Eternal Encouragement Magazine by Eternal Encouragement Magazine

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n our vacation a few weeks ago, 8-year-old Jay and I rode our first roller coaster at Sea World. It took quite a bit of assurance from Mom that this would be fun. I hoped I wasn’t lying when I told him it was safe or we would not ride it. The rest of our family was in the cars in front of us and in between plunging and climbing, we were able to hear and see their exuberant love for this roller coaster that they termed “tame.” As we waited in our car watching them disembark, I was thinking how thankful I was that my eye problems restrained me from riding any more thrilling rides at the parks we visited in the days to come. At the same time, I was gently getting my precious “baby” to admit, “it was kind of fun.” As we stepped out of our car, Jay turned to me and uttered in all seriousness something I had never heard him say before, “What is wrong with these people?” So he wasn’t completely sold on the idea of riding more roller coasters. Yet in the rides to come, after making sure that I didn’t mind being left alone, he was first in line for every ride and got off exclaiming how awesome they were! Last night, Randy was on the phone involved in a very important discussion about the alien movie he had watched with the boys

the night before. I wanted to have him pause for just a millisecond to answer one of my very important questions like, “What color was it I painted my fingernails last week?” and he got all discombobulated (don’t you love that word?) and lost track of his thoughts. Then he blamed me for his losing his train of thought. They were his thoughts, weren’t they? And besides, he’s the one that can’t think about two things at once. Later that evening, I got a phone call about the beach house from a lady I didn’t know. Mid-sentence I heard Randy correct me about another “very important” fact. I was telling her where something was located and said she could find it on the post in the carport and he interjected, “Lorrie, that is a beam not a post.” I figured that would be about the equivalent of me interrupting a conversation of his to tell him that piece of furniture he was talking about was an armoire not a cupboard, so I just kept talking to her while at the same time hearing what he was saying about the beam and what she was asking about where the post that isn’t a post was. Did I turn him away with a frown? Did I ask the lady to hang on a minute? Did I lose track of my thoughts? Nope. However, in all fairness, I can multi-task, but the small but all-soimportant details, those are the things that escape me. If I’m in charge of the coffee for the meeting, you better stop at Starbucks on the way!  EE Updates This spring we launched our membership program, where for $9.97 a month you get one brand new eBook, audio, and/or video from me. This is called The Encouraging Mom and not only is it an incredible deal, it is so

2 EternalEncouragement.com • Fall 2011, Volume XVI, Issue 3 • This Issue’s Theme: “The Heart of Obedience”

rewarding to read what the moms are saying about what God is doing in their lives as a result. In July, we began accepting applications for the second year of The Gabby Moms. This is our blogging program. If you know someone who

waiting for my normal pipsqueak voice to replace the one that sounds like there’s a clothespin on the end my nose before I record it. I expect it will be approximately an hour long, and it is called, From Exhausted, Irritable, and Overwhelmed to . . . An Energized and Fulfilled Woman of God. Currently, I am prayerfully beginning to decide where and when to go and do Extreme Mom Makeovers this fall, winter, and spring. We’ll be going from coast to coast this year, and if God uses these to impact the lives of families like He did last year, then these one-day retreats will be worth the sacrifice. Reading the letters, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for what God is doing! Ladies, will you pray with me for Randy to hear the Lord clearly as to what our schedule and destinations should be? And for the rest of us here at EE, that we would know with a certainty what to

From L to R: Dessaly, 17; Kiley, 15; Haley, 13.

has a blog and wants to look more like Jesus, they can apply. If approved, we send them a product a month for them to share about how it helped them, or didn’t, on their own blogs. I was especially touched to read that one of the moms attributes this program with saving her marriage. Thank you, Lord. Also in July, we introduced a new book, Yelling: The Cause, The Casualty, and The Cure. I have been so encouraged by the feedback to this. I have struggled with yelling at my children, and the Lord really did a work in me eleven years ago. This book is a result of my own experience with overcoming the compulsion to yell. In the middle of August we are coming out with our first video. I wrote it just this last weekend and I am so excited about it. I’m

From L to R: Kiley 14, Haley 12, and Dessaly 16

spend our time on that will bless our readers and allow us to continue with this ministry through another winter in this poor economy.

Eternal Encouragement Magazine • 18016 West Spring Lake Drive, Renton, Washington 98058 • email: EternalEncouragement@gmail.com 3

Obedience The older I get the more familiar I become with my sin and the more it grieves me because I am grieving Him. Sanctification at war with sin—but this battle has already been decided! "If the Son shall make you free, you will be free indeed," John 8:36. Just before Jesus talked about "free indeed," He said, "Anyone who commits sin is a slave of sin," John 8:34. Now at first thought, obedience may not seem like that big a deal. It certainly doesn’t seem like our "slave master," especially if we think sin is just breaking some religion's rules. But it is so much more. And it is at the heart of our broken families, our broken relationships, our broken hearts, our broken world. Sin is every selfish, dirty, or dishonest thing we've ever done. Every word or reaction that has hurt someone, most often someone we love. It's that disease of me that, multiplied by six billion me’s on this planet, exacts a horrific price. And for all our attempts at self-improvement, we just keep doing the things that we hate . . . that those who love us hate . . . that God hates. It is, in fact, the hijacking of our life from the very One who gave us our life. In the words of Paul, "I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out . . . no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing," Romans 7:19. Who doesn't know that struggle? No matter how good we manage to look on the outside, we all have this dark side that just keeps winning, a dark side known all too well by the people closest to us. We are, as Jesus said, slaves to the sin that we can't stop doing in our own strength. Only with Him are we assured of eradicating sin and replacing it with obedience. Ladies, I pray with all my heart that the Holy Spirit will quicken to your hearts what He wants you to hear, and that He will give you the strength and courage to tackle the strongholds you have. As for the rest of the magazine, just forget it!  Some people have letterheads stating, “From the Desk of . . .” I am a blessed mother of eight who spends more time thinking, praying, and composing words to you in . . . the laundry room. In fact, my family refers to it as my office.

About Us

e believe that God has first delegated to parents the authority and responsibility to teach and raise their children. Parents can delegate their authority to someone else, but they can never delegate their responsibility. Each issue of Eternal Encouragement has a new theme. Don't miss our Winter 2011 issue. Our theme will be “Respectfully Yours.” It is sure to be full of challenging ideas to use in your life and home. Is your subscription about to run out? If your label says "Fall 11," this is your last issue. It’s time to renew so you don’t miss a visit! The post office will not forward bulk mail. If you move, please be sure to send us your change of address so that your issue will find you. If it gets lost in the shuffle, you may replace a copy for $12.97. Would you like to hear from us more often? We have a FREE eNewsletter that contains 100 percent different content than the pages of this magazine. To subscribe to the eNewsletter, please visit our website, EternalEncouragement.com. You'll love it! Each of your thoughts, ideas, or complete articles is welcome. Please send them to EternalEncouragement@gmail.com. Upcoming themes: Winter 2011—Respectfully Yours; Spring 2012—CHAOS (Can’t Have Anyone Over Syndrome); Summer 2012—The Language of Friendships; Fall 2012—Getting Things Done; Winter 2012—Perfectly Peaceful. 

Your Encouragement Team Publisher: Lorrie Flem

Board of Directors: Randy and Lorrie Flem John Nolan, Craig and Tena Cinnamon

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Eternal Encouragement Magazine. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. U.S. Subscriptions: $25.97 per year. Customer Service: For 24/7 service, please visit our website: EternalEncouragement.com. You can also call (877) 967-7587, or write us at Eternal Encouragement, 18016 West Spring Lake Drive, Renton, WA 98058.

Eternal Encouragement Magazine • 18016 West Spring Lake Drive, Renton, Washington 98058 • email: EternalEncouragement@gmail.com 5

henever your kids are out of control, you can take comfort from the thought that even God's omnipotence did not extend to His kids. After creating heaven and earth, God created Adam and Eve. And the first thing God said to them was, “Don't.” “Don't what?” Adam asked. “Don't eat the forbidden fruit,” said God. “Forbidden fruit? Really? Where is it?”

Adam and Eve asked, jumping up and down excitedly. “It's over there,” said God, wondering why He hadn't stopped after making the elephants. A few minutes later, God saw the kids having an apple break and He was very angry. “Didn't I tell you not to eat that fruit?” the First Parent asked. “Uh-huh,” Adam replied. “Then why did you do it?” God asked exasperatedly. “I dunno,” Adam answered. God's punishment was that Adam and Eve should have children of their own. Thus, the pattern was set and it has never changed. But there is a reassurance in this story. If you have persistently and lovingly tried to give your children wisdom and they haven't taken it, don't be so hard on yourself. If God had trouble handling His children, what makes you think it should be a piece of cake for you? Author Unknown

always explain to my children that the choices God has given us are like two paths for life: one is good, the other bad. The good path leads to joy and contentment. The bad leads to destruction and chaos. God wants us to take the good path, but He does not force us. The choice is ours, and if we let our desire to sin win we will have rotten fruit. Right before Paul explains the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians he gives us a warning, basically telling us what comes from the opposite of these—the destroyers of relationships and ourselves—or what I call the Result of Rotten Fruit. “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the

“The choice is ours and, if we let our desire to sin win, we will have rotten fruit.” Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God,” Galatians 5:16–21.

This all comes down to our self-control and deciding to live a life that is led by the Spirit. Or choosing to live being led by our flesh, that of our pride and will. One of the main points of the Gospel is that we are given the Holy Spirit to help us overcome our weaknesses and that we have God’s strength available to us so we can overcome our weaknesses and be fruitful. This gives us the ability to practice the Fruit of the Spirit. The problem is that we are always leaning toward sin (I Corinthians 6:9–10; Galatians 6:13; 15:50; Ephesians 5:5). Reflecting God’s Character. The Galatian Christians, like many of us today, were, “biting and devouring each other.” Isn’t that an apt description for arguing? I don’t know if you have ever been involved in a dispute with other believers, but I can attest to how terrible it is when we forget the magnitude of forgiveness we have received and cause strife, division, and problems. We forget the grace and allow sin to take a foothold in us that causes cancer. That is what rotten fruits do; they cause tumors and cancer. We then operate as agents of evil, working for Satan, instead of for God. The Galatians became that way because of false teachers and people being lazy and not growing in the Word and faith, just like we can become ill with physical cancer when we do not take care of our bodies with proper nutrition and exercise. What we need to do is surgically remove the cancer, as in remove the diseased characters. The scalpel of love and forgiveness, prayer and unity will create the healing we all need along with the medicine of His Love penetrating us so we can then spill it out upon others, too. The base of operation for any good church is the lordship of Christ, the platform is His glory, and the Fruit of the Spirit He gives us helps make this happen. And, of course, the sinful fruits will cause the opposite (Matthew 22:39; Luke 10:25– 28; Romans 13:8–10). Like Paul says, “rid

by Mrs. Lorrie Flem

yourselves . . . put off . . . put on.” The image is to put off sin and embrace righteousness, as we are to be clothed in the Spirit, not in the world or in our desires. Pride and personal agendas contrary to God’s handicap our spiritual growth. When we are gentle, as in kindness, this leads to care and compassion because we are concerned about the same things our Lord is. He calls us to be nurturing to others as He is with us. God loves holiness and love. These bring justice, so enjoy making good fruit! See it as an adventure from which to learn and grow. Our characters will improve and enable us to overcome obstacles and help others through them, too. Respond to His grace with gratitude. At the same time, take comfort in the fact that He will not give us anything we cannot handle (Philippians 2:10–13; Hebrews 2:10)! So let us live with excellence, to our best for His glory! Growing Our Character. God has empowered us to live out our Christian lives for Him victoriously and with excellence! He feeds us the spiritual food we need, pays our spiritual debt, and gives us knowledge and the assets to be godly and good. If we truly trust in Christ—not just as Savior, but also as LORD—we are given the power and ability to live a life of fullness with distinction of character and supernatural spiritual maturity so He is glorified by our lives and living testimony. He gives us the resources. They are here for us and are at our disposal. We are not alone or cut off from what we need! But there is a catch. We have to go for it; we have to find and utilize His gifts and opportunities. If we take firm hold of our faith and trust and then obey what He has for us, our life will be rich. If we do not, we live a life of waste and even sin, missing out on what is so good and precious for us. Why would anyone forsake His love and gifts? (Deuteronomy 31:6; Philippians 2:13; 3:13–14; 4:13; Galatians 3:14; 4:6; 5:5) 

What Rotten Fruits Do is telling us sin should be obvious. We G odshould already know how destructive it is, because others have done it against us. Here is Paul’s list with a brief description:

 Sexual immorality: any kind of sexual function outside of marriage

 Impurity: moral uncleanness, things out of line with God’s views

 Debauchery: open display of public sin, seeking sinful, physical gratification

 Idolatry and witchcraft: worshiping things that are not God

 Hatred: extreme dislike that leads to antagonism

 Discord: unjust conflict, quarreling, and chaos from a spirit of disunity rooted in pride

 Jealousy: envy or distrust toward others 

     

because we are self- centered and not focused upon Christ Fits of rage and anger, uncontrolled temper, malice, slander, and filthy language: God is demanding that we control our anger because it incites violence and destroys relationships Selfish ambition: comes from pride, attitude, taking advantage Dissensions: quarreling to the point of rebellion toward God Factions: show us that we can become consumed with arrogance, haughtiness, and regarding others with contempt Envy: the desire to have what others have, their gifts or positions or possessions Drunkenness: not just the abuse of alcohol, but the loss of perspective that God is Sovereign Orgies: any great excess, not just sex, but also overeating or power 

“E

at your greens.” We may have heard that a time or two while we were growing up! It turns out that even better advice would be to eat the colors found in the rainbow or in a box of crayons. Colorful fruit and vegetables, from red apples to green beans, yellow squash to purple plums, blueberries to carrots, are packed with goodness—and are beautiful, too! For vibrant color, intense taste, nutritional value, and versatility it’s hard to beat the humble sweet potato. Frequently (though incorrectly) called yams, sweet potatoes are relatively inexpensive, widely available, and store well. And believe it or not, it’s not only

possible but actually delightful to eat sweet potatoes that haven’t been smothered by marshmallows! Not a fan of sweet potatoes? Maybe these nutritional facts will help. One cup of cooked sweet potato (about one medium baked in its skin) contains about 180 calories. It is packed with 26 percent of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of fiber

(based on a 2000 calorie per day intake). It also contains 8 percent of the RDA of protein, 769 percent of Vitamin A, 65 percent of Vitamin C, and 29 percent of Vitamin B6, as well as high levels of manganese, potassium, and magnesium. The numbers may vary slightly from one reference source to another, but there’s no dispute that sweet potatoes are extremely nutritious. A baked sweet potato can be the easiest lunch ever! Just prick with a fork and microwave until soft. (Start with three minutes, then microwave a minute at a time until done.) Split open, dot with butter, and sprinkle with a little cinnamon. Fat from the butter actually helps with the absorption of beta carotene . . . so enjoy it guilt- free! Simply delicious! The following easy side dish is a favorite with my family. I usually serve this with ham or grilled pork chops. I don’t really have a recipe, but here’s what to do. Select enough sweet potatoes and redskin potatoes to serve your family. I allow about half a medium sweet potato and a handful of redskins per person. Peel the sweet potatoes and cut into ¾-inch cubes. Scrub the redskins and cube them, too. Place all in a bowl and toss with a couple of tablespoons (or as needed) of olive oil, and a couple tablespoons of balsamic vinegar. You just need enough oil and vinegar to coat the potatoes. Drain off extra liquid, if necessary. Sprinkle with seasoned salt and freshly ground pepper. Spread in a single layer on a cookie sheet with sides or a shallow casserole dish, and bake at 400° until tender—about 40 minutes, depending on your oven. Stir occasionally while

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Meet the Sweet Potato cooking, so that all sides of the potatoes crisp up nicely.

Easy Sweet Potato Maple Soup We’ll soon be heading into the season of soups and stews. This smooth, silky soup makes a lovely appetizer for a fall meal.

6 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed 1 large, sweet onion, sliced water ½ cup real maple syrup (the real thing) 2 teaspoons vanilla kosher salt to taste pinch cayenne pepper Place potatoes, onion, and vanilla in slow cooker and cover with water. Cook on high for 6 hours. Add syrup to the potato mixture. Ladle soup in batches into blender, and puree until smooth. Keep pureed soup in a large bowl or pot until all batches are complete. When all the soup has been pureed, put it back in the slow cooker set on low, to keep warm. Add salt and cayenne pepper to taste. Serve in cups and garnish with a small dollop of sour cream and a sprinkling of chives or orange zest for an extra special presentation! Serves six as a meal (with a hearty bread on the side) or more as an appetizer. Note: Be careful—soup will be hot when pureeing. Place a folded kitchen towel on top of the blender lid to keep it down and prevent hot soup from splashing and burning.

Beth’s Sweet Potato & Pecan Souffle Even my picky eaters love the recipe that follows. I substitute rice flour to make a gluten-free version of this favorite.

2 eggs ¼ cup white sugar 2 tablespoons flour 1 teaspoon vanilla Beat these five ingredients together with an electric mixer until fluffy. Spread in lightly greased baking dish. Sprinkle with topping. Topping: ½ cup packed brown sugar 3 tablespoons flour 2 tablespoons butter chopped pecans Using your fingers, crumble the sugar, butter, and flour together in a bowl. Sprinkle evenly over sweet potato and top with a layer of chopped pecans. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Makes a 9-inch pie plate or quiche dish— double recipe quantities and increase baking time by 15 minutes for a 9”x13” pan. *Prick 4 or 5 medium-sized sweet potatoes with fork and bake or microwave until tender. Mash pulp with a fork. Cool. This is so good you’ll think you’ve skipped dinner and gone straight to dessert! But, of course you haven’t. You’ve eaten your colored veggies and provided a fine example to the rest of the family. What’s not to love? This season, try making room at the table for fresh sweet potatoes—not their canned and candied cousins. Your family may thank you, and your health certainly will! 

Eleanor Joyce is a full-time wife and homemaker, and mother to “three teens and a twenty.” She works part-time from home wrangling words as a writer, editor, and proofreader. Visit her online at EleanorJoyce.com.

3 cups mashed sweet potato* Eternal Encouragement Magazine • 18016 West Spring Lake Drive, Renton, Washington 98058 • email: EternalEncouragement@gmail.com 11

“W

hat has God ever done for me?" grumbled an angry 23-year-old man named Victor. "I mean, why should I believe this so-called God guy loves me as you say He does, when He hasn't done anything to help me or my life?!" "Oh?" said his uncle sitting next to him on the couch. "What do you feel has gone wrong in your life that God caused?" Victor snapped, "I didn't say God caused it, but He sure didn't do anything to help me out! I had to deal with some pretty bad things all on my own. And no thanks to Him, I fixed them all on my own, too!" His uncle nodded slightly and replied, "I assume you are referring to the hard time you began having when you got involved in street drugs and heavy drinking?" "That's part of it," responded Victor as he glared out the window.

His uncle turned to look at him, and then said, "Did your parents teach you or tell you to get involved with these dangerous substances that can affect how you think and behave?" "Of course not!" snapped Victor. "I'm guessing they tried warning you, but you chose not to obey; correct?" responded his uncle as he straightened himself out in his seat. He continued, "And they probably taught you the importance of eating right, taking care of your health, staying close to God, and being careful about the friends you chose, right?" Victor hesitated, then angrily replied, "All right! They were my choices, not my parents’! I take full responsibility for my actions!" Victor's uncle again turned to look at him, then quickly replied, "Do you? About everything?" Victor looked puzzled. "What are you talking about?" His uncle straightened his back one more time and replied, "Do you also take responsibility for the fact it was you who turned your back on God? You keep asking what has God done for you, but it would seem to me that the question really is, what have YOU done for

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by Melanie Schurr

God lately?" Victor immediately snapped at his uncle, "Hey, I prayed out to God a few times to make all the bad things go away, but He didn't!" His uncle nodded, reached for Victor's hand, and said, "He didn't, or you didn't?" Victor quickly replied, "I kept on drinking, doing drugs, being disrespectful to my family, and other things I probably shouldn't have, but God could have stopped me, made all the bad things go away, and He didn't! He ignored me, or maybe He doesn't even exist at all so that's why He did nothing!" As he held his nephew's hand, Victor's uncle calmly responded, "Victor, God is not a puppet master who pulls our strings so we will do what He wants us to do. He loves us so much that He gave us free will. Even though you may have wanted God to take all the bad things away, your actions and choices revealed that you really didn't want anything to change. How do I know that? Because isn't it true you kept on drinking, taking drugs, and being disrespectful to your family?" Victor was at a loss for words. "Words are often shallow, Victor. It is our actions which prove what is really in our heart. What do you think your actions have showed God? Have they showed Him you love Him and want to be close to Him, that you want Him to be Lord of your life? Or do they show Him that you want to ignore His commands and remain in the lifestyle you have been living and only call on Him when the going gets tough?" The look on Victor's face began to change. The anger and resentment he had been holding

in so long toward his family and God suddenly seemed to melt away. "I guess I had been blaming my parents and God when I should have been blaming myself," he said quietly. Real life application: Many people blame God for what they themselves have chosen. We must remember: when we choose the action, we also choose the consequence. As a loving Heavenly Father, God wants the

“Hey, I prayed out to God a few times to make all the bad things go away, but He didn't!” best for us, and He is willing and able to deliver us from even the most dire circumstances. However, we need to also want it for ourselves, not just through lip-service, but through word and deed.  Copyright ©2005 Melanie Schurr

Eternal Encouragement Magazine • 18016 West Spring Lake Drive, Renton, Washington 98058 • email: EternalEncouragement@gmail.com 13

haggy orange carpet shouted at guests the moment they walked through my front door— an embarrassing first impression. We moved into an old house in the country with big plans to remodel. Eventually it would become the house of our dreams. But at the time, simply replacing the carpet was not something we could afford. Not long after we moved in, work for my husband, Chris, became difficult to obtain. Money was already tight, so the bills began to pile up. Our stress levels rose as we became further behind on our mortgage payment. This was the home we intended to live in for the rest of our lives . . . were we destined to lose it? Then one Sunday I saw it. Piles of beautiful purple carpet. It had been ripped from the floor of our church. Purple is my favorite color and I

could already see it in my living room. They told me I could have it. But it had been sitting outside, accumulating rain water. When a foreclosure letter arrived for our home, I was desperate to know what we should do. I cried out to God, “You blessed us with this country home, but if You want us somewhere else, we’ll go. What should we do?” I had just read in the Bible about Gideon laying out the fleece. He knew in faith he would get an answer from God in this way. And he did. Since I hadn’t heard from God yet as to whether or not to sell the house, I decided to put out my own fleece—that purple carpet. I prayed, “God, if we are meant to stay in this house, please replace the orange shag with the purple carpet.” I didn’t share this prayer with anyone. I wanted to make certain it was God giving me an answer and not just someone making provisions with good intentions. Not long after, I received a phone call from Chris. “The church told me to come get this carpet, but trust me, you don’t want it. It’s been sitting in the rain and it stinks like a sewer.” I wanted to cry out, “But if you don’t bring it home, we can’t keep our house.” But I didn’t.

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by Carole M. Farmen

I swallowed hard and gave a soft reply. “I’d like a chance to try cleaning it. Would you please bring it home?” When he pulled into the driveway later, I was nearly jumping with excitement. I ran out to greet him with eager thanksgiving and was met with his sour face. “Do you have any idea how heavy carpet is when it’s wet?” he asked. I felt bad for him, but my heart was still light. I hadn’t told him about the carpet being a fleece, so how could he know what this meant for our future? The next morning, I struggled to pull a roll of soggy carpet from the pile. I spent all morning shampooing the first roll and it looked and smelled great. Then I rolled it up and spread it somewhere else to dry. I did the same routine every day that week. That weekend, the forecast predicted rain. All of my hard work would be ruined if I couldn’t get all those clean carpet rolls under cover. As Chris helped me move them, he said, “The rain is here to stay—it’s going to get completely covered in mold.” He was right. But I also knew that if this carpet was my answer to prayer, then God would protect it. Months later, a friend offered to help lay the carpet. When we examined the carpet it was mold-free and smelled just as fresh as the day I cleaned it. All around the carpet, the concrete was covered in black mold. As my husband and I stared in awe, I said a prayer of thanksgiving to God. The orange shag carpet was removed, and my miracle carpet was laid in its place.

It is eleven years later, and we are still living in the same house. The purple carpet is a constant reminder to us of God’s amazing grace and provision. And now when anything ugly and shaggy comes into my life, causing hardship and pain, I give it over to God because I know He will turn it into something beautiful. 

“The church told me to come get this carpet, but trust me, you don’t want it. It’s been sitting in the rain and it stinks like a sewer.”

Eternal Encouragement Magazine • 18016 West Spring Lake Drive, Renton, Washington 98058 • email: EternalEncouragement@gmail.com 15

o you tend to make excuses when God is asking something of you? Do you try to convince God that He has picked the wrong person to do His work? Are you trying to simply tell God you’d just rather not do the job He has planned for you? Well, you are in good company. During my morning Bible reading, I have recently come to the book of Exodus. This morning, I was reading about when God called Moses to be the one to deliver Israel out of Egypt. God told him through a burning bush, “Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead My people Israel out of Egypt,” Exodus 3:10.

God had already chosen Moses to be the deliverer for Israel. He already had Moses picked out from the time he was a baby, even keeping him safe in the basket that was placed in the Nile River and protecting him as he grew to be a man. God had His hand on Moses as he escaped from Egypt and was with him in the land of Midian. The time came for God to reveal His purpose for Moses, and He chose to do it in a most amazing way. God appeared to him through a bush that was burning but was not burned up. Talk about showing the power of God! Think with me for a minute about this. The God of the universe, the Creator of life itself chose to come down and speak directly to this very common man. It wasn’t the first time God did something like that, but even still, it is never just an ordinary occurrence. This was special. Moses must have been pretty important to God for Him to reveal Himself in that way and to present His plan for a great rescue of His people by this guy. But what did Moses do? He started making

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by Nicole Neeley excuses. First, Moses questioned God’s choice of using him. He was just a common, everyday shepherd, and didn’t really think Pharaoh would be willing to talk to the likes of him. Then, he reminded God that if he went and told the people of Israel that God has sent him to rescue them, they probably wouldn’t believe him anyway. The Lord reassured Moses and even performed several miracles that Moses was to show the people as proof. But Moses still pleaded with God. Since he wasn’t a good speaker, he didn’t think he would be able to talk to Pharaoh. God provided Aaron, Moses’ brother, to be his spokesman. Moses was out of excuses. So he resorted to begging. “Lord, please! Send anyone else,” Exodus 4:13b. He made up every excuse in the book and then tried to just tell God he didn't want to do it. But God was not interested in Moses’ excuses. What God wanted, expected, and demanded was Moses’ complete obedience. He provided an answer to each one of Moses’ excuses, promising to take care of and be with both Moses and Aaron as they carried out the call to deliver the Israelites. He left nothing to be discussed. And Moses finally accepted the call. I have been much like Moses. There are times in my life that God has given me very clear instructions to carry out His plan, but I have come up with every excuse in the book. “I am not a good speaker.” “You can’t really want me!” “I don’t have any more time to give to any

more projects.” “The people aren’t going to listen to me anyway.” “You should really just find someone else who would do a better job.” My excuses have been many, and let me tell you, I have had a few times when I just flat out told God “no.” But God wasn’t any more interested in my excuses or refusal than He was in Moses’. All God was interested in was my obedience. And He didn’t let me go until I finally saw things His way and obeyed Him. And I am so thankful that God never gave up on me while I was making all those excuses and refusals. He waited patiently on me and did not stop reminding me of His plans. Eventually, I gave up, repented of my selfish excuses, and obediently followed Him. And I am so glad I did, because my life would not be where it is today if I had dug my heels in and refused. Is God asking something of you? Are you, like Moses, giving all the excuses you can think of to avoid God’s calling? Remember this: God is not interested in your excuses, only your obedience.  Nicole is a homeschool mom to four great kids, ages 10, 9, 4, and 2. She has homeschooled for 7 years using a very eclectic method. She and her husband, Brient, live, with their house full of kids, in the Deep South. Besides teaching her own children, she teaches 3 classes at her local homeschool co-op, and she and her husband are the children's ministers to some great kids on Sunday mornings at their church. She very much enjoys writing for her blog, poring over seed catalogs, spending hours in her garden, perusing the local library, and drinking lots and lots of hot tea.

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n old trapper stopped in a small town just north of the Okefenokee Swamp in Georgia. He walked into the general store. Sitting around the pot-bellied stove were seven or eight of the town's local citizens. The traveler spoke. “Gentlemen, could you direct me to the Okefenokee Swamp?” Some of the old-timers looked at him like he was crazy. “You must be a stranger in these parts. In the Okefenokee Swamp are thousands of wild hogs,” one old man explained. “A man who goes into the swamp by himself asks to die!” He lifted up his leg. “I lost half my leg here to the pigs of the swamp.” Another said, “Those pigs have been free since the Revolution, fending for themselves. They're wild and they're dangerous. You can't trap them. No man dares go into the swamp by himself.” Every man nodded his head in agreement.

“People wondered what kind of devil had possessed this man, that he could go into the Okefenokee by himself and not be consumed by the wild and free hogs.” The old trapper said, “Thank you for the warning. Now, could you direct me to the swamp?” They told him, but they begged him not to go. They knew he'd meet a terrible fate. He said, “Sell me ten sacks of corn, and help me load it in the wagon.” And they did.

Then the old trapper bid them farewell and drove on down the road. The townsfolk thought they'd never see him again. Two weeks later, the man came back. He bought ten more sacks of corn and headed back down the road toward the swamp. Two weeks later, he returned and bought ten more sacks of corn. This went on for three months. Every week or two the old trapper would come into town, load up ten sacks of corn, and drive off south into the swamp. The stranger soon became a legend in the little village and the subject of much speculation. People wondered what kind of devil had possessed this man, that he could go into the Okefenokee by himself and not be consumed by the wild and free hogs. One morning, the man came into town as usual. Everyone thought he wanted more corn. He got off the wagon and went into the store where the usual group of men was gathered around the stove. He took off his gloves. “Gentlemen,” he said, “I need to hire fifteen wagons and thirty men. I have six thousand hogs out in the swamp, penned up, and they're all hungry. I've got to get them to market right away.” “You've what in the swamp?” asked the storekeeper, incredulously. “I have six thousand hogs penned up. They haven't eaten for two or three days, and they'll starve if I don't get back there to feed them.” One of the old-timers said, “You mean you've captured the wild hogs of the Okefenokee? How did you do that?” “What did you do?” the men urged, breathlessly. The trapper said, “Well, the first week I went in there they were wild all right. They hid in the undergrowth and wouldn't come out. I dared not get off the wagon. “So I spread corn along behind the wagon. Every day I'd spread a sack of corn. The old pigs would have nothing to do with it. But the younger pigs decided that it was easier to eat free corn than it was to root out roots and catch snakes. So the very young began to eat

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Author Unknown the corn first. I did this every day. Pretty soon, even the old pigs decided that it was easier to eat free corn. After all, they were all free; they were not penned up. They could run off in any direction they wanted at any time. “The next thing was to get them used to eating in the same place all the time. So I selected a clearing, and I started putting the corn in the clearing. At first, they wouldn't come to the clearing. It was too far. It was too open. But the very young decided that it was easier to take the corn in the clearing than it was to root out roots and catch their own snakes. And not long thereafter, the older pigs also decided that it was easier to come to the clearing every day. “And so the pigs learned to come to the clearing every day to get their free corn. They could still supplement their diet with roots and snakes and whatever else they wanted. After all, they were all free. They could run in any direction at any time. “The next step was to get them used to fence posts. So I put fence posts all the way around the clearing. I put them in the underbrush so that they wouldn't get suspicious. After all, they were just sticks in the ground, like the trees and the brush. The corn was there every day. It was easy to walk in between the posts, get the corn, and walk back out. This went on for a week. They became used to walking into the clearing, getting the corn, and walking back out through the posts. “The next step was to put one rail down at the bottom. I left a few openings, so that the older pigs could walk through the openings and the younger pigs could easily jump over just one rail. It was no real threat to their freedom or independence. They could always jump over the rail and flee in any direction at any time. “I began to feed them every other day. On the days I didn't feed them, they still gathered in the clearing. They squealed and begged me to feed them. But I only fed them every other day. I put a second rail around the posts.

“The pigs became more and more desperate for food, because they were no longer used to going out and digging their own roots. They now needed me and my corn every other day. So I trained them that I would feed them every day if they came in through a gate. And I put up a third rail around the fence. But it was still no great threat to their freedom because there were several gates and they could run in and out at will. “Finally, I put up the fourth rail. Then I closed all the gates but one, and I fed them very, very well. Yesterday, I closed the last gate. And today, I need you to help me take these pigs to market.” Editor’s Note: This allegory has more than one moral lesson. One is that obedience is not a destination point where, once you have arrived, you stay. Obedience is a constant moment-bymoment decision. Sin, like corn, easily ensnares us if we are not ever-vigilant. Just because we didn’t eat the free corn one day doesn’t mean we won’t tomorrow. The second moral I see is the price of freedom. Government money is used to bait, trap, and enslave a once-free people. Federal welfare has reduced not only individuals to a state of dependency, but now state and local governments are on the fast track to elimination due to their being subverted by the command and control structures of federal revenue-sharing programs. Just say NO to federal corn! The bacon you save may be your own. 

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“Let her own works praise her in the gates,” Proverbs 31:31.

Watkins TSGinfo.com (Enter code MR6296) So many new businesses get started as a result of a need. That’s true for Monika Rothenbuhler. She says, “In 2003, my husband was on a low carb plan and I was looking for a cheaper alternative to extracts. They are so expensive by the ounce at the supermarket! Watkins is half the cost and has so many good flavors. As an associate I would get at least 25 percent more off, so I joined up. After I got my starter kit I was so excited with it that I began developing a customer base and finding new associates. I really got into it. “Watkins is a great company for the homeschool family. We all work together on it. My sons went door-to-door with Watkins products, and I paid them a dollar for every product they sold. They developed a route and regular customers. My daughters helped me hang catalogs on customers’ doors (much cheaper than mailing in town) and they like going with me to boutiques and fairs, helping me set up and sell products. They also enjoy setting up the “store” I have in my house. “Since 1868, Watkins has been known for its award-winning extracts, spices, and herbs, as well as its old-time liniments and salves.” 

Standing in Awe

ave you ever looked at your teen and stood in awe of God Who created him? Each of our teens is a special creation of our heavenly Father. A passage of Scripture we all love because it causes us to contemplate the awesomeness of our God is Psalm139:14, “I will give thanks to Thee, for [my teen] is fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Thy works, And my soul knows it very well.” Even though there are many incredible parts of the human body, let’s consider just two: our skin and the brain. Skin: God-Given Covering. Our young people may be battling acne as a result of hormone changes, but our skin is an incredible organ and is only one of the many wonders of the human body. For example, the textile industry has developed several amazing fabrics, most notably Gore-Tex, which have the ability to be simultaneously waterproof, windproof, and breathable (meaning that vapor from perspiration will pass through the fabric). But as amazing as Gore-Tex is, it does not begin to rival God’s unique covering—our skin. Skin, like Gore-Tex, is waterproof, windproof and breathable. But unlike Gore-Tex, our skin also acts as a temperature regulator. When our teens become overheated playing basketball, glands in their skin release sweat. The sweat

then evaporates, cooling their body. On the other hand, when they become too cool while cheering on the sidelines of a soccer game during a cold spring day, their body retains heat by narrowing the blood vessels in their skin. As a result, the flow of blood near the surface of their body decreases, so less heat escapes their body. Also, along with having nerve endings in the skin that are sensitive to heat and cold, our skin has nerve endings that are sensitive to pressure, touch, and pain. Our teens probably appreciate the function of pressure and touch. Pain, on the other hand, is something they would probably prefer to minimize, if not get rid of all together. But pain has a very important purpose. Our skin senses pain for our protection. God, in His wonderful provision, built into the human body mechanisms for protecting itself. Unlike Gore-Tex, our skin is also capable of regenerating itself if it is punctured, torn, or scraped. This amazing feature about our skin is often taken for granted. We would all be stunned and incredulous if a favorite coat torn by a protruding nail mended itself without us doing anything. We would think, “Wow, that is pretty neat!” But our skin does it all the time. Our skin has yet another unique feature. Unlike the fabric Gore-Tex, our skin grows with us. Most, if not all of us, however, are probably very glad that our clothes don’t grow with us. The adorable little outfit that our teen wore home from the hospital when just a couple of days old just wouldn’t look quite right on a

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sixteen-year-old. One last striking contrast between Gore-Tex and our skin is that while Gore-Tex tends to be comparatively costly, our skin is absolutely free. Only an omnipotent and all-wise God could have designed and created an incredible organ like skin. The Brain: The Wonder of Memory. Our brain is yet another remarkable organ that causes us to contemplate the greatness of our God. The brain can be compared to a computer processing more than a million messages a second. One author writes concerning an important aspect of the brain, “The brain contains the higher centers of thought and is the chief organ of the mind. . . . In some mysterious way, the brain allows us to form ideas and make decisions.” The mystery and wonder of memory is perhaps the most fascinating ©2011 Tyler Burk. Image from BigStockPhoto.com. of all. Memory is the ability to retain a past experience and recall it. The language we use to communicate, the ability to recognize family, friends, and acquaintances, the ability to recognize a specific odor or fragrance, sound or touch, and even our habits are all dependent upon our memory. Just think how much your teens have learned over the years. Can you imagine how laborious it would be if they had to think about how to get out of bed each and every morning

because they had no memory of what they had done the day before? Brushing their teeth would be a real chore. Without memory, they could live only in each moment and the past would be as though it had never been. There would be no learning, no knowledge of anything, no possibility of thought or speech, no meaning of any kind. Everything that happens would be as new and strange to us as if it had never happened before (God’s Living Creation, p. 160). But most importantly, without memory our teens could not know God. It is memory and our teens’ ability to think and reason that makes it possible for them to have a personal relationship with their Creator. Recalling joys and hard times helps them remember God’s mercy and love. Memory makes it possible for them to contemplate God’s goodness and His many blessings to them. As we stand in awe of our glorious God Who gave us the gift of our teen many years ago, may we also give thanks that our teen is fearfully and wonderfully made. 

Audrey has a heartfelt desire to encourage parents to be the primary spiritual disciplers of their own children. She and her husband, Doug, have been married 35 years and have two grown children.

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Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth Will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.

you familiar with this Arelovely old hymn, “Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus”? I always find myself smiling when I sing the chorus. It rings so true! In the middle of a Sunday morning church service, standing amidst my dear brothers and sisters in Christ, heartily singing this joyful, encouraging hymn, I truly am immersed in God’s glory and grace. But then, I don’t imagine the hymn writer, Helen Lemuel, was talking about how I should feel during a church service or at Bible study or even a prayer meeting. I imagine she sought more to instruct Christians how to live every moment of every day, from the ho-hum to the nitty-gritty, with their eyes locked on their Savior, Jesus Christ. To think, breathe, eat, sleep, and live every moment with our eyes upon Jesus leads us to the humility, faith, and holiness necessary to accomplish the work God calls us to as Christians and blesses us with the clear perspective and heavenly peace found only in walking closely with our Creator. Practically speaking, how do you turn your eyes upon Jesus? I suggest you probably

already know. Spend time reading your Bible and praying early in the morning; pray throughout the day; memorize encouraging Scripture verses; practice treating everyone with love and humility; do every task for the glory of God (yep, even scrubbing the toilet), and so on and so forth. Seek God’s direction as you seek His face. Hebrews 12:2 says, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith . . .” As you turn increasingly toward the Lord, He guides you and challenges you to greater, deeper faith every step of the way. Unfortunately, I must confess that this Godcentered, powerful focus is not what has characterized me recently. So very often since the birth of my fourth baby just a few months ago, I’ve sat down at the kitchen table blinking in dazed confusion at how the day has waned into late afternoon so mind-numbingly fast. So very often I’ve begun a morning aiming to hold my head high and jet through a hundred activities like Supermom and then found myself soon floundering amongst the mountains of laundry and dishes, the diapers and dirt. When I’ve finally squeezed out a prayer, “Lord, help me!” the answer that has resonated in my heart has exasperated me. “Slow down,” I hear. “Be still.” My pride just wants to go, go, go. My God says, “Stop and look to Me.” Just the other morning, I rose before dawn and sat with my Bible in the stillness of sweet solitude. My soul drank in God’s Word like the sweetest water. I was ashamed at my busyness. With it, I had brought into my home exasperation, frustration, irritation, and grumpiness, the fruits of pride. In and of myself,

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“Lord, help me!” The answer that has resonated in my heart has exasperated me. “Slow down,” I hear. “Be still.” My pride just wants to go, go, go. My God says, “Stop and look to Me.” this is all I can bring. Starting my day with long, uninterrupted prayer and Bible reading, I had refocused my eyes on Christ and re-realized my need to be empty of myself and full of Him in order to live the productive life I craved. Without this humility, my shield of faith faltered and sank to the ground. With it, I had the strength and focus to run the race God had truly called me to with holiness. I love the King James version of Isaiah 26:3, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee.” Turning our eyes upon Jesus brings sweet spiritual blessings. Turning our eyes upon ourselves leaves us staring at our belly buttons, frustrated and unproductive. Choose Christ.

Choose life, faith, and blessings. I close with a reminder and encouragement from another wonderful hymn writer, Esther Kerr Rusthoi, It will be worth it all when we see Jesus, Life’s trials will seem so small When we see Christ; One glimpse of His dear face All sorrow will erase, So bravely run the race till we see Christ.  Brianna van der Veen loves being a Christian woman, wife, mother of four little boys, writer, baker, cook, and gardener (in that order). She learns more daily, seeking to serve her husband, children, and church in ways that radically honor God.

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by Mrs. Lorrie Flem

always look forward to our I speaking weekends where I do day retreats called Extreme Mom Makeovers*. I always take at least one daughter and we have mini-adventures. We fly out and I share on making our hearts and lives more beautiful to God, others, and ourselves. As I speak, my daughter works at our book table. After going out to dinner with the hostess, we are ready to do nothing in our hotel room, and we try to squeeze in a little shopping before flying home. Yet almost as soon as we are on the plane, my heart starts longing for home. I visualize us walking in, and I remember what it feels like. Coming home after a trip is about as close to heaven as I can get here on earth. It is contentment, peace, joy, and fulfillment all rolled up in one. As soon as we land and get to the van filled with smiling faces welcoming us home, I instantly feel the responsibility shift from being “mom in charge” to a wife who is thrilled to release the mantle of accountability back onto the stronger shoulders of my gorgeous hunk of a husband. I am always struck with the renewed understanding that this is where I am supposed to be. This is where I WANT to be. This fulfillment that comes from being home is a result of harmony. Harmony refreshes, soothes, and creates energy. This brings a smile to your face, a spring to your step, and a song to your heart. The sounds, smells, and spirit of a home are rejuvenating. Coming home to a house

with signs of tidiness, familiarity, and harmony takes a tired body and mind and begins its gentle work of restoration. It makes you glad to be home and want to stay there. Does this just happen? I’ll explore that with you in another article on page 48. For now, let’s limit ourselves to the idea that we can strive to create and achieve harmony in our homes so that they are life-giving and nourishing. How do we do that? Let’s look at some of them using the acronym “nourish.”

ooks, niches, nice spots of loveliness. Decorate your home to make it a place of beauty. Beauty raises life above mere existence. Think about what areas of your home are trouble spots, not in terms of organization, but in terms of being a refuge and a place to relax. As you identify areas that bring stress, ask the Lord to reveal to you some inexpensive ideas you can implement to make each part of your home do its job: refresh and nourish you and your loved ones.

rder. A home that nourishes souls needs order. Chaos can be fun for five minutes, but after that it wears and depletes. In order for our homes to do their job of building spirits, there needs to be more order than disorder. Of course, any home with life in it will have signs of activity. A few books on the table and a couple of bowls on the counter are not what I am talking about. Perfect order is cold and soulless, but signs of living and learning in the midst of a tidy environment are life-giving. Develop necessary cleaning skills and habits so that your home remains relatively tidy. Remember that clutter causes stress and more mess. Also, understand that without constant attention to tidying, your home will have a spirit of neglect. When the home’s atmosphere is cold and unappealing, you are more likely to leave your home and seek food and entertainment elsewhere. And while you are out, you are prone to do some window shopping and buy some trinket you don't really need. Spending more money leads to pressure to work more hours,

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more time spent away from home, and more neglect of home life—a vicious circle that isn't easy to break.

like candles, warm snuggly blankets, and a nicely set table to keep your home’s ambiance lovely and in tune.

words that encourage, comfort, and edify S peak others as a habit. For some, this will mean

ndergird. I talk a lot about undergirding our husbands and that is definitely something that will make a home build and strengthen a heart. There is so much we can do to anticipate the needs and wants of others. If you know your husband is going to have an especially busy day on his feet, make a quiet, refreshing evening your goal. Do the same kind of thing for your children. Doing all you can to anticipate needs will make you feel fulfilled and your family feel loved.

efresh and renew yourself so that your reflection mirrors Jesus to those around you. Make sure that your quiet time is a daily occurrence so your heart spills over with thanksgiving for a great God and the great things

needing to retrain and restrain your tongue, not saying all that you think. Words like, “You are doing a great job,” and, “I am so proud of you,” instead of, “You’re never going to finish at that rate,” and, “I wish you would ___.” When you offer life-giving and grace-filled words to your loved ones, you are building hope and strength.

ope and love are powerful attitudes. They will encourage and inspire others on to bigger and better things. Think about how you meet mistakes and sins. Instead of reacting in anger, be thankful for the opportunity to help where help is needed because they are giving in to sin. Meet

“Coming home after a trip is about as close to heaven as I can get here on earth.” He has done, is doing, and is yet to do. Face anger, anxiety, fear and depression with prayer and strength, faith and hope. Our homes reflect our own state of mind and heart. Make yours beautiful to look at. Do the same for your family. Make sure their hearts are regularly refreshed. Encourage them to be growing in their relationships with the Lord and do little things to keep all of your relationships strong and united. Picnics, walks, game nights, and family time are little things that have big results.

n tune. A large part of harmony is achieved through things that create an atmosphere of peace. There are so many things you can do. Play praise and worship music to lift everyone’s spirits and keep their focus on what is good and important. Remember, King Saul was refreshed and calmed by David’s worship. I like to make Scripture a part of my décor. I have done this by framed art, carved wood signs, and some press-on vinyl appliqués. Don’t overlook things

sins with love and hope. By making our homes havens of hope and love we offer stability, comfort, and a place of grace. Ladies, this is a picture of my heart. I long to be this kind of woman, and yet I consistently fail in all of these areas. Look at this as a glimpse into my “Impossible for Me, but Possible for God Prayer List.” I am all too familiar with what comes from not nourishing as above, and I am just beginning to realize the blessings that come from building and creating a home that nourishes. Even the most outgoing, company-loving person needs a safe haven to relax in after the daily tasks are completed. Home is irreplaceable. Home is sweet, soothing, and comforting. When you fail, get right back up, repent, and start over again with God’s grace to do the very things He wants you to do. You will only be sorry if you don’t do all you can to build a home that nourishes you and your family.  *Visit EternalEncouragement.com and click on the “Extreme Mom Makeovers” tab to invite me to come to your town!

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How do You Know if You are Being Obedient?

he Bible has a lot to say about obedience—after all, God gave us The Ten Commandments, not The Ten Suggestions. But how do we know if we are following the Biblical definition of obedience? One definition of obedience I’ve heard is: “Obedience is to be immediate, complete, without challenge, and without complaint.” This description could easily lead to legalism and harshness if we apply it to ourselves and our daughters without using good judgment. I would like to suggest some questions as a way of determining if you are following biblical standards as you practice and teach obedience. Remember, moms, we are the example our daughters will most likely follow,

so think carefully about how you respond to requests from your husband or others. Obedience is to be immediate. Do you stop what you are doing when your husband asks you to do something? Are you respectful if you need to ask questions about when he needs it to be done, or how he wants you to do it? Does he have to ask you several times to do something that you don’t enjoy? Do you put it off until it’s “convenient,” even if you know he wants you to do it now? Do you put his requests at the top of your to-do list? Ahead of things that you really want to do? Does he ever have to remind you of something he has asked you to do?

“The boundaries of obedience bring freedom rather than imprisonment. As wives and daughters respond positively to their proper authorities, it brings freedom and protection.”

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Obedience is to be complete. Does your husband ever have to ask you to do something over because you didn’t do it the way he asked you to do it or the way you knew he wanted it done? Do you leave things half done until he gets frustrated and does it himself? Obedience is to be without challenge. Do you do things your

own way even if you know there is a certain way your husband would like you to do what he’s asked? Do you have a good attitude when working on something he has asked you to do? Obedience is to be without complaint. Now here’s a difficult one for most of us. Do you groan or complain when asked to do something you don’t want to do? Do you make excuses? Roll your eyes? Shake your head? Do you ever make negative remarks in front of your daughters about something you’ve been asked to do? As we respond to our husbands, we are training our daughters to be wives and mothers—even if we don’t think we are. Remember, more is caught than taught. As you probably know, the Lord’s yoke is easy, so once we set our hearts to obey, we begin to find real joy in obedience. “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light,” Matthew 11:30. Obedience falls into the realm of opposite worlds that we see so often in the Bible—you must lose your life to save it, you must die to live, or be poor in spirit to be blessed. The boundaries of obedience bring freedom rather than imprisonment. As wives and daughters respond positively to their proper authorities, it brings freedom and protection. I have to admit that I’ve been convicted while writing this of one certain thing that I

really dislike doing for my husband. Every few weeks he asks me to access a certain website for him. It is a government site and it’s very difficult to do everything just right so they will allow us access to our information. I had to stop and repent and have asked the Lord to help me do it willingly and graciously. Will you join me and ask the Lord to show you an area where you can do better? This quote by Oswald Chambers in My Utmost for His Highest says it all: “God’s training is for now, not later. His purpose is for this very minute, not for some time in the future. We have nothing to do with what will follow our obedience, and we are wrong to concern ourselves with it. What people call preparation, God sees as the goal itself. “God’s purpose is to enable me to see that He can walk on the storms of my life right now. If we have a further goal in mind, we are not paying enough attention to the present time. However, if we realize that moment-bymoment obedience is the goal, then each moment as it comes is precious.”  Phyllis has been the wife of Daniel for 26 years. She has homeschooled their three children for the past 19 years and is now working on “home college.” She has published several books, including Purposeful Planning. Visit her at Phyllis-Sather.com.

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Building Loving Relationships Within Your Family: Part 2

A ppreciate each other’s differences.

Another thing that promotes close relationships within families is to teach your children to appreciate each other’s differences. In a family, there should be a spirit of cooperation fostered, rather than a spirit of competition. God has uniquely shaped each individual within your family as a special part of His creation. We’re not all supposed to be alike or do things at the same time or the same way.

“The days went by so quickly. Once today is over, you’ll never get it back. If we are too busy for each other, we are too busy!” Point out each other’s strengths, and tell your children how God created each one of them to fulfill purposes that only they can accomplish.

God took precise care in all the specific details of personality, talents, and desires that uniquely make up who each of your children is, and God makes no mistakes. Even in homeschooling, you will find one child learns certain subjects more easily and struggles with something else. This is normal. Within the family, you need to teach your children that God made us all different. Through the years as the kids were growing up, I would never let the older kids say, "Oh, that is so easy!" when a younger sibling was struggling with their work. I would tell them it wasn't as easy for them when they were younger, and even if it was a subject they excelled in, there were things they struggled with. It wasn't right to make a younger sibling feel "dumb." When we learn to appreciate each person, we can better begin to help each one with the special “missions or exploits” God has given each to do. As I learned to teach to the passions of each child, the other kids would come to see how each one did really have special areas of interest and how God had equipped them with natural talents or personality to pursue those interests. Our goal should be to cultivate a kind of team spirit in our kids. When one child is exploring his passion in a certain pursuit, then everyone else can chip in with ways God has gifted them in order to help their siblings accomplish their goals. Team spirit, or rather family cohesiveness, is learned as your family takes on projects to serve others. Whether you are taking your little

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ones by the hand and showing them how to serve an elderly person or a mom with a new baby, or as you join your older children in projects they attempt, the closeness of your family is a natural byproduct. Even as my children have grown to adulthood and established families of their own, they still are each other’s best friends. When one is involved in any project, such as buying and fixing up an old house, or campaigning for a good candidate, or bringing meals to a family under stress, or watching the kids to give them a break, or whatever, everyone else chips in and helps them out. Their loyalties are strong and their tendencies are to look for ways to help each other when a need arises.

have forever with your kids. Some days it may seem that way, but believe me, the day comes sooner than you would wish when they are grown and your opportunities for training are over. I will never regret having spent “too much time” with my children. The days went by so quickly. Once today is over, you’ll never get it back. If we are too busy for each other, we are too busy! 

S pend time together.

The way society tends to do things is everyone participates in activities with kids his own age. And although a family lives together in the same house, their social spheres are totally separate from one another. I remember this as a child. My sister, who was eight years older than I was, lived in our house, but our paths rarely crossed. One day I asked each of my children why they were glad they were homeschooled. I love what my son Matt said. “I got to really know my family, instead of just meeting up with them in the evening.” To effectively build close relationships, you have to be together! When you are supplying a mom’s taxi and constantly going to and fro, it’s a distraction from enjoying one another’s company. I had to learn to say no to lots of “good” things, both for myself and my kids. The possibilities of good activities to be involved in are limitless! Especially when your children are young, resist the pressure to have them involved in every activity or opportunity that comes along. Our goal is not to raise well-rounded kids, but spiritually-prepared servants of God, providentially placed within our families to first be a blessing to each other and then to reach out to bless the lives of those around us. We as parents need to come alongside our children and train them to be sensitive to the needs of first of all siblings, and then others whom our lives touch. It is a lifestyle. I would caution you to remember you don’t

Marilyn is a mom of 14 and has homeschooled since 1980. She has authored books on home education and parenthood and is a nationally known homeschool speaker. She and her husband operate The Learning Parent to equip and encourage parents, thelearningparent.com.

Eternal Encouragement Magazine • 18016 West Spring Lake Drive, Renton, Washington 98058 • email: EternalEncouragement@gmail.com 31

intended to let you know this earlier, but life has a way of getting in the way! I've received the most recent issue in the mail and I absolutely LOVE the new size. It is going to be perfect for taking with me to read in a waiting room or in the car. Thanks, and keep up the great work. May the Lord bless you! - Robin, email note

orrie Flem speaks with so much practical wisdom. She is very real and very present and freely admits her failures but also her successes as she walks with God. I will go out of my way to hear her again. - Lori, Texas

hank you so much for coming to Alaska and

encouraging us to live like Jesus! What a blessing you are. Thank you for being an instrument of God's grace. Love to you, dear sister! Robin, Facebook (The Sisterhood of Joyful Dishwashers!)

oday I listened to my first preview speaker for the Ultimate Homeschool Expo and WOW! She was amazing! Her name was Lorrie Flem of Eternal Encouragement Magazine. It was such a blessing! She opened in prayer and used Scripture like a mad woman! And she really convicted me about feeling like my "little" job as mommy and homemaker wasn't enough! I was blown away! - Candie, blogger

his little gem has literally lived with me for the last month and a half. I keep it in my purse . . . it is just the perfect size. My daughter and I read it while we were at the emergency room waiting for her to have her knee xrayed . . . (Don't worry, nothing was broken!) It has been to church, ball games, doctor visits, the optometrist office. . . . I have read it while the boys played at the park and inside McDonald's. . . . It is the most traveled magazine I have ever read. It wasn't just the size that made it compelling . . . The content kept calling to me . . . to read, and re-read . . . absorb . . . and be refreshed. These last few weeks have been N-U-T-S . . . and in the few, slightly stolen, quiet moments I have had . . . Eternal Encouragement Magazine is what I have grabbed. I have remained focused by reading articles like, "Four Principles of NOT Wasting Time." I was encouraged to cultivate a "Lady in Waiting," and nurture the relationship with my daughter. Housework has gone smoother since reading "See a Mess and Work a Lot Less." The Article "Picket Fence Pondering" by Amy M. O'Quinn gently spoke to my heart during this time that is so busy.

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. . . She said, "How many of us are guilty of letting what's important in life slip by because we are so focused on things that don't matter or ones we have no control over." What a great reminder to check my priorities and make sure I am busy for the RIGHT reasons. - Julie, blogger

used it to speak to me about how I had misused my time— routine maintenance isn't just for computers—it's for people, too! The importance of time, ways to stop wasting time, utilizing a timer, etc. Plus, there were plenty of other helpful, encouraging articles. (And some convicting ones, as

f you are looking for a dynamic speaker who can touch the heart of an audience, she can. Lorrie’s honest, relevant, story-telling style makes her compelling and effective. I know that this one day changed my attitude toward my home, my children, and saved my marriage. Lorrie Flem and Eternal

- Phyllis Theroux

y life gets cluttered up with stuff. Sometimes bad stuff—sometimes good stuff. And instead of taking time for regular maintenance, I just get too busy and don't take care of it. The problem is that I will have to deal with it eventually—and it will be overwhelming by that point. Much better to take the time and tackle things before they grow too big! . . . wouldn't you know it? Just like my review a few months ago, God

well!) There were so many wonderful little nuggets of wisdom . . . What a great blessing to be reminded of what's truly important! I just wasn't expecting it to be by words in a magazine! This is an easy-to-read, purse-sized magazine. Just perfect for those little bits of time you have while waiting. Definitely encouraging! Definitely recommended. - Stacie, blogger

Encouragement Magazine are the best! - Susan, Nebraska

ternal Encouragement is about just what it says, encouragement for all women, regardless of whether we homeschool or not. Eternal Encouragement is so much deeper and has helped me so much. I can honestly say it helped save my marriage. - A Gabby Mom 

Eternal Encouragement Magazine • 18016 West Spring Lake Drive, Renton, Washington 98058 • email: EternalEncouragement@gmail.com 33

Choices

“W

ho took the cookie from the cookie jar?” A cute children’s rhyme, but also a question we may hear around our homes. Obedience isn’t always easy and sometimes cookies disappear in spite of household rules. This topic reaches farther than our kitchens. Our country is faced with an epidemic of obesity and chronic health problems that are directly related to our food choices. As mothers, we use our understanding of good nutrition to help us select food for our families. One challenge we face is in the area of healthy carbohydrates. There are plenty of carbohydrates

available, but do we know how to choose the best for our families? Carbohydrates are one of three major groups of nutrients that fulfill our caloric needs. The other two are proteins and fats. Carbohydrates encompass many different types of food, but even more important is the differing impact on our energy production and blood sugar balance. Vegetables, legumes, fruits, whole grains, dried beans, brown rice, raw honey and raw maple syrup are all carbohydrates. They are examples of whole foods that contain built-in nutrients to help us with digestion and assimilation. White sugar, high fructose corn syrup, pasta, sodas, cold cereals, candy, chips, and, yes, cookies

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“Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good . . .” Isaiah 55:2. are also carbohydrates. Yet they are processed and generally lack nutrient density—in fact, in order to be digested and assimilated, they rob the body of its own stores of nutrients. Vegetables and fruits are examples of healthy carbohydrates. Realistically, we will occasionally eat less than ideal foods, but these should not be a major percentage of our diet. Choosing foods close to nature and, whenever possible, unprocessed, will contribute to your health. We are bombarded with advertising that entices us to buy the more processed, poor quality carbohydrates. Seventy-three percent of the advertising directed at children is for candy, snacks, cereal, and beverages. Remember that processing removes nutrients and most often adds sugar. “Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good . . .” Isaiah 55:2. God’s word is faithful to provide wisdom and gives direction for

making the choices we face daily—even at the grocery store. Looking at His word, why would we “pay for food that does you no good?” Following rules may be outward obedience but choosing to walk in knowledge and understanding is the heart of obedience. 

As mothers, we use our understanding of good nutrition to help us select food for our families. Carla Jacks is a homeschooling mother of five. Dawn Hamilton has two grown children and two grandchildren. They both live in Olympia, Washington. Together they use their certifications in Nutritional Therapy to encourage others in healthy lifestyle choices.

Eternal Encouragement Magazine • 18016 West Spring Lake Drive, Renton, Washington 98058 • email: EternalEncouragement@gmail.com 35

or not to coupon? ToIt’scoupon a question we all face these days when preparing to go grocery shopping, and it’s easier than it’s ever been to take advantage of all the coupons available to us. Before getting too deep into your stacks of newspaper inserts, though, it’s worth taking a moment to examine what the goal of couponing is. Although the concept of using coupons has been around for many years, it seems that recently it’s caught on with a frenzy, and “extreme couponing” is becoming quite popular. In fact, a quick Google search for “how to use coupons to save money” turned up a whopping 1,080,000 results! There are websites, blogs, Facebook pages, even reality TV shows on how to get as much free, or almost free, as you can using coupons. I’ll admit, it’s pretty impressive to hear how someone “saved $6,341.67 in three months on their groceries without sacrificing quality,” as one self-proclaimed coupon guru professes. (Of course, it leaves me wondering how much she spent in order to save that much!) So amidst all the couponing hype, I want to take a few minutes to talk about the basics of couponing from a different angle: When is using a coupon a good deal? As tempting as it is to head to the store with a huge stack of coupons, armed and ready to save as much as you can on as many things as you can, there are two questions you need to ask yourself. One, do you need this item, and

Deal or

two, if you don’t need it, can you afford to buy it in order to bless someone else with it? When we step back and look at it objectively, most of us can see that buying something we don’t need is spending money we probably shouldn’t. However, when we’re

“When we step back and look at it objectively, most of us can see that buying something we don’t need is spending money we probably shouldn’t.” looking through lots of coupons, it’s easy to get caught up thinking how nice it would be to have a particular product, or to be impressed with what a great savings a coupon can offer on an item (especially if you’re able to double or triple it or can score combining coupons). Keep this in

36 EternalEncouragement.com • Fall 2011, Volume XVI, Issue 3 • This Issue’s Theme: “The Heart of Obedience”

No Deal?

mind though—even if you were able to save 75 percent or more on an item, if you didn’t need it, the 25 percent you did pay for was probably money you shouldn’t have spent! I want to be sure to clarify that I don’t think there is anything wrong with using coupons. I love to use them on items that are on my shopping list or that I know my family will use. However, that can be taken to an extreme as well. For instance, my family can only go through so much toothpaste in a year, so continuing to stockpile it just for the sake of getting it cheap can eventually turn from saving to hording, and here is where the real issue lies. If you’ve bought more than you need and you find yourself reveling in the storehouse of goodies you’ve acquired through couponing, you may need to ask yourself what the purpose of that is. Is it to share with others and bring glory and honor to God? Or is it to toot your own horn in an effort to bring glory to yourself and your shopping skills? If you’ve bought so many things through your couponing efforts that your family won’t realistically use them for quite some time, you have a wonderful opportunity to share your bounty with others! Do you know of a family that is struggling to make ends meet? Bless them with some of the extras you have! Pregnancy Choices and programs that minister to single mothers are always looking for donations and, of course, the food banks are in need of help year round, not

just near the holidays. If the thrill of couponing is something you really enjoy, but you’re buying more than you need, then use that gift to help others. Of course, any money we spend needs to be within our budget or no deal is a good deal. I once conducted an online survey and found that over half the people who responded do not have a budgeted amount to spend on their groceries. Over half the people who responded also said the amount they spent on groceries was a problem. (See a connection here?) In order to properly steward the money God has blessed us with, we need to be able to account for it, and keeping a budget is the best way to do that. Once you’ve got a budget in place, make sure any purchases you make using coupons stay within your budget. It’s really as simple as that. If you can make the coupons work for you, go for it! Saving money is a great way to stretch your budget (sounds simple, but many people don’t even try to save money), and being able to share with others makes it an even sweeter deal. Just don’t get so carried away in your couponing efforts that you forget to step back and look at the big picture and remember, no deal is a good deal if you didn’t need it to begin with! 

Karee and her husband, Rodney, live in beautiful Skagit Valley, Washington. They’ve been married 22 years and are a homeschooling family with five children. Karee has a passion for helping other women prioritize their lives and their money for the glory of God.

Eternal Encouragement Magazine • 18016 West Spring Lake Drive, Renton, Washington 98058 • email: EternalEncouragement@gmail.com 37

by Christa Sterken

Don’t Harden Your Hearts

“S

o watch your step, friends. Make sure there's no evil unbelief lying around that will trip you up and throw you off course, diverting you from the living God. For as long as it's still God's today, keep each other on your toes so sin doesn't slow down your reflexes.

“If we can only keep our grip on the sure thing we started out with, we're in this with Christ for the long haul. These words keep ringing in our ears: Today, please listen; don’t turn a deaf ear as in the bitter uprising,” Hebrews 3:12–15 (The Message). The problem with this taking care of yourself advice is that it takes the focus away from the true source of our energy. Learning to focus on God for my needs is ultimately more satisfying. My efforts deplete far too quickly. The time I spend on me could have been even more fulfilling when multiplied into efforts for we. Let’s look into this passage even deeper . . . “So watch your step, friends. Make sure there's no evil unbelief lying around that will trip you up and throw you off course, diverting you from the living God.” While these ideas offer great resources at face value, there seems to be an underlying theme. I see little encouragement in the way of promoting bonding with your husband as a way of refilling. In fact, there is an undercurrent nibbling at my heart that perhaps he was part

of the problem! When I forget to make time to include my husband in rejuvenation efforts, it is easy to get tripped up by the growing rebellion of wanting my needs met first. “For as long as it's still God's today, keep each other on your toes so sin doesn't slow down your reflexes.” It is helpful to meet a friend who works hard to put her husband first, working to promote a godly marriage. This is a new concept to me, and she keeps me on my toes. It takes diligence to soften my heart and build reflexes that spring me toward my husband as a source of comfort. The effort put into strengthening my marriage pays off in substantial dividends as we grasp each other’s hands. Not only for the short term but in the

lean times when passion is scarce. The more my husband and I invest, the stronger our marriage becomes. “If we can only keep our grip on the sure thing we started out with, we're in this with Christ for the long haul.” The more I learn to love God, the more it overflows to my husband. “These words keep ringing in our ears: Today, please listen; don't turn a deaf ear as in the bitter uprising.” What comes to mind after reading this scripture is how attuned my thinking has become to cultural thinking. I determine to not listen to popular media as my source. I will turn a deaf ear to the uprising against believing that spousal time could fill my void. My husband and I have always been independent. We encourage each other to do things that fill us up individually. Time alone is fulfilling. Please pause here; we must establish a practice of checking our hearts closely. Do we choose to fill our cup as a personal retreat? Or a retreat from our spouse? Be careful. What seems innocent can become the death of a relationship. Sadly, I have seen this many times. Focusing on “me” has been the downfall of many marriages. Enjoy the times alone that bring you peace, but delight in the joys of companionship as well. Now, ready for practical ways to guard against the hardening of your heart? Here are three ways to make together time happen . . .  One of the most common reasons parents say they stop dating each other is a lack of babysitters. Money is tight, and there is seldom the cash for both the date and the sitter. The solution doesn’t cost a penny! Here is where bartering comes in. Trade with others. Do you have a friend or two you could set up a schedule with? Both families benefit with competent adults to care for the children.  Grab a notepad and start listing ideas for potential date nights. My husband and I have a favorite place, but it is easy to get in a rut. Having choices in advance offers variety if a chance to date comes along unexpectedly! Create columns: free, cheap, and special occasion. Search the internet for cheap date nights. Look

through your local paper for festivals and events in your area. Listen for recommendations when someone raves about a new place to go; mark this in the special occasion column. Dates can be much more than movies and dinners.  Dress nicely. We can become markedly lax in long-term relationships. Put a little extra effort into being attractive to his sensibilities. I am not supporting becoming someone you are not. Husbands do appreciate that extra push to show him the spark of the woman who caught his eye. In the context of “adoring our husbands” they appreciate us as women.

“When I forget to make time to include my husband in rejuvenation efforts, it is easy to get tripped up by the growing rebellion of wanting my needs met first. “ Let our focus for refreshment come from the Author of good things. Then enjoy as it trickles into the blessed relationship of our gift of marriage. 

Christa Sterken is married to her best friend, Art, and is grateful to homeschool their two amazing daughters. What an exciting journey it is! She enjoys sharing life observations through her freelance writing.

Eternal Encouragement Magazine • 18016 West Spring Lake Drive, Renton, Washington 98058 • email: EternalEncouragement@gmail.com 39

Trust and Obey—Even When You Don’t Understand “Why” or “How” Today!

om and Dad diligently train little Tommy to obey them. And, if he doesn’t do as he is told, they patiently redirect, reinforce, and sometimes discipline him so he will remember. Tommy is just a small, dependent child, but Mom and Dad see the bigger picture, and they know just how important it is for him to obey. This obedience might keep him from harm, help him avoid bad decisions in the future, or even save his life. But right now, Tommy doesn’t understand the “why,” and he is not always happy with the process or the outcome. Sometimes he gets impatient, frustrated, or even angry, but still Mom and Dad know Tommy must learn obedience for his own good, so they keep on training. Sometimes I am like Tommy when it comes to trusting and obeying God. I don’t always like the process of learning to be obedient to Him, especially when I think my way is better. And of course, I don’t want to hear Him speak to my heart with the admonishment of “wait” or

especially with a resounding “no!” Like Tommy, I find that trusting and obeying sometimes hurts, and it’s often hard to understand why! However, I have to remind myself that God sees the big picture. He knows my yesterdays, todays, and tomorrows. He has a plan for my life (and yours), and I have to trust Him to guide my steps each day—even when (especially when) I don’t understand! One of my favorite verses in the Bible addresses this circumstance perfectly, and it also brings reassurance and comfort in times of stress, indecision, need, or when I feel as though the Lord isn’t hearing my heartfelt prayers and desperate petitions: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths,” Proverbs 3:5–6. It’s easy to trust and obey when things are going according to our plans and timetable; when the bills are paid and there’s still money left in the bank, when everyone is in excellent health, when job security is not an issue, or when happiness bubbles up within our hearts. Rightfully so, we can’t praise our Lord enough for all our blessings! But what about when a job is lost, a child is terminally ill, someone hurts us, there are more

“I don’t always like the process of learning to be obedient to Him, especially when I think my way is better.”

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bills than money left at the end of the month, or when we despair deep in our hearts because we can’t change a situation that we think desperately needs changing? Do we still find it easy to trust then? When we are thrown from the familiar into the unfamiliar, do we still praise Him? When He asks of us something we don’t think we have the resources or strength (or desire) to carry out, do we obey? The answer is still YES! If God brings us to it, He’ll bring us through it. We have to believe in the greatness of God! We are weak, but He is strong. His grace is sufficient. “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong,” II Corinthians 12:9–10. During our storms, He’s there. When we don’t see a way out, He’s there. When we don’t understand WHY, He is there and knows the beginning and the end! Here are a few thoughts on things we can do during those difficult times:  Be faithful to what He’s called us to do. Perhaps we can’t change our circumstances for tomorrow, but we can try to carry out what He’s asked us to do today! Maybe it’s working in our homes, homeschooling, loving and serving our husbands and children, or offering hospitality.  “Pray without ceasing,” I Thessalonians 5:17. Prayer might not change our situation, but it

can bring us peace and perhaps change our perception or reaction. Seek Him continually and spend time in the Word!  Think back to other times when we faced heartache, indecision, or difficulties, yet God provided, equipped, or resolved the problem in His way and time. Remembering God’s providence and goodness is key! Journaling prayer requests/answers is an excellent way to recall His faithfulness.  CHOOSE to trust! “For we walk by faith, not by sight,” II Corinthians 5:7. Remember the One who does see the big picture.  Live in today, but don’t be afraid of tomorrow. God is already there!  Read biographies of God’s saints who suffered persecution or death, yet still chose to trust and obey. Read passages in the Bible of those who had to wait on God, yet remained faithful, such as Hannah and Joseph. Read hymns that tell of the Christian experience and God’s provision. God is good. So even when we don’t understand the how or why of His perfect plan, we must believe that He knows just what we need and when we need it. He will never leave us or forsake us, but we must remain faithful and remember . . . His grace is ALWAYS sufficient!  Amy O’Quinn is a pastor’s wife and former homeschool mom of six wonderful blessings. She is also a freelance writer who enjoys jotting down ideas about and around the fringes of family life. You can find her at her writing site, AmyOQuinn.com.

Eternal Encouragement Magazine • 18016 West Spring Lake Drive, Renton, Washington 98058 • email: EternalEncouragement@gmail.com 41

The Heart of Obedience

y article is more aptly on the topic The Heart of Disobedience. And even more accurately, My Heart of Disobedience. It would have been really easy for me to sit down and type out an article talking about a successful experience I’d had with training my children in some area of heart obedience or some victory I’d had in my twenty years as a Christian. But every time I sat to write, the words didn’t come. While I think I could put together an article that might encourage someone, I knew exactly what I really needed to write about. That’s because for the past several years, every time I hear someone talk about, teach about, or even just mention the word obedience, a stab goes through my heart and my mind instantly links to one word—or should I say, one subject, one very large subject (no pun intended) for me. Because for where I am in my journey with the Lord

right now, the word that obedience links to is weight. My weight. Diet. Food. Gluttony. Health. Whatever word of the week I’m putting on it, the underlying heart of the matter has very little to do with what I eat, how I eat, or even why I eat. Because the stabbing that goes through my heart when I hear the word obedience is really the prompting of the Holy Spirit. It’s that old enemy-condemning-me type of guilt feelings, but the Holy-Spirit-lovingconviction-and-call-to-obedience kind of stabbing. One thing that amazes me about God’s love is His decision to give us free will. Not just free will in regard to accepting His invitation of salvation, but He gives His children free will in the process of sanctification. Yep, He gives us the right to ignore Him. He doesn’t turn us into robots and force us to make nothing but Godhonoring choices. He gives us this amazing ability to choose to obey Him. Or choose to disobey. By His mercy and luckily for us, when we wander off the path, He doesn’t just let us go our own way. He calls after us and even pursues us. Yet still we can ignore Him. It’s at this point that

“For the past several years, every time I hear someone talk about, teach about, or even just mention the word obedience, a stab goes through my heart and my mind instantly links to one word . . .”

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we have to make the decision: am I going to choose to obey Him, to choose a heart of obedience, or choose a heart of disobedience? As I said earlier, when it comes to overeating, I’ve been choosing to disobey the call to obedience. It’s not that I have completely ignored the topic. I’ve actually spent the better part of the past six or seven years perpetually on a diet, just coming off a diet, or just about to start a diet. I’ve done all the programs and tried to find motivation in many different places. I’ve joined “healthy habits” competitions that reward you monetarily for losing weight, attended meetingoriented weight management programs, done every diet out there from WW to HGC, and been a member at two health clubs. I purchased a treadmill so that I’d have no excuse not to exercise. I’ve read Scripture on gluttony and made lists of all the health problems that I have or could develop, due to being overweight. I’ve shamed myself and I’ve done the denial method: “Oh, it’s not that bad.” If you’ve been around Eternal Encouragement for a while and subscribed to our weekly ezine, you might even have read a blog I wrote back in 2008 regarding my weight loss journey, which I hoped would motivate me to get healthy. When it comes to trying things and looking for motivation, I’ve done it. I’ve prayed about it, I’ve made attempts, I’ve failed, I’ve succeeded, and I’ve failed again. Yet still I hear the Holy Spirit calling me. I am even tempted as I write to use this article as a means to motivate me to lose weight, declaring to all the readers, “By this time next year, I will have lost 50 pounds,” and include my photo in the article (if I could find one. I have approximately three photos of myself from the past five years and none that I’d willingly release to the public. The photo in my bio is cleverly chopped down to just my face.). I thought about all the verses I could include in this article: verses about my body being God’s temple; about honoring God in all things; about victory that is promised to us. But that’s exactly why I felt called to write this,

because God isn’t looking for me to make declarations to the readers, to my family, or even to myself, no matter how many Bible verses I could wrap them in. God has been calling me in this area of obedience because He wants me to know that this mountain—and it is a large mountain for me—is not one He’s leaving me to climb alone. He wants to give me the strength, the motivation, the ability, and the desire to tackle this area. He doesn’t want me to find a program that works. I’ve believed all this time that if I just found the right program, the right motivation, the right accountability partner, or the right Bible verse to claim, my problem with overeating will go away. But this issue, for me, is much, much bigger than that, because it is not about food, eating,

or exercise. It is about obedience. God wants me to stop ignoring His call. He wants me to respond when I feel that stabbing when I hear the word “obedience,” and I instantly know that I have an area of disobedience in my life. This issue is about my turning to Him and giving Him my heart of obedience. It is about trusting Him to equip me to do His will. Because my will wants to go and eat a package of Oreos. 

Donna praises God for bringing her into His Kingdom almost 20 years ago and blessing her with her role as wife to her best friend, Ed, and mom to the three delights of her life, Kevin (8), Adrienne (6), and Jason (2).

Eternal Encouragement Magazine • 18016 West Spring Lake Drive, Renton, Washington 98058 • email: EternalEncouragement@gmail.com 43

by Hollie Snowden

he Lord has so graciously chosen me to be the mother of three wonderful children, to homeschool my children, and to be the loving wife to an active duty airman. What a huge responsibility I have been given! Because many of you are like me and are obedient to your callings, I have chosen to share a few resources which I hope will aid you in some of your daily roles.  Since most of you ladies are the family chef, be sure to check out this really cool website: SuperCook.com. There you can find recipes using only the ingredients you have on hand. Just enter the items you have at home, and it finds possible dishes you can make. So cool! This is a great tool to use when your pantry is looking a little bare.  My kids sometimes have “selective hearing.” I'm sure most moms have had to deal with this at one time or another. It's hard to be obedient when you don't even know what your instructions were. This website gives some helpful exercises to sharpen kids' listening skills. SchoolFamily.com/blog/2010/03/11/simple -activities-to-improve-your-childs-listeningskills.

 Here's a homemaking helper for you. At TheRakeAndBroom.com, they offer valuable information on cleaning your home like the pros do. This professional cleaning crew offers a free home cleaning guide for the different areas of your home. Where was this when I was a newlywed?  I get so excited when visiting other people's homes. I just love to see how other women decorate their personal spaces. At Decor-Photos.com, you can look at hundreds of pictures of decorated rooms. If you are looking for a little decorating inspiration, this is a good place to start.  With all the work we mamas and wives do, it's nice to be able to take a few minutes for ourselves. I'm a frugal gal, so going to the spa is not in my budget. I love finding free recipes for spa-type products. At Spaindex.com you can find something to pamper almost every inch of your body, and there are even some recipes for your hubby. Contrary to what my 6-yearold believes, being obedient doesn't have to be difficult, and having a few helpful resources can make it even easier. Whether you are a mom, a wife, a homemaker, a homeschooler, or all of the above, I pray the Lord fills your heart with joy as you complete your day-to-day duties.  Hollie is the homeschooling mama of three little gifts from God and a proud military spouse. She and her family are currently enjoying a tour overseas.

44 EternalEncouragement.com • Fall 2011, Volume XVI, Issue 3 • This Issue’s Theme: “The Heart of Obedience”

This cartoon was first posted May 5, 2007â&#x20AC;&#x201D; "God will Himself be their powerful Comforter: As one whom his mother comforts, when he is sick or sore, or upon any account in sorrow, so will I comfort you; not only with the rational arguments which a prudent father uses, but with the tender affections and compassions of a loving mother, that bemoans her afflicted child when it has fallen and hurt itself, that she may quiet it and make it easy, or endeavours to pacify it after she has chidden it and fallen out with it." - Matthew Henry's Commentary

“We must do whatever is necessary to learn this moment-by-moment giving up of our own wills and submitting to the will of the Father. Our spouses, our children, our dear ones are learning through our behavior.” A Heart of Obedience

sually, when I have a deadline, I rush to complete the task days, weeks, even months before it is due. Not so this time. And it wasn’t because of my legislative work, or my homeschooling schedule, or my health challenges, or even my daily activities of living. No, it is nothing so noble. The deadline looms because of the topic. Heart obedience is not something I am very expert at, and it has been a monumental struggle. Thus, I have been putting this article off.

allowed or planned for me to be frequently tested to make sure that I do not miss the point. Many Old Testament characters were severely tested when it came to obedience. I have often imagined what it was like the day Abraham slouched into the tent and said to Sarah, “Dear, we will be packing up and moving on soon.” I think Sarah must have said, “Okay, where are we going, Abe?” This was followed by a silent pause. Then, with a nervous laugh, Abraham says, “I don’t know where we are going.” Her response is not recorded for us.

And what is curious is that during the past 30 years of my life it would have been difficult to even see the struggle going on in my heart because outwardly I was obedient, responsible, and dependable. But as the years have passed, our dear Lord Jesus has been actively at work through His Holy Spirit forcing me to see the hypocrisy and uselessness of obeying outwardly while disobeying in my heart. This has not been a pleasant experience. If it had been, I am sure I would have missed the point. And God has

46 EternalEncouragement.com • Fall 2011, Volume XVI, Issue 3 • This Issue’s Theme: “The Heart of Obedience”

Would we have been able to obey without whining or wondering or wilting in fear? Would our hearts have been given over entirely to obeying our Lord even if the instructions seemed a bit incomplete? And what about the ultimate picture of heart obedience: the Lord Jesus Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane? Could we have willingly, even with tears and terror, taken up a literal cross? Yet our dear Savior did so for the joy that was set before Him. His heart was one of complete obedience, and His time in Gethsemane teaches us that obedience may be marked by pain, tears, and even the hope of opting out. He is not only our example, but He is our enabler. It is Christ Who will give us the will and the strength to obey from the heart. We cannot do it on our own. I cannot do it on my own. I think it curious that we are to renew our minds, but we are to guard our hearts, for out of them come the issues of life. And because a woman, wife, and mother truly is the heart of a home, it is another good reason to learn to obey from the heart. Little eyes are watching. Little ears are listening. Paul writes that the example of our godliness and obedience can even win an unbelieving spouse. Growing in grace, developing a heart of obedience, and participating in the cross-life are not options. We must do whatever is necessary to learn this moment-by-moment giving up of our own wills and submitting to the will of the Father. Our spouses, our children, our dear ones are learning through our behavior. This obedience will cost us dearly. It means putting aside our own interests and instead

doing all to meet the needs of others. Amy Carmichael, missionary to south India, in her little book IF wrote, “If I hold on to choices of any kind, just because they are my choice; if I give any room to my private likes and dislikes, then I know nothing of Calvary love. If there be any reserve in my giving to Him who so loved that He gave His Dearest for me; if there be a secret ‘but’ in my prayer, ‘anything but that, Lord,’ then I know nothing of Calvary love.” And that is the crux of the matter. Love, true love, love from the Father, is what leads to an obedient heart. I have often imagined and even told others that my greatest joy in heaven, apart from the presence of the Savior, is that I will never sin again. I am very familiar with sin. But in heaven there will be no more sin and all obedience will come from my heart, a product of my love for our dear Lord Jesus. I will never again be plagued by a divided heart. Oh, the joy of knowing that one day we, too, will go out like Sarah to a place as yet unknown, prepared for us in the heavenlies by Christ Jesus. It is God’s plan for each of us to have a heart of obedience. The struggle continues, but I have set my face like a flint and by God’s grace I continue with a long, slow obedience in the same direction. And the surprising thing is that an obedient heart brings joy on earth, too. Struggle, yes. But ultimately peace that passes understanding and immeasurable joy.  Gail Biby is the publications editor for the North Dakota Home School Association, having worked with parent educators for more than 20 years. She is actively involved in homeschooling her grandchildren, serves on the advisory board for Lamplighter Publishing, and is married to a prince of a man, her husband Bill.

Eternal Encouragement Magazine • 18016 West Spring Lake Drive, Renton, Washington 98058 • email: EternalEncouragement@gmail.com 47

oes a home just happen because we all live there? Well, let’s think about this from our husband’s perspective. Most of our husbands work outside the home, so we’ll work it out from that perspective. Now, picture him opening your front door and being greeted by everything pretty much as he left it that morning. There are no signs of someone controlling chaos, no dinner preparations made. Maybe the children are bickering in the background and you are sitting in a chair eating bon-bons (barefoot, of course!). So he walks in, grabs a can of soda and a bag of chips, and tries to leave the stress of work and traffic behind. What might he feel like in this scenario? Is he soothed? Can he really relax? Does he feel welcomed? Loved? Desired? No, it will have

barely made a blip on your radar screen. Will the house look the same? We all know the answer to that because we’ve all experienced it. A day without making progress in laundry, chores, and homeschool is a day that will set you back, requiring more time to recover than spent falling behind. Is there anything more

disheartening than returning after a long day at work to a pile of dirty laundry, toys strewn willy-nilly, an empty refrigerator, cold stove, and no one happy to see you? Neglected homes don’t refresh. Yet how many of us create this kind of environment to come home to? Running from ball field to music lessons or from church activity to meeting is what many families face every night. Family time is often put second in priority to outside commitments. Even “the world” is starting to get it. Look at what Dr. Wade Horn, of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, says: "It is vital that frequent family dinners become a permanent fixture for children, not only when they are young, but throughout their teenage years . . . The frequency of family dinners decreases significantly as children enter and go through high school—and that's just when the benefits of family dinners may be needed most." A survey that compared teens who have family dinners twice a week or less to teens who have dinner with their families five or more nights a week are:  32 percent are more likely never to have tried cigarettes.  45 percent are more likely never to have tried alcohol.  24 percent are more likely never to have smoked pot. Investing our time in building homes for our husbands and children is part of what being a woman is all about. "Give Me your heart, My son, and let your eyes delight in My ways," Proverbs 23:26.

by Mrs. Lorrie Flem Here are some concrete ideas on how to have a God-centered home that nurtures and builds your loved ones. Moses commanded Israel: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up," Deuteronomy 6:5–8.

Indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head and ornaments about your neck," Proverbs 1:7–9. Proverbs are pithy, memorable sound bites with spiritual punch that children (and moms!) can remember. I believe they are a great place to start.

Investing our time in building homes for our husbands and children is part of what being a woman is all about.

1. All your heart is the bonding mortar and motivation that will give you the strength to bring you together. 2. On your heart is a recurring theme in Deuteronomy that repeatedly emphasizes the need for parents to heartily love God, to avoid another lost generation as in the wilderness wandering. On our heart means that we are seeking Him. His will must be regularly discussed and applied in our daily home life. What we truly love most of all will show up in our priorities. What we talk about, and how we use our time will teach our children more than our words. 3. Teach them diligently. Only when we ourselves are in the Word and in constant fellowship with Him can we teach. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge . . . Hear, my son, your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching;

4. When you sit in your house makes me think of dinner time. This is a good way to be together and thank God for our blessings (I Timothy 4:4–5) and pray for our needs and cares (Philippians 4:6). By praying together, we affirm that God is most important in our lives and central to our family's purpose. Turn off the TV and eat and pray together! 5. When you lie down. This refers to daily bedtime. Kiss your children goodnight. Read to them or listen to them read from the Bible or a Bible devotional. Ask them, "How did things go today?" 6. When you rise up is beginning the day with God. Besides giving thanks at breakfast, give your child a Bible verse for the day and share with them what He has done for you. 

Welcome Home, Daddy by Mrs. Lorrie Flem

Available at EternalEncouragement.com

Attitude: So Much More than Housework 

Have you embraced the role that God has given you? Do you enjoy keeping home and all that goes with it? Is your attitude bad, resentful, or even a little angry?

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Character Training: Focus on Character   

Are you able to help the bad-attitude and less than diligent child? Is character training a part of your life every day? Are you and your children looking more like Jesus each day?

Child Training: What To Do When Abel is Raising Cain   

Is bickering, whining, arguing, or complaining what you hear? Do you know how to train instead of raise children? Are you consistently training your children to be happily obedient?

50 EternalEncouragement.com • Fall 2011, Volume XVI, Issue 3 • This Issue’s Theme: “The Heart of Obedience”

Chores: Many Hands Make Light the Work   

Are your children happily helping with the housework? What does helping really look like? How do you train children to make helping with chores no big deal?

Purchase Your Bundles at The Shop at

Encouragement: Colorado Power Pack Audio Set 

 

Are you inspired and motivated to put your first efforts into your own families and homes? Does encouragement mingled with practical how-to's sound like what you need? Are you distracted or feeling discontented in your God-given role?

Family Time: Welcome Home Daddy   

Are you helping your husband look his best? Does your family know with a certainty how much you love them by what you do? Are the hours Daddy is home filled with fun and nurturing?

Godly Women: 5 R's for Godly Womanhood   

Do you love working at home? Are you joyful and at peace with child training? Are your relationships with the Lord and your marriage thriving from constant care and attention?

Purchase Your Bundles at The Shop at

52 EternalEncouragement.com • Fall 2011, Volume XVI, Issue 3 • This Issue’s Theme: “The Heart of Obedience”

Homeschooling: Listen Up, Homeschooling Moms!   

Do you feel like homeschooling is too much work for you to handle? Are your relationships with your children thriving? Do your children dawdle? Do you know how to motivate them to want to learn?

Marriage: To Have and To Hold   

Do you think your husband is awesome, or do you focus on his weaknesses? Are you your husband’s biggest fan and admirer, as you should be? Do you talk to him and about him enthusiastically? Are you controlling your thoughts about him?

Meal Time: No More Meals In Your Wheels 

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Are your meals planned and prepared so that the 5:00 p.m. dinner question, “What’s for dinner?” doesn’t catch you out? Do you think your family won’t eat freezer meals? Then you haven’t tried these recipes! Is your kitchen time spent wisely? Are you doing what you can to make the money go further?

Mornings: Ending Morning Madness  

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Are you getting up each day with a clear vision as to what you need to do right now? Is cold cereal a breakfast staple? Save money and eat healthier with these family breakfast recipe books! Do you get ready for tomorrow today?

Mother/Daughter Relationships: Leaving a Legacy of Love   

Have you set out to purposefully work on knitting your heart to your daughter’s? Are you building or repairing this relationship or is it slowly dying from no attention? How many of the 8 ways to tie mother/daughter heartstrings have you used?

Pre-Teens Plus: Mission Possible with God   

Are you training children to be independent adults who leave home and create their own? Do you work to teach teens to want to obey the rules rather than just simple obedience? Are you problem solving with God's principles to bring about right behavior?

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Quiet Times: At His Feet  

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Is daily quiet time a reality or is it only in your dreams? Is what you need so badly and can't live without getting pushed aside until we have "more time”? Do you want to be the best wife, mother, and homemaker you can? It all begins here!

Scheduling: GeT Your Pack On Track   

Do you manage your minutes wisely? Is your house tidy? Your homeschool on track? Are you getting everything done or are you always running out of time? Are you perpetually late and then frazzled with guilt?

Contentment: Too Much To Do, Where Do I Start? 

 

Do you spend time doing so many little things you don't seem to get many of the "big" ones done? Are you clear on your God-given priorities? Are you doing what is eternally important?

hy is it we do all we do? What is our motivation? With all our many job descriptions—mommy, wife, homemaker, teacher, laundress, seamstress, and chief boo-boo kisser—our lives are busy, sometimes to the point of distraction. Recently, I read a book about Amy Carmichael, an amazing missionary woman who ministered in India. This biography was written by Elisabeth Elliot, an equally amazing woman of God. To Amy, everything was God’s work. Changing a diaper or sweeping a floor, preparing a meal, even laundry, was as important as leading a person to Christ. It was because of her passion for Christ that she did the cleaning and caring. I was challenged to consider how many times I see these things as separate from God's work, instead of the very task He has given me. As Amy Carmichael labored, caring for the lost temple children of India, she often received letters from those who were looking to come and work with her. She was ever careful in those she chose to labor with. Her work was hard, unglamorous, full of sickness and pain. The workers needed to be carefully chosen. She wanted them to have a clear understanding of the work they would be doing. Here is a list of questions that Amy asked those applying to work with her on the mission field. It was said that Amy would sum these questions up with one statement, written to the applicant: Do not come unless you can say to your Lord and to us, the cross is the attraction. I challenge you to answer these

questions, as if Christ Himself was writing to you, as an interview for your position of motherhood. 1. Do you truly desire to live a crucified life? (This may mean doing very humble things joyfully for His Name’s sake.) 2. Does the thought of hardness draw you or repel you? 3. Do you realize that we are a family, not an institution? Are you willing to do whatever helps most? 4. Apart from the Bible, can you name three or four books which have been of vital help to you? Apart from books, what refreshes you most when tired? 5. Have you ever learned any classical or continental language? 6. Have you ever had opportunity to prove our Lord’s promise to supply temporal as well as spiritual needs? 7. Can you mention any experience you have passed through in your Christian life which brought you into a new discovery of your union with the crucified, risen, and enthroned Lord? Do you think your answers would have won you the job? When reading this list of questions, asked of those who felt called to a life of missionary work, I was compelled to examine my own life and heart for God. I have often said that raising my children is my mission field, but really, in the middle of the everyday craziness of it, do I act like it? God

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by Julie Coney, a Gabby Mom has given me four precious gifts to teach, train, and admonish in His ways, but is the cross the attraction to my work? Do I care for a sick child because I have to? Or do I care for them with Christ’s love? (I will confess to you that at 3:00 a.m., when there is a cranky baby up for the third night in a row, or my 8-year-old has barfed over the edge of the bunk bed . . . again, I am surely not feeling Christ’s love for that child! I am selfishly wanting my sleep!) I was ashamed that, as I searched and examined my motives behind the countless little things that are done each day, the cross was not my attraction. I am prone to grumble about the dishes in the sink. I will roll my eyes and sigh loudly when my teens have walked by the laundry pile for the 7,000th time that afternoon. I whine to my husband about how I am the only

one who does anything around here. I am not as selfless as I would like to think. I needed to be reminded: unless Christ is first, I am just a selfish and bitter mom, playing the role of a martyr, complaining about the work God has given me to do. As I reflect on the cross, I need to remember Who hung there. My Savior did. Jesus, God's Son. One Who didn't deserve a death such as that. I know that is the level of sacrifice that is called for from me. I need to be that selfless, that humble. I need to let go of me and my rights, and let more of Jesus be seen in the way I talk to and serve my family. I need to love my family like I love Jesus. Through the humility that was displayed on the cross, I am saved—saved from having to whine and complain when my laundry is high and my house a mess, saved from having to lose it when the school day doesn't go as planned. So I hope you will join me in seeking to see the everyday mom stuff as the work the Lord has given to you. It is likely that we will still be the only ones who do anything around here, but we can choose to do it all humbly and joyfully, because we love Christ more than anything else in this world. 

Eternal Encouragement Magazine • 18016 West Spring Lake Drive, Renton, Washington 98058 • email: EternalEncouragement@gmail.com 57

it best to pray standing up, sitting down, I skneeling, or bowing down? Should our hands be open, closed, or lifted up to God? Do our eyes need to be closed when we pray? Is it better to pray in a church building or out in nature? Should we pray in the morning when we get up or at night before we go to bed? Are there certain words we need to say? How do we begin our prayers? What is the proper way to close a prayer? Do any of these things even matter? We are told in I John 5:14–15 to have confidence when we come to God in prayer, knowing He hears us and will grant whatever we ask, as long as it is in His will. Similarly, John 14:13–14 declares, "And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask Me for anything in My name, and I will do it." According to these and many other scriptures, God answers prayer based on whether it is according to His will and in the name of Jesus. Asking in the name of Jesus means that what we are asking for should bring glory to Jesus. So what is the proper way to pray? Philippians 4:6–7 tells us to pray without being anxious, to pray about everything, and to pray with thankful hearts. God will answer all such prayers with the gift of His peace in our hearts. The proper way to pray is to pour out our hearts to God, being honest and open with Him, as He already knows us better than we know ourselves. We are to present our requests to God, keeping in mind that He knows what is best and will not grant a request that is not His will for us. We are to express our love, gratitude, and worship to God in prayer without worrying about having just the right words to say. He is more interested in the content of our hearts than the eloquence of our words. The closest the Bible comes to giving a pattern for prayer is in Matthew 6:9–13. That doesn’t mean this should be a prayer we are to memorize and recite as just words. It should be used as an example of the things that should go into a prayer—worship, trust in God, requests, confession, and submission. We are to pray for the things the Lord's Prayer talks about, using our own words and customizing it to our own journey with God. The proper way to pray is to express our hearts to God. Sitting, standing, or kneeling; hands open or closed; eyes opened or closed; in a church, at home, or outside; in the morning or at night—these are all side issues, subject to personal preference, conviction, and appropriateness. God's desire is for prayer to be a real and personal connection between Himself and us. 

by Mrs. Lorrie Flem

Adoration: The act of worship, profound love or regard. This is number one. Above all things, adoration should be practiced in our prayers. God wants to be loved just as the rest of us. The Lord looks at the heart. He won't have to hear our words. Words are nothing if they don't come from the heart. Adoration will help you get in that heartfelt praying zone that makes prayer time amazing.

Supplication: To ask humbly by praying. This is why Jesus taught not to pray as hypocrites in the synagogues and not to use vain repetitions. We are to pray humbly and not to be seen. Prayer should be an intimate relationship between you and God.

Thanksgiving: Expression of gratitude. In Philippians Paul taught us to worry about nothing, pray about anything, and be thankful for all things. It is very important to be thankful for all the good blessings that God has granted us.

Intercession: Petition of another. Jesus prayed for us in John 17:14-21. So we should take our Savior's lead and pray for one another. It is important to lift our brothers and sisters up in prayer. Building a wall of prayer can be vital to defeating the enemy.

Confession: The act of confessing. God forgives us over and over. Of course, we are to try to overcome the stumbling blocks, but God will continue to forgive us. Why? Because He is God. So in prayer, just like all things, we should place God first and foremost, then comes others, and finally ourselves. Pray in this order and He will reward you. ď &#x2122; ÂŠ2011 Vitaliy Pakhnyushchyy. Image from BigStockPhoto.com.

Maximizing an Under-Utilized Area with Smart Organization: Hallways

etting off on the right foot starts the moment your guests step into your home, but hallways tend to be forgotten areas in homes today. Yet they are a hightraffic part and one of the few spaces that everyone gets to see.

doorways and windows, can have big organizing potential. These eye-catching areas often have ledges or nooks perfect for storing and displaying.  Shelves. Add a small shelf above a doorway or window to organize and display a collection, books, CDs, and photos. These can be perfect for storing practical items— like notebooks, binders, and paperwork— that are infrequently used or needed. It keeps these necessary items organized and out of the way, but not completely out of reach. Try it in your office or workspace.  Message Board. Take advantage of a high-traffic hallway by moving the family calendar or message board out of the kitchen and into the hallway for all to see. Whether it’s a large hallway or simply a nook, any space—big or small—can be used to store and organize. If your space is too small for functional furniture, like an armoire or cabinet, try these simple additions. Storage baskets or bins are perfect for smaller spaces and can

Even so, the potential of hallways is often overlooked and under-utilized. Take a long look at your hallways and see the possibilities that will open doors for unique organizing opportunities. Don’t let this space go to waste, and get creative with smart ideas for utilizing these forgotten spaces to organize and show off your family’s personality.  Doorways. Even small spaces, like

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by Mrs. Lorrie Flem

complement your décor. For an elegant touch, add glass shelving to display collectibles or photographs. Mount hooks on the wall to hang items when not in use for a whimsical look and smart storage. Who says movies and music have to stay in the living room and books have to stay in a library or office? Whether you’re a movie buff or a bookworm, use your hallway space adjoining the respective rooms to show off your hobbies and store them at the same time. Get family trophies, certificates, medals, and degrees out of boxes and drawers and onto the

hallway wall. Show off your family’s accomplishments and free up storage space. Take advantage of space under the stairs by building cubbyholes for storage of coats, shoes, and other off-season items. As high-traffic areas, entries and hallways are the perfect place to show off your family’s personality. Clear up the clutter in other rooms by utilizing these overlooked spaces for organization and storage. 

“ s high-traffic areas, entries and A hallways are the perfect place to show off your family’s personality.”

Eternal Encouragement Magazine • 18016 West Spring Lake Drive, Renton, Washington 98058 • email: EternalEncouragement@gmail.com 61

by Brianna van der Veen

have a confession to make: I really, really like peanut butter. I love its nutty taste and texture, its scrumptious smell and tummy-filling talent. It’s most delicious, of course, in peanut butter cookies—you know, the homemade type that include only the best quality peanut butter and secret ingredients like ground up, roasted peanuts, mmm. I made just such a batch of cookies last week. I enjoyed munching on one or two with

my morning cup of coffee. When I could, I snuck one for a midmorning snack. I had a couple after lunch with the kids, maybe another in the afternoon . . . and after dinner. As I indulged more and more in my favorite treat, I noticed a strange thing. I was indulging more and more in other things, too. No, not milk to wash it down. Less benign things like grumpy attitudes, careless words, lackluster housework, and self-centeredness. Those things didn’t taste so good, but with my cookies they increased more and more.

Why? Because peanut butter, while sticky in substance, is a fantastic lubricant for other, less pleasant sins to slide right down into my soul. It’s called rationalization. Peanut butter is sweet and filling. It’s healthy, chock full of protein. And one little cookie never did anyone wrong, particularly a nursing mama like me. You see? So innocent. So worth it. (In peanut butter’s defense, this is mostly true.) But for me, I must add it’s also such a mistake. My indulgence feeds my flesh, which always results in greater desire for greater sin, and quenches the Spirit, which makes it ever harder to hear and heed God’s guiding direction throughout the day. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not condemning my favorite cookies. I still consider them quite delicious. From now on, though, I think I’ll stick to enjoying them in a more self-controlled, God-honoring way. That way my sweet treat stops opening the door to fouler temptations. What about you? What’s your favorite indulgence, feel-good fixer, earthly stress reliever, or quick pick-me-up? Are you feeling defeated by too many little battles lately? If so, put your peanut butter back on the shelf. Resist that one seemingly innocent little temptation, and you’ll find you stand much stronger against all the rest. 