This is an interesting year in the film industry. I have heard it referred to as "the year of religious-themed movies." 

I am not the kind of person who goes out to see movies every week for reasons that you could easily guess. One of those reasons is the fact that I am particular about my film choices. I usually listen to what other Christian people have to say - even checking the opinion of Focus on the Family on their media review site pluggedin.com.

As a believer, I agree with the idea of "voting at the box office" to encourage the making of more family-friendly films (though I rarely am able to actually do this). But I also believe in the very opposite - to vote at the box office by NOT attending those films which are in opposition to everything connected with Christ. I rarely have trouble differentiating between the two and making a decision.

But the movie Noah has me stumped.

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I am well aware of the controversy surrounding this film.

One day as I listened to the Christian radio station, I heard a group of people discussing this movie. One of them said that the movie's producer had visited a pastor's convention and had shared how he felt that the movie would be true to the Biblical story. This pastor was not opposed to seeing it, nor was he inclined to discourage his congregation from watching. A woman mentioned how she had seen Jesus Christ Superstar as a young, unsaved woman and that movie, strange depiction of the Saviour though it was, opened the way in her heart to find the real Saviour.

It reminded me that God really can use anything to bring people to Him.

IN THE SAME DAY, I heard Ray Comfort discussing the reasons why Christians should NOT be inclined to see the movie.

Normally, this would not affect me, since we rarely attend movies, but the Noah movie showed up on the list of possible things for our church youth to attend, so I began to wonder whether I should allow my children to see it.

Some of the points of contention over this movie have been the obvious omission of God from the entire story (!) and the fact that the purpose of the flood has been changed from the judgment of said righteous God on the wickedness and depravity of humanity, to a resulting consequence of mismanagement of the environment.

My typical reaction would be to steer clear, but there has been one nagging thought in the back of my mind.

One of the objections to this movie had to do with the fact that this is the way in which many people (especially Christians) get their theology so muddled!

We have become such a lazy society, so concerned with what people think of us, so enamored with ease and comfort, that we have allowed our theology to be shaped and formed by popular culture rather than truth. We do not put any effort into finding the truth, living in truth or defending the truth!

My husband and I are committed to teaching our children HOW to "be in the world, but not of it." I am more terrified of the alternative since I have seen so many families shelter their children from the world so entirely throughout their childhood, that when they do go out into this big, scary world, they are either completely unprepared, or they easily succumb to temptation and go full-tilt into a life of evil.

So this is what I have decided to do. We will "vote at the box-office" by NOT seeing the movie when it is out in theaters, but I WILL allow my children to see it later on television - with one caveat:

That they first seek out the truth.

My Mom always told me that when bankers teach their tellers about counterfeit currency, they do not show them all of the known versions of the counterfeit, they show them the real thing. They are expected to familiarize themselves completely with legitimate currency - - how it feels, how it looks, how it smells...  so that when something illegitimate passes through their hands, they can tell the difference.

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Think about how differently you view a movie made from a book you have read. If the producers stay very close to the original story and seem to depict it accurately, you are delighted (like the A&E version of Pride and Prejudice). But if they take too many creative liberties or veer off from the story line (like the Disney/Walden version of Prince Caspian), your stomach tightens and you find yourself correcting the movie. Out loud. To the dismay of everyone else in the room. (Am I the only one who does this?)

That is the reaction that I want my children to have. I want them to be so familiar with the truth that they can spot a lie a mile away.

How will I go about doing this?

By handing them The Book, then going back to middle school English class and asking the pertinent questions:

Who?
What?
Why?
When?
Where?
How?

I want them to know who so that they will spot the fact that God (a KEY player) has been omitted.

I want them to know why so they will not think that all of this "global warming" is going to produce a similar event - they will know that the great flood was a judgment of God on the wickedness of mankind.

I want them to know how so that they will see that, in His mercy and grace, God made a way of salvation for anyone who would believe and enter into that ark - just as He did for you and me through Jesus Christ who said, "I am the door, if anyone enters by ME, he will be saved." John 10:9

Maybe you, your children, or someone else that you know is planning to see the movie. If so, take a moment to familiarize yourself with the true facts of the story so that you will be prepared. It could be an excellent teachable moment, an interesting Bible study, or it could simply equip you to have an informed conversation with a co-worker or friend.

For a printable "cheat sheet" of these questions and answers, click here.

...And if you like to see a movies in the theaters, "vote at the box-office" with movies like Son of God and  God is not Dead.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord or fully declare His praise? Psa. 106:1-2

It's not happy people who are thankful, it is Thankful people who are happy! Are you happy? Then show it through your thankfulness. Joni Brummel

Using some cardstock and the same craft paper, I also made a few center piece cards with quotes and verses about giving thanks.

He who thanks with the lips thanks but in part; the full, the true Thanksgiving comes from the heart. J.A. Shedd

Fold the cardstock in half and decorate both sides so that folks can read those important words from either side of the table. This could even be done as a cube with all four sides decorated.I am planning to add to these each year.

Give thanks in all curcumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

What traditions do YOU have for giving thanks on Thanksgiving?

"These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children..." *

Children feel that desperate need for Jesus, too! Last week, as I was writing How to Saturate your day with the Word of God, I had a lot of ideas for children as well - - enough for an entire post of their own!


My mom often reminds me about her friend who intentionally plays inspirational music as her children get ready for school because she wants those words stuck in their heads all day.








There is even plenty to choose from for very young children, too. We have loved using the Praise Baby collection with our children. They come in both CDs and DVDs. (TV viewing is not recommended for children under age 2.)

"...Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up..." *

This can be one of the easiest ways to "fit it in" to our children's lives - - in normal conversations with our children on any subject! My mother did this with us, so it has come very naturally to me, but this is a skill that can be developed. Doing this works so well  because "the Word of God is living and powerful... and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12) so that makes it relevant to our every day lives!


Sometimes it can seem really hard to find the right time to do "formal" teaching, but recently I was encouraged in this by one of my favorite authors who wrote about how words of scripture are the dessert at every meal in the home of her husband's family - and now in hers, too. (If you only click on one link in this article, make it THIS one!) I have always made some kind of effort to read scripture to my kids, but have always found it difficult to fit it in. I found myself reading several chapters at a time, testing the patience of my children. After reading Ann's story, I realized that a few verses each day was a better choice, and have discovered that if I get the kids up a few minutes early, we can sit together and read the scripture at breakfast.

"...Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates..." *

A few years ago I researched Biblical costumes for a Passion Play that my husband wrote and directed in our church, and I was fascinated to learn that the Pharisees took this verse so literally, that they actually tied little pouches to their foreheads and kept verses in them! I am not suggesting that we write verses on our children's foreheads with magic marker, but keeping scripture before their eyes is really important. Implanting it inside their heads is even more important.


“Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16)

• Get dishes with scripture painted on them (or make some yourself with glass dishes and special paint that adheres to the dishes when placed in the oven). I was thrilled to find coffee cups with scripture on them to give as gifts at Christmas time. They were well received. What a practical, simple way to start the day off right!

• When I was in high school we visited my Aunt and Uncle in Colorado and I learned that my Aunt gets her quiet time in while she is getting ready for work. She told me that she figured out that she remembered the scripture so much better if she heard it rather than reading it – so she bought "Books on tape" of scripture being read out loud and would listen to them while applying makeup and getting dressed each morning.

• My mother in law keeps scripture out all day in the form of an inspirational flip calendar. She keeps it in the bathroom where everyone will see the verse or passage. On occasion, she will ask if you read the verse. (Yes! Yes I have!)

• I love to listen to worship music throughout the day as I do my work. I feel that my life is characterized by re-work - - chores that must be done over and over again ad nauseum. I have found that it is hard to feel sorry for oneself, or even to get bogged down in the tedium of it all when you are feeling inspired by wonderful worshipful music. Get passages of scripture set to music, hymns, or modern worship music. My favorites include Micheal Card and  the Brooklyn Tabernacle choir for good doctrinally-sound, worshipful music. Exercise is not even terrible with Hymns in the House!

• For as long as I can remember, my mom has had 3x5 cards with scripture hand-written on them taped above the kitchen sink. What better way to absorb it than when you are chained to the kitchen sink? I had a conversation with her years ago after she read,

"These commandments that I give you today 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 the door frames of your houses and on your gates. When the LORD your God brings you into... a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant--then when you eat and are satisfied, be careful that you do not forget the LORD..." from Deuteronomy 6:6-13

• My next door neighbor was in a Bible study and read that same passage of scripture. She took it literally and painted scripture on her walls! Of course, she is a professional artist so it was lovely. I don't know that I could do so well, so I was excited to discover Quote the Walls where you can find wall decals like these.

• If you have a large family like I do, you may find that your husband or children (or you!) disappear into the bathroom for a few moments (or an hour) of peace and quiet. What better way to sneak in some Bible time? It beats reading the labels on the shampoo bottles! Stock the bathroom with paperback devotionals, an inexpensive Bible, even Christian magazines.

You are a stay-at-home mom. "A noble occupation!" you say out-loud as you drive home, startling yourself as your sharp comment breaks the silence.

Yes it is!

But have you ever thought of Homemaking as a job? Over the years I have encountered many women who stay home with their children and have been surprised how many of them think of it as only that - staying home.

I have been thinking about this for a week or so - ever since I read what one woman wrote about why she does not facebook. She said that she is such a social person that it would consume large amounts of her time. Time that is better spent in her home. She said, "I know working mothers who are better homemakers than stay-at-home moms because when they get home, they are fully engaged."

Shocking, but true. I know some my self. Sometimes I AM one of those dis-engaged women. I have had to learn to see this as a real job and, from time to time, I have had to remind myself to be more professional about it.

I thought about some of the "rules" that would keep a person from getting fired at any other job and wondered how much better our homes would run if the concepts were applied to this job as well!

So. For those of you who consider yourselves Professional Homemakers...



Get up in a timely fashion. Just because you don't have to get up, does not mean that you should not get up early! I find that I can accomplish the most in the morning. By the afternoon I feel sleepy and have to make a point of pushing on until I stop feeling tired. By the time I get all six (or seven) children to bed, I am wiped out. Any intentions that I had to get more done, fly out the window.

I also have to force myself to go to bed instead of vegging in the evening, because it does not help to stay up late and start off the next morning tired. Get the rest you need to do your job well!
 If you are not a morning person, you still have a job to do! My husband does not like to be spoken to first thing in the morning and he cannot eat when he first wakes up. He does not want me to get up and make him breakfast! He gets up a little bit early just so that he can get a cup of coffee and watch the news for a 1/2 hour before getting dressed for work. By the time he gets there, he is able to face other people.

You might also need to get up a little bit earlier so that you can face your family and your job in the morning.

Schedule one day each week to sleep in. Snuggle, take it slow, savor the warmth of the comforter and hubby's precious snoring. Welcome the kids into the bed for some cuddle time, too. Or lock the door and enjoy a few moments with just hubby. Having one day each week to savor the moment will make it more special, and give you something to look forward to without sliding into a lifestyle of laziness and lack of prodictivity.

2. Dress the part.





3. Do your job.

Start out by getting Organized. (See Organize Your Day {the Mary and Martha Way})

Tithe your time. (Spend some time with the Lord.)

Make a schedule that works for you and your family - and stick to it!

Make a (realistic) list of the things that you need to accomplish, and set out to do them. As you complete each task, cross it off and savor that sense of satisfaction! Remember to factor in interruptions and spur-of-the-moment needs of your small children. Get back to your tasks as soon as you can or, if needed on a particular day, scrap it and start fresh tomorrow!

4. Don't do personal things on company time.

You don't have someone else restricting your time - you have to do it for yourself.

Schedule those things in at nap time or while you are nursing your infant. Set a timer. Stop when your time is up - don't "give your-self permission" to do what you know is not right because then it becomes sin. Think of these "me-time" things as "break-time," or do it for a little while in the evening after you "Clock Out" - (just don't stay up too late and miss out on sleep time or hubby time).


5. Go above and beyond.

This is one area in which my husband excels. He really knows how to see what needs to be done and do it without being asked. He hates being bored at work so he will organize shelves and drawers in common areas, clean things, or invent projects for himself to do during slack times. Last year, he wrote a "procedure manual" for his entire department. His boss was amazed and asked him when he had found the time to do such a large (and much-needed) project. He had simply squeezed it in during all of his spare moments.

As Homemakers, we often feel like our jobs are plagued by re-work. We wash the clothes - and the next week we wash the same clothes. We vacuum the carpet,  and the next day we vacuum the same carpet. We wash the dishes, and three hours later we wash the same dishes... It can become easy to dream about a different job - one with exciting new tasks around every corner - and hard to remember that most jobs are one kind of re-work or another. So change that Stinkin' Thinkin' and remember "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
1 Thessalonians 5:18

One way to spice it up is to occasionally do something that will stay done so that months later you can point to it and say "I painted that wall, I sewed that dress, I made that afghan, I took that picture (and framed it and hung it)..."

Look for those extra things that need to be done and do them.

But...

If you are the mother of a newborn, caring for an elderly parent, shuffling a dozen kids to sports and music lessons.... If you are sleep-deprived and holding on by a thread? Find things to NOT do. It might be on your list. You might want to do it. But maybe it simply does not need to be done - or at least not right now, or today, or this week. You do not have to make home-made cinnamon rolls, you can pick some up at the market. You don't have to re-paint that room, just put out a fresh vase of flowers.

You might need to practice some "responsible procrastination."

6. Seek to please your Clientele!
"Who's that?" you ask.

Why, your family, of course!

Don't think of your husband as a "boss," think of him as a client. Pay attention to what he likes. Sometimes he won't really say it, but that does not mean that you don't know..

I heard someone on the radio say that if you pay attention to what people complain about, you can find out what is important to them.

Listen.

Does he complain about the hasitly prepared TV dinners, the untidiness of the bedroom, or how the dishes never quite seem to be done? AHA! You have just discovered what he values! Now start trying to please your most important client!

So, professional homemaker, what about you?

Are you simply "staying home"? Or are you "Making Home"?


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Olivia and a friend coloring in our last kitchen.

Before- a poor arrangement and avocado walls. Yikes!

I currently have a tiny kitchen with little cupboard or counter top space AND no room for the table (but the rest of the house meets our needs very well, so it is worth the inconvenience!).




Now - a better arrangement and navy walls to display my Blue Delft

 




Another view - the other side of the room




Aunt Katie and Claire cookin' it up!

3. Prioritize your priorities.

This is the time to personalize YOUR kitchen.

The most coveted space in the kitchen is a spot with a large section of counter top space and a large cupboard/storage area. THIS is your work station.

* If you are a baker, keep your mixing bowls, hand held mixer, counter top mixer, measuring cups and spoons, sifter, rolling pins, etc. in this area. You may even want to store your flour, baking powder/soda, sugar and other baking ingredients here if you have the storage space. That way, your most - used items will always be at your finger tips.

* If you are more of a chef, priority will be given to your stove top cooking items such as cutting boards and knives, vegetable peelers, and spices and seasonings. Keep these things in easy reach for prep times without delays.

* If you don't have the time to cook or interest in cooking and prefer to have ready-made or easy-to-prepare meals, this is still your work space, but your cupboards will be stocked with pantry items and the things that you need to prepare these easy meals such as salad/ mixing bowls, scissors, stirring/ serving utensils, etc.

This is YOUR kitchen. Set it up for YOUR convenience.

When my sister in law moved into her first home, a dear friend helped her unpack and set up her kitchen. After living in the house for a year, she decided that it would work better to store some little-used items in her walk in pantry on the other side of the dining room, and have her food items in the kitchen cupboard where they would be more easily accessible. So she made the switch!


4. Think it through.

I love it when am helping in someone else's kitchen and I can find everything I need because it is where I expect it to be.

 Look at your kitchen logically. What makes sense?

* Store pots and pans, stirring utensils, and pot holders near the stove.

* Put plates, bowls and drinking glasses in a cupboard near the sink/dishwasher or the table that you use for family meals. Even better if that cupboard is convenient to both!


5. Other bits of advice.

* Keep similar items together. For example: don't put dishes and food items in the same cupboard.

* Store little-used items in harder to reach places and most-used items in easy to reach places.

I have a very deep lower cupboard where I keep my cake pans, waffle iron, crock pot, and other things that I do not use every day. I may have to stand on my head to reach them when I do need them, but at least the things that I use the most are in easy-to-reach places.
* It can be very frustrating to work in your kitchen when you have to search for an item because it does not have it's own place. Place labels on the shelves or inside the cupboard doors for the things that belong there. This is particularly useful if you have children who help in the kitchen. You do not have to go out and buy labels, simply print or type words such as "plates," "glasses," "cereal," and "pans" on a piece of paper, cut them out, and tape them where you need them. (I did this with my light switch and garbage disposal switch so that I would not mix them up!)

* Control "junk" drawers with dividers. If you cannot afford to buy them, use other things like small plastic food storage containers or cardboard strips.

I cannot promise you the kitchen of your dreams, but if you try these things, I CAN promise that working in your kitchen will be much more efficient!

Happy cooking!

"Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is."
Ephesians 5:15-17

What does it mean to make the most of every opportunity because the days are evil?

Our TIME is under attack.

Satan is vying for our time and attention. He knows that if he can keep us busy and distracted and wasting time, then we are not effective as Christians. Every time that we say, "I don't have time to read God's word or teach it to my children, I have too much to do today." we are making a choice on who wins the battle over our time. Our days are becoming fewer - our children are growing and will soon be out of our homes. Our moments for sharing Christ with our neighbors, for reaching out to those in need... are slowly disappearing.
What will we devote our time to? Will we choose God's will, or waste our opportunities?

I have worked out a little formula for making the most of our time.

This is advice that I also have to choose to follow or discard each day - and my day proves which choice was made! God, help me to make the wise choice!


1. Tithe Your Time.

I know that it sounds funny to use the word "tithe" when talking about the home because it is typically a word we associate with money, but the principle of tithing works with our time as well. There is something "magical" about the way that God blesses the remainder of what is first offered to Him. If you have tried tithing in your finances, you were undoubtedly amazed to discover how many times that the money "stretched" to meet your needs. There is no logical explanation - it is nothing more or less than God's blessing.

The same thing happens when you give Him the first of your time - it is equally amazing what you can accomplish in a day. I believe that there are two reasons for this. The first is obviously the fact that God blesses your day. The second is more practical - when you spend time in the word, you calm your spirit and focus on God. As you pray and commit your day to Him and ask Him to reveal His will for you that day, He brings His priorities to the front of your mind.

There have been days that I felt I had too much to do to sit and "read" and I was flustered and frustrated all day. I am learning that when I have a lot to do, this is the one thing that I cannot go with out - I must sit and focus my day with prayer - then I can accomplish all that God has for me that day. (And my attitude toward my work is better for it, too!)

Try it!

Just like scripture recommends that we "test" God and see if He really will bless our offered money, test Him on your time, too, and see what He will help you to accomplish each day!


2. Make your own schedule.

I began to see the value in this when I started doing daycare in my home about seven years ago, then again when my son was diagnosed with ADD. The day simply goes more smoothly when there is a set routine and the children always know what comes next. It prevents discipline problems and growly tummies. It helps you to stay on track, get back on track when you've had an interruption, and accomplish the important tasks each day.

I know that some of you like to be spontaneous and may feel that a schedule limits your creativity or boxes your day in too much. I have heard the same reasons for why people do not like to budget their finances. However, the same principle applies in both situations: when you live within your means, it gives you more freedom to do the things that you want to do financially.When you budget your time, you are able to accomplish the necessary tasks and also allow time for creativity. You can even budget a whole day for work and a whole day for fun if you need to!

Your schedule is yours! Make it work for you. You can be as detailed (or flexible) as you would like. Be sure to include both the tasks and relational things that you hope to accomplish each day. For example, you may choose to specify when you will do laundry or plan the evening meal, but also include things like reading scripture or playing with your children.

3. Make a list.

Typically, I have the same tasks every day, but with six children plus daycare, you can imagine that I get many interruptions throughout the day. A list helps me to get back on track. After praying for God's priorities, think of specific things that must be done that day and write them down.  You do not have to write down things that are already in your schedule, but if you like to cross things off the list, feel free to include them. Write down phone calls that must be made, errands to run, and things that are specific to that day. If there are other things that you would like to do, but they are not urgent, add them to another list of things to do later that week. To make your tasks easier to see at a glance, you can divide your list into categories such as:
things to do today
things to do this week
calls to make
errands to run
etc.


4. Reign in time wasters.

Once I discovered the world wide web, I also discovered that Time would stand still in my mind as I linked into one blog after another or read post after post on facebook. Soon I would realize that it was very late at night, or my children were being "neglected," or my morning work was left undone. I had to learn to put my internet time on my schedule and stick to it. That also helped me to prioritize what I most wanted to do with my free time. Some days I read blogs, others I write my blog or do research for other things that I would like to write. Nap time is my time slot for these ventures because it limits my time,  and the children do not require my attention. Once the children are up, my computer time is over.

You may have a different time waster - reading books, talking on the telephone, or watching TV can be huge time wasters. If you are not accomplishing  all that you could each day, it may be time to re-evaluate how much time you devote to your particular type of time waster and ask God to show you how to reign it in to a reasonable amount of time so that you are free to do ALL of His will for you each day.


5. Sometimes interruptions are God's appointments.

"There is time every day to do the perfect will of God."
My Grandma Brush read this quote in Joyful Woman magazine many years ago. It has impacted her life dramatically. It reminds her to be on the lookout for God's will each day, and set out to do it.

I have had to remind myself of this when my day does not go as I have planned. No matter what schedule I have printed or list I have made - even if I have taken time to try to "hear" God's will for me that day - sometimes something will happen that is totally unexpected and I have to adjust my day around it.

Our suburban broke down at the mall and I had to sit and wait for three hours...

A friend called with a heavy heart and needed to talk out her troubles...

Several times this winter my baby got sick and just wanted to be held all day for several days. It was so hard to sit in the chair and watch the house fall into a shambles, but that is what I needed to do because that was God's will for me those days. (I wish that I'd remembered this in time to have a better attitude about it all along).

Seeking out God's spontaneous Will will also include opportunities to share Christ with  people. Maybe the cashier at the grocery store needs to hear a word from the Lord today and He planned for it to come from your lips. Perhaps today is the day that you need to spend time with a shut-in or make dinner for a friend who just got out of the hospital.

Just remember to keep looking for God's Will all throughout the day. Sometimes His plan will surprise you!


So...
Turn your day over to God.
Plan to accomplish much.
Allow God's plan to supersede yours.

THIS is how to make the most of every opportunity.