29. March 2009 by admin.

Hi Everybody.  I had the pleasure of attending a Mom’s night out last night.  I was asked to “bring a little something to get us started for our Bible study”  and thought I would share it on the blog also.  I cracked up because, for me to bring a little something is kind of hard.  I ended up taking them all a paper clipped, 4 page sermon.  I told them I wouldn’t just read it, but instead they could all take it home and read the scriptures or burn it, I didn’t care.  I just enjoyed studying out the idea that had been thrown out there for me to talk about.   

So, here it is, if you are interested.  

March 27, 2009

Teachings from Ephesians to this Mama

I know I won’t cover all of this, so I am typing everything I wanted to share so I can give a copy to each of you and then you can read it later. This way you have access to all of the scriptures to meditate on them as the Lord brings them to your heart and maybe I won’t bore you to tears!

I would like to begin by sharing a little bit of my testimony. I have never really felt that I had a “testimony”, but I have been learning, we all have a testimony!

I was saved when I was young, I believe I was 7.  As I grew in the Lord, I was pretty mixed up and thought every time I would drift from the Lord, I needed to be saved again. I never really understood how to be sinless enough to be able to go to heaven. When I was a teenager, I got tired of the roller coaster.  I knew I had been saved!  I finally came to a point that I realized that I loved the Lord and even though I messed up I was still His child. I knelt in my room and dedicated my life to Him and asked Him to help me to stay dedicated. Now, through the next few years I strayed a lot from that commitment. I would recommit my life instead of feeling lost though. That is why I feel so strongly about the subject I wanted to share about tonight.

How can we teach our children to live Christlike, when there are so many worldly distractions around us? Whether you go shopping, church, a family event, watch a movie, listen to the radio, anything, our children are bombarded with negative influences that are truly scary sometimes and then other times pretty discreet, yet just as dangerous. It is so overwhelming to try and guide them successfully. This is such a broad subject too, so the point of this study is just to help us all be reminded and encouraged that it all begins with our hearts and relationship with the Lord.

Obviously, the most important and effective way to teach and guide our children is by example. We simply can’t expect them to be saved and grow in the Lord by living a “do as I say, not as I do” lifestyle. This is where I wanted to link back to my testimony. If I had been taught standards to live up to, backed with scripture, and alternatives to temptation, would those years that I strayed have been different?

We hope to teach our children what, why, and how to live godly in this world. Give them a foundation of why this is important, backed with God’s Word, so they wont be lured by Satan so easily. Let’s read Ephesians 2:1-10 Does this apply to our lives? It does mine. Praise God that even though, in times past I walked according to the course of this world (vs. 2), “He is rich in mercy for His great love wherewith He loved us”. (vs.4) I am thankful for this truth each day, because I still need His mercy. We have to remember to live out these “good works” in verse 10 and we have to remember to do it from the heart. Let’s read Ephesians 6:6 “Not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;” So, the first thing I would say is to live by example and teach them about God’s mercy. This will show them why you want to please God and why you want to teach them to please Him as well.

Our children are little mirrors of us. I know we have all talked about this before. Sometimes we can laugh about it, but in reality it is very serious. When we see our ugly side come out in our children are we as burdened as we should be? We should pray that the Holy Spirit would break our hearts in this area and show us that we are laying their foundation! The things we were taught as children are areas we struggle with as adults, it will be the same with our children. They are going to look back on these areas and wish we had done things differently. I hate to think of them saying “If my Mama had taught me how to control my anger better(Eph.4:26),(Prov. 16:32)… or taught me to love others and not gossip…(Matt. 5:43-48),(Prov. 10:19; 16:28) or had been a better example as a wife and submitted and reverenced my Daddy (Eph. 5:22,33)…. or If Mama had only taught me more self-discipline…”(Prov.13:4),(Gal.5:22-23 temperance is self control). Now is the time to change our shortcomings and model for and disciple our children for success as Christians in their daily walk with our Lord. These were just a few examples of how to live by example and use scripture in teaching why you live the way you do.

We hear, “I can’t help it, that is just who I am.” this is just not acceptable. Eph. 4:22-24 tells us to put away who we think we are and be “renewed in the spirit of your mind.” We also hear “I am doing the best that I can…” Is this true? Are we truly doing the BEST that we can? Is He getting our best? I know I am not doing all I could, we have to rise above who we were and raise the bar of what we consider to be our best. Once our hearts are right and we truly begin seeking Him through prayer and study, we will do better than our best through Christ Jesus! 2 Cor. 12: 9 and 10 and 2 Cor. 10:3-5

Some scriptures to think on as you Mother.

Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Ephesians 6: 10- putting on the armour of God

Eph. 5:11,12 – we reprove the works of darkness as we teach our children why we don’t want to live this way.

Gal. 5:13-26 Fruits of the Spirit are a wonderful way to teach why we behave the way we do. I love teaching my children about roots, vine, branches, fruit……John 15:1-8 goes with this well.

Gal. 6:7-10 emphasis on 7,8. We will reap what we sow, lets be sure to sow to the Spirit!

Some ideas on how we can teach our children about godly living in everyday situations?

1. Live a godly example and be real to them, don’t expect from them what you don’t expect from yourself. If you want their speech to be kind and clean, study what God’s word says about this and live it. When they hear otherwise from the world they will ask why is this wrong and you will share the scripture of why you live the way you do. Ta-da… Point made and they will follow…

   If you want them to dress modestly and not desire the world’s way. Again, study, live it, and be real. When they come to you and ask, “why can’t I…..? You can say, I know you like this, I sometimes like things that I can’t wear, but the Bible says this….. and we are supposed to be lights as Christians, so we need to dress as a Christian and not the way the world does.

   If you want them to stand up and not crumble to peer pressure, you must do the same. Learn why you believe the things you do. Share it with them all the time and then they will know in their hearts. They will have the same values, and believe in them and live them, because they see you doing the same.

2. Don’t assume other children are bad and yours are angels. You will basically set yourself up to look naïve and be very disappointed. My kids have done things that are totally humiliating and disappointing to me. I think this is one way God uses to keep me humble. We, with wisdom, will limit their visiting with known trouble makers. But, know that it is in our nature to be sinful and they are going to at some point be a bad example to someone. If we realize this, we can just roll with it, correct them, teach why we don’t, and show them this is why we need Jesus so badly. When you see that they have in fact picked up something from a friend that you don’t really approve of, delicately teach them why we don’t feel this is appropriate for our family, without being judgmental about the other child. So many times, if we were in their shoes, we would see it differently and have a better attitude.

3. Make sure we have like minded families to be with and have fun activities, so they wont feel like they are in a whirlpool of boredom. But, even then, they are going to always be exposed to something you don’t like. Everyone is different. We have to show them that sometimes different is not always wrong, its just different. (If it is trivial)

4. Teach them to choose differently to please God, not man. Trying to please us will work for a time, but one day, they aren’t going to care as much about our opinion, but they will respect God and desire to please HIM.

5. Pray for them! Teach them what Satan desires to do to them and let them know that you are praying for them.

I enjoyed studying this out for us tonight. Hope it helps you in your walk with the Lord. Love you. Audrey Archie

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17. March 2009 by admin.

          O.k., I was getting a little whiny about the kids coming down with pink eye.  Then the verse about giving thanks in everything came to my heart.  I was reminded this time as I started on the wrong path, so it wasn’t that hard to step back and get back on the right one!  :)  I started looking around at some of my favorite passages looking for that verse and nearly everything I saw was gently reminding me of the importance of a thankful spirit and not grumbling.
           Girls, I have been sort of empty lately. (PMS)  My hormones are wacky and it makes me struggle to get things done, be patient, not to be lazy….. the list goes on too long, why bore you.  I am being dealt with by the Holy Spirit continually, I am thankful for that, but I haven’t been where I need to be.  So, I am going to share some scriptures that are encouraging me today and then I am going to get off of this computer and make the best of a disappointing situation.  It will be more pleasing to the Lord this way and I might realize that I am being slowed down for a reason……. hmmm?  We were going to be really busy this week, maybe we don’t need to be so busy.  Home is a wonderful place to be! 

1Thess. 5:18  “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

Philippians 2:14,15  “Do all things without murmurings and disputings:  That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.”

Ephesians 5:19,20  “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;”

These two speak volumes to me about my attitude with my family and my conversations with others.

Ephesians 4:29-32 I am going to type only verse 29 .  “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”

Isaiah 43:7  “Even every one that is called by my name: for  I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.”  

         So, today, I hope, I will be more gentle, content, and spend more time loving my children instead of worrying about this silly house.  I pray that through Christ’s strength I can speak things that edify and bring HIM Glory.  I heard this from Cindy Carrier (Values driven Family)  I can’t find where I wrote it down exactly, so this is not a strict quote.  She was going through a tough time as a Mother and said she realized she had been “managing instead of ministering” to her children.  I am so bad to do this.  So, today, lets minister to their precious, moldable hearts.  I hope to do this today as I wipe gunk from eyes, just as the Lord has opened my eyes to the gunk in my life.  Love  to all.  Audrey

Phillipians 4:13 ” I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
2 Cor. 12:9, 10  only parts of it.  “…..My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness……… for when I am weak , then am I strong.”  The rest is very important, I just need to hurry.

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24. February 2009 by admin.

I have been wanting to share some of our life.  So, I am going to tell of a few random happenings that were hilarious to us.  Hopefully  you may find them a little funny.

Ethan has been on a roll lately I guess.  The other day we were studying about how our bones need minerals and milk is a good source for them.  He left the room, I guess he decided his body was crying out for a glass of milk.  He came in a couple of minutes later with a grossed out look on his face and said “Mama, I think I got the wrong kind of milk!”  He had poured himself a nice glass of buttermilk.  They were all really grossed out when I told them Maw Maw likes to drink buttermilk with cornbread!  ooohhh yuk!

Here goes Ethan again!  I’m not sure what boys do in the shower, but it evidently is not what girls do!  A couple of cold days ago he fell into the creek while trying to cross over.  It isn’t deep, but he came to the door soaked, rubber boots full of water, and cold to the bone!  I helped him strip down and get in a warm shower.  When he got out of the shower he asked “Mama is today church day?”  I told him no, not tonight.  He then said with a raised and regretful voice, “Awww Man, I used soap!”  ???????  BOYS  ???????

If you have looked on our pictures or on the recipe page, you will notice we like to bake cookies.   A few nights ago, Lydia decided it would be nice to bake some to surprise Daddy and the boys when they got home from the shop.  We got busy, and when I had the wet ingredients ready to be blended with the dry, I casually mentioned to the girls, “Let’s just mix this stuff together and we can throw these babies in the oven.”  Lydia looked up, with a sad and alarmed look on her face and said, “No, Mama, you can’t throw them in the oven!”  I assured her that I was referring to cookies and not the twins!

Several years back Jason and my friend from high school, Mahala, nicknamed me “Audra Jean”.  Long story.  This is where my email address came from (Jason set up my account for me).  Now, he often refers to me as “Jean”.  SO, since he says this so often without thinking, numerous people have begun calling me Audrajean.  His uncle even thought it was my real name, as I am sure many do.  I was shocked the other day when the boys and I were talking of their names and who they are named after.  They love hearing the stories.  Then they asked me my name.  When I told them Audrey Rachelle Welch Archie, Bryson said with a puzzled look, I thought your name was Audrey Jean Archie?  They all agreed, I really think that they thought I was confused!  I then tried to convince them of my true name and told them the story of how I received my nickname.  Which of course was very welcome, because through this whole conversation they were keeping me distracted from doing school!

O.k., just in case anyone is wondering, the picture of the twins in the refrigerator is not a hazard!!!!!  We do not let them get into the fridge all of the time or any other suffocating situations.  I was standing in the kitchen with them.  They are forever pushing stools and chairs around the house so that they can reach things in high places.  I discourage it, of course, but all of my children have been climbers.  So, considering these are my fifth and sixth children, it is nothing new to remove little ones from high points.  Back to Ella inside the refrigerator.  I heard them clattering around (they saw Ethan getting something to drink and while his back and my back was turned they quickly went to work.)  I knew he could handle them, so I just mentioned to him to get them down while I cooked.  He said “Mama! Look at these girls!”  When I looked and saw that they were not just standing on the stool plundering, but Ella had climbed inside and was grinning, I said, “Quick! Get the camera!”  I knew I had waited way too long to go to the grocery store if there was room for a toddler in the fridge.

I have mentioned all of my children except for Dylan.  I assure you its not because he is overlooked.  He is such a nut,  his whole demeanor is entertaining.  One of the cute things he has done lately is for a couple days there he had a song stuck in his head.  Not “Jesus loves me” or “Are you washed in the blood”, no, he was going around singing over and over, with much feeling……” Every girls crazy ’bout a sharp dressed man….”  that is the only part he knew, so we heard that phrase many times!  Goofball!

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1. February 2009 by admin.

I just love Saturdays!  We have the most productive days when Daddy is home.  This particular Saturday was no exception.  We began with a home-cooked meal of pancakes, eggs, and bacon.  Yummy!  Jason is my pancake man.  He found the best recipe for pancakes on the Internet.  I will share it in the recipes section.  Now, we aren’t eating pancakes from a mix.  I hate eating things that are made from ingredients that I can’t even pronounce!  It can’t be healthy for my family.  Speaking of healthy, ha, I fried the bacon and scrambled the eggs, and got the SYRUP out for the pancakes.  I pick and choose my health issues.  I like homemade foods that aren’t overly processed usually, but I am all into the sugar,  one day I guess I will find a better way for that part.  Right now though, life without sugar, seems really HARSH! 

 I was really glad my Daddy-in-law was able to join us for breakfast.  He is a really wonderful man, I’m so glad that my husband is best friends with his Dad.   He’s a great example and full of wisdom. 

Jason and his Dad were able to get a lot of firewood for us today and began building some fence. The boys were working along side of them, so they are being trained well in the art of being a man.  We must realize that today’s problem of men not being men is largely due to them not having a strong bond with a “manly” man while growing up.  We are trying hard to train our boys to be men.  Jason has them with him every chance he has.  He doesn’t allow them to stay home playing games, or even helping Mama for that matter.  They definitely have their housework chores, but that is usually done when he is working and can’t be with them or at night when they return home from working or building or hunting or playing or whatever testosterone filled project is at hand.  This is going a long way for them.  We can see our boys have grown through times of fears and lack of confidence already at their young ages.  If their Dad had not been an active part in this growth I would hate to know how it could have affected them.  He has assured them,  prayed for them, and even pushed them through with sternness when necessary.  Mothers don’t always have the discernment to know how to handle these situations.  I tended to want to sit them down and talk with them, pray, comfort.  Dad knew that this was in a way encouraging negative behaviour.  He instead talked it out and then made them face their fears.  The results have been more confident young men.  I am so glad for God’s design and for a godly husband who loves his children.  We were also able to have 13 year old, cousin Anna, over today.  She is a really sweet example for my girls and takes up a lot of time with them.  She also doesn’t mind jumping in and helping around in the house where she sees a need.  She will not know how helpful and what a blessing that is to me, until she needs the same helping hand someday.  I am going to bed now, because tomorrow is another day I love.   The Lord’s Day!  We always go to God’s house and get recharged for the week ahead on Sunday.  I praise God we are still able to freely worship HIM  in this country. 

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