Caleb's Parenting Advice, A Link-Up in "Pages in Our Heritage of Faith"

Caleb was our only son for several years. And that was not okay with him. He prayed diligently for brothers, and the Lord imported them from Russia just for him. He takes his role as "big brother" very seriously, even while he's away at college. His influence has had such a huge impact, we will never truly see its scope this side of Heaven. But we are so thankful to the Lord for the passion He has placed in the heart of this tender warrior to help shepherd the hearts of his little brothers. 


As from the beginning of our time with Joshua, the battle rages in him between seeking only the approval of the Father and seeking the approval of "man." Joshua doesn't even understand the degree to which his choices are controlled by his desire to "please man." The scars left in his spirit because he was thrown away by those who were supposed to love him are still influencing him, steering him to seek love and approval from everyone he meets, trying to fill that gaping hole only He can fill. Balanced by the Father's Love, his naturally gregarious nature will be a great tool in His Kingdom. Out of balance, it drives Josh to do things without thinking about whether he should, whether it is wise, whether it would please Him. He tends to think only about whether someone else will be impressed.


We talk to him about the driving force behind his decisions, and about how we must "keep him on a short leash" until we know He fears only God, not man. We pray and pray. We encourage him to choose with wisdom, using God's criteria, not man's. But we are still troubled by many of his choices.


Caleb, too, went through a season when he was seeking the approval of man. During that time, he wasn't really himself. He would tend to be sullen and easily discouraged. His spirit was not at peace, and so nothing else really worked. It was a time that sent us to prayer a great deal, knowing that the Lord would have to touch his heart and help him to seek Truth which is embodied in Christ. The Lord answered our prayers, and the fruit of the Spirit in Caleb's life is so very precious to us. Maybe even more precious than it otherwise would have been had we not seen how the Lord had moved his heart.


Caleb has been reading the biography of Hudson Taylor, which is one of the most important books I've ever read. It's been a while since I last read it, and so, while we were discussing our concerns over Joshua, Caleb was reminding me of a portion describing the early years of Taylor's life. He believed it would help us with Joshua. And I think he is exactly right.


A little background here, in case you are unfamiliar with Hudson Taylor and his pioneering missionary work in China during the 1800's. He was used by the Lord to take the Gospel to areas of China that had never seen a white man, never heard of Christ. His unorthodox methodology became the standard for later efforts as he, instead of maintaining a "Western" worldview, fully embraced the dress, language, mannerisms of his adopted home. The missionary society the Lord began through him is still operating. But there was quite a journey required by his soul before he was fit for service in such a huge way.


During Taylor's early life, he, too, struggled with being too strongly influenced by peers. His parents and sister continued to speak Truth to him, but his earlier conversion had been to religion, not to Christ Jesus, and so there was no "staying power." He says this in his writings about that season of his life:

"Often had I tried to make myself a Christian, and failing of course in such efforts, I began to think that for some reason or other I could not be saved, and that the best I could do was to take my fill of this world, as there was no hope for me beyond the grave. While in this state of mind I came into contact with persons holding sceptical (antiquated spelling) and infidel views, and quickly accepted their teachings, only too thankful for some hope of escape from the doom which if my parents were right and the Bible true awaited the ungodly."

The narrative continues:

"He was all wrong, and his parents could not but see it. The father tried to help him, but found it hard to be patient with the phase through which he was passing. The mother understood him better, and redoubled her tenderness and prayers. But it was his sister Amelia, now thirteen years of age, who was nearest to him and best able to win his confidence."

That little phrase, out of the 500+ page first volume of the biography is what Caleb reminded me of. He believed that was an important key to help Joshua in the phase he is going through right now. 


It's hard to be 14 1/2, 5' 1/2", 103 lbs in a family where the guys are all 6' tall and 200 lbs. We keep reminding him that he is exactly, perfectly designed just how the Lord planned for him to be, but he struggles with trying to compensate for size with a "tough-guy" attitude. He loves the Lord, but he struggles with what that means in his choices. 


I have taken Caleb's advice, and believe it is exactly what I should be focusing on, continuing to pray that Joshua will seek Wisdom and Discernment, but also focusing on lots of hugs and teasing and words of praise and encouragement. He needs to be reminded constantly that we love him and are his biggest fans. Knowing that helps him not need the approval of others so much. So cranking up the cheering squad from the home team is the plan. Especially from Kregg and I. We need to constantly, consistently speak words of affirmation, encouragement and praise to him. We normally try to do that, but during this season for Joshua, we need to do it even more. 


And he loves it! He is so very attentive to serving me in any way he can. Several times a day, he will ask me if there is anything he can do for me, anything I need. That tender heart is exactly the type of ground into which the seeds the Lord is sowing will take root and grow strong. And as Hudson Taylor's dear sister stood with her parents in praying for her brother, Caleb prays and encourages Joshua.


And so for now, we wait. And pray. And pray. And wait. Knowing that He Who is Faithful will hear and answer. Again.

Our Father is Faithfulness in Essence. There is not a single moment during a single day when that Faithfulness falters or fails us. Can't happen! If it could, He would be denying His Nature. He would have changed! And that cannot happen. So if it "feels" like His Faithfulness is wavering in the tiniest degree, the evil one, or our own sin nature, is trying to deceive us. We can build our lives firmly on the foundation of the Faithfulness of our Father. (that's a lot of "f's" :) If you find yourself in a situation that causes you to question whether He is really Faithful to you, right now, ask Him to show you. Ask Him to help you see it. Guaranteed: It is there! Even in the most challenging, trying, frightening circumstances, the Truth of the matter is that we just have to look into His Face. He will be known by us if we seek Him.


How has He proven His Faithfulness to you? Find a post you wrote years ago, or write a brand new one. Your testimony can be something "earth shattering" or it can be the quiet whisper in your spirit speaking to you at just the moment you needed it. It could be the newly unfolding understanding of a passage in the Bible. It could be the Wisdom to speak exactly the right words at exactly the right time. It could be the softening in your child's heart that you have been praying for. Whatever it is, we should give Him Glory. And that's why there is this tiny little link-up every Friday. It's simply a way to encourage us to write it down so that we don't forget. In times of trial and testing, remembering all the times He has shown Himself Faithful to us will help us to believe He will again be Faithful.

Our Friendly Septic Tank Man: A Link-Up in "Pages in Our Heritage of Faith"

We really "moved up" in the world a few years ago when our neighborhood received city water. Prior to that, we had lived for years with well water. And our well water is so hard, it comes out in the shape of little bricks. So there was much to celebrate when we received a city tap for water. But that was the only hook-up they installed. We are still on a septic system. 


For those of you who don't know what that is, be thankful.


Anyway, because our home was built for a smaller family than ours, our septic system is under constant strain. Which means, we have to kind of "baby" it. We have used the same company to take care of it for years. I don't trust anybody else. Our septic tank man has kept us from having any serious trouble and so I do whatever he tells me to do. If he says, "Double up on the bacteria treatment." I double up on the bacteria treatment. If he says, "Use Angel Soft tissue paper." I won't buy any other kind. If he says, "Do not use bleach or any other harsh cleaners, and do NOT use anything antibacterial." Then you better believe I follow his advice religiously.


At least once a year, he comes to clean everything out. We all stay inside. I try not to think about what they are doing with that giant stainless steel truck in my back yard.


When he's finished, he comes in so I can write him a check and so he can hand me the boxes of bacteria for the upcoming year. Of course, we are usually having school when he comes. During his last visit, he was in quite a talkative mood. He sat down at the school table and began to tell me how blessed our children are to grow up in our home. 


He went on to explain his childhood and how he hadn't been raised in a wholesome family. And because of that, his life was really "off track" for many years. We talked about the Lord and politics and homeschooling and his family. It made me cry. 


We sometimes forget, I think, just how blessed we are. Seeing our home and family through his eyes broke my heart. The heart hunger that had left its scars in his soul were still evident. But instead of being bitter, he was choosing hope. He was choosing to try to live his life better than he had been raised to live it. 


Those days when this job seems never-ending, it can be easy to lose sight of the blessedness of it all. Even though it's hard and long and steep and heavy, his words reminded me of why we have made the choices we've made. Being in our home for those few minutes, he saw the fruit that we can sometimes take for granted.


The Lord renewed my vision, and my heart, through the annual visit of my friendly septic tank man. And I was so blessed!

How has He reminded you of His Faithfulness this week? What has happened this last month that made you say, "Thank You, Lord!" Have you seen growth in your spirit? In the spirit of your child? Has someone told you how you have blessed them? All of it points us back to our Abba Father and what He is doing in our hearts, in our lives, in our homes. Will you tell us about it here? We LOVE to read about what He is doing in and through you! Grab the button, add it to your post, (or not) and link up a page in your heritage of faith. Add another chapter to the book He is dictating by His Faithfulness every moment of every day as we walk this earth.

Then Sings My Soul

I love a good story. And I'm one who always wants to know the "why" behind the "what." That being said, if you don't know about this resource, it might be one you would enjoy. 


Part of our homeschooling day is praise. Having grown up singing lots of good, old hymns, Kregg and I wanted our kids to be blessed by all those old favorites that have meant so much to us all our lives. We choose a different hymn each week for the kids to learn. If you don't already have them as an mp3 file, you can almost always find a video on YouTube to help with the singing and music. 


Then Sings My Soul gives a brief background of many of the old classic hymns, telling a little about the story behind the words and the person who penned it. Each hymn is given a two page spread: on the left, the words and music (like a page out of a hymnal), on the right, the story--complete with the date (which is always interesting). Each volume in this series contains 150 hymns. So you can sing a different hymn for days and days without repeating one. :)


This week, we are learning one of my all-time favorites: "Fairest Lord Jesus." It is dated to 1677 and most of those who contributed to the hymn, as we now know it, are anonymous. Quoting from a fourth century sermon by John Chrysostom of Antioch, Robert Morgan helps gives insight into the words: 

"I do not think of Christ as God alone, or man alone, but both together. For I know He was hungry, and I know that with five loaves He fed five thousand. I know He was thirsty, and I know that He turned water into wine. I know He was carried in a ship, and I know that He walked on the sea. I know that He died, and I know that He raised the dead. I know that He was set before Pilate, and I know that He sits with the Father on His throne. I know that He was worshiped by angels, and I know that He was stoned by the Jews. And truly some of these I ascribe to the human, and others to the divine nature. For by reason of this He is said to have been both God and man."

So the kids got to hear the story behind the hymn this morning, as we spend the week singing it together in praise. 


Glorious! :)

Psalm 145: A Link-Up in "Pages in Our Heritage of Faith"

I will exalt you, my God the King;

I will praise your name for ever and ever.

Every day I will praise you and extol your name

for ever and ever.

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;

his greatness no one can fathom.

One generation will commend your works to another;

they will tell of your mighty acts.

They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty,

and I will meditate on your wonderful works.

They will tell of the power of your awesome works,

and I will proclaim your great deeds.

They will celebrate your abundant goodness

and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

The Lord is gracious and compassionate,

slow to anger and rich in love.

The Lord is good to all;

he has compassion on all he has made.

All you have made will praise you, O Lord;

your saints will extol you.

They will tell of the glory of your kingdom

and speak of your might, 

so that all men may know of your mighty acts 

and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,

and your dominion endures through all generations.

The Lord is faithful to all his promises

and loving toward all he has made.

The Lord upholds all those who fall 

and lifts up all who are bowed down.

The eyes of all look to you 

and you give them their food at the proper time.

You open your hand

and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

The Lord is righteous in all his ways

and loving toward all he has made.

The Lord is near to all who call on him,

to all who call on him in truth.

He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;

he hears their cry and saves them.

The Lord watches over all who love him,

but all the wicked he will destroy.

My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord.

Let every creature praise his holy name

for ever and ever.

This was one of the chapters we read this week in school. And it spoke to me so powerfully. I LOVE it when His Truths jump off the page and confirm what the Holy Spirit has been teaching you, branding the lessons on your heart. His Faithfulness to us is complete. Perfect. Enduring. Engaging. Foundational. 

Confession time: there have been weeks when I have had a niggling little doubt in my heart about whether there would be anything for me to write for a Friday link up in "Pages in Our Heritage of Faith." Oh, it's not because He isn't Faithful. It is because I'm not. It is because I don't always have eyes to see. It is because my heart is not always open and humble. 

But, praise God, His Faithfulness to me doesn't depend at all on me! 

My________________ (fill in the blank with the "sin-of-the-week" that clouds my spiritual eyes) cannot diminish His Faithfulness a single bit. And He is grounding me so firmly in this Truth that the fiber of my soul is changing. The freedom that comes with a fuller understanding of His Faithfulness is so liberating. It changes everything!

We would love for you to link up here and share your testimony of His Faithfulness in your life. Be brave! You can do it! Even if you've never "linked-up" before, I promise it doesn't hurt a bit! :) Start writing pages in the Heritage of Faith for your family. Is there a verse you have read lately that spoke Comfort to your heart? Or maybe one that encouraged you, or strengthened your resolve to walk in Faith? Maybe you have been blessed by someone in the Body of Christ? Maybe you see a change in the heart of your child? All of it reveals His Faithfulness to us! Write it up and link it up! We'd love to hear another story about our Abba Father!!! :)

Approaching the Word

I have been convicted, of late, that I should approach the Word with more humility. Okay, convicted is too strong a word. "Gently nudged" would be a better description. It occurred to me that I may have allowed an attitude to creep in that sort of "takes it for granted."


Not good. 


If I really believe that His Word is living and active, my heart should have an attitude that approaches it with a humble expectation of encountering Him through the words on those pages. Every time I pick it up, I should expect to meet Him there, in those words, and for that encounter to change me.


The kids and I discussed this today. In our homeschool, we read several chapters each day in our Bibles, and the very repetition can be conducive to the forming of an attitude of familiarity and complacency. So the posture of our hearts needs to be intentionally addressed to avoid a habit forming that allows us to read the Bible like it is no different than the words written by man. 


Even though they may not fully comprehend what to expect, they should learn to have an expectation when they engage the Word. We encourage them to write in their Bibles, to mark them up, to take notes, so that the lessons being taught them by the Holy Spirit can be built upon as the years pass.


This is the first year, for the ones still in our homeschool, that they are reading through the entire Bible in a year, in addition to our other Bible work. The hope is that it will become a lifelong habit that will take hold of their hearts. Not to check it off a list, but to help them continually devote time to the Word. Even if some of them don't understand much of what they are reading at this point, the Living Word is sowing seeds in their young hearts.

My Beloved: A Link-Up in "Pages in Our Heritage of Faith"

As 2011 winds to a close, reflection is natural. And we've had a great deal on which to reflect this year. 


As Kregg finished his time with his former employer, it became very obvious that he would be sorely missed. The president of the company told me that the thing he most valued in Kregg is his ability to just know when something is "off." To put that statement in context, you have to have some background. 


The company that Kregg has spent half of his life working for has grown from a small business owned by a family into the largest employer in West Texas, other than the government. He has worked his way up, over the years, to be the Treasurer and Vice President of Finance. The man who started the company, passed away suddenly several years ago. His wife told Kregg that he had always considered Kregg to be another of his sons.


Because of Kregg's long years with the company, and because of his God-given talents, he is able to know when the numbers don't add up. He always has a total in his head for how much something should cost, or how much something should add up to, and so he can tell instantly when something has a mistake in it. It's is truly amazing to me because my brain just doesn't work that way. At all! 


Kregg's boss told me that he just can't hire that.


Now, after interviewing people from all over, the president of the company has decided he will need to hire three people to replace Kregg. But, at the Christmas party the other night, he told me that he is going to tell these replacements that, if Kregg decides to come back within a year, they will be out and Kregg will get his job back. Incredible! This is a company that had over 1.2 billion dollars revenue last year. And my sweet husband can account for every penny. 


It's one thing to have the people "over" Kregg feel this way about him. But, it is also very telling to hear what Kregg's employees think. 


Last Friday, his last day, was brutal.


Kregg cried off and on all day. And so did his employees. I picked him up at the office that afternoon, because he had to turn in his company truck, and his eyes were red and swollen. Knowing ahead of time that it would be hard, he had planned a hunting trip. He took Josh, Ben, and Elizabeth with him from here and then met Caleb at the deer lease. It was a good plan. It would give him time to unwind and process his feelings while just having fun with the kids. 


But that evening, he received an email that started him grieving all over again. Two of his sweet employees, a married couple, told him they had gotten home from work that day and received our Christmas card in the mail. They said they both just sat there and wept, realizing that Kregg wouldn't be back. It ripped his already tender heart out again. And, of course, I had to cry, too. Again.


As the kids have watched and listened to all of this about their father, they have come to better understand just how blessed they are. Caleb sent Kregg a precious text telling him how much he admires him and how much he has learned about the need for a work ethic of excellence through his dad's example. Priceless!


As hard as it has been on Kregg's heart, it has also been so very dear to him. When you work with someone for years and years, it can be easy to take them for granted. Kregg is the very last one at that company that anyone would ever have thought would leave. He could have stayed there for the rest of his career and they would have been thrilled to have him. But knowing he was leaving made him realize just how much they loved and respected him. And that fed his soul in deep places. So very precious.


And this process has reminded me, again, just what an amazing man God has blessed me with. My husband is such a gift. He is such a rare, priceless treasure to me. And the Lord has used him over and over and over again through 26 1/2 years of marriage to show His Faithfulness to me, to our children. I am so thankful. It's hard to take it all in, at times. Through Kregg's faithfulness to me and our family, I see daily a reflection of the Father's Faithfulness. Our family is far from perfect, but through the godly leadership of my husband, we are blessed beyond measure. 

God is Faithful! In our lives everyday, there is evidence. Proof. Are we paying attention? Or are we merely taking it for granted? I have to be careful to intentionally notice and take notes. That's the purpose of this link-up every Friday: to encourage all of us to keep a record of ways the Lord shows Himself Faithful to us. Recording it builds our faith in Him. Having a written record serves as an anchor in the storms we will face in this life. When we can sit and reflect on all the ways over all the years that He has always been Faithful, it gives us courage to walk without fear, regardless of the circumstances we face. And the blessing your testimony will be to your children, and their children after them, is without price. You cannot put a value on a Heritage of Faith. It is one of the most precious gifts we can give to the future generations of our family. 


Have you started your "Pages in Our Heritage of Faith?" If not, you should. It will bless you. And if you link up with us here, it will also bless us! It is such fun to read your testimonies here. I am so thankful for each of you who have linked up over the last several months, telling of what He has done for you. And I look forward to reading what you have to say this week!  


Will you do me a favor? Grab the button in the sidebar and add it to your post. We would love for others to join us here. Merriest Christmas to each and everyone of you!

She Was Slipping Away: A Link-Up in "Pages in Our Heritage of Faith"

This is my mom during the few months she lived in the Alzheimer's Unit here. We had moved my parents near us because there was no place for her where they lived. By the time this picture was taken, most of her memories were gone. She knew that she knew me, but she couldn't remember why. She couldn't remember my name. 


It was such an incredible blessing that she was so happy during those months. She simply smiled or laughed the majority of the time.


It had taken several years for the disease to progress that far, though. Looking back, it's hard to know when it all began. There were odd clues sprinkled through those early years that something wasn't right. But there is one Thanksgiving that stands out vividly in my memory as the point where there was no longer any doubt. Living 300+ miles away, that realization was probably slower in coming than it would have been had we seen her more often.


But I will never forget that Thanksgiving morning when my mother, who had always prepared a wonderful feast for all of us, stood in the middle of her kitchen with a blank look on her face and said, "I don't think I've ever made dressing before." Her dressing had been one of the highlights of the yearly celebration. But suddenly, it was gone. She had no idea how to fix it any more. She had no memory of ever having made dressing.


As I sat there reeling from the shock and the grief, my precious husband, without missing a beat, said, "Doris, you don't worry about that. I will make the dressing for you." She thanked him. And I loved him so much in that moment. She went on about her list of things to do. We helped when her mind went blank. And my husband made the dressing for us. And it was delicious. He's been making it ever since. 


Later that same day, things got ugly.


It was all so new to us then that we didn't understand. We didn't understand that when she became tired, the frustration level for her would reach a boiling point. She grew very irritated and vocally angry with our children. They weren't misbehaving, but it suddenly became unbearable for her to have them in the house. We were unsure what to do. But Kregg and I knew we had to leave. Right then. We gathered up the kids and explained that we were going to have to change our plans and go. I remember making it out to our car with the kids, loading them all up and sitting there in the driveway crying. 


"That's NOT my mother!" I screamed through blinding tears and pain. 


Kregg was my rock in that moment. 


I told him we couldn't stay there another night. He found us a hotel. I knew our budget was really tight, so his gesture meant even more. His goal was to protect his family, and he would do whatever it took to accomplish that goal. 


I see Kregg's faithfulness to us and in Kregg's faithfulness, I see the Faithfulness of my Father. Kregg was the Provision for me in that crisis of my soul. Through him, my Father provided for us. As painful as that day was for me, and still is when I think of it, I can't remember the pain without also remembering the Provision. My Father WILL supply ALL of my needs. Period. End of story.


And in those moments when my heart shatters in pieces over whatever new grief this life holds, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, to the marrow of my bones, that I am not and never will be alone. Ever. And the Peace that fills my spirit testifies to His Faithfulness. Even in the darkness that seems devoid of hope, His Provision is already there before I even know of my need. 


I never need fear. His Faithfulness is the very nature of His Being. He cannot deny it. He cannot act contrary to it. He will always be and has forever been Faithful.

It's Friday again. You know what that means if you have frequented the Antbed for more than a week. This is where I say, "Tell me your story. Tell me of His Faithfulness. Declare it. Write it down. Add a Page to Your Heritage of Faith." Grab the button in the sidebar and add it to your linked up post, please, so that others may understand what we are doing here. Your post can be anything about how the Lord has shown Himself Faithful to you, to your family. 


We want to intentionally, habitually take notes so that "the next generation will put their trust in the Lord." Begin a volume of Pages that tell of what He has done for you, through you, in you. We are a people of forgetfulness. We need reminders. And these reminders, as they accumulate, provide us with ammunition to combat the lies of the evil one, as he hatefully whispers lies in our ears that our Father doesn't move on our behalf, that He doesn't care about us. Collect your stories. Create a strong heritage of those stories for your family, for future generations.  

Decision Time: A Link Up in "Pages in Our Heritage of Faith"

"My God is SO Big, SO Strong, and SO Mighty, there's NOTHING my God cannot do!"

Our life is complicated, lots of "moving parts," lots of "variables," each piece in the puzzle affecting the others. At this stage in our lives, our choices have widespread consequences. It's always that way, in every stage, but it seems to be even more pronounced than ever before for us because of the season of life in which we find ourselves. 


Because of that, decisions, more than ever, need to be bathed in prayer. 


We know we do not have the "foresight" to anticipate all of the consequences that would radiate out from a major decision in our lives. We need His Guidance, His Wisdom, because He DOES know. He knows how any particular decision would affect the two of us, our children, our son-in-law, our grandson, our church, our friends, and the ripples go out from there to a horizon we cannot see. Not only are there immediate effects, but there are also future effects. 


We have been in a time of decision making for our family. Kregg has been at the same company for 25 years. He has a great job and the Lord has blessed us richly through it. During those years, he has been approached several times by other companies who wanted to offer him a job. He has always graciously declined. Until now. This opportunity has caused MUCH reflection on where we're headed, which is always a good thing--allowing Him to continue to sift us and refine our aims and goals. 


I like to ask the Lord for specifics when I need direction. Remember Gideon's fleece? He asked for specific, definite direction because he desperately wanted to do exactly what the Lord wanted of him. I have prayed for that kind of direction many times over the years, and the Lord, in His most precious Mercy, has answered. Over and over and over again. 


There have also been times when we haven't received specific, definite marching orders. Looking back, I know I have at times allowed fear to make some decisions and there have been other times when I arrogantly felt my wisdom sufficient for the situation, to step into a choice without truly bathing it in prayer. How foolish! 


Having seen His direct answers before, why would I ever, ever choose on my own?


His Patience amazes me. Constantly amazes me. He continues to show me the better way. He continues to tame my stubborn spirit, wooing me, teaching me to be more and more dependent on Him for everything.


When confronted with the choice we just faced, I asked the Lord to make it abundantly clear so that no "guessing" would be required. I had no idea how He would accomplish it. But He did. The choice could not have been any clearer! It is miraculous! From our point of view, neither direction was "bad." There were very strong arguments to be made for either choice. But we didn't want to "reason" it out. We didn't want to weigh them on a balance of our own making, bound by the variables we could see. We wanted Him to reveal His Will for us. And we asked Him to do just that. 


Going forward from here, that answered prayer will serve as an anchor for our faith, knowing there will be challenges down this new path. Knowing that He is guiding our way gives us Peace and the confidence that His Provision for this new direction will be perfectly perfect. And so we give Him all the Glory. He is so very Faithful and His blessings are without measure. 

It's Friday again. You know what that means if you have frequented the Antbed for more than a week. This is where I say, "Tell me your story. Tell me of His Faithfulness. Declare it. Write it down. Add a Page to Your Heritage of Faith." Grab the button in the sidebar and add it to your linked up post, please, so that others may understand what we are doing here. Your post can be anything about how the Lord has shown Himself Faithful to you, to your family. We want to intentionally, habitually take notes so that "the next generation will put their trust in the Lord." Begin a volume of Pages that tell of what He has done for you, through you, in you. We are a people of forgetfulness. We need reminders. And these reminders, as they accumulate, provide us with ammunition to combat the lies of the evil one as he whispers in our ears that He doesn't move on our behalf, that He doesn't care about us. Collect your stories. Create a strong heritage of those stories for your family, for future generations.  

Link Up Day is Tomorrow!!

Thank you to all who have shared a "Page in Your Family's Heritage of Faith." What a blessing they have been to me! As the "work week" winds to a close, would you consider sharing with us tomorrow? As we testify to His Faithfulness in our lives, He is glorified and our faith is strengthened. As we collect these stories, we are building a precious heritage for our families. Imagine the blessings that will flow out of the faithful recording of these testimonies for the future generations of your family. I love to think of my grandchildren reading the stories of His Faithfulness in the lives of their forebears. That's what this link up is all about: encouraging each other to diligently record the stories of His Faithfulness in our lives as a blessing to those who come after us.


So, until tomorrow . . .