I'm moving AGAIN!

This time I'm not moving into a new home for myself, just my blogging....

http://bethyoung.wordpress.com/

Bedroom Project Update

Well, I'm posting some pictures of our bedroom. This is my "project" until completed. My idea is that we turn our bedroom into a retreat. I like staying with the green tones of my bedding that I'm in love with. My furniture isn't my style anymore, but I'm going to be content with it and work with it :-) . My newest addition is my papazon chair. I spent two months worth of my $75 dedicated dollars on this one ($150 and it's from the Pier 1 sale) We had wanted to get two chairs -- maybe smaller in size, but there wasn't room. The list of things that we (I) want to do are the following:

1. Purcahse either a large cozy chair for reading, or two chairs side by side. (Done!)
2. Place free hanging bookshelves above the chair(s). I'd like them to be thick dark wood.
3. Get two end tables for the sides of our bed.
4. Hang a fan (a dark brown fan with fan blades shaped like leaves)
5. Replace the navy blue carpeting (yipes!) with dark brown wood flooring (or faux wood).
6. Hang pictures and artwork above bed and around room.
7. Purchase a small palm tree of sorts.
8. Place a tranquil little fountain somewhere in the room -- either on the book shelf or on top of our dresser.
9. Wood blinds, curtains, sheers or something other than dirty white blinds (please and thank you ;-)
10. Paint!

I also posted some pictures of our master bathroom. I really love the shower curtain with the green walls. I accented with white plush towels, decorations, floor rug and toilet seat cover. It feels spa-like to me :-)

I'll continue to give updates as they come!

Foolishness and lack of self control (Me!)

I get these daily emails from a pastor of a church in Texas. He has a daily message (most of the time it's daily) and today's was really great for me so I thought I'd share. It really hits home. I am way too often acting foolishly.

Saying What's On Your Mind

Wednesday, August 16, 2006 Daily Devotional

Proverbs 12:16 A fool’s wrath is known at once, But a prudent man covers shame. (NKJV)

Foolishness is lack of wisdom. Foolish behavior manifests itself in various forms and choices.
"A fool's wrath is known at once..." In other words, fools shoot off their mouth every time they feel like it, especially when mad, offended or insulted. This person will often be heard bragging how they "say what's on their mind", or "tell it like it is".

Why is it foolish to have a quick, sharp tongue? What is wrong? What is missing?

It shows a lack of self control
It demonstrates a person who has not learned temperance, and meekness
It means this person hasn't matured past the point of being constantly on guard of their feelings
It is evidence that self interest is the first priority, that "self" has not been "crucified in Christ"
A person who becomes easily, or frequently annoyed and irritated, is primarily motivated by " self concern". They get annoyed because someone spoke ill of them, or didn't say what "should" have been said. They get irritated when something is happening that is not of personal interest or benefit to them. They are quick to show impatience and voice criticism when things aren't happening exactly the way they want.
A foolish person is quickly irritated or annoyed;and quick to tell you about it.
And they will always have a great reason why, which no doubt they will be glad to inform you of.
On the contrary, a wise man is thoughtful in response, and as a rule overlooks insults or offenses. The wise man has eternal interests at heart, and is more concerned with leading the other person closer to God. The wise man is not concerned with making sure everyone knows he is mad or offended. This wise person sees others through the Lord's eyes and discerns the spiritual need that is underlying the behavior. A wise man loves others enough to see past the offense and into the sin that needs dealt with.

1 Peter 4:8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” (NKJV)

The fool is worried about personal feelings. The wise man is concerned with helping the offender to turn to God. The fool sees their own critical impatience as merited and justified. The wise man gives no thought to how he personally feels, but seeks to discern only what God would do.
Philippians 2:3-4 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. (NKJV)

If you are someone who is easily offended, often irritated, and you make sure everyone knows about it; then you are person who needs to carefully examine who is sitting on the throne of your life. If you are quick to anger, and frequently annoyed at other people, it is evidence that "self interest" is the king of your life, not Christ.

Father, help us to be slow to anger, slow to speak and quick to show mercy, patience and selflessness. Give us the wisdom and discernment to see the spiritual need of those who offend us, annoy us or bother us. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Contemplation: Are you easily irritated? Are you annoyed at somebody every day? Do people "get on your nerves"? Does your family? Your spouse?

Application: If yes, this betrays a self interest that needs to be dealt with before God. Christians should not be easily annoyed and quick to respond in irritation. Ask God to reveal the truth of this to you and give you strength to change.

What is the most obvious Bible truth you have learned today?
What change in your life needs to be made concerning this truth?
What specific thing will you do today to begin that change?

Isn't this great? I need messages like this to convict my foolish ways. Lord, let this be my prayer today. Give me wisdom and give me the strength to change. Only you can do that.

Pictures!

We were on vacation this past week in Ocean City and it was really wonderful. My digital camera's lens was malfunctioning so I only have a handful of camera phone pictures. My sisters are going to send me the pics from their cameras. I have some real sweet shots of my cuties sleeping in thier carseats, on daddy's shoulder and even one of my crazy husband. Enjoy!

When keeping a nice home isn't enough...at all.

I have been feeling great conviction lately over my obession with a clean and neat home. It's kind of funny that one person's obsession that turns sinful could be another person's weakness that can become sinful, you know what I'm saying? I realize that as women according to the Bible in Titus that we are to be busy at home. We should strive to have our home be a reflection of ourselves, our love for the Lord and our family. We are also called to serve our husbands and our families in the home, to keep the Lord first...to rise early in the morning and spend time with Him. We are to fear the Lord because beauty is fleeting and a woman that fears the Lord is to be praised. We are to put our husband's and children's needs ahead of ours. Who's need is it that the house is to be perfectly decorated, in order and smelling delicious? Oh no, not smelling delicious because of food, but smelling delicious because of the cookie candle or the lemon pine sol. Sad case, aren't I? I do take pride in my home but do I take pride in the way that my children's needs are met and also my husbands? No, not really. My children's discipline suffers and my husband attention and devotion suffers because of my obsession with keeping a nice and neat home. It's really an all day project for me. I wake up picking up and I go to bed picking up. I pick up in the middle of meals, I redecorate during my quiet time and I light candles and pull up and down the shades in various rooms about 10 times a day. Hey, I'm just trying to paint the picture for you! I really want to please the Lord. I know that he is pleased when I serve others, and when I decorate and when I try and make a pretty ambiance for my guests and family but the reason I am doing it is not Christ like. I'm doing it because I want to do it and I'm putting that need above all other needs.

Lord, I come to you with a selfish, selfish heart. You know my love of "things" for my home and my constant obsession with things looking nice. Please guide me Lord to the things of You, father. Please help me to stick to my quiet times with you, Lord with no interruptions. Please allow me to let the dishes go for a few hours, or the dog hair on the floor to go as well....(eep!)...please allow me to breathe when toys are all over the place. I want to keep the focus on you, Father and what you want for me. I know that when you are the center, Lord, everything else will fall into place. Help me to have a serving heart for others and not for myself. Forgive me Lord for allowing my needs to come before yours and my families.

Alrighty, ladies. I need your support!