Who's In Charge Of The Thermostat?

Who's in charge of the thermostat in your home? In our home, it's my husband. Actually, he's also in charge of the thermostat at work....on his side of the office, as well as the other side. He likes to be in control of the thermostat wherever he is! He's very hot natured. I'm cold natured. Unfortunately, all four of our children take after him in this regard, so I keep winter clothes close by all year long!

But, I'm not really talking about the temperature of the air in this post. What I mean is, when you walk into a room, or if you join in a conversation, or you're confronted with a difficult situation what happens? How do you react? We all have the ability to choose to be the "thermostat" and control the environment around us, or we can choose to be controlled by the environment. A thermostat adjusts and stabilizes the environment where it is.

My husband often quotes this phrase (I'm not sure of the source) "No one has the power to control your emotions." In other words, no one can "make" you mad. No one can "make" you upset. However, you may allow yourself to be controlled by someone and allow yourself to become mad or upset.

Unfortunately, he hasn't just had to quote this phrase to our children, but occassionally to me....which is why I'm posting this now! Yes, I'm writing this post for myself as a reminder to be a thermostat, but I hope it encourages you, too.

"Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:17-18

The Chronicles of Biscuit - One Last Chance

Last week Biscuit had gotten in trouble several times in a row, so I spanked him and told him he was going to bed then - about 30 minutes before his regular bedtime. He brushed his teeth, took his asthma medicine, and got his water. We were getting ready to pray together and I asked him, "What are you thinking?". I thought he would tell me about what he did wrong and that he understood why he was in trouble, but Biscuit's reply was, "I'm thinking I need one last chance!" I didn't laugh out loud (did inside!), but explained to Biscuit that he had several chances to do the right thing, but he chose not to. We prayed together, and I went and tucked him in bed.

Later on when his daddy went in to tell Biscuit goodnight, he asked him why he acted that way, and Biscuit said, "Mom said when I'm tired I can whine." Ummm, no, Mom didn't!

Jesus talked about giving sinners one more chance in the following passage:

Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish."

Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?'

" 'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.' " Luke 13:1-9

Jesus explains that sinners are given many, many chances to come to Him, but that someday that one more chance will be gone. Let's all be ready for that day!

Oh, Be Careful Little Ears What You Hear!

Aren't you amazed at what we tolerate sometimes when it comes to what we hear? When you think about the shows we watch on tv or in movies, we sometimes tolerate a lot when it comes to our ears. But, we also hear gossip and complaining and grumbling. We hear filty jokes and cuss words.

In Ephesians 5:4, God makes it very clear how He feels about us listening to these kinds of things: Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

It becomes very clear what we need to listen to and what we don't need to listen to. Sometimes we are guilty of listening to things we shouldn't. I remember teaching a class one time and talking about this subject and an older lady said, “Well that's all that's on. What else is there to watch?” Well, who says we have to watch anything? We do have a choice about whether to watch something or not. Off is a choice, isn't it?

Have you ever thought that maybe the reason there are so many bad tv shows and movies with bad content in them is because Christians go watch them? If all Christians would say no, Hollywood would listen, don't you think? Of course, there would still be many who went to see things like this, but the Christian population is still a big population in America.

What about music? Do you ever get in the car and listen to a song and then realize the words are not good? I've done that about songs from when I was younger. I can't believe some of the songs I listened to, but just never paid attention to them before. Sometimes I don't realize it until I've been singing along with it for a little bit! As my children have gotten older, I really pay attention to the words of the music more and more and think about the message the song is sending.

Last summer I took my daughter to a doctor's appointment and a horrible song/music video came on. For you parents of teens, you can probably guess what song that was because later someone told me it caused kind of a stir. I had never heard of the song and my daughter hadn't either, but I did ask (nicely) if the receptionist could change the channel. She told me to change it, which I quickly did.

There is a message music is trying to send to our children. Songwriters and performers know this - that's their job. We need to make sure the message conveys good and wholesome images for our minds and it's something we need to listen to.

Yes, we need to be careful about what we listen to with our ears.
Before the face of God (Remember, "Coram Deo") we listen to songs or hear the content on movies and television.

Oh, be careful little ears what you hear.

A Mean Mom

I'm a "mean" mom. Yep. I am. And, guess what? That's okay with me! And, actually, even my children are glad I'm mean! Ask them - they'll tell you. But, they won't use the word "mean". They will say strict.

Do you know why I'm okay with being a mean mom? Because a mean mom, in many children's eyes, teenager's eyes, and sadly even in some parent's and grandparent's eyes, is a mom who tells their children no. She doesn't put up with the whining or allow it to change her mind. A mean mom is a mom who wants to know where her children are at ALL times. She expects her children to be honest with her about where they are, as well as about everything else. A mean mom is also a mom who won't let her children play video games all of the time or watch TV all of the time, or be on the computer all of the time, or even text all of the time, or...you fill in the blank!

A mean mom sets limits and boundaries for her children. Yes, she has rules for her children. And, she expects those rules to be followed. A mean mom disciplines her children. She also takes the time to teach them about God, about Jesus, about salvation, as well as about the church that Jesus died for. She takes care to make sure her children are worshipping God with the church and learning in Bible classes when offered. She doesn't have to decide each week whether her children will be worshipping or not - it was a decision made long ago and it was a commitment. A commitment to God. A commitment to Christ.

Come to think of it, my mom was a mean mom, too! She was! She always set a curfew for me. Some kids didn't even have curfews! She didn't let me go to some of the parties other kids got to go to. She made me help clean the house each week and help with other chores around the house. And sleeping in on a Sunday morning? Well, that would have been out of the question!

You know what? I don't think my mom was mean, after all! (Thanks, Mom!) And I don't think I am a mean mom either. No, I think I have just described a mom who loves her children enough to discipline them. A mom who cares enough to want to know where children are and who they are with. A mom who loves her children enough to make rules and to set boundaries. But, it's also a mom who shows that love and care in a such a way that the children (eventually!) realize it is to help them grow up to be Christian adults, as well as productive citizens in this world.

A loving and caring mom will realize she is not a perfect mom and never will be, but is reliant on God's grace and love. A loving and caring mom will make it a goal to guide her children in the path towards Heaven and pray for God's strength and guidance to help her get through each step of the way.

Are you a "mean" mom?

Happy Mother's Day!

ARE YOU A LEADER OR A FOLLOWER?

From the time our children were little bitty, there were two mottos I would quote over and over to them. One was, "Do the right thing 'cause it's the right thing to do!". The other one was, "Be a leader, not a follower." In fact, the first day our youngest started Kindergarten this year, I said to him, "Remember, be a..." and he interruped me saying, "I know, I know, Mom, be a leader not a flollerer!". Yes, that's right!

We have always wanted our children to do what they knew to be right in the eyes of God and to obey us as well, but we've also strived to teach them to not go along with the crowd if it wasn't what was right. And most parents probably want that same thing with their children.

There is a time when it is better to be follower than a leader. Do you know when? Yes, when we become Christians. When we become Christians, we are followers of Jesus. And just like Jesus told His first disciples (disciple means follower), "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19, He wants us to follow Him, too.

Are you a follower of Jesus? Are you a follower of God? Or do you try to be the leader?

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." Matthew 16:24