Another Friday Favorite: A Plug for Children in Worship

Do you think Hannah has spent some time in corporate worship with the grown ups?  Too cute.

How to Tell if You’re a Real Disciple

Parenting Hangs in the Balance

Parenting is a hot topic.  Opinions swing from one end of the spectrum to the other.  And yet, there seems to be evidence abounding (mainly at Wal-Mart, for whatever reason) that there are some missing links to this colossally important job of raising children.

And while we’re on the topic, may I just boldly say, it matters to me how you raise your children, as it should matter to you how I raise mine.  We all live in this society together and whether we’re talking about smashed mail boxes or tax-payer prison costs, we are affected by the job each of us does as parents.

You can read all the books and try to figure out what sounds best to you, but I don’t think that’s the most solid approach to parenting.

In my opinion, there are several sure-fire ways to know what good parenting is. It’s not rocket science, but Read more »

Homemade, Repurposed Gift Idea: Old Cabinet Doors

One of my favorite things to do is to re-purpose old stuff, or to use the more popular term, “upcycle”.   There is something positively delicious about rescuing a used, worn object and giving it new life.

(Perhaps it is because it mirrors the story of redemption written on my heart by the “Master Upcyler” who restored this used, tattered young woman and gave her new life…..and because we bear His image,  that creative heart of His beats in us.)

As we begin to think about Christmas gifts, and as that time of the year always necessitates our bravest creativity, we are rummaging around for some great gift ideas.

I found a bunch of these old cabinet doors that my father had collected over the years.  After finding a few ideas on line, we decided to recyle them into message/chalk boards for the kitchen.

One thing to note about me and homemade gifts:  I like it simple.  If it’s not pretty simple, I’ll grow impatient and lose interest.  Crafting ADD, I guess.

(Somehow the angle of the pictures I took created an illusion that makes the top pic look much wider???)

I did the first one, and Alexa, my 8 year old begged to do the rest and did a fantastic job!  We’re looking for some cool knobs to glue or screw across the bottom to hang aprons and such.

(Close-up of the dry brush effect.)

A few short steps:

1. Tape around the inset that will be painted with chalk board paint and then paint it.
2. After that dries (just an hour or less), tape over the edge of the painted inset and paint the rest of the door the desired color.
3. We “distressed” the look by brushing over the wet paint with a dry brush.
4. Glue or screw knobs across the bottom, tie on a piece of chalk (all optional) and you’re done

I am considering playing around with trying to make a plaque and painting a word or phrase inside.  Vinyl lettering would work great, but I’m also challenging myself to do the upcycle without spending any money.  Any ideas would be helpful!

Since posting, I found this very inspirational video with lots of different cabinet upcycling ideas!

While we had the chalk board paint out, I got happy and painted the top of the children’s table (well, THEY painted it because I temporarily lost my sanity wanted them to be involved too.)  Then we spray painted the rest John Deere green (it was the only color of spray paint we had, OK?)

The table is a hit!  And since our air conditioning is out and it’s 150 degrees inside, (well, 90, but I’m going with a heat index of 150) we’re spending a lot more time downstairs (which is where the table is) so the new distraction comes at a great time! I said “distraction” but I meant “teaching tool”, of course

C.S. Lewis: What Christ Wants

“Christ says, ‘I don’t want some of your time & money, I want you. I’ve not come to torment your natural self but to kill it.’”  C.S. Lewis

5 Signs of a Virtuous Wife

1.  She does her husband good and his heart safely trusts her.

This phrase is so loaded.  I would do well to dwell on this phrase alone all day.  I’m going to leave it at the challenge to ponder what you think it means to “do your husband good”.  Other clues from Proverbs speak of being a “crown” to him contrasted with being “rottenness in his bones”.  He is also “known in the city gates” (well-known and respected) and that advantage seems to be at least partially attributed to his wife’s character.

2. She feeds her family well.

This is more than quantity, I believe, and requires a considerate amount of studying, preparing and planning for meal time.

3.  She is a strong and vigorous worker.

A virtuous woman in God’s economy is not a woman too delicate to get her hands dirty.

4.  She helps those in need.

One important element of being a keeper at home is being available for the very basic Christian command-helping others.  The Christian community was and is expected to have reaching arms, always ready to help those around them, especially those of the household of faith.  The home should be the center of this tangible, outflowing of love. Such an important responsibility has been diminished and replaced by the activities we have deemed important, leaving little time for this lifeline of ministry.

5.  She dresses well and with dignity.

A virtuous woman doesn’t need a lot of money to dress nicely and keep herself tidy and attractive.  All it takes is a little time and fore-thought.  I think it’s important for us to be careful to avoid gaudy fads while still maintaining a stylish appearance.  Sometimes that’s a fine line.

God’s ideal woman has a tall order to fill.  I want to study, ponder and practice to become that woman.  It’s a life-long process; we are all in different places.  But by God’s grace, let’s keep looking to the Author and Finisher of our faith and believe that He will enable us to become “a rare jewel” in our homes, to our husbands and children, and in our communities!