responsibility | Designing 31

[day 21] PFYH: to take care of the temple of the Holy Spirit

1-beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 21 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1,2

19-What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20- For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20

Realizing our bodies are not our own can have a tremendous impact on the decisions we make!

26-I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27-But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. 1 Corinthians 9:26,27

Let us pray for our husbands to realize his body is the dwelling of the Holy Spirit, thus effecting his decisions about food and activities.

[James] beginning to answer {Ps 15}

by tascha | 1 comment

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In my last post, I alluded to a relationship between Psalm 15 and the book of James…

Verse 1 of Psalm 15 asks a very interesting question: Lord, who shall abide in they tabernacle…?

We begin to see the answer with verse 2: He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.

I like to break sentences apart and examine individual phrases (did I ever mention I was an English major in college?) as well as define words to their most basic meaning in order to understand.

So this verse tells me that if I am to dwell in God’s Holy Hill (His tabernacle, now ME)…

I must:

walk uprightly

to walk means to go the way of, a manner of life, traverse.

uprightly means whole & entire, sound or perfect, in accord {agreement} with truth and fact, with integrity, wholesome and innocent.

work righteousness

work means to make or commit or do.

righteousness is justness of law; what is right; proper weights & measures [balance]; ethically right.

speak truth in my heart

truth is the state of being true, something accurate based on reality {in this instance, I would suggest that Scripture is our only truth… feelings and emotions will lead us astray every time. We must line up with Scripture}

in my heart… my own heart. I must not try to deceive myself. I must be so in-tune with Scripture that I recognize a lie, whether I try to tell it to myself or another is trying to sway me.

Is my manner of life whole and full of integrity?

Do I walk in agreement with the Truth of Scripture?

Do my works commit justice of law? Are they ethical?

Are my deeds properly weighted or balanced?

Is my mind and heart so saturated with hearing and learning and mediating on truths from Scripture that I recognize a lie when the deceiver brings one to me?

These are all weighty questions I am asking myself… and I am trying not to deceive my own heart.

Because, as Jeremiah writes in chapter 17: The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

…and when I do NOT do these things… my Spirit {God’s Spirit IN me} is troubled and there is no peace in God’s Tabernacle!

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teaching lying

by tascha | 4 comments

teaching lying

Sometimes the words that come from my children truly convict me in my parenting. Recently has been no different, but it has been a particular something… more than just random willfulness or selfishness.

The other day 2 of my girls were playing nicely, politely… and then I heard one utter something like: “but do you PROMISE” to do or not do such/such…

I took this opportunity to instruct, though I am not sure how much stuck. 🙂

What are we teaching our children when they have to ‘promise’ in order for another to believe what they have said to be true?

We are teaching them to lie.

Sadly, but plainly and simply, we are telling them that you do not have to speak the truth unless you make it a promise!

We are taught in Scripture: …but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation. James 5:12

Indeed, this phrase is prefaced by a plea to NOT swear/promise by anything. Then it states that our word should simply be kept, thus reliable.

I do not make it a habit of asking my children to “promise” to do anything… but they have frequently asked me to promise that what I tell them is true. I try to make sure they realize that if what I am telling them were not true… it makes my words lies.

I rarely promise them anything.

I either speak truth, or I speak a lie.

We must instruct our children to only speak truth.

If it is unkind, then it is best left unsaid, something we are still learning/teaching! 🙂

But if someone is asking them to promise, they need to know how to let them know that “you do not practice lying to your friends, but you will not promise.”

There are several ways our Lord speaks of lying, but mostly it is called lying, deceitful or false lips or speaking falsely.

And here are some verses to help our children and us understand how God views lying:

Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing [lies]: the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man. Psalm 5:6

Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me. He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight. Psalm 101:6,7

These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. Proverbs 6:16-19 [mentioned twice in this list!]

Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. Proverbs 12:22

God does not want us to speak lies!

And some verses to help our children understand how God views truth:

LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. Psalm 15:1,2

The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. Proverbs 12:19

Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. Proverbs 12:22

For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. I Peter 3:10

These are just a few thoughts I’ve had recently when teaching my own precious babes on the importance of speaking truthfully!

We are ALL a work in progress 🙂 I would encourage you to study it out a bit on your own, as there are a myriad of other verses in which we are told how much God hates lying and loves the truth!

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Blessings!

from the days… that run together

by tascha | 2 comments

Some times days just run together so that weeks become months before you even realize it.

Birthdays come and go.

Songs are sung.

School activities get attended.

Church services are sat through.

Laundry is washed.

Dishes are cleaned.

Floors are vacuumed.

And yet, I get up and look around and think:

“What in the world have I accomplished?”

Only one life will soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.

Some times this truth is a conviction. What AM I doing for Christ?

And other times it is such a comfort…. I am {attempting to!} teaching my children to love and obey God and become responsible people, so that possibly they can effect a difference in the lives they come across–even while still children.

And that will last.

Some days, I freely admit, discipline and instruction are born out of frustration and not exactly done lovingly. Those days drive me to my knees so that other days become more peaceful, though not less hectic. {Sadly, many times it takes those frustrating days to remind me that I cannot do this wife and mother thing on my own!}

Remember, dear lady, no matter if you are a mother staying home to care for your children or a woman who must go out into the world to earn a wage, if you are doing what you do for Christ, your labor will not be in vain when the time comes to face the Lord.

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not of the world {day 3}

by tascha

Last night in my church’s special Revival Services, the Lord touched my heart. He convicted me about my witness… out in public, not an online public, but where people see the actual flesh and blood of my body and who I am.

Though He has many times spoken to my heart about its conduct. And He has changed many things in my life in the area of speech and dress and attitude. This is not how He spoke to me this time {that is not to say I think I have arrived! but it is something I consciously work on frequently.}

During our 9 years of living in this home, we have canvassed [invited neighbors to visit our church as well as ask about their salvation] our street and a few surrounding streets several times, though rarely is anyone home. And while I think we as a family could do this more frequently, that is not what He spoke to me about either.

Being a stay-at-home-wife-and-mother with 4 children [ages 1-8 yo], and many years off/on only having the one vehicle [and now fuel is so high, it’s almost like having one vehicle as we use them both at the same time so rarely], I did/do not leave the house often outside of attending church. But when I do, I am not normally thinking about speaking to anyone. I have a grocery list and a time-frame, and often 2 or more children with me.

What the Lord so graciously and lovingly knocked me up-side the head with is that even then, even when rushed to make sure I do not forget the bread or that I don’t forget to look at the sales racks for that bargain…. I must not block out the world around me. The world that is literally rushing to spend an eternity in hell.

How long would it take me to grab a tract out of my purse and hand it to the lady perusing the canned goods with me? How much brain power does it really take so ask “Do you know Jesus?” to the family also looking for a deal in the toothpaste? How can I be so focused on the toothpaste that it takes precedence over a human soul? I am positive that if I came home and told my husband that someone promised to come to a service or even let me talk further about salvation right there in the grocery store, he would not be in the least upset that I told him I forgot the toothpaste… or even the milk and eggs and bread!

So, this soul-beating that I took last night has softened my heart to SEE the world around me. Just because I am not OF the world does not mean I am not IN it, and I have a grave responsibility of sharing Jesus with someone!

soul rest {day 9}

by tascha

Do you know when your children just really need some extra rest?
The fussiness, crankiness, general irritability–that just screams at you, “Please put me in my bed and let my body rest!”

yep, that’s a pouty face…

Some days, my spirit is like that. The children’s fussiness grates on my nerves; the mess that accompanies 6 people in a small space… clothing, toys, school papers, mis-matched socks, lost cups [found days later], remnants of “teachable moments” {let’s see how well you can put your own clothing away. hehe}, etc.; and then they all want to eat-3 times a day… all work together to make my soul weary. And yet, I am not to be weary in well-doing.
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Galatians 6:7-9.

And I realize that…I am trying to do good… in my own strength {again}.

{I am reaping weakness… because I am sowing in my own strength}

And I must lay down my burdens with the Lord and let Him take over!

Come unto me…and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me… ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Matthew 11:28,29

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the soul’s delight {day 29}

by tascha

DISCLAIMER: I have no illusions that my children are perfect. Their teachers tell me when they have done wrong to prove it! …and we have correction discussions multiple times daily. It takes W.O.R.K. And I do realize their ARE children who require extra effort… and I have no idea how I would handle them, except that God promises to give us grace for our own trials and not another’s. And those few times I have received praises… they often come back to haunt me when we have shameful days. I fail everyday. I correct in haste with an unkind voice more often than I would care to admit. I do not train when I should {because it takes T.I.M.E.}. But every time, I know that I have a Loving Heavenly Father who is ready to hold my hand and walk me through it… one-more-time. over-and-over-again. daily.

From Proverbs 29

The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame. [verse 15]
Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul. [verse 17]

Several times through the book of Proverbs, child correcting and training and the rod are mentioned. And it is spoken of twice in this one chapter!

{While I do believe there is a right and a wrong way to physically punish a child, that is not the point today!}

The fact that I must give correction… I must reprove [tell them they are wrong] and train [show/tell them how to be right] my children…

that is the point.

And these two verses give the basic reasons why:

Children will not learn wisdom [how to think and act with discretion, in a way pleasing to the Lord] without correction and discipline and training. And often punishment is involved [the rod].

Reproof and correction are not punishment… just a ‘time out’ or spanking or whatever method is employed for punishing wrong- that is not training.

Punishment alone is not the answer, but it is a vital part.

we must walk this path of life WITH them

As parents, we must take the time- and as a mother I have much more opportunity to do this than my husband… and often fall very short- to speak with and train our children- a kind, loving voice instructing our children what is right, how toys are to be put away, how siblings are to be treated, etc.

Truly, as in verse 15, when we leave untrained, uncorrected children all alone… the mothers are shamed– often to the point of reprimanding in anger [BEEN THERE!].

But when loving reproof and training have been employed by {preferably} both mother and father… those children will give rest to whomever is in charge of them, with just a soft word of correction.

They will be a delight unto their parent’s souls.

Others can tell when a child has had loving correction and consistent discipline [both the rod and the training, hand in hand]… because they will make comments like: “oh, your children are so well-behaved” {to which I try to reply: “They are God’s gift to me!”}…

or “how do you make them all behave?” {to which I just smile {and try not to crack up laughing}! most people do not really want to know that sometimes crying is involved…}

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teaching respect

by tascha

to respect carries the idea of “showing regard to, paying attention to”

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Psalm 119:6

Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.

[If I pay attention to and regard God’s Word, I will have no reason to be ashamed.]

Colossians 3:23-25

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

[when we disregard God’s commands we will receive proper judgment just the same as the next person. No one is exempt from the consequences of his actions.]

Psalm 138:6

Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.

[God will take notice of those who show humility.]

Some things we are commanded by God that show our respect for Him.

Ephesians 6:5-9

Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

Hebrews 13:7

Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: [and the end of their conversation is this] for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Just because I am “all-grown-up”
does not mean I do not have any authority over my life.
And as usual,
the best way to teach our children is through example.

 I will teach my children to have respect for each other and their classmates by showing respect for them and other children we come into contact with and also by how I interact with my own peers.

Part of being respectful is trying to anticipate needs and being responsive when needs are made known.

If I see that someone is walking towards a closed door with her arms full and I have nothing, and I do nothing to help, that is being disrespectful to her as a person. But if I speed my steps just enough to get there and open the door for her, I have shown respect. And it is of no consequence if I even know her.

I will teach my children how to have respect for their teachers and other authority {boss, police, laws/government, etc} by how I show my respect for those individuals.

If I take matters into my own hands even after clear instruction from an authority, then I am teaching my children that they, also, can pick and choose which instructions they wish to obey. But when I do all within my power to do what is expected {whether clearly stated or not} and do not make excuses when I cannot accomplish it, I teach my own children responsibility as well as respect.

And as a stay-at-home-wife/mother, my closest human authority is my husband. That is not to say he “bosses” me, { 🙂 } but he IS, Biblically, an authority in my life. And how I respond to his requests, how I convey my attitude after turning from him-body language, facial expressions… that says more than any words.

And when my children see me disrespect their daddy, they WILL show disrespect to others.

And they will not understand when someone tries to correct them. Confusion will ensue.

Since my children leave me for the day to attend school, the next most important authority relationship is with their teachers.

I wrote a little about how I must be willing to allow others to correct my children here.

And that lines up with teaching them respect, which in turn contributes to teaching responsibility!

So each day, my life is about more than “my life.”

Much of my life is about teaching my children to respect others and how to show that respect through kindness of actions and words.

My life is about striving to BE the person God created me to be… so they can learn to be the person God wants them to be!

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Let us pray for our husbands to realize his body is the dwelling of the Holy Spirit, thus effecting his decisions about food and activities.

I must:

walk uprightly

work righteousness

speak truth in my heart

These are all weighty questions I am asking myself… and I am trying not to deceive my own heart.

…and when I do NOT do these things… my Spirit {God’s Spirit IN me} is troubled and there is no peace in God’s Tabernacle!

What are we teaching our children when they have to ‘promise’ in order for another to believe what they have said to be true?

We are teaching them to lie.

I either speak truth, or I speak a lie.

We must instruct our children to only speak truth.

God does not want us to speak lies!

“What in the world have I accomplished?”

Only one life will soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.

And that will last.

Remember, dear lady, no matter if you are a mother staying home to care for your children or a woman who must go out into the world to earn a wage, if you are doing what you do for Christ, your labor will not be in vain when the time comes to face the Lord.

that is the point.

Punishment alone is not the answer, but it is a vital part.

They will be a delight unto their parent’s souls.

to respect carries the idea of “showing regard to, paying attention to”

[If I pay attention to and regard God’s Word, I will have no reason to be ashamed.]

[when we disregard God’s commands we will receive proper judgment just the same as the next person. No one is exempt from the consequences of his actions.]

[God will take notice of those who show humility.]

Just because I am “all-grown-up” does not mean I do not have any authority over my life. And as usual, the best way to teach our children is through example.

I will teach my children to have respect for each other and their classmates by showing respect for them and other children we come into contact with and also by how I interact with my own peers.

I will teach my children how to have respect for their teachers and other authority {boss, police, laws/government, etc} by how I show my respect for those individuals.

And when my children see me disrespect their daddy, they WILL show disrespect to others.

So each day, my life is about more than “my life.”

My life is about striving to BE the person God created me to be… so they can learn to be the person God wants them to be!

Just because I am “all-grown-up”
does not mean I do not have any authority over my life.
And as usual,
the best way to teach our children is through example.

 I will teach my children to have respect for each other and their classmates by showing respect for them and other children we come into contact with and also by how I interact with my own peers.