Queenies Little Kingdom

I’ve been around the block a time or fifty. I’ve experienced some nutty stuff. Much of it brought on by my own foolishness. Afterall, I am just a sinner. But lately I’ve been thinking about the enemy and his schemes to pull me away from my Lord. He’s pathetic! He’s slimey! He’s out to devour all that’s good for you and me. So, I’d like to share my take on ways the enemy strikes. Are you ready for this? Be aware….you may see something here that is familiar to you. I know there are for me.

• When you feel tempted to do something that you know is wrong…..
• When you doubt God’s word…..
• When you justify a wrong-doing or evil thoughts…..
• When you drift from spiritual things; Bible, devotion/prayer time, tithe/giving, Holy living…..
• When you are struggling, angry, depressed, frustrated and overwhelmed……
• When you have unforgiveness……or blame God for your circumstances…
• When you hear “voices” that are unhealthy (by voices, I mean…your brain keeps running)…..
• When you do or say things that are irrational……

Satan is on the prowl in believer’s lives. So often we overlook him. I see in my own life connections to these issues at some time or another.  In each instance, I realize that I am off kilter in some way spiritually.  Maybe I’m not reading my Bible regularly or missing meeting with fellow believer’s (Heb. 10:25).  Whatever it may be…satan is aware and pounces.

Paul says, “Be strong in the LORD!”.  The strongest we are as christians is at the moment of attack!  We have an opportunity to decide right then……will I stand firm or fall into his trap?  Paul also says, “Put on the whole armour of God!”.  For you and me….we must be fully clothed in HIS armour.  Many times I get up and get rolling in the morning and realize on my way to school…..oops!  I haven’t even said Hello, God!  I need to connect with Him.  I want Him blanketing me and my life.  I can’t do it without Him.  So…for me, I must slow down.

Part of being able to know when satan is attacking is being able to see when your life is spiralling.  For me, if I get overwhelmed….it’s almost a sure thing…satan is after me.  He knows my weaknesses and he certainly wants to mess me up.  But lucky for me….my Heavenly Father knows me even more and He’s always there covering me.  Psalm 119:160 “All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal”.  Psalm 20:7  “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God”.   I know without a shadow who I can trust.  My King!

Lord,  Help me to see clearly when the enemy is striking against me.  Show me when I’m weak and vulnerable to him.  Through your Holy power make me strong!  Let my love for you overwhelm this wicked enemy and make him turn and run.  Fill me with your goodness….and let me spill onto those I love and those around me on a daily basis.  You are who I trust….you are who I will obey!    Amen.

Today I was you know….hopping around on the WFMW blogs and found a great deal on photo books. Go here and see what I mean. But hurry! Offer ends soon! You pay shipping costs.

It’s so easy to do. Last Christmas, I paid……a bunch! for photo books for my family. This is for sure a sweet deal. I think you can sign up for the coupon until Friday 11/14, but the actual order needs to be done by Sunday 11/16. I’m on there now uploading some pictures.

Oh…and when you click on WFMW blog……you will find a plethora of blogs with super tips to steal for your own happiness. You can find just about anything to make life easier on there.

Enjoy!

Tonight I’ve been out surfing. I hope I’m not the only weirdo out there doing it. It’s this whole blog craziness…..you hop on one blog…and boom it leads you to another then another…and it just goes on and on! I cannot believe all the wonderful bloggy women out there. They are amazing! I could read them forever.

I noticed something familiar with each blog I clicked on…..passion! Each woman represented her own passion in some way or another. Some are fantastic Bible study leaders, some SAHM’s, other’s WAHM’s,…..many were caught up in their crafting or selling….everyone of them were passionate about their “thang”! I really loved it.

I want whoever clicks on my blog to know I’m passionate too. I’m passionate about my life. I love my Lord with my whole heart. I am His servant and thankful to be so. My heart wants to please Him with my life, my words, my actions. But there are times…..when I fail. I speak out of turn or yell at my kids…..heck….I may even hurt someone with my actions. That’s not my heart intention….I really do want to please God in all ways.

It’s important for us to be passionate followers of Christ. I can’t help but think of that verse, “So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. (Rev. 3:16) I get the feeling that God likes passion too. His description fits many of us on any given day. Just so-so…not hot….not cold….so-so! Not a good way to be. So, what can I say…..that will show other’s my passion? I’ll be working on that.

If you are just sitting around with tons of time on your hands and would like a little reading to do…..Here’s the front door into some of the most incredible bloggy people out there.

Christian Women Online Blogroll

I like to write in my Bible, do you? It’s my lifeline to God. I will never get tired of studying it, holding it or sharing it. I have some great notes to myself in my Bible. When I need them most…they are always there. I scribble down my thoughts and sermon notes anytime I have it open.

Tonight I was looking in Deuteronomy. In chapter 6:6-9 “These commandments that I give you are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on your doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” I have an arrow pointing to these verses with the words, “Standard for parenting!”…..and “We must teach our children to obey God no matter what the world is doing!”.

Moses was teaching God’s children to recognize God as the one and only true God. Our relationship with Him must reveal our love and devotion to Him…..The world around us and especially our kids should have no doubt whom we serve. Something I have felt strongly about even before I had my kids. I never wanted to be a fake. Besides, if anyone will ever find you out as a fake…..it will be your kids! You can’t get away with pretending to love and obey God and them not know the truth. Look around, our world is full of “Christian” parents who have adult kids that have never embraced the faith.

Flip over to Deut. 11:18-21 “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads…….” My notes say…..”Be responsible for your children’s spirituality!” Don’t count on your church or Sunday school teacher’s to be the spiritual leader of your kids hearts. Do it yourself. Teach them His word and fill their hearts with His love at home. Show them how to read their Bibles….and to study them. Pray with them and for them. Make it a priority. It’s our job…..our responsibility! Scripture is pretty clear on this.

I see so many kids everyday that have absolutely no moral compass. I wish I could say that it shocks me….but it doesn’t. I also talk to adults that have no real connection to God….it’s so sad. I know the longer I live the more I see watered down faith especially by Christians. I’ve been in homes that professed Christ and yet drank alcohol in front of their kids and the world. That doesn’t align up with God in my family. My kids have friends that have no boundaries to what movies or tv shows they can watch. If you think that doesn’t influence kids….think again!

Every little thing that you and I do as parents….our kids are watching. Whether they are preschoolers or teenagers. They are watching to see what choice you and I will make. The world is screaming for their attention……and I don’t know about you…but I don’t want to hand my kids over to the world. If you have gotten out of the habit of reading your Bible or praying with your kids. Make it your goal to start back today. Even for just 15 minutes at bedtime. You’ll be surprised what God will do with that devotion.

Proverbs 1:8-9 “Listen my son to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.”

Congratulations to three lucky winners! Thanks for playing along everybody and visiting my blog! These giveaway’s are really fun! People from all over come looking for something fun to win and as a bonus get to see some sweet blogs. Can’t wait to give something else away!

WINNERS

Dee– www.tweety0166@aol.com  

Debbie– www.fourkidsgreat@gmail.com

Jesica– pixiemarierose@gmail.com

I can remember the day I found out I was pregnant with her.  I had a baby on my hip and another holding my hand (it was a surprise!).  We weren’t planning on another baby, but God was.  That one decision has changed my life for the better.  Thank you God for knowing just what I needed.  Gates was meant to be in my family and for that I am eternally grateful.

Here are 14 things I love about Gates.  Of course there are at least a million more things to love about her…but I thought today would be a good start since she is 14!!!  Born on November 9th, 1994.  She weighed 8lbs.10oz. and was 20 1/2 inches long.  We love to tease her that she looked like a spanish baby when we first saw her….since none of us look spanish…we wondered “where’d” we get her?  She was a beautiful baby and is even more lovely today.

1.  I love how Gates has a servant’s heart!  She will do anything for you.  She will work and work to make your load easy.  And never complains!

2.  I love that Gates is so funny.  She is hilarious!  Even when she was a baby, she could crack us up.  She is naturally a happy person and it just oozes out of her.  If you know Gates…..you have laughed at something thanks to her.

3.  I love that Gates looks similar to me.  I remember what it was like growing up with a face full of freckles.  Everyone always commented on them (I hated them) and now I see that happen to Gates.  She is adorable!

4.  I love that Gates completely loves God.  She chooses to follow Christ….and loves him with her whole heart.  I prayed that she would love him like I do….and I see that she really does.

5.  I love that Gates has such great hair.  She has beautiful hair and everywhere she goes someone always asks if it’s natural.  It’s hard to take care of and not everyone loves curly hair….but she looks gorgeous.

6.  I love when Gates hugs me.  Her hugs cause my heart to go pitter-patter.  I love to feel her in my arms and smell her pretty hair and skin.  She’s delicious to all my senses.  I really could squeeze her to pieces!

7.  I love how Gates cares for her family.  Her loyalty is incredible.  She loves all of us….even knowing all she knows about us.  We can see a true picture of forgiveness through the eyes of Gates.  She’s a pro!

8.  I love to see Gates perform.  She can sing like an angel.  Her voice is beautiful and pure.  I have listened to her make up songs her whole life.  When she was little, every school assignment she would write about becoming a singer someday.

9.  I love when Gates wants to cook.  She is passionate in the kitchen.  Every little detail is important to her.  She will spend hours in the kitchen (I think she gets this from her mama….we love to feed people).  And she cooks great!  I look forward to eating at her house someday in the future.

10.  I love how Gates enjoys being home.  She is so wild and spunky, but home is where her heart is.  She loves being home with family and relaxing.  She loves to sleep and be warm & cozy.  She will make a great mama someday.

11.  I love that Gates is taller than me.  She is growing into a beautiful young lady.  Every time I stand beside her, I’m reminded that she has grown not only in size but in her wisdom and in her heart.  And I got to be a part of all of that.  Thank you LORD!

12.  I love it that Gates has fashion passion!  She is a style diva!  Her cute outfits totally reveal who she is.  A classy chic little lady.  Her love of clothes and shoes is something we have in common.  We love lookin good!  People do judge you by how you look.  Whether you want them to or not.  And, Gates….you look GOOD!

13.  I love how Gates loves to shop!  Yea, this is a biggie.  We are shop-a-holics!  This is the best way to bond, right Gater?

14.  I love that Gates has a tender heart.  This is another connection that we have.  We both tend to cry easily over little things.  Our hearts aren’t as tough as other people’s.  Maybe we are just softies, Gates.  But I really like that about you.  You’re a tender and loving girl…..and you make my heart melt!  Plus you look all red & puffy like me too when you cry.  Some may call it the ugly cry…..I like to call it the freckle-face girl cry.

Fourteen isn’t enough ways to tell how I love you.  I love you because God picked you just for me.  I love you because you’re so easy to love.  I love you because you love me.  I love you because you’re so awesome!  You’re so sweet!  You make me laugh and you make me proud.  I hope you have a wonderful birthday today.  You deserve it.  I’m happy that you asked for a camera.  You take great pictures too.  🙂