When Your Friends Leave You......Standing

It took me a while to write this post because first, I had to get over the hurt that is involved when a friend leaves you or in my case, the church you are a part of.  I've had several friends over the past few years leave and some were very dear to my (our) heart.  Initially, I tried to reach out to them and 'save' them from the decision that they made of leaving a church that preaches the truth.  However, I was met with all the reasons why my church, or rather it's leaders, were flawed, in error and corrupt.  In reality, they tried to convince me and my husband to leave this "awful" place and show us how we would be treated if and when we ever went into the ministry.  That is when I cut off communication with them because I didn't want to hear their bitter fires and see the destruction that would soon follow.

I've been serving God in this church organization since 1999 when I got saved.  I know there are bad preachers/pastors, just like there are in EVERY church organization or establishment that has ever existed.  Just because there are a few bad apples or those that were 1. never truly saved or 2. chose the world over God - doesn't mean the whole lot is bad.  I saw this growing up as a pastor's kid since birth in a different church than the one I'm in now.  It doesn't matter what church you go to, there will be gossipers, liars, fornicators, adulterers, those that live worldly and on and on.  Not only observation shows us this but the Word of God TOLD us already these things would be as the wheat grows with the tares.

The only reasons I would leave a church organization God called me to be in are these:
  1. Core doctrine change
  2. Bible version change from KJV
  3. Holiness standards lowered or done away with
  4. Corrupt leadership as a whole

I'm not going to leave a church because my toes got stepped on - and believe me, they have more than a time or two.  Most of the time it was truth and needed, other times it was "suffering the wrong."

I'm not going to leave a church because my pastor does some injustice to me, paints me how I'm not or misunderstands me - pastors have in the past and some things may not be worked out until we get to Heaven.  I've learned I can't change other's perceptions of me, God has to be the one to change it.

I'm not going to leave the church because a bunch of gossiping, big-mouthed sisters women want to go around and spread lies about me - they have more than a time or two.  They went around telling others to stay away from me and don't be my friend because "I tell pastor everything" and I don't, but they said this because they "thought" I told Pastor something they did but I DID NOT - evidently GOD did!  Two of those that did such a thing have actually left my church anyway and have showed their TRUE colors, but some of their counterparts still remain.  After 14 years of having the spirit of God living in me, I've gotten better at knowing what a serpent looks like and sounds like.  Those that chose to believe a lie about me and even LISTEN to gossip, probably weren't people I wanted to be friends with anyway!

Why wouldn't I leave a church because of these things that PEOPLE did or do?  Because I'm not serving PEOPLE!!  I'm serving God and He has never done me wrong and He has enabled me to continue on despite the hurt I've felt, the misunderstandings I've experienced and having my reputation trashed wrongfully.  I may never see the day when I'm justified but God knows and that is all that really matters in the end.  Satan will do his job of sowing discord and I will do mine of living a life that proves to others who I am and who I serve; God.  They will be the ones that choose which to believe.  And for those that still spread discord through gossip and lies about me or others.......

Deut. 32:35
To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste. 

People or correction/rebuke are not going to run me off from a church that God called me to be a part of.  However, most of my friends that have left, have left over these very things.  Someone did them wrong, a pastor or leader rebuked them or they didn't get enough recognition for the "great" work they were doing for God - they were so focused on pleasing people that they soon found out that you can never please everyone all of the time.  They fail to look at the principles of God's Word, who God is and what we are supposed to be like - God.  God has mercy, forgives, is long-suffering, has compassion and tells us to have love, even for those that are enemies OR that we perceive are our enemies.  Where is the love??

My friends left me but they left me standing for God.  One of them has gone on to another church but most of them have left God altogether and gone back into the world, as Demas who also "loved this present world."  2 Tim. 4:10  So, if it was just about people in the church, then why did they leave God?  Because people were just a good excuse for them to go back into sin and the world and what they truly wanted and lusted for.  They didn't want holiness, they didn't want to live right and they sure didn't want to be corrected by God through preaching - so they left to shut up their ears and conscience to do whatever they pleased.

I'm still standing and as the song goes...

9 to 10-Month-Old Baby Daily Routine/Schedule

I've had a couple questions about my son's schedule and sleep, so I thought it would be a good idea to show his daily routine/schedule.  He has been sleeping 12 hours every night since 2 months old, but lately, he only sleeps 11 and then gets in about 4 hours of sleep in naps during the day, which is the average 14-15 hours a day recommended at this age.

We've increased his solid food recently and decreased his formula from 40 oz a day to 30 oz.  He is also drinking 1/3 of milk protein mixed in with his special formula and so far, so good! He may not be allergic to milk anymore and that is what we are praying for.  I still can't get him off his bottle, which is new to me because my daughter took to a sippy cup easily with no problems at 7 months - but not this child!!  He is strong-willed for sure, in more ways than just this lol.  I use Earth's Best Organic baby foods and Plum Organics puffs.


9:30 a.m. - Wake up; 1/4 cup Cheerios & 6 oz formula

Cuddle and play

11 a.m. - Nap

12:30 p.m. - Wake up from nap; play

12:45 p.m. - 1/2 cup fruits; Veggie puffs; 6 oz formula

Play

2 p.m. - 2-hour nap

4 p.m. - Wake up from nap; play

4:15 p.m. - 1/2 cup veggies; 6 oz formula

Play

5:45 p.m. - 1/4 cup chicken/pasta; water

Play or sometimes a short nap

7 p.m. - 6 oz formula

Play and/or bath

9 - 9:30 p.m. - 1/4 cup oatmeal; 6 oz formula

Play and cuddle

10 - 10:30 p.m. - Bed

Hair Update

I seriously don't know how my hair is growing so fast!  I thought growing 6 inches during pregnancy was fast, but since March, my hair has grown 4 1/2 inches!  It is now 48 1/2 inches long, which has me an inch and a half away from the longest my hair ever was in 2005 here.  I did have breakage and my ends thinned when I used a curling iron for a period of time a few months ago, but overall, my hair is still very healthy and full.



For new readers, I haven't cut my hair in about 14 years (Dec 99).  I don't even trim it at ALL.  My hair is my glory, so why would I want to cut it off?  I've found that women who cut their hair have split ends, but if you let your hair be its natural self, it will take care of itself.  If you blowdry, use products and heat, you will thin your hair and suffer breakage and split ends.  You can read my hair story here and go here for my Hair Care 101.

The Revival of the Homemaker

Something important is happening right now in our country, in a time when sin is rising to a new high and morals are dwindling - there is a revival of the homemaker.  Women are returning home to care for their families, homes and husbands. The interesting thing about this is that the internet is helping this as more and more women are feeling more confident in leaving their jobs to come home as they see countless blogs across our country that encourage homemaking.

There is also another factor in this revival and that is of homeschooling.  Women, who were of the "working" class are now seeing the benefits of homeschooling and jumping on board.  In essence, homeschooling is the driving force in bringing in the revival of the homemaker.  One prominent blogger, a woman whose profession was a doctor, decided to leave the 'success' and come home to homeschool her children and is encouraging others to do so as well.  Looking at our educational system, the test scores, the evil environment in schools these days is enough for some mothers to make that decision to come home and teach their own children.

How do we usher in this revival of the homemaker?  We encourage others to do so, giving them proof of why it IS right in God's Word for them to be what God made them to be.  When we learn to fall into that beautiful place that God made us for, we find fulfillment that no other job or thing can bring.  Harmony returns to the home and most importantly, the children understand the two distinct roles of the man and woman.

What is taking you so long mom, you will regret the time you weren't there for your children in your old age.  Wife, don't lean on your self and encourage your fears, rather have faith that God will provide if you do what is right.  Come home and enjoy the beauty of a God-called life!