Thoughtful Gift-Giving for Children

For most families, this is a time of lots of shopping and gift-giving, as the year comes to a close. Quite possibly, you have completed your Christmas shopping, but maybe you still have a few things to purchase. Even if all of your shopping has been done, this post may have some helpful information as you consider the presents you want to give your children in the future, for either Christmas or birthdays. Please join me today at Raising Homemakers where I give you some ideas for thoughtful gift-giving for children.
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The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards

Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God’s help, I do humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will, for Christ’s sake.

Remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.

1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God’s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriad’s of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many and how great soever.
2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new invention and contrivance to promote the aforementioned things.
3. Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.
4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.
5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.
6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.
7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.
8. Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God.
9. Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.
10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.
11. Resolved, when I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances don’t hinder.
12. Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by.

13. Resolved, to be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and liberality.
14. Resolved, never to do anything out of revenge.
15. Resolved, never to suffer the least motions of anger to irrational beings.
16. Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.
17. Resolved, that I will live so as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.
18. Resolved, to live so at all times, as I think is best in my devout frames, and when I have clearest notions of things of the gospel, and another world.
19. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it would not be above an hour, before I should hear the last trump.
20. Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance in eating and drinking.
21. Resolved, never to do anything, which if I should see in another, I should count a just occasion to despise him for, or to think any way the more meanly of him.
22. Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other world, as I possibly can, with all the power; might, vigor, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of.

23. Resolved, frequently to take some deliberate action, which seems most unlikely to be done, for the glory of God, and trace it back to the original intention, designs and ends of it; and if I find it not to be for God’s glory, to repute it as a breach of the 4th Resolution.
24. Resolved, whenever I do any conspicuously evil action, to trace it back, till I come to the original cause; and then both carefully endeavor to do so no more, and to fight and pray with all my might against the original of it.
25. Resolved, to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it.
26. Resolved, to cast away such things, as I find do abate my assurance.
27. Resolved, never willfully to omit anything, except the omission be for the glory of God; and frequently to examine my omissions.
28. Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.
29. Resolved, never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession, which I cannot hope God will accept.
30. Resolved, to strive to my utmost every week to be brought higher in religion, and to a higher exercise of grace, than I was the week before.

31. Resolved, never to say anything at all against anybody, but when it is perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of Christian honor, and of love to mankind, agreeable to the lowest humility, and sense of my own faults and failings, and agreeable to the golden rule; often, when I have said anything against anyone, to bring it to, and try it strictly by the test of this Resolution.
32. Resolved, to be strictly and firmly faithful to my trust, that that in Prov. 20:6, “A faithful man who can find?” may not be partly fulfilled in me.
33. Resolved, always to do what I can towards making, maintaining, establishing and preserving peace, when it can be without over-balancing detriment in other respects. Dec.26, 1722.
34. Resolved, in narration’s never to speak anything but the pure and simple verity.
35. Resolved, whenever I so much question whether I have done my duty, as that my quiet and calm is thereby disturbed, to set it down, and also how the question was resolved. Dec. 18, 1722.
36. Resolved, never to speak evil of any, except I have some particular good call for it. Dec. 19, 1722.
37. Resolved, to inquire every night, as I am going to bed, wherein I have been negligent, what sin I have committed, and wherein I have denied myself: also at the end of every week, month and year. Dec.22 and 26, 1722.
38. Resolved, never to speak anything that is ridiculous, sportive, or matter of laughter on the Lord’s day. Sabbath evening, Dec. 23, 1722.
39. Resolved, never to do anything that I so much question the lawfulness of, as that I intend, at the same time, to consider and examine afterwards, whether it be lawful or no; except I as much question the lawfulness of the omission.
40. Resolved, to inquire every night, before I go to bed, whether I have acted in the best way I possibly could, with respect to eating and drinking. Jan. 7, 1723.
41. Resolved, to ask myself at the end of every day, week, month and year, wherein I could possibly in any respect have done better. Jan. 11, 1723.
42. Resolved, frequently to renew the dedication of myself to God, which was made at my baptism; which I solemnly renewed, when I was received into the communion of the church; and which I have solemnly re-made this twelfth day of January, 1722-23.

43. Resolved, never henceforward, till I die, to act as if I were any way my own, but entirely and altogether God’s, agreeable to what is to be found in Saturday, January 12. Jan.12, 1723.
44. Resolved, that no other end but religion, shall have any influence at all on any of my actions; and that no action shall be, in the least circumstance, any otherwise than the religious end will carry it. Jan.12, 1723.
45. Resolved, never to allow any pleasure or grief, joy or sorrow, nor any affection at all, nor any degree of affection, nor any circumstance relating to it, but what helps religion. Jan.12 and 13.1723.
46. Resolved, never to allow the least measure of any fretting uneasiness at my father or mother. Resolved to suffer no effects of it, so much as in the least alteration of speech, or motion of my eve: and to be especially careful of it, with respect to any of our family.
47. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to deny whatever is not most agreeable to a good, and universally sweet and benevolent, quiet, peaceable, contented, easy, compassionate, generous, humble, meek, modest, submissive, obliging, diligent and industrious, charitable, even, patient, moderate, forgiving, sincere temper; and to do at all times what such a temper would lead me to. Examine strictly every week, whether I have done so. Sabbath morning. May 5,1723.
48. Resolved, constantly, with the utmost niceness and diligence, and the strictest scrutiny, to be looking into the state of my soul, that I may know whether I have truly an interest in Christ or no; that when I come to die, I may not have any negligence respecting this to repent of. May 26, 1723.
49. Resolved, that this never shall be, if I can help it.
50. Resolved, I will act so as I think I shall judge would have been best, and most prudent, when I come into the future world. July 5, 1723.
51. Resolved, that I will act so, in every respect, as I think I shall wish I had done, if I should at last be damned. July 8, 1723.
52. I frequently hear persons in old age say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, that I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age. July 8, 1723.
53. Resolved, to improve every opportunity, when I am in the best and happiest frame of mind, to cast and venture my soul on the Lord Jesus Christ, to trust and confide in him, and consecrate myself wholly to him; that from this I may have assurance of my safety, knowing that I confide in my Redeemer. July 8, 1723.
54. Whenever I hear anything spoken in conversation of any person, if I think it would be praiseworthy in me, Resolved to endeavor to imitate it. July 8, 1723.
55. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to act as I can think I should do, if I had already seen the happiness of heaven, and hell torments. July 8, 1723.
56. Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.
57. Resolved, when I fear misfortunes and adversities, to examine whether ~ have done my duty, and resolve to do it; and let it be just as providence orders it, I will as far as I can, be concerned about nothing but my duty and my sin. June 9, and July 13 1723.
58. Resolved, not only to refrain from an air of dislike, fretfulness, and anger in conversation, but to exhibit an air of love, cheerfulness and benignity. May27, and July 13, 1723.

59. Resolved, when I am most conscious of provocations to ill nature and anger, that I will strive most to feel and act good-naturedly; yea, at such times, to manifest good nature, though I think that in other respects it would be disadvantageous, and so as would be imprudent at other times. May 12, July ii, and July 13.
60. Resolved, whenever my feelings begin to appear in the least out of order, when I am conscious of the least uneasiness within, or the least irregularity without, I will then subject myself to the strictest examination. July 4, and 13, 1723.
61. Resolved, that I will not give way to that listlessness which I find unbends and relaxes my mind from being fully and fixedly set on religion, whatever excuse I may have for it-that what my listlessness inclines me to do, is best to be done, etc. May 21, and July 13, 1723.
62. Resolved, never to do anything but duty; and then according to Eph. 6:6-8, do it willingly and cheerfully as unto the Lord, and not to man; “knowing that whatever good thing any man doth, the same shall he receive of the Lord.” June 25 and July 13, 1723.
63. On the supposition, that there never was to be but one individual in the world, at any one time, who was properly a complete Christian, in all respects of a right stamp, having Christianity always shining in its true luster, and appearing excellent and lovely, from whatever part and under whatever character viewed: Resolved, to act just as I would do, if I strove with all my might to be that one, who should live in my time. Jan.14′ and July ‘3′ 1723.
64. Resolved, when I find those “groanings which cannot be uttered” (Rom. 8:26), of which the Apostle speaks, and those “breakings of soul for the longing it hath,” of which the Psalmist speaks, Psalm 119:20, that I will promote them to the utmost of my power, and that I will not be wear’, of earnestly endeavoring to vent my desires, nor of the repetitions of such earnestness. July 23, and August 10, 1723.
65. Resolved, very much to exercise myself in this all my life long, viz. with the greatest openness I am capable of, to declare my ways to God, and lay open my soul to him: all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires, and every thing, and every circumstance; according to Dr. Manton’s 27th Sermon on Psalm 119. July 26, and Aug.10 1723.
66. Resolved, that I will endeavor always to keep a benign aspect, and air of acting and speaking in all places, and in all companies, except it should so happen that duty requires otherwise.
67. Resolved, after afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them, what good I have got by them, and what I might have got by them.
68. Resolved, to confess frankly to myself all that which I find in myself, either infirmity or sin; and, if it be what concerns religion, also to confess the whole case to God, and implore needed help. July 23, and August 10, 1723.
69. Resolved, always to do that, which I shall wish I had done when I see others do it. Aug. 11, 1723.
70. Let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak. Aug. 17, 1723

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When People Are Unkind

If you have lived long or just a little while on this earth, you have probably experienced the sting of someone being unkind to you.  Perhaps it left you feeling sad, bruised, hurt, or if it was repeated, maybe it made you quite upset.  Maybe you wanted to dwell on the pain, or just couldn't get it out of your mind--the way this person has hurt you.

But there is much that we can do that would be much more beneficial.  When someone has been unkind, instead of becoming bitter, angry, or resentful, or dwelling on the hurt, instead we can:

• Think of the times we have been unkind to others and make amends if possible.  Of course, ask the Lord's forgiveness as well.
• Think of all of the Lord's kindness to you, and do your best to still show that person love.
• Let it be a reminder to take more time to think before speaking, for oh, how our little tongue can be a burning fire if not controlled!
• Use this as an opportunity to grow closer to your loving Saviour, knowing that He is never unkind, and never unjust.
• Let the unkindness you were shown be a reminder to be sweeter, more loving, more patient, more understanding, and more kind yourself.  This is what comes to my mind most often--how can I be more kind to others?  Am I showing them love? Am I speaking in a way that shows my care for them?  Am I loving them in my heart?  Surely if we are not truly loving in our hearts, we will not be able to show genuine love to others.

This is a little list of reminders I have come up with for myself.  Perhaps it will be a help for you as well, and please let me know if you have any other helpful ideas.

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How to Read the Bible as a Family

Family worship time is so very important.  The Puritans of old completely understood this and made it a great priority to have time in God's Word together as a family.  If you are not doing this already, I would greatly encourage you to start now.  Ideally, the husband would lead the family devotions, but if for some reason he is absent, unwilling, or not a Christian, than you, as mother must do it yourself.  God will help you.

If you do not know how, here is a resource that I just came across today that will be quite helpful.  We do not make it our goal to get through the Bible in a year, as my husband prefers to take the time on each passage to bring out the deep, spiritual meaning. However, I think this article provides a lot of good information for having your own Bible time as a family.

Another way to have family Bible time ~ How to Have Family Bible Study

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Keeping Celebrations Christ-Centered

Thanksgiving is now over and the Christmas rush has begun.... 

Whatever the holiday, whatever the celebration, as Christian mothers, we have a great duty and privilege of keeping our families' thoughts Christ-centered.  Please join me today at Raising Homemakers for my thoughts on keeping our celebrations Christ-centered.

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2018 Thanksgiving and New Thankful Box

This year, we celebrated Thanksgiving a couple of days late.  We had some company over again to join us.  When all the food was prepared, I was only focused on letting everyone know the meal was ready, so as to not let the food get cold.  I therefore completely forgot to take pictures.  It really is too bad because we went to the effort of labeling all of our dishes with pretty signs so that everyone would know what each dish was at first glance.  Thankfully, our guests thoroughly enjoyed the traditional Thanksgiving meal, and one of them took some pictures which I will share if they send them to us.  Our menu was:

• turkey
• goose
• cranberry sauce
• mashed potatoes
• loaded fauxtato casserole
• cornbread
• bacon garlic green beans
• dinner rolls
• gravy
• apple, lemon meringue, and pumpkin pies
• pumpkin cream cake

All of these were homemade from scratch.  I split up the meal preparation with our three eldest daughters, who happily prepared their dishes and got the house ready.

On a different day, as a family we opened up our Thankful Box to see what everyone had written down to be thankful for.  We needed a new box this year, and I finally got around to decorating it, or at least some of it.  I painted on Scripture verses, and a Pilgrim and Indian couple.  I began drawing on some leaves but didn't have the time to paint them yet.  It's not a very pretty box, but hopefully made prettier by a bit of decoration.  Lord willing, I will finish it before the next Thanksgiving comes around!

Below are some pictures of the (unfinished Thankful Box).  To see what this is and why we do it, click on the post above.  My wonderful husband read through our large stack of papers this year, commenting on each one of the Lord's goodness to us.  How thankful I am for a Godly husband!

I hope you all are doing well and enjoyed a day of giving thanks to the Lord for His goodness.

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Phone Etiquette

Some mothers at home have a problem of receiving phone calls all throughout the day.  This can cause a great interruption to a busy day of homeschooling and homemaking, so what is a mother to do?

First off, we must realize that we shouldn't expect others to be available every time we want to get a hold of them.  Our modern conveniences of telephones, cell phones, email, social media, etc. have left some people very impatient to have an immediate reply when they want to speak to someone.  But we must be more considerate.

Just because a mother or housewife is at home and not employed outside the home, does not make her completely available to everyone who wants to reach her.  There is much to get done during the day, and especially if she is spending time with her children or husband, she shouldn't be expected to drop everything when someone rings.  While a housewife does have a great deal of freedom with her time, that does not mean that she has time for every interruption.  A housewife's schedule and responsibilities should be respected by others.

Of course, we know that sometimes we will have interruptions, and we must deal with them graciously.  But to always have them coming into our day is not helpful or conducive to accomplishing what is needed in the home. 

There are things a housewife can do to help with these interruptions.  If you have Caller ID, you can see easily if the phone needs to picked up.  If not, most households have an answering machine or voicemail that can be used to screen calls for an emergency.  Phone calls can be returned at a set time that won't interrupt the family's day.  Another polite way to contact people is email, as an email can be answered when the receiver is able.

Unfortunately, some people are pushy and not understanding about a homemaker's time, and still expect to be answered immediately.  You may have to graciously explain that you are unable to answer all the time, but that you will respond when you are able.

In the same vein, it is really impolite to break off in the middle of a conversation with someone to answer a text or phone call from someone else.  It is like allowing a person to pop up in the middle of you and the person you were having time with, who starts talking about something completely different.  This is a major problem in our modern technology age, but we should be considerate of those immediately around us, and remember that a message can always be checked, and a phone call returned at a more convenient time.

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New Homemaking Book

It is a lovely windy day here, with bits of sunshine streaming through the cloudy sky.  The pretty ivy vine on the neighbor's house has grown a lot since last year, and it has turned a brilliant deep red.  I snapped a picture of it last year, and will have to take another one this year.  Autumn is on its way.  I think it still remains my favorite season.

I always enjoy encouragement in my homemaking career and always want to see if there are ways I can improve what I am already doing.  I am also teaching my daughters how to be homemakers, so that they are prepared when they, Lord-willing, marry one day, and have their own husbands, children, and homes to care for.

Mrs. Sharon White has published a new book for help in learning some homemaking skills, and I can't wait to get mine.  I've been friends with Mrs. White for several years and very much enjoy her homemaking posts.  You can read about her new book here.

Have a very blessed day in the Lord.

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What Sin Cost

"He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows--yet we considered Him stricken by God, smitten by Him, and afflicted. He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:3-5

Pilate delivered our Lord to the lictors to be scourged. The Roman scourge was a most dreadful instrument of torture. It was made of the sinews of oxen, and sharp bones were intertwined among the sinews; so that every time the lash came down, these pieces of bone inflicted fearful laceration and tore off the flesh from the bone. The Savior was, no doubt, bound to the whipping post and thus beaten. He had been beaten before; but this flagellation of the Roman lictors was probably the most severe of His scourgings. 

My soul, stand here and weep over His poor stricken body! Believer, can you gaze upon Him without tears as He stands before you, the mirror of agonizing love? He is at once as white as the lily for innocence, and as red as the rose with the crimson of His own blood.

As we feel the sure and blessed healing that His stripes have wrought in us--does not our heart melt at once with love and grief? If ever we have loved our Lord Jesus, surely we must feel that affection glowing now within our bosoms. 

We would be compelled to go to our chambers and weep, but our business calls us away. So we will first pray our Beloved to print the image of His bleeding self upon the tablets of our hearts all the day; and at nightfall we will return to commune with Him and sorrow that our sin should have cost Him so dearly!

~Charles Spurgeon

The next time we want to toy with sin, excuse sin, make it out to be a little thing, let us remember what it cost the dear Lord Jesus Christ.

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How to Conquer Sin

"In all these things we are more than conquerors, through Him who loved us!" Romans 8:37

We go to Christ for forgiveness--and then too often look to the ourselves for power to fight our sins.

Christian! Take your sins to Christ's cross, for the old man can only be crucified there!

The only weapon to fight sin with, is the spear that pierced the side of Jesus!

To give an illustration: You want to overcome an angry temper--how do you begin? It is very possible you have never tried the right way of going to Jesus with it. How did I get salvation? I came to Jesus just as I was, and I trusted Him to save me. I must kill my angry temper in the same way--it is the only way in which I can ever kill it! I must go to the cross with it, and say to Jesus, "Lord, I trust You to deliver me from it."

Are you covetous? Do you feel the world entangle you? You may struggle against this evil as long as you wish--but if it is your besetting sin, you will never be delivered from it in any way but by the blood of Jesus. Take it to Christ! Tell Him: "Lord, I have trusted You, and You save Your people from their sins. Lord, this is one of my besetting sins--save me from it!"

You must be conquerors through Him who has loved you, if conquerors at all.

~Charles Spurgeon

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