Mentionworthy Monday

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Safe Complaints - Extremely thankful for this reminder that no matter how we might rename or attempt to justify complaining, it does not change God's command regarding it and it is just that-complaining.

What I Learned When I Quit Facebook - I haven't completely quit Facebook, but I have scaled back a bit and because I was never a huge Facebook advocate, this leaves my presence there scarce to say the least...and you know what? I haven't missed it. Don't get me wrong there are things that I enjoy about Facebook but I also enjoy not feeling like I NEED to check it. Technology is great until we get so caught up in it that we're doing more internet browsing than verbally communicating. Sometimes we need to take a step back and reevaluate where we are-we need to make sure these modern conveniences are truly that and not our masters. Incidentally, here's another article for you about that particular problem...A Disconnected Connected Society.

How To Have A Real Conversation - In line with the above links, Kathy Pollard shares a reminder on what a REAL conversation should consist of.

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With it being Monday this seemed especially appropriate... 

It's Time for Coffee

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I know you have seen the videos of buckets filled with ice water being dumped over the heads of willing participants. You may have even been one such participant; either way I have little doubt your news feeds aren't filled with these. And on a side-note: I understand this is all in support of a good cause. I am a little fuzzy as to how opting to have a bucket of freezing contents poured on your head rather than donating to the cause is actually helpful. Feel free to clear me up on that, but in the meantime think on these wise words.

"Amazing how many jump at the chance to be doused with ice cold water on behalf of a good cause but balk at being baptized in warm water for an even better cause."

-Barry Grider

Mentionworthy Monday

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Creating A Go-To SPIRITUAL Schedule - Emily Hatfield shares some great tips for single and married ladies alike in this podcast episode. She reminds us that while we may have many other important duties, our spiritual nourishment should always be our focus. To keep our priorities in order, we need a focused yet flexible schedule-fitted to our specific needs of course. Emily shares some things that work for her and will hopefully work for you as well.

The Top 10 Things Moms Do at Target - If you are a mom, you will appreciate this. If you are not yet a mom, read this anyway-you'll still laugh because we know you've seen us doing some of these very things...but beware if you choose to laugh...you might be a mom one day too.

7 Things You Didn't Know About The Wizard of Oz - I remember being terrified of this movie as a child. That wicked witch of the west and her flying monkeys were just a little too much for me. I am happy to report that while I might sometimes pick the moments that her face fills the screen to refill the drinks or popcorn bowl, I have a much greater appreciation for this classic now.

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3 FREE Scripture Coloring Pages

Whether you are a mom of little ones, a classroom teacher or a Bible class teacher these cute coloring pages would be welcomed additions to your curriculum.

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"We have to get back to the Bible. The Doctor has the medicine, but the patients won't take it because it may produce side effects that make me deny myself of things that I want."

- BJ Clarke

Mention Worthy Monday

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TLN - After a short break the light network is back and for that I am so thankful! Have you checked out the podcast called The New You? Robert Hatfield does a (short) daily podcast that will help you in your Christian walk. The Book Club by Brad McNutt is a must listen for all my fellow book appreciators. Ladies, you must, must, must spend some time with Emily Hatfield in The Royal Family and Wifey Wednesdays. Also, tell your husbands to check out Biblical Manliness by Chris Clevenger. My husband and I often spend our time in the car listening to The Church on Trial and Torrey Clark's Culture Shock. These are only a few of the many (FREE) podcasts TLN provides.What are you waiting for? Go check it out!

Christmas in...august? - You're probably thinking, "Christmas?! Wait, did I read that right?" Those were my exact thoughts a few days ago when I saw a friend post "20 Fridays until Christmas!" I don't know about you, but this struck a bit of panic in me. I didn't feel this twinge of panic because I don't like Christmas (quite the opposite actually), but "20 Fridays?!" is not long to prepare. I'm one of those people who likes to get everything done early so that I'm able to enjoy the Christmas season with my family. Early prep means money spent wisely and lower stress levels. So I took this reminder and started my preparations. Here is your reminder as well, along with a link to free printables to help get you started.

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Let It Overflow | Benevolence Bags

I have often been at a spotlight and seen those signs we're all familiar with, "Please help" but I have nothing to help with. I wasn't prepared for that moment and as I drive away I can't help feeling an opportunity to help and share the gospel has been missed. I came across the idea of keeping a bag of items in your car to hand out in such situations and I thought it was great, however there wasn't much information regarding what to put in the bags. This pin/link is by far the best blessing bag assembly I have read and decided to model.

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"So many people want Jesus as their Savior, but not their Lord. He's either both, or He's neither."

- Cliff Goodwin 

Mention Worthy Monday (Links Ed.)

Christ Is Being Persecuted In Our World - I listened to this podcast recently and I have to admit, I was shocked at some of the information I heard. I guess, like many of my fellow Americans I thought that the horrible things of this nature would be on our national media outlets if they were going on, but remarkably the media has remained silent. So I share this with you to raise your awareness and to encourage you to add our brothers and sisters in Christ enduring this persecution to your prayers.

 Ex-HGTV hosts: 'If our faith costs us a TV show, so be it' - "HGTV’s statement is insufficient. They owe it to their viewers to explain why “Flip It Forward” was canceled. There may very well be another reason why they pulled the plug. But right now, it appears that they caved in to pressure from gay activists. If that’s the case, it would make HGBT not only cowardly, but also bigoted."

 Preschool Graduation Bonus Feature - On a lighter note and in honor of graduation season, I'm directing you to this cute clip of a little guy who took advantage of his mic time...

25 Beloved, Time-Tested Read Alouds for Young Children - "Charlie Tremendous Jones once stated, 'You’re the same today as you’ll be in five years except for the people you meet and the books you read.'" I absolutely love the concept and tips given by this blogger. I am familiar with most of the books she's listed, but a few were new to me. You can bet, they've been added to my to-read list.

15 Plants That Forgot They Are Plants - You just have to see these to believe it.

Mentionworthy Monday

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The Problem of Pain & Suffering Debate Roundup- As of yesterday, one month has passed since the Butt-Erhman debate, where Kyle Butt did an outstanding job explaining why pain and suffering do not prove the nonexistence of God. If you didn’t have a chance to listen/watch/attend, I encourage you to access it here and then listen to the wrap-up by TLN’s Torrey Clark. Torrey interviews, Kyle, his coworkers and then gives his own take on what happened with the debate. It is well worth your time.

Wifey Wednesday – Speaking to wives and wives-to-be here…if you haven’t checked out Wifey Wednesday via The Light Network yet, you are missing out. My collection of wifey wisdom is growing substantially as each episode is released. Emily Hatfield does a great job (as always) gathering wisdom from her guests on a variety of subjects-from how to keep your balance while ministering to others to dealing with the unexpected. Each guest brings great tips and insight to the table and (if you’re like me) you’ll find yourself going back for a second-or even third listen!

ThredUp –Let’s be honest, shopping for modest, affordable clothing is not for the weak hearted. This is why I am so excited to share one of my clothing secrets with you today! When it comes to style, I love that our society is all about piecing items together to suit your own needs and taste. What I hate…that to actually put a modest outfit together, it often ends up costing an arm and a leg! Here’s where my new best friend comes in…aka ThredUP. ThredUp is basically a high-end online consignment store (I say high end because they prefer to accept name brand clothing in almost new condition) with reasonably priced items. I have found great deals & I hope you will too!

Mention Worthy Monday

Hopefully as you're reading this, you are feeling refreshed and ready to face the week ahead, but in the event that you just finished with one of those weekends where you just want a re-do, this article might help you get through your Monday.

Now that you've finished reading about Cindy Colley's bad-day-turn-around and you're ready to start fresh hop over to iTunes and check out the podcast titled Wifey Wednesday hosted by Emily Hatfield via The Light Network. The episode you're looking for is (004) "Organizing Your Life." Listen to this and then tell me you aren't ready to tackle the week ahead (at home or at work). 

As you prepare for your lunch break take a trip down memory lane and look at these 35 foods from our childhood that are now extinct. (I vote several of them be brought back...the original shaped trix, chicken fries, sprinkle spangles, lime skittles & Sprite remix just to name a few. Can I get an AMEN?!)

So that last link may have left you slightly depressed or at the very least a little melancholic. To remedy that, I have a book recommendation for you. Go ahead and download this to your E reader of choice and you can start it at bedtime tonight. Ready? Muscle and A Shovel by Michael Shank (available on Amazon kindle for only $9.99). I'm going to encourage you NOT to read all the reviews out there on this one, but instead to read the book and decide for yourself about it. I think you'll love it. I did. I've caught myself gushing about this book more than once when I share it with others so I'll stop here and spare you. Don't let the title or the cover scare you. It is a book that has to do with religion, but it is NOT a Biblical commentary or a thirteen week lesson outline. It is the (extremely relatable) personal story of a young couple who has their religious beliefs turned upside down. And IT. IS. GREAT.

By now you have probably made it through the dreaded Monday, but you might find yourself with a touch of spring fever. It might even be so bad that you just need a few days out of the office...perhaps, say next week? Allow me to suggest a road trip to attend the MSOP lectureship in Memphis, Tenneessee! Here you can find all the information you will need about it. Unfortunately I do not have any "time off available" for this upcoming event in my calendar but I am making plans to watch as it is streamed live. If you find yourself in the same boat with me, mark it on your calendar & we will watch together! (And if you can't wait until next week, MSOP provides a free podcast of the years past I'm sure you'd enjoy! Just look them up in the iTunes store.)

Mention Worthy Monday (Links Ed.)

5 Important Financial Resolutions for 2014 - Even though we're wrapping up the first month of this new year, it's not too late to reevaluate your financial situation and resolve to make some improvements where possible. This article includes great reminders of financial goals Christians should keep.

How much should we really be sharing about our children online? I am of the belief that what we share online regarding our children, husbands, wives, parents and even friends should be very little for two basic reasons. First, because of safety. Second, because I respect their privacy. I am all for blogging and sharing real-life stories to encourage and learn from one another, but we should do so with careful (even prayerful) thought.

Why Being A Mom Is Enough - I'm guilty. I try to do it all. Of course I don't succeed because I'm not superwoman and then I allow myself to feel like a failure. We should always be striving to better ourselves, but enough beating ourselves up because our homes don't look like our Pinterest boards. Enough is enough and being a mom is enough.

5 Reminders for Exhausted Christians - Let’s face it, life is exhausting. And sometimes, Christianity can be exhausting too. When we think of all the people who need to be helped, encouraged, taught, and ministered to, it’s no wonder so many Christians are tired.

 Regarding My Wife and Peyton Manning - It's no secret who I will be pulling for this coming Sunday because..."This is Peyton Manning. An extraordinary athlete, no doubt. A focused and determined leader, without question. But most importantly, Peyton Manning is a decent guy. In a day and age of egotists and cheaters and complainers and free-loaders, Peyton Manning is a really decent guy."

Mention Worthy Monday (Link Ed.)

Preacher Killed for Sharing the Gospel - I realize this is not the type of article you prefer to start your day with nevertheless, I felt like it needed to be shared. The blessing of religious freedom that we are able to enjoy in the USA sometimes causes us to forget that this liberty is not enjoyed by many others. While we worry about facing verbal ridicule or becoming a social outcast, others are paying with their very lives.

Preparing the Home for Winter - I recently stumbled upon this site and it has quickly been added to my regular reading list. This particlar post features simple reminders to help keep your home & loved ones warm & cozy through those (seemingly) long winter months. Enjoy and be sure to check out the whole site!

8 Reasons to Live in a Small House - Another site that has quickly become one of my favorites. Look for more links to The Praire Homestead in the future and in the meantime, check out why smaller houses are best.

The Value of a Day - This video is pretty much how the day looks at our house right now. Is it wonderful? Absolutely! Would I trade it for anything? Not. One. Thing. I love being a mom. I love that this is a fairly accurate description of my days.  This is something I have been looking forward to and praying for, yet I still catch myself feeling guilty due to all the things I don’t get done. Reminders like this help me realize I am doing the most important thing right now. 
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Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling. You do not collect children because you find them cuter than stamps. It is not something to do if you can squeeze the time in. It is what God gave you time for.

 -Elder Neal L. Anderson

I'm Pinterested.  - If you're a Pinterest addict...not something I would know anything about...you will love this cute video. Happy Monday everyone!

Mention-Worthy Monday (Link Ed.)

Bible.is - A great resource that will help busy moms (and everyone else) achieve their goals of reading through the Bible in this upcoming year. Adding in my disclaimer here: I cannot speak for the spiritual soundness of everything pertaining to this app/website (i.e. I have noticed videos and versions of the Bible known to contain error). I recommend this based on my own use of the KJV read-aloud Bible.

Monthly Reading Plan - You will not go wrong with any post from this website. Chris Clevenger is an incredibly talented writer, but it is something he makes no secret of working hard toward. In striving to be a better Bible student, he has decided to read through the New Testament each month in the upcoming year. I love this idea. I have tried the "Read through the Bible in 1 Year" plan and I tend to lose momentum. A month-by-month plan is much more up my alley! But wait, it gets better...he has included a free printable to help accomplish this goal!

TLN in 2014 - It's hard to believe that The Light Network has been around for almost a year now. If you haven't visited this site yet, you need to. TLN is a group of podcasts made available by a great group of Christian brothers & sisters. They do not take this work lightly and they have very exciting things planned for this coming year. Add this great work to your prayer list and go check it out. You will be hooked.

The 38 Most Haunting Abandoned Places on Earth - I just find this fascinating. I think you will too.

15 Things We Learned from Anne - I am a firm believer that every year should start with Anne.

Mention Worthy Monday: CHRISTMAS! Link Ed.

The Truth About Christmas - Would you be surprised to learn that the Bible does not even mention Christmas? In this video, Don Blackwell examines the story of the birth of Jesus, exposing the mths and explaining what the Bible really says about Christmas.

Worst Christmas Songs (in one man's opinion anyway) - This post is several years old and it is clearly not an exhaustive list (I mean really Mr. Faughn??? Holly Jolly Christmas?!? What about Santa Baby, Last Christmas, So This Is Christmas or the ever-classic, Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer? I personally think those should have made the cut.), but the explanations of who did make the cut will definitely put some jolly in your Christmas holiday (yes, I had to). 

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(free) Christmas Fonts  - Consider this your warning. You will not be able to download just one (& if you’re like me you could easily spend more time than you meant to on this link alone).

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Merry Memories  - Part of what makes Christmas such a special time are the memories we have to look back on. This is one in a series of stories shared by Sister Colley that will bring tears to your eyes and remember to keep the season in perspective.

Why I Believe In Santa (& my kids will too) - Hannah Giselbach (daughter of Sister Cindy Colley, mentioned above), did a great job in this post & I couldn't agree with her more. Remember, when you stop believing in Santa, you get underwear! Don't stop believin'....

Seasonal Beauty - By now you should be in the holiday spirit but if you happen to still be in Scrooging-it-up check out these gorgeous pictures from a blogger in Newfoundland. I almost guarantee they will get you out of Bah-Humbug mode.

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Would you be surprised to learn that the Bible does not even mention Christmas? Would you further be surprised to learn that the story of Jesus’ birth, as commonly told, is very different from the inspired text? What is a Christian’s responsibility at this time of the year? In this video, Don Blackwell examines the story of the birth of Jesus, exposing the myths and explaining what the Bible really says about Christmas. - See more at: http://thetruthabout.net/video/Christmas#sthash.zTojK390.dpuf

Would you be surprised to learn that the Bible does not even mention Christmas? Would you further be surprised to learn that the story of Jesus’ birth, as commonly told, is very different from the inspired text? What is a Christian’s responsibility at this time of the year? In this video, Don Blackwell examines the story of the birth of Jesus, exposing the myths and explaining what the Bible really says about Christmas. - See more at: http://thetruthabout.net/video/Christmas#sthash.zTojK390.dpuf

Would you be surprised to learn that the Bible does not even mention Christmas? Would you further be surprised to learn that the story of Jesus’ birth, as commonly told, is very different from the inspired text? What is a Christian’s responsibility at this time of the year? In this video, Don Blackwell examines the story of the birth of Jesus, exposing the myths and explaining what the Bible really says about Christmas. - See more at: http://thetruthabout.net/video/Christmas#sthash.zTojK390.dpuf

Would you be surprised to learn that the Bible does not even mention Christmas? Would you further be surprised to learn that the story of Jesus’ birth, as commonly told, is very different from the inspired text? What is a Christian’s responsibility at this time of the year? In this video, Don Blackwell examines the story of the birth of Jesus, exposing the myths and explaining what the Bible really says about Christmas. - See more at: http://thetruthabout.net/video/Christmas#sthash.zTojK390.dpuf

Mention-Worthy Monday (Link edition)

D.V.I.-Satan's New Tool - I believe that discouragement is Satan's greatest weapon against us as Christians and it seems to be running rampant lately. Seems this writer thinks so as well.

Dear Sisters in California, I am so sorry  - The ruling regarding transgender school children has taken us down a scary path, yet Cindy Colley gently reminds us to take heart, because our Lord is still in control.

I Really Wish She Hadn't Said That - This one is a toe-stepper, but it is a must read. (My toes are still sore.)

How Well Do You Manage Your Home? - I cannot say enough good things about this article. God has given us, as ladies the most wonderful job (and one of the most important jobs) in the world, keeping the home. This author does a fantastic job of not only pointing this out, but going on to give simple solutions to better home management.

How To Have A Great Marriage, one day at a time - We can have a great marriage, but in order to do so we must constantly work at it. One. Day. At. A. Time.

World's Longest Yard Sale-Year Two - Because of this writer's blog and Instagram pictures, the WLYS is now on my bucket list. Who's with me?