Proverbs Bible Study (Week 4)

Here are my notes from this past week! I learned a lot, again! I feel like there are a lot of the same themes popping up throughout all of the chapters so far...one in particular for me was to think before I speak. Any that are coming up over and over again for you?

Proverbs 14 

14:1 I viewed this as building up her family. With words and actions, she can easily build up or tear down her family.

14:6 I need to learn to listen to The Lord more often when I'm needing discernment.

14:7 Keep away from those who lie/tempt you

14:11 Those who believe will live eternally, but those who do not, will be destroyed.

14:12 Do not follow the way of man, but instead, follow the way of God.

14:15 I need to remember to think about what I hear, before taking someone else's word.

14:17 I'm usually very quick-tempered. It's something that I'm always working on and praying about.

14:21 Blessed is he who is kind to the needy!! We need to live and love like Jesus did. We need to love everyone...not just those who we think "deserve" it.

14:26 Those who fear The Lord will have a firm foundation. Their kids will always know that they are safe.

14:28 A large population is a king's glory!! This is NOT how our world currently views high population rates. I thought that this was interesting!

14:29 I'm also constantly praying for patience...

14:30 LOVED this verse. I think it might become my new motto, and I'm going to have to find numerous places in my home to put it. I'm constantly reminding myself that I need to be content with where I am, and with what I have.

Image from pinterest.com

Proverbs 15

15:1 We are currently working on parenting differently,  and using gentle words when disciplining the kids.

15:8 He doesn't want sacrifices from those who are wicked.

15:12 A wicked man wants to do things his own way.

15:15  A cheerful heart has a continual feast! Loved this one too, and I think I'm going to display this one too!

15:28 Think what you say before saying it.

15:30 Humility comes before honor.

Proverbs 16

16:1 If you listen, The Lord will give you the correct answer

16:2 It's not necessarily what you do that might be wrong, but the motive behind it.

16:3 Give all of your  plans to God.

16:4 Everything happens for the good of The Lord.

16:9 God's plans are far greater than our own!

16:18 Pride goes before destruction

16:20 Always trust in The Lord. This is definitely easier said than done!

16:24 This will be a new way of life for me. I will try to remember to always use pleasant words.

I hope that you learned something this week! Please share questions/comments in the comment section below!

Proverbs Bible Study (Week 3)

Sorry this is a couple of days late! We were gone all weekend, and I didn't have a chance to get my study done until today! I have SO many underlined parts in my Bible now...things that I want to be able to look back at and to remember. I hope you are learning as much as I am! Here's my notes:

Proverbs 9

9:2 She prepared her meat, mixed her wine and set her table.

She was preparing for her guests, and was taking care of their needs. I think her desire is to provide and care for others, and to lead them to God.

9:7 I have personally noticed this many times while arguing or debating. Many people end up getting very defensive, and name-calling, and hurting others.

9:8-9 If you rebuke, or correct, a man, he will love you. I truly struggle with correction...I usually view it as a failure on my part, instead of help.

9:10 Learn to fear the Lord, study His word, and know Him.

Proverbs 10

10:1 I have seen this, in the relationship with my parents, and myself as I was growing up. Some decisions that I made, caused them pain.

10:2 Righteousness=Jesus. He delivered us from death.

10:4 Instead of being lazy, and putting off undesirable jobs, just do them and get them done with. 

10:5 Be wise, and store up your goods. Keep them until you need them.

10:7 Memories of the righteous will be a blessing. 

10:12 Love covers all wrongs. 

10:14 Wise men store up knowledge. Continue reading the Bible, and studying His word, so that you can store up knowledge.

10:17 Whoever ignores correction leads others astray (Proverbs 6:17!!)

10:19 He who holds his tongue is wise. 

This is actually something that I do often, and have been viewing it as a bad thing!

10:21 The lips of the righteous nourish many

How many of us are trying to nourish our families through the food we eat? We should be more focused on nourishing their souls with the Word of God.

10:24 Things that I dread or fear will overtake me.

10:29 HE WILL SAVE US OR DENY US. Probably THE most important lesson to understand.

Image from bible-quote.deviantart.com

Proverbs 11

11:1 Don't tip the scales to make you look better.

11:2 With humility comes wisdom

11:4 What a HUGE statement. Wealth is fun for now, but it's better to be faithful and to follow God's teachings.

11:5 I thought that the first part of the verse was referring to Jesus' life and death.

11:7-8 The wicked man was rich on this earth, but it truly gave him nothing.

11:10 Our culture loves seeing stories of people who "do good , and prosper", and also stories of those who do bad and are punished.

11:12 Be understanding, instead of judging

11:14 I see this in my own home. It takes a lot of insight and ideas from others, when it comes to raising children.

11:16-17 Be kind.

11:23 There are so many examples of the future of the righteous vs. the future of the wicked

11:24-25 This isn't only talking about money, but life. The more you give, the more blessed you will be.

11:26 Less is more.

11:28 Do not trust in yourself, but in Jesus.

Proverbs 12

12:1 Be open to guidance from others.

12:4 This was SO convicting for me! A lot of days, I need to find a better attitude.

12:9 Be humble.

12:11 Be responsible

12:15 See verse 1

12:18-19 Be careful, and think about what you say to others.

12:22 Always be truthful

12:25 Build others up

Proverbs 13

13:7 Be humble

13:11 If you continue to do things correctly and faithfully, little by little your blessings will grow.

13:1, 13, 14, 18 All of these verses were about seeking instruction. I'm beginning to think that this is very important! :)

**Please add thoughts or questions to the comments! **

Convictions

Do you ever have any of those moments that feel like you have been sucker-punched? That make you think "How could I even THINK that?" I had one the other day.

Since moving, I have felt like my apartment is cluttered. All of our stuff has been piled into places just to get it out of the main areas. Last week, I had finally had enough. I decided that it was time to tackle the mess, and get it in order! I made a list and got to it. The kids were pretty good, but it seemed that they were getting in my way...I couldn't organize one thing without them destroying something else. I was frustrated.

Over the weekend though, it hit me. I was not seeing them as blessings as the Bible says we should. I was viewing them as burdens. My head spun. My heart ached. All I wanted to do was cry, and hug my babies. 

Instead of talking over them, and looking in their direction, I took a step back and watched them. Watched their faces light up as they played together, watched Maddie pull herself up and walk around the couch all by herself. Watched Charlie meticulously build a tower out of his blocks. My heart was bursting, yet filled with regret. I love these kids. They had no idea how I was feeling, but came to me when I asked for a hug. 

This week, I'm focusing on them. Giving them what they need, and the attention and love that they need. I still have things to get done around here, but that comes second!

Love them.

I'm thankful for those moments that make me stand back and see the mistakes that I'm making. I know there will be many more!

Homemade Bug Spray

I've been working my way towards a chemical-free lifestyle. What does this mean? It means that I don't use any more conventional cleaning products...things like, comet (this used to be my favorite bathroom cleaner), Clorox wipes (hello, easy toilet cleaning!), or even seventh generation products which seem to be relatively safe. Instead, I use a vinegar/water solution, about a 1:1 ratio. This kills germs, leaves things looking nice and shiny, and this way Charlie is allowed to help too!

I'm also very careful with products that I put on our skin. For the kiddos, I use soap from the farmers market at bath time, and coconut oil for a moisturizer when they need it. 

This summer, the bugs have been horrific. I don't want to send my kids out without bug spray, and definitely don't want to use "regular" bug spray on them. Have you read the ingredients? Interesting enough, they only put 5% of the ingredients on the website...the rest are just labeled as "other ingredients". SO, instead of using something like that on the kids, I decided to make my own. I found this recipe on pinterest, and had Mike make it up (I had to change a few things, because we didn't have epsom salts, and I added another oil.)! I had to reapply it a few times, but haven't had ANY bug bites since using it! If you're needing something great, and safe to use on yourself and kids, try this!

All Natural Bug Spray

8 oz. water

8 drops purification essential oil

8 drops peppermint essential oil

8 drops lavender essential oil (mosquitoes stay away from lavender!)

pinch of baking soda

1. Mix the oils and baking soda together. This will keep the oils from separating from the water.

2. Mix the baking soda mixture with the water.

3. Pour into a spray bottle.

4. Spray!

I hope this works for you as well as it has for us!

Weekly Goals

It's time for weekly goals again! I feel like I've gotten a lot done in the past few weeks, and that setting goals has been incredibly helpful. My main goal for this week though, is to just spend time with my kids. Of course,  I have one big-ish goal for the week though...just to get things hung up! I'm hoping to get pictures hung up, which will help our new place feel more homey. I still have a few things that need to get done though:

*Bake bread

*Clean bathrooms

*Dust

*Vacuum

*Laundry

*Thrift Store run

*Start thinking about the kids' birthday parties

It should be a pretty easy, and relaxing week!

Proverbs Bible Study (Week 2)

I have been learning SO much from reading Proverbs these past two weeks. Who knew that wisdom and discernment were so important?! I'm so thankful that God has provided us with His words, and tells us how to live a life that will glorify Him. Here's what I picked up this week:

Proverbs 5

5:1-6 He gives a description of an adultress. She is smooth, good at persuading, and doesn't even realize what she is doing, or that she is sinning.
He also says to keep away from her, or you will regret it later in life.
5:15 Keep to yourself. Do your own work.
You will be blessed.
Always be satisfied with your spouse. Never lust after others.
5:21 God always sees what you are doing. I think that this is a good way to hold yourself accountable.

Proverbs 6
6:1-6 Do not rest until you get out of your sins.
Always acknowledge your sins and ask for forgiveness.
6:6 Hold yourself accountable for your actions.
Be responsible and plan for your future.
6:17-19 A list of things that God hates. The one that sticks out the most to me, is the hands that shed innocent blood. I don't think he necessarily means actual killing, but even picking and choosing who we think is "worthy" to hear about Jesus. The people who haven't heard are the innocent ones, and if we ignore them, we are shedding their innocent blood.
This passage also makes me think that I need to regularly "check" myself. See what is causing me to sin, and to stop immediately, and ask for forgiveness.
6:20-22 I'm noticing that this passage is constantly repeated, which must mean that it's incredible important!
6:27-29 You can't have both. If you choose to commit adultery, you will be punished.
6:33 Once you commit adultery, it will become your identity. You will always be known for it.

Proverbs 7
7:1-5 Another repeat of these words. Memorize them, and live them!
7:7 "The youth who lack judgement", there is no moral code. Without knowledge or discernment, he was easily swayed toward the prostitute, he did not realize that it would cost him his life.
7:27 She leads to death.

Proverbs 8
8:10 "Choose instructions over silver, knowledge over gold." I love this. We are working on becoming minimalists, so that we can truly live this.
8:12 Always have discretion with knowledge, they go hand in hand.
Be humble, hate pride.
8:17 He loves me, because I love Him.

Image from pinterest

8:23 I love this. It speaks of Jesus' great power.
8:30 Be filled with delight always. This is SO difficult for me. I'm one whose attitude is swayed by circumstances.
8:32 Do not ignore His instruction.
8:34 Listen, watch and wait for Him.

I took so much from this week's study. The main point was to love Him, and His instruction more than "things", and to use discretion when in a tough situation.

What did you learn this week?

**Please share in the comments, any questions or insight that you have!**

Introduction

Today, I thought I would introduce you to my kids! 

Of course, I think they are the smartest, most adorable kids out there...and I'm sure that I'm not biased at all. Right?!

 My two cute kiddos

Charlie

Charlie and momma

 Maddie

Cuties in the tub

I'm so blessed to be able to spend everyday with these babies. Somedays they drive me absolutely insane, but I wouldn't have it any other way! They do and say the funniest things, and are constantly making me smile. I hope they make you smile too!