There are many things that get people passionate. We want to make a change but don’t know where to begin. One organization that I really like is Give A Goat. They believe that the solution to poverty is to provide the solution. They give goats and training to people in the Philippines. This solution gives them the ability to provide for their families on a continual basis. Sometimes all it takes is spreading the word about an issue for there to be change. As Christians we are called to serve, we are called to love and to reach out to those in need. This video is written and performed by David Bowden of Give A Goat. One goat can change so much in a person’s life. Let’s help make change… let’s spread the word!
Quotes from C.S. Lewis
C.S. Lewis is a famous author. Many of us have heard of his works and have either read the books or seen the more recent movie versions of Chronicles of Narnia. The experiences in his life brought him wisdom that he was able to put into words to share with the world. The quotes that I have picked from C.S. Lewis are about our faith, the reality of it, the truth and the fact that God is always with us!
“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”
“The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.”
“The great thing to remember is that though our feelings come and go God’s love for us does not.”
“Hardship often prepares an ordinary person for an extraordinary destiny.”
Guest Blog: Motherhood- A Learning Journey by Abbi Meadows
Today’s post features a guest blog, Abbi Meadows. She is a blogger and owner of BodSchool. It is always nice hearing stories from moms who are going through what you are going through or have been down that path before. Eli has become very independent and Abbi’s post about Baby-Led Weaning was very helpful! Enjoy..
From the moment a woman finds out she’s pregnant, she’s bombarded with decisions: Midwife or OB? Natural or epidural? Find out the gender or be surprised?
These questions are just a foreshadowing of the myriad questions a parent is faced with after Baby arrives: Cloth diapers or disposables? Bassinet, crib, or co-sleeper? Breastfed or formula? Should we ‘schedule’ Baby’s day? What do we call the grandparents? How are we going to discipline? Who do we trust to babysit?
I researched and read up on pregnancy as if it were my full-time job. I checked out library books by the dozen. I could quote the “Business of Being Born;” I knew statistics and the reasons I wanted to have a drug-free, natural birth; I adapted my workout regimen so I could keep exercising. By my second trimester, I felt like a pregnancy guru!
During my third trimester, I switched the focus of my reading to child-rearing books. And while knowledge is so important, researching cannot ever totally prepare you for actually BEING a parent. I realized this when my son, Beau, reached six months old– the magical age when babies are ‘approved’ to start solid foods.
In my maternal excitement, I gathered spoons and cute bibs and bowls and got ready to introduce my guy to the joy of mushed bananas! I even had a recipe book, tools, and plans to make all of his food myself. And then? He adamantly refused to be spoon-fed. WHAT?! All the books say he’s the right age! I spent time mashing up all this food! Is something wrong? Why doesn’t he like it?! What do I do now?
Luckily, I have many wise friends who have walked before me on the Mother road. One told me about “Baby-Led Weaning” and I found this book, and this site, Baby-Led Weaning Blog, and I just knew this approach would fit Beau perfectly.
Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) isn’t very mainstream, and because of that, it’s often misunderstood. Even I had my reservations about trying it out, and I was desperate. Rapley’s book explains the principles behind the method in such a way that my world was rocked! I originally thought there was only one way–the Gerber way…You mean not everyone feeds their babies the same things at the same age in the same way?! Whoa!
So we switched our method.
In following the BLW approach, so much has changed as a result. My son is an adventurous eater. There isn’t a power struggle to get him to take “one more bite.” My husband and I eat even better because we don’t want to be hypocrites and eat foods we won’t allow Beau to eat. I only have to prep one meal at each mealtime. Less food is wasted. Beau’s meals come from whole foods and fresh produce, not boxes and jars. When we travel, we don’t have to pack special baby food. Beau is learning independence, hand-eye coordination, textures, colors, and flavors…and Mama is learning a lot, too. There are many, many more benefits to BLW, but you’ll just have to read the book. 
As parents, it’s our job to be the expert on WHO our baby is. Whether it’s feeding or sleeping or daily routines, sometimes the “normal” way of doing things doesn’t work for our particular child(ren) and as the parents, we have to find a solution that does work. This is where all that research comes in handy!
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Worship Song Friday: He Reigns by Newsboys
“Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious.” Psalm 66:2 (NIV)
It’s Friday and that means… worship songs! This song is an older one and the band isn’t even the same people anymore, but it doesn’t make it any less wonderful! I loved this song when it first came out and I still love it today. As God’s children, I am sure it is the most beautiful thing for Him to hear us join together worshiping Him! He is worthy of all our praise, He reigns!
He Reigns by Newsboys
It’s the song of the redeemed
Rising from the African plain
It’s the song of the forgiven
Drowning out the Amazon rain
The song of Asian believers
Filled with God’s holy fire
It’s every tribe, every tongue, every nation
A love song born of a grateful choir
It’s all God’s children singing
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns
It’s all God’s children singing
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns
Let it rise about the four winds
Caught up in the heavenly sound
Let praises echo from the towers of cathedrals
To the faithful gathered underground
Of all the songs sung from the dawn of creation
Some were meant to persist
Of all the bells rung from a thousand steeples
None rings truer than this
And all the powers of darkness
Tremble at what they’ve just heard
‘Cause all the powers of darkness
Can’t drown out a single word
When all God’s children sing out
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns
All God’s people singing
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns
Provision: Let It Rain
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
“He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills.” Psalm 147:8 (NIV)
This has been a very dry, very hot summer. Little rain in sight. Today is a beautiful day… thunderstorms and a high of 93… not 100! Wow! Who would have seen this coming? It might sound a little cliché to say that God saw it coming, but He did! He knew that we had to have a break from the dreaded heat and desperately needed the rain. So… He provided! It really doesn’t matter what it is that we need, He knows and He provides! It really is as simple as that, yet I know I don’t always remember. It is so easy for me to try to carry things on my own and not wait for Him. This is exactly how God did not intend for it to be. He is the only one who not only knows what I need but knows it better than I do… and He can provide it as well. As moms we know the needs of our children better than they do and so we care for them. It’s the same thing with God. My son never has to worry about his needs, they will always be met, just as we do not need to worry either… our needs will always be met! Today as it rains, I am thankful for His constant ability to provide for me!
