"Hath God said?"

I am so thankful to have a husband who is aware of my tendency to seek knowledge outside of him and God. I admit I am an extremely curious type. Most women are.

I, like Eve am at times carnal and think that it isn't any big deal for me to Google my questions.... innocent, perhaps even noble questions about God, child training, home management, marriage and all too often I get 26,300 results from a very subtle fellow disguised as an expert who says things like "Aw....You wont die God knows that when you Google your questions or pose them on discussion boards your eyes will be opened, and you will be smarter ....just like God!" or even more subtle than that..."Did God really say He didn't want you to enjoy this or that?" The very first recorded words of the devil are *Hath God said?* Some things never change...

The devil really is very subtle isn't he?I mean who would think that just seeking wisdom... even wisdom about spiritual things could be so dangerous? I wonder if the modern day tree of good and evil isn't subtly disguised as the Internet? Perhaps that tree in the garden was a resource of vast knowledge that God didn't intend for us to have ....not outside of relationship with Him anyway.

The Lords Reward

So how is it that we have come to the point that we believe debt,material things,worldly entertainment,careers are all wonderful and children are a nuisance that should be carefully calculated? This concept is totally contrary to what the Bible teaches. I hate to say it but this attitude is as prevalent in the church as it is in the world. It is a selfish mindset that focuses on self and what is the easiest most convenient for *me*.

We have been tricked into thinking that a woman's place is in the workforce and children are a burden. The Bible for me is the ultimate decider on this subject and it is full of references to the fact that children are indeed a **BLESSING** and a **REWARD**. The Word says that children will make us **HAPPY**....that is if you have a quiver **FULL** of them. (Im pretty sure thats more than 2.5).

It is so sad to see Gods blessing devalued into a calculated afterthought....like after we have 2 or 3 cars or after we have alot of clothes. After our insurance kicks in. After we go on a fancy vacation. After I go to college and establish my career. Who blocks the blessings of God? Who wants to wait for His rewards?

What would happen if the church caught a passion for bearing Godly seed?

Narcisism

I thought it was kinda funny (just kinda) that there is actually a legitimate medical condition for selfishness. Its called Narcissistic Personality Disorder or NPD. Heres the test...

Symptoms & Signs

• 
  need constant attention and admiration
• 
  lack empathy
• 
  exaggerate achievements and talents
• 
  react to criticism with feelings of rage, shame, or humiliation
• 
  be impulsive, anxious, or envious of others
• 
  take advantage of others to achieve his or her own goals
• 
  expect special treatment
• 
  be preoccupied with ideas of unlimited success, power, brilliance, strength, and beauty
• 
  become quickly dissatisfied with others

The devil is a narcissist and so are all of us when we fail to allow the Spirit of Christ to rule within us.This website claims that there are no cures or prevention for NPD . Of course we Christians know better.

Phil 2:3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Invisible

*The cure for the disease of self centeredness.The antidote for my own pride. *

Well Doing

I was really discouraged about our family devotion time. We have been spending every morning together as a family. My husband reads a chapter out of the Bible and then we pray the Lords Prayer and commit our day to HIM....sounds sweet enough but no breakthroughs. No seeming glory just plodding through what seemed to be a tired ritual. I kept thinking maybe it was a waste of time.

And then!......

Then I slept in til 10am a couple days ago. I let my olders deal with the baby. My husband went to work. No scriptures or prayers just me dragging out of bed to face a household already in action.Whew! My day was AWFUL. Full of anxiety,unproductive,fussy kids,grumpy husband and I was sick with the chaos. Literally sick. You could feel the tension and anger in my home and heart. Did I mention the anxiety?

It was the Lord saying *see what happens when you neglect Me? Those morning devotional times are what is keeping your home and family on track. Remember that sanity that you take for granted?*

He knows just what to *say* doesn't He? No more thinking that our time spent committing our days to Him are a waste....He let me know that they are the very thing that is keeping us sane.

Thanks Lord....even though we are not having an emotional experience I see that you are there keeping it all together. Thank you Lord.

Quiver Full

The Quiverfull Movement is a re-emerging movement that promotes allowing the Lord to open and close the womb. Its proponents believe that children are a blessing and look to several scriptures as their guide in this belief.

The names "quiver full", "full quiver", "quiverfull-minded", come from Psalm 127:3-5 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD:and the fruit of the womb is his reward.As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man;so are children of the youth.Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them:they shall not be ashamed,but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

Initially all Christians opposed the use of birth control. It wasn't until the late 19th and early 20th centuries that birth control methods advanced. Not surprisingly these advancements coincided with the *women's movement*.I'm afraid we have left our Biblically mandated role of wife,mom,bearer of children,and worker at home under the authority of our own husbands. We've left our calling and what for? Selfish pursuits. Independence. Careers. Clothes. Nicer homes.

What would happen if we allowed the Lord to plan and bless us according to His Will in this area of family size? We consult Him on what car to buy and pray over our lunch. We claim to surrender every area of our lives to Him.....but refuse to give Him this one most important area. What if we all bowed our hearts in this area to His will and His provision? How would His kingdom grow? Are children really a blessing? Or are children a burden , a hinderance to careers,clothes and cars? According to the world 2.5 is good enough but what does God say?

"be fruitful and multiply" (Genesis 1:22; 9:7), "behold, children are a gift of the Lord" (Psalm 127:3), and passages showing God acting to open and close the womb (Genesis 20:18, 29:31, 30:22; 1 Samuel 1:5-6; Isaiah 66:9)