’s freebie is Knowing God by J.I. Packer. I’ve not listened yet, but this comes with many recommendations.

A Special Breakfast

We have kept up with the case that has dominated the media for the last few weeks, but I’m finding it wearing on me and have had to step back from the coverage. It was good to listen to encouraging preaching on Christian radio instead of the news this morning as I made a special breakfast for a very special young lady. She requested French toast and bacon, and I added sliced strawberries and orange juice.

“‘It is I who taught Ephraim to walk, I took them in my arms… and I BENT DOWN and fed them’ (Hosea 11:3-4). What a beautiful picture of our God, who in His mercy, bends down to feed us and comfort us. In the same way, mothers can reveal the heart of God. When a mother bends down to her baby or little ones to feed them and tend to their needs, she is being like God. What a privilege! Delight in it!”
–Nancy Campbell, Above Rubies

Listings 2/24/11

Listings:  Recommended Listing of Links
The Rapture Index for 2/21/11
Rapture Ready keeps a weekly index of news stories around the world that are pointing to our Savior’s imminent return. “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh (Luke 21:28).”

OneNewsNow.com
“OneNewsNow.com is the website of the American Family News Network (AFN), a national Christian news service. Our goal is to present the day’s news from a biblical perspective. We not only feature the latest breaking stories from across the United States and around the world, but also news of the challenges facing Christians in today’s society.”

The Daily–Choosing Friends Wisely
“In life we will have many types of friendships, and we need to be very wise in the way we deal with each of them. You would not want to open your heart and hand out your trust to just anyone. Choosing friends is something we must take seriously. Friendships can be downright unhealthy and affect our healthy relationships…and our walk with the Lord.”

What’s wrong with the “what does this verse mean to me” approach to interpreting the Bible?
We Christians need to interpret the Bible in the right way, by finding out what the author’s intent was when writing. In this short audio message by John MacArthur, you will find out more.

Reader Testimonial: My Money-Saving Christmas
I really loved the reader’s testimony as to how they had a good Christmas using the Money Saving Mom website, despite the fact that her husband only worked 7 months out of 24.

14 Ways to Save Money on Groceries
Some very good tips I’ve never heard!

How to Make Natural Lip Balm
This looks so easy! (Thank you, A Dusty Frame)

Recommended Links 11/19/10

I haven’t put up a post with Recommended Links lately, so I have a lot of good things stored up. Here are some of them.

Social Media and Digital Discernment Bro. John MacArthur has written a convicting article on how social media is effecting us, and how a Christian should guard his/her time online.

A Time for Thanksgiving at Homeschool Heartbeat Listen to get ideas on how to in cooperate Thanksgiving into your schooling.

Colorado Foxes We just love pictures of animals, and love these little foxes. I can’t believe they get on top of houses!

Easy Peasy Pillow Making- RePurpose Crafting! Make easy pillows using placemats. Now why didn’t I think of that!?
Hat Tip: Money Saving Mom

Give Thanks Free Thanksgiving labels for gifts, place settings, etc.
Hat Tip: Money Saving Mom

Feminist Republican Sarah Palin Calls Supporters of Stay-at-Home Moms “Neanderthals” I was really disappointed to hear Sarah say this.

Reuse household items and save money 10 ways to give new purpose to old belongings

Time Management 101: Stop Trying to “Do It All” Be sure to read all of Crystal’s posts on time management.

How Do You Do It All? – Balancing Family and Home Business in the Real World Speaking of doing it all, I HIGHLY recommend the How Do You Do It All course by my friend, editor, author, business coach, and homeschool speaker, Mary Jo Tate. She is a single mother of 4 boys and works from home. She really knows what she’s talking about. She has been such a wonderful encourager to me!  This course is for anyone who needs to know how to manage their time better.  It is well worth your money!

What loneliness feels like Amy has put into words how I feel as a single mother. The ache is so very painful.

Facebook losing grip on Internet safety Their are many dangers for children on Facebook. If you have children, I would never let them use Facebook without you yourself being on there watching carefully and enacting all the privacy tools available. Even then, I would still be extremely careful what I post and allow the children to post.

Margin for Moms: An Interview with Carol Barnier “It’s okay to choose to say no to some activities, even some good activities, and just stay home.”

The Power of a Simple Gift Watch the joy on the children’s faces when they open their gifts from Operation Christmas Child. Be sure to grab a tissue!

Soldier’s heroic dog, brought from Afghanistan, mistakenly euthanized This is so very heartbreaking.:(

In Times Like These

In times like these, when the news is terrifying, and it seems the whole world has gone crazy, my heart is tempted to falter, to be terribly afraid. To get my mind off this fear and onto positive things, I remember what God has told me to do, what orders He gave me in His Word. I remember my place as a mother. I’m to be a keeper at home and a witness for Christ. I am to keep on until He comes or calls me home. I’m to overcome evil with good. The good I do for Christ—my obedience—along with fervent prayer, does more to fight the evil in this world than anything else I could do.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Tim. 1:7).

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and …though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof” (Ps. 46:1-3).

The Solid Rock

Lyrics and music by Ruth C. Jones.

1. In times like these
you need a Savior
In times like these you need an anchor
Be very sure,
be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock

Refrain:
This Rock is Jesus,
Yes He’s the One
This Rock is Jesus,
the only One
Be very sure,
be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock

2. In times like these
you need the Bible
In times like these
O be not idle
Be very sure,
be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock

3. In times like these
I have a Savior
In times like these
I have an anchor
I’m very sure,
I’m very sure
My anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock