Bees in My Bonnet

So today was a quiet, low-lying celebration of the completion of my 36th year of God-given life.  I was sure by the many incidents of severe disrespect of my parents that I would barely make it this far, if at all.  Perhaps as a child with my literal rendering of the verse: "Children obey your parents...that you may live long in the land..." I somehow started docking years off my life every time I acted, spoke or thought of my parents in a dishonouring way.  And I usually quit counting once I got down into my 30's because by then I'd fallen asleep.  Way more effective than counting sheep if you ask me. Why was it quiet, and low-lying?  Well, because we are a houseful of ailing Logans.  All five kids.  All two parents.  And one very healthy, robust and capable Mother-in-law who graciously puts up with us all and aids us in our distress.  We postponed my birthday until January 4th.  Just in case you were wondering.  That gives you ...

Today I will link you up to a post I wrote over at A Biblical Marriage Blog.  It's hard when there are so many activities and potential stressors over the holidays.  Here I share some thoughts and ideas about keeping marriage in-tact when it's all too easy to let the priority of the marriage relationship slide! Thanks for stopping by! Honoring Marriage During Stressful Seasons: http://abiblicalmarriage.com/honoring-marriage-during-stressful-seasons/

Another from my effort to simplify language for children from the Puritan classic, Valley of Vision: Wonderful God, All around are so many traps I can fall into - Will You defend me? When I feel tired and lazy and want to just kick back and relax and not do what You ask me to, would You please show me just a little glimpse of heaven? When all I want is the stuff I see around me advertised in store windows and fliers that come in our mailbox, would You help me to grow in the wealth of Your house? When the pleasures the world has to offer me are tangling me up in their worthless causes, help me not to fall into the guilt that I'd feel if I gave into them. Help me to remember how much You've freed me from - Let me not ever be too busy to give attention to the important things of my soul. Please help me to be mindful of my eternal home when I get wrapped up in the busyness of my life and consumed with each hour's tasks - so that I can not only live for You now, but g...

Here is a hymn that I love to sing at Thanksgiving.  Some of the words were a bit archaic so I took poetic license and changed them (apologies to August Ludvig Storm, 1862-1914). Thanks to God for my Redeemer, Thanks for all that You provide! Thanks for times now but a memory, Thanks for Jesus by my side!           Thanks for pleasant, balmy springtime,           Thanks for colours in the fall!           Thanks for tears by now forgotten,           Thanks for peace within my soul! Thanks for prayers that You have answered, Thanks for all that You’ve denied! Thanks for storms that I have weathered, Thanks for all that You supply!           Thanks for pain, and thanks for pleasure,        ...

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him who have been called according to His purpose... I have a bee in my bonnet about the abuse of this verse.  So let me get it out there to set the record straight. First - it begins with 'And' which means there were 27 verses previous to this leading up to it.  It cannot be ignored that this entire chapter is about the power of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer in Jesus.  I could go into an exposition of the first 27 verses - but this has been done by so many others so much better than I could, so I'll just leave it at that.  'And' means there is a context.  Don't ignore it. 'We know' refers to a group of people identified as 'we.'  It is not the royal 'we' but a specific group of those who can affirm the truths of this entire chapter, book, and book-of-books.  'We' does not refer to anyone. 'That in all things' - this phr...

I love this quote I saw on a friend's facebook page: ‎"I never consider a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a  friend." -Thomas Jefferson Indeed - thank you Thomas Jefferson!!   We would do well to remember that this country holds such a broad range of viewpoints and opinions.  We who call ourselves Christians claim citizenship in a heavenly country - while we traverse this path below - we must remind ourselves of the heavenly kingdom to which we belong.   Yes, I see the need for changes in our country.  One party doesn't fit all the things I want to be changed. At some level I need to trust the God will carry out His purpose for our nation.  And if anyone puts me in charge, then I suppose I will get to change everything to how I want it.  Ha ha.  Not really – because we have this great system where there are checks and balances. Anyway - I remain commi...

Today I will link you to a post I just wrote for  A Biblical Marriage . Here I share ideas for how to navigate the coming six weeks which can be quite stressful - by keeping your focus where it should be. I appreciate you stopping by and leaving a comment! Celebrate the Holy Days with a K.I.S.S: Keep It Simple, Sweetheart! (Featuring photography by the most excellent Lydia Francis herself, photographer extraordinaire!!  Her website is  Ginger Snap )

The other day I was reflecting on the first few years of being a Mom.  I had my first two kids so close together - 19 months apart - that I was often dizzy from the upkeep of home and kids and errands.  Now that we have more kids - and more variety in temperaments, I realize the first two were extremely easy-going and required very little to keep them happy.  I didn't realize at the time how easy I had it!  And if someone had told me I would have been annoyed - so thanks to all of you who kept your mouths shut. The first baby is a bit of a shock.  I hadn't realized how much time it took to get out the door.  How much was involved in lugging a carseat everywhere.  How slow it was to buckle him in each time.  How inconvenient last-minute diaper blow-outs were.  You get the picture. But after a while, and after the second baby and feeling like I was swimming in baby clothes and burp rags, the novelty of baby-fun had totally worn off.  ...

Yesterday I was talking to Priscilla about spiritual gifts.  I explained that one of the gifts is 'discernment.'  As I explained what it meant to her, in the simplest way I could I began to think through what wisdom really is.  Since she is studying Proverbs she has come across a lot about wisdom and the importance of seeking it out.  When I reflect on the subject of wisdom, always a little nagging discouragement grows in my soul. Why? Because throughout my life many people have complimented me on being wise.  I never really know how to handle that.  Because in some ways, I can understand why others view me as wise.  And since I don't need to take time to disparage their kind remarks I usually just say thank you and remind myself how very lacking in wisdom I truly am (and if they knew me and observed my life, they would probably rescind their affirmation!) I get discouraged when I think about wisdom because I realize that though I can articulat...

I am realizing, 5 kids into this parenting thing, that expectations can be the bane of my existence.  They can lead to frustration, guilt, anger, aggravation and a break-down in the peace of my home.  Mostly I am talking about expectations for myself, my days, my time, my activities, my atmosphere.  Do you get it?  These all have to do with ME.  I also have expectations for my kids - some very good ones.  Like, I expect my children to obey me.  To not lie to me.  To respect me.  To not be too messy (there is a broad range here).  I expect them to be responsible.  So, sometimes I expect a lot of me and a lot of my kids.  Expectations - both good and bad, can be the ruin of my day.  And lately I've taken to saying to myself, 'You just can't ruin my day!'  A quote from someone I never met - but a good one nonetheless.  (Paul Westlund). For example:  I expect I will have time to pick up the house, clean the k...

So in order to maximize my efficiency as a housewife and Mom we have discovered some special internet controls (something called Chrome Nanny).  Initially we decided to use it because the kids were beginning to have fights over using the computer and doing time-wasting things on it.  We were tired of the fights, tired of the division in our family.  And I've bene reading a book (Almost Amish) and have been sensing a bit of conviction over my distractability with the computer.  So we decided to set up the chromenanny to help structure the use of the computer for all of us.  Since I'm techno-challenged I can't even begin to think how I would break through it and change the rules.  So it is a great help for me - ever distracted and called away from my primary tasks.  This week has been the start of homeschooling, but also the start of my internet detox.  Wanna know how it's going?  Here's an email I wrote to Sam this week while he was at work (...

Here I am one week into doing homeschool with 9 y/o Priscilla.  We are working on grade 4 and easing our way into all the subject matter and curriculum.  I have been a bit insecure about the whole homeschool thing - always wondering if I'll get her educated enough to be proficient and to excel in not only core subjects of academia but also in the fringe benefit subjects.  Because of my self-doubts I am all  the more aware that this too, as in all things in life, is a journey  of faith.  I will need to see and know my inadequacies and rely  heavily on God for wisdom - and also rely on any and all resources  available to me to support this endeavour.  Because my goal in all  this is really NOT to be a 'do it yourself' educator.  Or to stand  independently and say, 'I don't need a village to raise/educate my  kid!'  (I'd argue that perhaps a village isn't *necessary* to  raise/educate her, but is a great benefit to...