Sleuth Detectives~Making Memories With Our Sons

In our series called "Making Memories With Our Sons", it is important to create opportunities and participate in manly activities as a family. This encourages development of masculine sons with the same fervant support of femininity for daughters. Boys love detective type play and we thought it would be great fun to take our son to a "Sleuth Dinner Show". We want our son to enjoy being a boy and though he loves the lessons learned by Mr. Knightly and Mr. Roger Hamley of Jane Austin's Era, he equally enjoys rolling up his sleeves and digging deeper in other wholesome genre's too. This is part of being a balanced boy and I love supporting anything that makes him all he is to be as a complete man.

In addition, we love his cowboy hats, roughing it in the mountains in his Daniel Boone getup and anything outdoorsy.

The "Art of Play" makes the man

How we direct our boys needs to be well thought out and carefully considered. First and foremost is to teach our sons to love God's word, hiding scripture deep within their hearts and embrace the principles that will bless their lives and future families. One concern I have had regarding the training of ones son, is how many young men learn their academia but miss the important aspect that brings a boy into full manhood. If we look to scripture we see the "David's" and "Solomon's" of the bible were not just sitting with tablets in hand. These were boys who loved God and spent time in the fields learning what real manhood was all about. They were strong, ruddy young men with qualities of balance both internally and externally. Look at your boys, see if they need to get out into the fresh air for some body building, tree climbing and tree felling skills. Mothers, ask yourself if your sons are being developed in equal proportion with their mind, body and spirit?

If sons grow up with only computers, television and couch potato training, they will never understand the world of a well balanced man. They need to get out, work in wholesome masculine building skills and develop creative problem solving abilities. I believe it was the famous Captain Cook who said he learned all he needed to know in leading men in battles by what he played in his own back yard.

This particular video was from a recent trip down South. Our son has been studying logic in his home-education and this game really made it fun for him. As we travel, we want our son to experience what he is reading and have a hands on education. We took a cross country train trip and the practical, experiential knowledge our son gained was invaluable. This particular evening was a pure delight as we played a deductive reasoning "Live Clue Game". For those of you who enjoy board games, this was great fun figuring out "Who done it!".

All the characters came to life and our son was asked to play a cameo role in the entertainment. This was his first acting debut with his new friend Jordan from Texas. These two had a wonderful time together on stage and their gypsy presence enthralled the audience. These two young men threw us off kilter as we tried to figure out the suspects. Samuel and Jordan were the

"Sleuth Detectives!"

Highland Tea-"Making Memories With Our Sons"

In my ongoing series, "Making Memories With Our Sons", I wanted to include a very important aspect of training these valiant lads. Boys need to become strong, godly, masculine men and yet there is often a missing element in their education. A son’s training needs to include but is not limited to the teaching of godliness, masculinity, outdoor skills, "how to" be protectors, providers and leaders in all aspects of life. These are valuable qualities indeed which can take on many forms to implement. There is one element of education that is often overlooked which is greatly needed for the fully trained young man.

It is that of being a real “Gentleman”

We educators need to help our sons establish manners, deference for women and children first, handling themselves in various settings with grace, decorum, especially in environments which call for excellence. This teaching must include the careful provisions for males by encouraging them to rise up to their calling as men.

Every time I visit my good friends on the coast, we have a special "High Tea" together. I mentioned the importance of sons learning this art, including manners and how to handle themselves on such occasions to my good friend Lady Lydia. While speaking together, the wheels of inspiration took off again. That is God’s gift of our friendship. We have such a creative, collaboration of ideas and our families work very well together which makes it a sheer joy every time we meet.

Our friends the Sherman’s and Humphrey’s decided to hold a Scottish Highland High Tea for our young masters, which our families joined together for a day of hearty, happy celebration. This was a carefully thought out time in which our sons were trained in the art of “Highland Traditions” and the “Men of Old”. Our theme transported us back in time to the hearty men who spent their days up in the Highlands with great physical exertion searching for game and daily labor. They came down exhausted and famished, to a hearty tea which was a heavy meal of meats including many delights that refreshed these brawny men, strengthening their ruddy constitutions.

Our boys were given special names of honor for the occasion and learned about the history of these amazing men. The tea was a delightful feast and we all partook in the bounty.

With Trumphets and Fanfare

~Announcing~

Samuel Duke of S.P., Sir Isaac Earl of J. C., Sir John Paul and Sir Joseph of the Clan of Humphrey

Samuel Duke of S.P. sends a very special "Thank You" to Mrs. Humphrey for your creative inspiration and Mrs. Sherman for your excellence in taste of our Highland High Tea.

Afterwards these boonfellows put on their gear and played their outdoor games!



What a joy and delight to raise sons who can roll up their sleeves, get dirty and also become great gentlemen all in the same day!

Ruling Authority

A young man accidently killed his bride of three months while playing a dangerous game as Reported by a Nebraska Court.

This dear young man made a terrible mistake. He and his wife had a wonderful day of skeet shooting than shortly after cleaning his gun, he accidentally shot her. He was playing a game called "intruder" in his apartment. He said that he cleaned his gun and reloaded it, than began to play a game that he and his wife many times had played before. He walked out into the kitchen as she was standing by the sink washing dishes. She pretended to hold up a gun with her fingers to shoot and he pointed his gun at her and shot. The only problem was, he had forgotten he just loaded it minutes before.

Gun safety laws clearly state not to point a gun at any object you do not intend to shoot. Obeying the authority of the laws of the land, are set for our protection and the safety of others. This young man had just taken "gun safety" training the week before he shot his wife and he was clearly warned not to do what he did. Had he followed the basic rudiments of his safety course and the protective authority behind these laws, his wife would be alive today. This training was fresh in his mind, it was like the Lord was trying to warn him ahead of time.

God in His kind, merciful grace, warns us before it is too late as a pattern of His goodness. Just like the laws of the land are instituted for our protection so is the word of God if we would just listen, heed and follow. In The Lord's pattern of goodness, He sets laws in motion with specific roles for men and women which will bring the greatest protection for our emotional, spiritual, mental and physical safety. Our creator understands the inner workings of His designs and as we cooperate, our lives will extend longer, fuller, better protected with grace and peace. God makes it clear there are consequences of violating His laws that are devastating and life altering.

In the case of Adam as found in Genesis, he too had recent training instructions and was distracted by listening to a real "intruder" satan, who deceived his wife.
This one choice destroyed man's relationship with God forever and men still suffer as a result. Had Adam weighed his thoughts and actions to the recent instructions he received, the outcome would have been very different. God planned our spiritual salvation through his Son Jesus Christ that we may have forgiveness of sin for wanting to rule our lives, overriding God.

As a result of Adam's choice, every man was cursed to toil the land by the sweat of their brow and suffer the hardships of providing for themselves and their family. Because Eve had a weakness to go her own way, distrust God's instructions, she was deceived. Eve mislead her husband, ruining her beautiful home, a paradise set just for her. Eve's discontent heart ruined it for the rest of us and we woman suffer her consequences. We have the curse of pain in childbirth and the temptation to become fearful, mistrust God, overruling the male authority in our lives. These consequences of Adam and Eve are struggles we now contend with, the temptations we battle daily to overcome..

The greatest struggle woman battle within themselvs, is wanting to rule or override the male authority in their lives, to control their circumstances and find fulfillment on their own terms. It is easy to see where many have fallen. We are all tempted into going our own way, to have our "own life". This is a struggle we will have to fight a lifetime to overcome. It clearly reveals the heart of each female on the planet and we can trace many of our elemental relationship problems to its origin. Look at your relationship with your parents. How well did you honor and obey them during your unmarried years? How well do you honor them now? This is a real barometor of your current relationship with God. Eve's was tempted into "feeling" she was missing out on the "big picture" and being kept in the dark from fulling her life. Satan knew how to tempt Eve, in a mental game of chess, using her weaknesses to checkmate her. Had she fully trusted God's instructions, her husband's leadership and NOT her "own feelings," she would have been the victor!

When a wife refuses to submit to her husband or a daughter to her father, they are clearly deceived. No matter what others may say around you to try to guide you, they are NOT your your spouse or your parents given the biblical jurisdiction to stand accountable for you before the Lord.

For the unmarried daughter, your father is the one chosen by God to provide, protect and oversee you until the day you are married as he continues to bless your life. If a daughter is off on her own providing for herself, she carries a double curse, toiling like a man by taking the responsibility of providing for herself. If she is overruling her father, she is making self destructive life choices which will steal, kill and ruin her life and confusion will reign.

The choice of unmarried daughters to ignore their fathers direction, destroys potential blessings, clear mental direction, spiritual protection and peace in her life. When Eve went her own way and decided against her authority, she was considered deceived by satan. The original writings of this verse also state a woman is tempted to usurp her male authority (ie. father or husband), reflecting the inner struggle we women all battle with as part of the consequences of Eve's sin. This is "the curse" we have to bear as a result of the fall. No wonder there are so many Christian feminist who rise against the men in their lives. It is just Eve's struggle all over again and we are blindly eating of its fruit. For a women to take on the role of provider is taking a position NOT given to women but to MEN. No wonder we have a society of angry, confused, deeply frustrated, burned out woman who toil and boil over being double burdened.

"Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

Our Pastor who is highly trained in the original writings of scripture told us two weeks ago that this actually meant "a woman will try to rule over her husband". This is a temptation for a young lady to desire to rule over her father's decisions.

Are you listening to your authority and the word of God that warns you from the dangers of following your own "feelings"? Or are you trying to rule your own life? This is a dangerous game. God's word is NOT to be played with or a tested to see how much you can get away with, even if intended for fun than later to become an "accident". Like the training and laws set for gun safety, the Lord has set laws and principles for your spiritual safety. If you are a young woman on your own or considering it, please put down the instument of destruction that has been directing you. The pride you are carrying is ruining your life and fear of trusting God is its ammunition. Please do not let satanic deception rule. There are many that will be hurt as a result of these actions and this choice will multiply destruction that could last a lifetime.

Learn the lessons of following the law and order God set through scripture for your protection. Turn your heart back home to the place and the family God placed you in. Do not follow your "feelings" to go your own way or rule your life like Eve did. God has everything under control to work it all out for your good. Trust Him! There is no "intruder" taking your life away, this is just an imaginary idea satan plays on your mind. In the end, it leads only to death of your dreams and your future. It is like shooting your own foot at first. If you do not stop in your tracks and heed the warning, then it takes the wonderful plan designed for your life and destroys it.

Learn the lesson. The young husband who played the "intruder game" and accidently took his bride's life, is forever ruined and he can never take back the shot that killed his most beloved. Satan destroyed their future and all the generations meant to be produced through their union. Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy. Look at your life the past few years and see the plan set against you by the enemy compared to the wonderful promise God has in store.

You have an incredible purpose that the enemy has been trying to thwart and is working overtime to ruin. Please don't let satan have a victory or let it happen to you. For those considering taking a path away from your family, to run your own life, be your "own" authority.... please stop! Turn your heart back home before it is too late.

May God help you to go against your own desires, by surrendering your will, trusting the Lord to work through your authority, fulfulling His greatest plan for your life. A plan for good, not for evil... a plan for a future and a hope.

'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
'Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.

Jeremiah 29:11-12

Happy Valentine's Day

THE STORY OF VALENTINE'S DAY BEGINS IN THE THIRD CENTURY WITH AN OPPRESSIVE ROMAN EMPEROR AND A HUMBLE CHRISTIAN MARTYR.
THE EMPEROR WAS CLAUDIUS 11. THE CHRISTIAN WAS VALENTINUS.

Claudius had ordered all Romans to worship twelve gods, and he had made it a crime punishable by death to associate with Christians. But Valentinus was dedicated to the ideals of Christ, and not even the threat of death could keep him from practicing his beliefs. Valentine as refused an unattested law attributed to Roman Emperor Claudius II, allegedly ordering that young men remain single. The Emperor supposedly did this to grow his army, believing that married men did not make for good soldiers. Valentine, however, secretly performed marriage ceremonies for young men. Valentinus was caught marrying Christian couples and aiding any Christians who were being persecuted under Emperor Claudius in Rome [when helping them was considered a crime], When Claudius found out about this, he had Valentine arrested and thrown in jail. Valentinus was arrested and imprisoned. Claudius took a liking to this prisoner -- until Valentinus tried to convert the Emperor -- whereupon was condemned to death.

"Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you"

Proverbs 9:8

During the last weeks of Valentinus's life, a remarkable thing happened. Seeing that he was a man of learning, the jailer asked whether his daughter, Julia, might be brought to Valentinus for lessons. She had been blind since birth. Julia was a pretty young girl with a quick mind, Valentinus read stories of Rome's history to her. He taught her arithmetic and told her about God. She saw the world through his eyes, trusted in his wisdom, and found comfort in his quiet strength.


"Valentinus, does God really hear our prayers?" Julia said one day. "Yes, my child, He hears each one, " he replied.
"Do you know what I pray for every morning and every night? I pray that I might see. I want so much to see everything you've told me about!"

"God does what is best for us if we will only believe in Him," Valentinus said. "Oh, Valentinus, I do believe," Julia said intensely. "I do." She knelt and grasped his hand.

They sat quietly together, each praying. Suddenly there was a brilliant light in the prison cell. Radiant, Julia screamed, "Valentinus, I can see! I can see!" "Praise be to God!" Valentinus exclaimed, and he knelt in prayer.

On the eve of his death, Valentinus wrote a last note to Julia, urging her to stay close to God, and he signed it

"From Your Valentine"

His sentence was carried out the next day, February 14, 270 A.D., near a gate that was later named Porta Valentini in his memory. He was buried at what is now the Church of Praxedes in Rome. It is said that Julia herself planted a pink-blossomed almond tree near his grave. Today, the almond tree remains a symbol of abiding love and friendship. On each February 14, St. Valentine's Day, messages of affection, love, and devotion are exchanged around the world.

Happy Valentine's Day!

There are many varying stories of Valentinus and of the original Valentine Story. Remains were found in catacombs bearing the name St. Valentine in the area and time frame referencing this particular individual that I write about.

As Christian's we serve the Lord prayerfully while carefully and wisely investing our lives in others like as confirmed in scripture. Some times we will be greatly blessed while other times we will be heartbroken by insults, mockings or persecution. "With gentleness we are called to correct those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth". "For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death." We must understand, if others are unwilling to listen to God's word, to take heart. There are others like "Julia" who will listen, bringing joy to our hearts, that we may rejoice with throughout eternity.

It should also be noted that scripture makes it clear that we come to God through Christ alone, not by any other, be on heaven or earth nor of one given a name by mortals of "Saint".

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me~John 14:6

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life~John 3:16

True Love

Have you ever thought what the greatest "love" relationship is?

I am sure you have, since it is Valentines Day. True love will lay its life down and sacrifice for another. True love fulfills their responsibility even when it is hard, "As unto the Lord" and does not run away from it. True love says, "Not my will but thine be done". This is the "greatest, Nobelist and purest form of love". It is the similar type of love your parents sacrificed for you or when soldiers including those in "The Force" of public service, lay their lives down for another... it is physically manifested.

God's love transcends all understanding especially by today's Feminist's. The type of love which gives up career and self fulfillment in order to lay it down for a child entrusted to them or their "own" family is difficult for them to comprehend. It is hard for those who are self absorbed, self serving to understand sacrificial love. They say words like "get a life" or "you should have fulfilled yourself" or "you see, you are just wasting your time being co-dependent and can't let go". How sad that is for those who do not understand the kind of love Jesus sacrificed for us. They would have said the same to Him. For He NEVER lets us go once we are His.

Jesus tells us the story of the lost sheep and how the good Shepard left the ninety-nine to go after just the one. The world would consider this foolishness, co-dependency and dysfunctional. They would say, "you've got enough under your charge, stop being so consumed, controlling and let that sheep have it's own life!". Yet Jesus never did. His analogy of how God the Father interacts with human beings shows us what true love really is. God the Father is consumed with His children both young and old alike. He went after "the one" He loved and was not moved by the prevailing culture or how society views relationships.

If God were being judged by "Today's Modern Society" as the example of a true father, he would be considered extremely controlling, co-dependent and dysfunctional.

This is the error the world makes...They DO NOT understand "Love"

God does not take sin lightly and expects His children of "all ages" to submit to Him as their Father and authority even if they don't like it. He wants them to honor him, obey him no matter what, even if they feel misunderstood, "cloistered in" or their life is not as they hoped. His boundaries are set for our protection as He sees beyond our comprehension. He does not accept excuses for rebellion, slander of His parenting skills or disloyalty in the camp. He does not follow opinion polls pulling His daughters far away from home to ministry, that override Him or usurp His authority no matter how sym "pathetic" they may sound. When things were difficult, He would expect His children to be there, trusting that all things would work together for their good as they learned to love Him and are called according to His purpose as "adopted" children. The Lord would not support His sons or daughters taking matters into their own hands or going back to their former father of the world even if they were unhappy. He would still call them back to Him.

You may say, "but my Mom and dad are NOT God, they have not been all that I hoped".

I will answer, "this is absolutely true" and than I will ask you..." are you all that your parents hoped you to be in the way you honored or obeyed them? Was God taken by surprise in the parents He chose for you? Do you think He knew your father or mother were not going to be perfect, that they would make mistakes and maybe even hurt you? Do you think you have done or will do better? Do you believe you will never make mistakes when you are married, never to hurt your spouse or children...even if it was unintentional or perceived wrong? Will you need forgiveness or God's grace to you by those you love?

Dear one...the Lord says, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God". That means "ALL" including every mother or father on this earth not just yours!

True love understands this. In God's amazing plan, He made provisions even for the imperfect parent to be honored, biblically submitted to by sons and daughters of every age, not just until they turn 18. Until a father's authority is transferred through marriage or a son is appointed by the father these are the Commandments of God. Though the dynamics of their relationship changes, parents are still be honored throughout life.

Are you still "keeping a record of wrongs" from your upbringing? Are you trusting God to work His very best plan for you through the parents He chose to raise you? Have you thought what you have learned and how much you have grown as a result? Have you forgiven?

If not, than God's word says you will not be forgiven.

Where is "True Love" for your father, your mother, your sister or brother? I am NOT just speaking to just youth here but to adults too! I have heard that turmoil in ones life may be traced back to how much we honored our own parents. This is not to say that anything specifically happening in your life right now is a direct result of dishonoring or breaking your parents heart. But prayerfully look back and carefully consider your own relationship with them. Is it "well with you" like God promises to those who keep the 5th Commandment? Or is it only "well" because your parents were gracious enough to forgive you in spite of your behavior?

Have you humbled yourself, sincerely gone back to ask them to forgive you for your part? Are you still keeping secret sin because you are too proud to admit your wrong, a failure or full of fear? Have you thought how this is hindering God's blessings in your life? Being a grown adult or under another authority through marriage is not an excuse to ignore past sin or dishonor your parents no matter how many years have passed.

This Valentine's Day, I encourage you to honestly think about how much you love your family. Not just the ones in your life through marriage but those parents given to raise you including your siblings as a reflective barometer of how much you love God. I want you to ask yourself if you are willing to humble yourself, trusting Jesus to work all things together for your good as you submit to His plan of choosing "your parents" to raise "you" and to be your authority.

How much do your understand what sacrificial love really is? Not the kind that gives unconditionally for a while, maybe even years, than gives up when things don't change. But the "True Love" that remains constant, faithful and loyal no matter what. The kind of love that never fails. I pray you continue to grow in this type of love... to love your family by coming home to God through repentance. If you are not right with your parents or your family, ask them to forgive you. Humble yourself and admit your failings then serve them as unto the Lord under your father direction or if married through your husband's leadership, trusting God made no mistakes in choosing them just for you.

It is amazing how much grace the Lord gives parents to forgive their sons or daughters when they are sincerely broken and reverent. Many times parents already sensed something was wrong and were just waiting for their children to finally grow up and show mature accountability.

Now be thankful! You became the wonderful person you are with all the intricate levels of lessons learned because of your family, chosen just for you!

When you humble yourself before your parents or your family, you will be blessed beyond measure and reconciled with God. His grace will pour out on everything you do. You will see many doors open you thought were closed and the desires of your heart will have chance to finally take root. Then the grace of God pour out to helping you to reconcile all your relationships in a way you never thought possible. You will be crowned with a peace that passes all understanding, radiating and reigning in your heart! Then you will find what "True Love" really means.

Happy Holidays and New Year!

Be Not Weary

Sometimes, when I am toil-worn and aweary,
And tired out with working long and well,
And earth is dark, and skies above are dreary,

And heart and soul are all too sick to tell...

These words have come to me like angel fingers
Pressing the spirit's eyelids down in sleep,

'Oh let us not be weary in well doing,
For in due season we shall surely reap.'

Oh, blessed promise! When I seem to hear it,
Whispered by angel voices on the air,
It breathes new life and courage to my spirit,
And gives me strength to suffer and forbear.

And I can wait most patiently for harvest,
And cast my seeds, nor ever faint, nor weep,
If I know surely that my work availeth,
And in God's season, I at last shall reap.

When mind and body were borne down completely,
And I have thought my efforts were all in vain,
These words have come to me so softly, sweetly,
And whispered hope, and urged me on again.

And though my labour seems all unavailing,
And all my striving fruitless, yet the Lord
Doth treasure up each little seed I scatter,
And sometime, sometime, I shall reap the reward.

Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Virtue Through Adversity

It is easy enough to be pleasant,
When life flows by like a song...










But the man worthwhile is one who will smile,
When everything goes dead wrong.
For the test of the heart is trouble,
And it always comes with the years,
And the smile that is worth the praises of earth
Is the smile that shines through tears.

It is easy enough to be prudent,
When nothing tempts you to stray,
When without or within no voice of sin
Is luring your soul away;
But it's only a negative virtue
Until it is tried by fire,
And the life that is worth the honor on earth
Is the one that resists desire.

By the cynic, the sad, the fallen,
Who had no strength for the strife,
The world's highway is cumbered today;
They make up the sum of life.
But the virtue that conquers passion,
And the sorrow that hides in a smile,
It is these that are worth the homage on earth
For we find them but once in a while.

My dear friend Lady Lydia sent me this poem that her daughther Lillibeth memorized as a young woman. It meant so much to me, that I wanted to share it with you all too. This truly expresses the qualities developed as we go through the trials of life. To somehow rise above them beautifully with God's grace as we humbly take refuge in Him.