Moms' Ministry Ideas

A Child's Letter to Mom

2012-02-02T23:31:00.001-07:00

Dear Mom,

You are myteacher, you are my role model, you are my protector. Aside from Daddy, you are my lifeline to allthat is good, true, and right. God hasplaced me into your life so that you and Daddy can raise me up and shoot me outinto this scary, ugly world as an arrow to pierce the enemy’s defenses. If you and Daddy give me the gift of aBiblical upbringing, I will be equipped to make significant advances for thekingdom of Christ. Otherwise, I willflounder and break.

You might notknow it yet, but God has a clearly prescribed recipe for my discipleship. You and Daddy are my disciplers, the Bible ismy life-book, and your time is the resource that is most precious. My Creator has written that you and Daddy areto spend your days and evenings teaching me what Jesus would do in everysituation that we encounter together. Youare to teach me to fear God and obey Him. I know you love me and want what is best for me. There are several key points that you need toknow about raising me:

First, I needa consistent relationship with you. Iwill attach or fail to attach to you depending on how much responsibility youdecide to take in my upbringing. Godcommands consistency. In Deuteronomy 6,He insists that we spend our days and evenings together learning about his pathfor my life. The more time you invest intome, the more life we live together, the better I’ll be prepared to follow thefootsteps of my Savior. If yourelinquish your responsibility to grandma, babysitters, employees at a day carecenter or educators, I will miss out on over a thousand hours a year of bondingtime and discipleship time with you.

Second, I needyou to capture my heart. If I am toreceive wisdom from you and be your disciple, we must lay a foundation of manygodly years together. How we spend thoseyears will be up to you. Either, youwill train me, disciple me, encourage my talents, and grow my relationship withGod, or others will give me a cursory glimpse of God and some will fill myshallow pool of stories with rocks of doubt and humanism. What I need from you is your time, yourdiscipleship, and for you to capture my heart. I need you to capture me and disciple into me God’s vision for my life.

Third, myheart is desperately wicked and my mind is swamped with humanisticself-love. I need your modeling andinstruction. My mind must bereprogrammed with the truth of God. Myheart must be introduced to the life-giving grace that is found in the personof God. Please correct my wickedness,smile at my cute antics, and spank me when I am rebellious. If I cause accidents, please help me navigatethe consequences. When I get emotional,teach me to control those emotions. If Idisobey you, please spank my bottom. Beconsistent. Be firm. Be calm. Spend thetime it takes to walk me through a spanking, asking for forgiveness, praying,and memorizing the verses that speak to my sin. That will take time. Are youwilling to give it?

My life is in yourhands. My heart is waiting to becaptured. Don’t leave this to others. God has given me to you as a gift. Lay the foundation of truth in knowledge andin application by giving me your days, weeks, and years. Please don’t follow the wisdom of theworld. Please give me your best and discipleme by investing the most valuable gifts you can give me: your time, your life,and teaching. God has not given thisresponsibility to educators, daycare workers, or grandparents. Will you sacrifice your vacations, hobbies,careers, and time on the altar that God has set before you? Will you win my heart, develop my moralmaturity, and pivot me into the adulthood as a lethal arrow in God’s battle forthe souls of men? Can I be your career,hobby, and passion? Will you discipleme?

Love… Me XXOOXX

Great Song... speaks to me!

2012-01-04T23:26:00.000-07:00

Truth Notes: Be Wise - Daily Readings From Proverbs

2011-08-05T14:07:00.000-06:00

Check out this devotional written just for your kids! Yesterday, I read a Facebook message from one Georgia homeschool mom that she is planning to use Truth Notes for her boys' daily bible time. Turn the pages by double-clicking the corners, OR, just download the PDF and print it - lower r/h corner.

Enjoy!! Steven Zeller from Transform Creative ( www.transformcreative.com) did the illustrations for me.

Click on through to the online version of Truth Notes: http://bit.ly/TruthNotes

"Introduce me!" - God

2010-07-19T22:01:00.004-06:00

In the Exodus 3, God introduces Himself to Moses as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Then, at the burning bush, God becomes the God of Moses.

Your kids are depending on you for the same introduction. Through your daily interactions, they will grow up knowing about the God of their mom. Then, within the rich environment that you deliberately cultivate, in His timing, God will show up and introduce himself to each one of your kids.

The means of grace that God will use to draw your kids into a relationship with Him should be your daily teaching of the Bible in all of life's lessons and circumstances.

Teach your kids and pray for your kids. Watch for God to show up and introduce Himself to your children.

Adoption loss

2010-01-09T01:30:00.004-07:00

As an adoptive mom, the subject of adoption is near and dear to my heart. My husband and I prayed for many, many years for children. We watched as couples all around us had child after child, some couples had children they were not happy about conceiving, etc.

But, the moment our first child was placed in my arms, the years of longing and hard time emotionally really did melt away. In looking back, I am truly glad for the path that God led us on. I would not want any other family than the family I have. I feel so blessed by the particular children the Lord placed in our family, ordained before the beginning of time. Having already made it through the sad emotional time of waiting for children, I am now in the place of contentment in the children the Lord has given us. I look at adoption as purely positive and wonderful.

Tonight, I got a sad reality check. As we have done since each of our children were little, I was sharing their adoption stories with our kids. Our first child responded with smiles and enjoyment at the conclusion of his story, including how mommy and daddy prayed and prayed for a baby, and how happy we were when we first held him, and how glad we were that he was our son. After I told my daughter her story, she asked me to say it again, and then she began crying. It reminded me of her crying when she first came home, missing her foster mom. I rocked her and rocked her, sang to her, told her how much we loved her and were so glad she was our daughter, how God is good and God planned to make us a family from the beginning of time, and after a time she was happy again, and ready for bed.

And now I'm up past midnight contemplating loss. I wish I could take the pain away from my precious daughter. Loss is part of our family's story, really. Without the longing for children unfulfilled, we would not have found our children at just the right time. Without being born in a difficult situation, they would not have found themselves immigrating to a new country within their first year of life, adjusting first to a nursery then a foster home, and finally a new country, language, and parents. I have made it to the other side of my time of grief. The realization of loss is just beginning to be understood by my daughter.

As my children grow in stature and knowledge of the Lord, contemplating their beginnings and paths, I pray they would be found in Christ. He is the only way, and truly the only hope of ever overcoming the loss that can paralyze some people. Attachment disorder, abandonment, loss, the Lord is mighty to save us, help us get beyond the darkness of our past. He is acquainted with our griefs, and he triumphed over the grave, over the bondage to the ravages of the sin all around us and in us. We have faith that he can turn the sadness into joy in Christ, just as the pain of gritty sand in the oyster after much travail yields a pearl.

Thai Orphans

2010-01-03T00:31:00.004-07:00

Last summer, I drove to Seattle to meet with Tim Dunham, director at The Family Connection Foundation. His foundation is legitimate and is gospel-based. Their premise is to impact the orphan epidemic in Thailand through family, discpleship-type, Christian homes that care for orphans. I encourage you to watch this short video AND donate online.

Counter-Culture Mommy

2009-12-20T01:20:00.003-07:00

1. When people make snide comments about your family being too big or too well behaved or whatever, use this as an opportunity to publicly thank Jesus for giving you these wonderful gifts. My sister-in-law was struck by this idea. She realized that her street ministry is being ready with a God-honoring answer for the many weird looks and comments that she routinely encounters for having more than 2 children.

2. Grandparents and Daycare should not be raising your children. Most of the Christians I know send their kids to daycare or farm their children out to grandma because mom wants to work part-time or full-time. Don't give in to the lie that mom has to go back to work to stay sane or to keep dad's checking account in the black. Even a few hours a day are hours lost in the battle for the hearts and souls of your children. (If mom must go back to work then dad needs to be at home.)

Next time you're confronted with an underhanded comment, simply say, "Jesus really loves me to give me these precious children." And, next time you're tempted to go to work and leave your children say, "Not on your life!"

Home and Mom - Struggle with purpose?

2009-11-17T22:35:00.004-07:00

If you are home and being mom, you are in the most purposeful business in the universe. Satan will attack your position as mother and housewife by trying to steal your blessing and identity.

Your friends will jettison the home in search of identity and purpose, leaving the kids to the care of others. Don't join the crowd - the crowd is deceived and in search of an elusive purpose.

Mothering... raising kids in the knowledge and training of God. Don't leave home to avoid it. Embrace it and kick those doubts to the curb.

Reading the Bible With The Kids

2009-11-07T09:42:00.002-07:00

"What chapter are we reading," my wife asks. "John 7," replies my four year-old. Every morning, my wife sits down on the couch for her Bible reading while the kids eat breakfast. After breakfast, she reads a chapter to the kids.

Children thrive on a schedule. You'll be surprised how much growth you'll see just through reading a chapter a day to your kids. Young children make connections constantly, as they try to piece reality together. If you read the word in the morning, read their Bible story book at night, and take them to church regularly, you'll hear your children make surprising connections. You'll be helping them create a truthful picture of the world by giving them a Biblical worldview - one chapter at a time.

Baby Steps to a Cleaner Me

2009-11-03T19:38:00.003-07:00

As I was washing our parquet kitchen floor - top on my list of to-don'ts - I reached over and cleaned the side of the stove. You know - the dried drips of victuals past that mysteriously grace the sides of appliances. In the midst of my half-hearted scrubbing, a spiritual truth reflected from the glistening white enamel. And, no it wasn't Mr. Clean. Instead a realization splashed across my thoughts. Instead of trying to do just one thing well, I should add a few other chores too. While polishing the parquet, I should also make a few swipes at the cabinets.

My spiritual life is like this. Instead of trying to tackle one lousy, ingrown sin at a time, I should put the kabbash on a bunch of sins. Frankly, I can multi-task a bit with my sanctification. Take out one sin thoroughly and cut out a few of my other pet rebellions at the same time as well. Jesus was pretty serious when he talked about amputations in the context of tackling sins. One at a time really doesn't fit into the "if your eye offends your gouge it out and if your hand offends you cut it off" paradigm.

Maybe, I should deep clean some areas and tidy up others at the same time. The idealist in me either wants to deep-clean or no-clean. The problem with that is that what usually happens is... well, I'll let you figure that out. :-)

Help, My Toddler Tantrums!

2009-08-30T16:06:00.003-06:00

Yesterday morning, a question was posed on Focus' Weekend Magazine that went like this: "My two year old tantrums up to six times a day for 45 minutes each time and even hits his head on the wall. I put him in his bedroom but that doesn't work. What do I do?"

Dr. Kevin Leman, author of Have a New Kid by Friday responded with authority saying, "Don't say a word. Put him in his room and hold the door closed. He'll throw stuff. When he is quiet and only when he is quiet, open the door to ask if he is ready to come out."

Kevin advised a manipulation technique that will manipulate the tantruming child's self-centered human nature. The technique is to NOT gratify the motivation of the tantruming child, which is usually to engage attention.

What's wrong with that? In part, nothing. As a stand-alone, everything. God's way is not to manipulate the human nature. True, God would not have you gratifying the child's out-of-control selfish nature by giving it what it wants - you undivided attention.

Instead, God wants you to spank your child for his rebellion. You have told your child to stop the tantrum. He has rebelled. The Biblical consequence for deliberate disobedience is spanking on the bottom.

Now, I've been at my wit's end with two-year old tantrums before, and I've used a "phone a friend' lifeline. The advice I received worked. God's way works over time. You won't have a new kid by Friday. But in God's timing, you will see progress over a period of a few weeks to a few months.

There is no magic formula. You may doubt that it is having any effect. Here's something to try:

1. At the first sign of a tantrum, calmly say, "no - stop your tantrum."
2. Without showing any emotion yourself, put your child over your knee and spank his/her bottom three or four times.
3. Pray over your child. If possibly, have your child say "Please forgive me for tantruming." Hug him. Quote Ephesians 6:1 to your child.
4. Sit your child in a safe place.
5. Wait for a while, maybe 8 to 10 minutes.
6. Repeat steps 2 through 6.
7. After about 45 minutes, you can call it a draw and start again with the next tantrum. But, it is better if you persevere until the tantrum is under control and your child is obeying.

You may not bring your child's will into submission the first day. Over a period of time, you will see these tantrums shorten and you will see your child willingly start to submit to your command that he/she use self-control and stop the tantrum.

WARNING: Don't show ANY emotion except love. Your lack of self-control will cause your child to escalate more. Be very calm and don't worry about the tantrum not stopping right away.

Remember, Never discipline or spank in anger. The reason why you want your child to obey is because you love him/her. The reason why you spank is because your Creator tells you to.

Adoption Camp in Oregon August 28-30, 2009

2009-07-29T23:44:00.004-06:00

Adoption camp for teen adoptees gets rave reviews from past campers and parents alike. Chosen International puts on a yearly post-adoption camp for adoptees from any adoption background. This camp equips adopted teens to find answers to their unique challenges in the person of Jesus Christ. Kids attend from all over - some are even signed up from overseas for this year's camp.

Word Choices in Parenting

2009-07-10T18:55:00.006-06:00

Being strategic in your vocabulary as you work with your children will kill two birds with one stone. Learning is all about experiencing vocabulary. Kids build their vocabulary as they experience the moments when meaningful experiences intersect with words.

As you train, use Biblical vocabulary to describe behaviors. For example, when your toddler is uncharacteristically not sharing, you may take advantage of this teachable moment to talk about the meaning of love. Use the Biblical definition and the specific vocabulary of "patient, kind, does not envy,... is not self-seeking." Teach your children to sing the verse song for 1 Cor. 13:4-7.

When working through a tantrum or hyperactivity moment, use the words from Galatians 5:22-23 that a fruit of the Spirit is "self-control".

1. Find verses in the Bible that have to do with character development.
2. Identify key vocabulary from those verses.
3. Teach your kids those verses throughout the day. (songs are great - email me if you need a free Bible verse song CD)
4. Consistently use the Biblical vocabulary throughout the day.

Tedd Tripp has some good ideas for Biblical child training in his book: Shepherding A Child's Heart.

Hurricane Aila Hands Out Havok

2009-07-07T23:10:00.007-06:00

300 people dead and 8000 missing across India, Bangladesh and Burma, reports Christian Freedom International.

Countries like Burma are still reeling from the massive hurricane last fall. These hurricanes cause flooding and put hundreds of thousands out of homes and jobs with just a few days of wind and rain. It takes years for 3rd world countries to recover. Many Christians will not receive government help because of the hostility of their respective governments. Christian Freedom International is assembling care packs to jump-start homeless families in the Islamic country of Bangladesh. You can sponsor a care package of clothing, food, water, and medicine for only $25.

Make Home School Real Life School

2009-06-19T14:29:00.004-06:00

Science without context is merely a list of facts or a meaningless process for investigations. Here is an idea that will give your kids an authentic reason to research.
1. Assign your child an ecosystem to learn about.
2. Have him/her research three main topics: 1. Life Cycles (producers, predators, prey) 2. Plants 3. Animals in the chosen ecosystem. All of these need to be viewed through the lens of God's design for inter-relationships.
3. After writing a book, brochure, or essay on the ecosystem, have him/her identify three organisms from the ecosystem.
4. Your student must find God's design in the three organisms chosen. This is the easy part because God's genius is easy to find.
5. Final Project:
Camcorder and produce a 3 minute video that speaks of God's design in three features from the ecosystem.
6. Post it on Youtube as an evangelism tool.
Here's an example of a short creation science video that I shot in a riparian and forest ecosystem. Watch it to see which organisms I talk about to show God's design and troubleshooting.

Planting and Growing Kids

2009-05-30T22:16:00.002-06:00

I struggle every year to keep my tomato plants alive because I can't seem to remember to water them regularly. The plants that really give me trouble are the hanging baskets. The hanging baskets have very little moisture retention in their soil, and wilting ensues without prompt watering. Any of this connect with you? Probably not, so let me draw three illustrations:

1. The plants are your children.
2. The soil is everything that you are giving your children: Christian worldview, Biblical discipline and training, structured environment, discipleship in the truths of God, daily integration of Biblical truth into everyday activities, modeling of love, patience, peacemaking, integrity.
3. The daily watering is daily pouring of the water of God's truth into your children's mind and heart. Singing songs, memorizing catechism and verses, reading and applying the Biblical truths.

Plants without soil soon die. Precious plants without water wither and eventually snap apart. Your plants will flourish or eventually cast aside Christianity as myth. What harvest are you gardening for?

I very rarely post the same post on two blogs. I really liked this one so I posted it on my DAD's and on my MOM's blogs.

LadiesLamp.Com: Encouragement For Women

2009-04-25T12:09:00.007-06:00

In the current issue of Ladies Lamp, Carol Swanson describes Biblical love, forgiveness, and how to lovingly deal with difficulties. Let's pick this up in Carol's introductory greeting.

DEAR LADIES,
The Lord Jesus Christ, who embodies all the perfections of unconditional love, is the greatest example of this love the world will ever see. A reflection of His love is seen in many of His servants. These lesser lights, from the apostles down to present-day saints, have one thing in common: love for God and man. Many suffered unimaginable difficulties in persecutions, life-and-death tragedies; but each one persevered in love by God’s grace. This is no ordinary love we will focus on.... Read More Here

Sing the Scriptures

2009-04-03T18:56:00.003-06:00

Sing the Scriptures to your children. God has given music as a memorization tool. I love to listen to Bible memory songs from A to Z in the van with the kids. It is amazing how quickly our children pick up the words of the Bible and hide them in their hearts.

When you are discipling or training your children, sing scripture songs to them that directly teach about the situation.

Cleaning, cooking, scrubbing, spanking? Sing some scripture into the act of compassion.

If you don't have any money, you can email me and I'll send you a home-made CD that has 70+ Children's Bible songs on it. My wife sat down with the guitar and sang these songs. A few of them are old favorites and many are verses that she simply created a tune for.

Every night, sing four or five Bible songs with your family during Bible time. If you are uncomfortable singing, dial up Cedarmont Kids on You Tube and sing along.

"Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee." Singing facitilates hiding!

Behavior Management 101

2009-02-27T21:28:00.005-07:00

Suddenly, in a matter of three heart-beats, something hit me. The realization that my behavior management and discipline is nothing more than advanced manipulation! Manipulation ranging from emotional to bargaining, with a little brainwashing thrown in to boot.

"If you do this, you'll get that."
"Don't spill your milk because daddy works all day for that milk."
"Don't embarrass me in the store."
"Are you kidding me? Never pee on the carpet or you'll get a spanking."
"If you finish your biscuit, I'll bless you with blueberry pie."
"Look, fill up your sticker chart and I'll give you a movie night with mom."
"You are a good boy and good boys don't hit their sisters."

Those interactions reinforces sin, tempting them to pride, guilt, or selfishness. None of my manipulative tactics, slick as they may be, reach the heart. And, that is what I'm after: my child's heart! Instead of manipulating, we want to be discipling. Here's an example that might be heading in the correct direction:

"Mommy wants you to obey because God made you and tells you to obey mommy. When you don't obey the first time, that is showing that you are thinking about yourself. Mommy has the same problem. Selfishness is sin. There is only one person who can help us and that is Jesus. Jesus can give you a clean heart and forgive you for being selfish. Mommy has to spank you when you don't obey the first time. Let's pray and ask God to help you obey the first time."

"Let's sing the song, Children - obey your parents in all things - for this is well pleasing - to the Lord Colossians three twenty."

Shepherding A Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp is a masterful manual for reaching past externals to effect heart-obedience. You'll be surprised at how easy to read and hard to put down this book is.

Mom - You Change The World One Heartbeat At A Time

2009-02-17T21:03:00.003-07:00

Steven Curtis Chapman - One Heartbeat At A Time - Watch this... You'll be encouraged!

You're up all night with a screaming baby
You run all day at the speed of life
And every day you feel a little bit less
Like the beautiful woman you are

So you fall into bed when you run out of hours
And you wonder if anything worth doing got done
Oh, maybe you just don't know
Or maybe you've forgotten

You, you are changing the world
One little heartbeat at a time
Making history with every touch and every smile
Oh, you, you may not see it now
But I believe that time will tell
How you, you are changing the world
One little heartbeat at a time

With every "I know you can do it"
Every tear that you kiss away
So many little things that seem to go unnoticed
They're just like the drops of rain over time
They become a river

And you, you are changing the world
One little heartbeat at a time
Making history with every touch and every smile
Oh, you, you may not see it now
But I believe that time will tell
How you, you are changing the world
One little heartbeat at a time

You're beautiful
You're beautiful
How you're changing the world
You're changing the world

You, you are changing the world
One little heartbeat at a time
Making history with every touch and every smile
Oh, you, you may not see it now
But I believe that time will tell
How you, you are changing the world
Oh, I believe that you
You are changing the world
One little heartbeat
At a time

And you're changing the world

Mom - Your Work Matters

2009-01-30T00:02:00.002-07:00

I've worked with hundreds of children and seen the effects of good mothers. What you are doing now will pay dividends in the years to come. Your child's character, self-control, career depends on you sticking to it now.

You may want to check out this recent Generations radio show with Kevin Swanson on making it through the tough mom years. Below is the show's excerpt:

Mothering - Making it through the Tough Years
"Mothering is tough dominion work. Families that choose to jettison birth control, home school their children, and rely on a single income face some pretty big challenges. It would probably be easier if mom could get a nice little corporate job and send the kids off to school.Kevin Swanson talks about those tough early years on this edition of Generations, and encourages Dads with a few things they can do to make the load a little lighter on their wives.
http://generationswithvision.com/RadioShow.aspx?sid=1075

What's My Gift?

2009-01-22T23:22:00.003-07:00

As we toil in the daily routines, our spiritual zeal can wane and we may doubt our spiritual gifts. Using Paul's body analogy, there are Christians who are visible and others who are rarely seen. Neither type of gifting is superior to the other. In fact, the invisible Christian gifting is unspeakably important. Quiet gifts are like the infrastructure on which the noticeable gifts rely.

1. How do I know my giftings? Time will tell. First, what do you enjoy doing? Who do you feel compassion for? How do you show Christ's love to others? You'll find your activities rely heavily upon God-given giftings.

2. Be content. You are uniquely gifted for the good works that God has prepared in advance for you to accomplish. Don't fret about being less visible or too visible.

3. If you don't know what your gifts are, start being faithful in the little opportunities that God brings before you. As you are faithful in the small areas, you'll see confidence and clarity to be diligent in larger evangelistic tasks.

4. You don't need to know your gifts in order to get started. Just start doing what comes naturally to you and do it in Jesus' name.

5. Find your worth in Jesus Christ and His giftings. Don't allow your perceptions of your own gifts to cloud your emotions. Be yourself and shine Christ's love in the ways that make sense to you.

6. You may have the gift of listening, compassion, comfort, cooking, helping, encouraging, hospitality, card-writing... These gifts are as important as the gifts of evangelism and preaching.

The safest place is not in the center of God's will

2009-01-10T13:30:00.003-07:00

But, it's the most satisfying!! Spiritually, the smack-dab center of God's will is safest. Emotionally and physically, living out the beauty of God's will can be the most dangerous place in the universe. So, why do we do it? God has impressed His character into our hearts so deeply that we leap to serve Him. We waste away when we aren't loving and obeying Him. If you don't know Jesus Christ intimately, you haven't experienced life. Life only finds fulfillment in Christ's forgiveness and commission. (The idea for this blog came from The Barbarian Way by Erwin McManus)

Making Disciples

2008-12-31T23:09:00.003-07:00

God is the only one who can change my child's heart and give her faith and repentance. So why work so hard discipling my child? Why go the extra mile every hour to train, discipline, comfort, teach, love, spend time with my child?

There are two types of good gifts that God the Holy Spirit imparts to our children. One leads to salvation and the other creates a hedge against sin. We call the first special grace and the second common grace. Jesus told us to go out and make disciples. It is through this process that the Holy Spirit distributes these two gifts, according to God the Father's plan.

Special grace is when the Holy Spirit empowers the teaching of the Bible so that a child's dead heart is made alive. Like Jesus calling Lazarus from the tomb, special grace calls that dead heart to life. Special grace uses the gospel to bring forth faith and repentance. The alive heart sees itself as wicked and Jesus Christ as beautiful, worthy Savior.

Common grace is the building of the conscience and development of moral habits. A child may not ever experience the special grace of God, but that child will experience the protection and restraint of common grace. It is only by continual rebellion against God that the common grace loses it's effect. Common grace does not save, but it empowers a healthier life, freer from the consequences of grievous sins.

The avenue that God generally chooses to utilize for imparting special grace is the word of God. I must be faithful in systematically teaching my child the entire truth in the Bible. My heartrending intention is that God will choose to save my child. A secondary goal is to build a wall around my child, while growing his moral character.

I ask myself... Am I putting enough effort into discipling my child? Am I saturating my household with God? Is my child being raised in the means of God's special and common grace?

Twenty-year Project In Progress

2008-12-27T22:15:00.004-07:00

Take heart! Every time you love, play with, teach, discipline, train, cook for, or do anything "mom" for your children, you are building with precision.

What is the architectural design? That is the vision that you have for raising godly kids who love God and exhibit the fruits of the Spirit.

Every exhausting moment is worth it! You are like Noah. Only instead of a hundred-twenty year project, you are working on twenty year projects. Noah only had the building instructions. He certainly couldn't see the finished product. Like you, Noah probably got lost in the details because he couldn't see the progress he was making. His flesh fought against him, as he worked on the project that God gave him. It wasn't until he looked back over 10, 20, 50 years that he could see the immense progress he was making. Noah hewed and fit thousands of boards. You are cutting and fitting boards with every motherly action that you take.

Is it worth it? Noah saved his family from death. Make it your daily prayer that your unstoppable mothering, discipleship, training will be the saving grace that God uses to save your children from death. Yes, every exasperated moment, exhausted muscle, and every prayer for wisdom will prove worth it. You are doing God's work, building the child that God has entrusted to you.

But, remember, only God was able to draw the animals to the ark. Only God was able to close the door. In the same way, you build the ark. But, God has to draw your child to Himself. Only God can change his/her heart and close the door on sinful self.

Build and Pray. Make sure your construction zone is characterized by prayer. Prayerfully Build.

Feelin' Like a Failure

2008-11-28T00:50:00.001-07:00

You may feel like a failure, making little progress parenting. If you do, look at yourself from God's perspective. God likes to do alot with weakness. In your weakness, He can shine through with strength.

As you pray and plan against your weaknesses, you will see God working through you. You may feel like a failure, but work at it prayerfully for a week and then look back. Over the next year, you will see growth over time. Your self-control in areas of weakness will grow, resulting in more success.

In the present, you may be failing. However, spanning from past to future, you will see that God is working in you to help you be Christ-like. Remember, growth over time is how God usually works.

Preventing Sexual Abuse to Your Child

2008-11-21T21:49:00.002-07:00

In our highly sexualized society, children and adults are bombarded with perverted sexual concepts. The descent into sexual perversion starts slowly for some as their moral compass is eroded by progressively darker sexual sins. For others, sexual perpetration and predatorial behavior is initiated by being a victim themselves of sexual assault. Often, a child who is victimized will spread the web of sexual assault by perpetrating on other children. And, the cycle of abuse begins to spread.

I found the below Christian article on preventing sexual assault interesting. What caught my attention was the statement, "Anyone who thinks this can't happen to their child is deluded, and perhaps putting their children at greater risk." Oregon pastor Dale Meador

What I Have Learned About Preventing The Sexual Abuse of Children by Dale Meador.

Do it for the children!

2008-10-20T21:10:00.004-06:00

Daily, challenges spring up with child-raising. Just when you think you're making progress, all chaos breaks loose. You know what I mean. Do you ever think, "Are we making any progress?" At the house, I can't see the progress for the trees. But, when we're in public, it is like I'm transported up and I can see the forest and the distant landscapes. My perspective changes. Contrasted against the behavior of secularly-raised children, the grace of God in my children comes into view.

God's ways always trump man's foolish ideas. No matter how weak we are, God will empower our feeble efforts to raise children His way. Do you know what God's prescription for child training is? Put on your Biblical glasses and look around you. You'll see that foolishness prevails in our society's child training. Do it God's way and you'll see success. Do it the enlightened way and you'll experience disaster.

Check out: What the Bible Says About Child Training by Rick Fugate. It is a must read. God's way works.

Self-Esteem...

2008-10-03T11:48:00.003-06:00

"We need to have God-Esteem, not self-esteem," my wife said this morning, as we talked about modern-psychology's focus on self-esteem.

Biblical child raising needs to have God-esteem, not self-esteem as the focus. We worry so much about stunting self-esteem, and in the meantime we create little self-involved kids.

Child training must recognize and encourage the gifts that God has given a child, but not at the expense empowering the selfish, me-first flesh.

Depression

2008-09-13T17:07:00.005-06:00

House-mom-depression is spawned by an enemy known as cabin fever. Here are a few steps that you MUST take in order to neutralize house-mom-depression.

A. Meaningful Minutes
1. Make a daily schedule that organizes your day into hour or 45 minute blocks of time.
2. Cross off each block of time as you move through that period.

B. Leave Your Lair
1. Force yourself to leave the house every day for at least 30 minutes.
2. Make a list of women who you would like to hang out with. Target two or three of those women to invite out for shopping, kids at the park, Bible study, whatever.

C. WWJD?
1. Be creative about filling your house, life, mini-van, kitchen with scripture.
2. Pray and Praise like you're auditioning for the new WOW Music CD (or the Sound of Music).

D. House-Hiding Hurts
1. Do what you don't feel like doing: Go to church, Go to prayer meeting, Go to ladies meeting
2. Be open with people because 2 out of 10 of your friends have the same problem.

E. Develop the Dreams
1. Make a kick-the-bucket list of Christian actions for the next year and do those things.
2. What is your spiritual vision for your family? Where do you want your family to be spirtually in 5 years? Look forward.

F. Thoughts Captive
1. Yes, take every thought captive and give it to Christ.
2. Think, "does this thought or feeling put me closer to my spiritual dream for my family?"

Postscript: After posting this original posting, I found this article on google. Any similarities are coincidence. You may find this article interesting: http://stayathomeparents.suite101.com/article.cfm/depression_and_stayathome_moms

Adoption Radio Interview with Chosen International

2008-09-08T17:34:00.004-06:00

Adoption always brings unimaginable joys and can include a few unique challenges. Listen to this masterful interview with Cindy Bigelow on Generations Radio. Cindy Bigelow's ministry, Chosen International ( www.choseninternational.org ), is a springboard for those anticipating adoption, and a resource for adoptive families and adopted teens.

Eritrea Targets High School Students

2008-08-31T22:10:00.004-06:00

Shipping containers: a recuring theme in Eritrean persecution. Excited students began returning to military school in the August heat. The excitement was dampened when military officials confiscated 1,500 Bibles from the returning students' personal affects. Trouble didn't start though until military officials decided to make a statement by burning the stolen Bibles. Eight Daniels stood tall and opposed the disrespect of God's word. Instead of a lions' den, military tyrants tossed these eight into shipping containers. Can you say August, Africa, and shipping containers?

Why do tyrants always choose slow torture? North Koreans choose ovens and septic tanks, Eritreans prefer shipping containers.

Read my 2 previous posts, which detail a history of recent persecution in Eritrea. Read more from Compass International on eight high school kids in shipping containers.

Becky Wright, Stephanie Fast, Sherrie Eldridge in Portland, OR

2008-08-31T14:33:00.003-06:00

Becky Wright will be in singing Portland for the Chosen International adoption conference. Keynoting will be 2 of the top names on the adoption platform: Stephanie Fast and Sherrie Eldridge.

Have you struggled with your adoptive child?

From adoptive difficulties to attachement disorder, Chosen International's November 1st conference will be helpful. Become informed and empowered in your struggle. No problems so far? Put another tool in your belt because you will meet families who need this information. www.choseninternational.org

Hannah Overton - Update on Appeal

2008-08-16T22:08:00.005-06:00

Hannah Overton seems to have been unjustly railroaded into prison for the death of her adopted son. Anyone who has worked with children who suffer from reactive attachment disorder, eating disorders, or foster-adopt emotional issues can sense that the whole story hasn't been exposed. Something is missing!

GOOD NEWS! The case is being heard by an appeals court on Sept. 11th. Hannah's brief contains over 30 issues, meaning that this case has significant grounds for appeal.

Pray that the judges will understand what IS missing. The judges will need wisdom to discern the true facts in Hannah Overton's case.

You can view the brief and other documents at www.freehannah.com

UPDATE on Sept. 23: Hannah's appeals case was canceled due to Hurricane Ike and has not been rescheduled. Also, pastor Doug from Calvary Chapel emailed me a new article that summarizes Hannah's case:
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/Murder_by_omission_or_conviction_by_design.html

Loving, energy-depleting, effective: Mom

2008-07-28T23:36:00.005-06:00

Kevin Swanson's blog entry, A Tale of Two Women, resonated with me, as I read it this evening. My wife just put the kids to bed after a jam-packed day. Her morning started with Bible Camp and ended with hosting dinner on the patio for some special guests. How she does it, I don't know, which is one of the many reasons why I appreciate her so much. She has a special word or gift of attention for each person in her household. God has gifted mothers to multi-task through many loving acts of service within a 24 hour period. Click on through and read A Tale of Two Women.

Priscilla and Aquilla - Packed and Ready

2008-07-20T17:37:00.003-06:00

Sunday School was good today. The pastor happened to mention that Priscilla and Aquilla moved at least 4 times in 15 years in order to help with hospitality, discipleship and hosting churches. That impressed me. Modern-day American Christians see life in a very linear dimension. This is where I live, work, have friends, go to church. That is where I send my money.

Two lessons:
1. Be ready to move to locations where your gifts can be used.
2. Don't worry about being local. Local is a great place to be hospitable and serve God. The hard work of spreading the gospel is in the daily hospitality and helpfulness of loving neighbors and church family.

If you're like me, you feel guilty for not being overseas, on the front lines. A point to consider is that God sovereignly places us where we can be used to further His kingdom.

Maria's Miracles from Stephen Curtis Chapman

2008-07-13T16:27:00.003-06:00

For some reason, my heart really wants to know how the Chapman family is doing. I was watching some John Piper and he talked about praising God even when you lose your daughter, which brought me back to thinking about the Chapmans. As a father with an adoptive daughter, I would be devastated if something did occur.

Connect to the Chapman's loss through this song by Stephen Curtis Chapman, which was written with his daughters in mind.

If you want to reach out in support of the Chapmans in memory of Maria, you can through a special adoption fund called Maria's Miracles.

Adoption Stories and Encouragement in Barrenness

2008-07-11T17:18:00.003-06:00

There is a burden in barrenness. A hurt to hold my child. Longing for a lively house. If you have ever adopted or experienced a childless heart, you'll enjoy reading this International Adoption story. Just click on through.

For those who are in the midst of this hard time, you might find some comfort in the book:

When Empty Arms Become a Heavy Burden: Encouragement for Couples Facing Infertility by Sandra Glahn

God has different paths planned for each family. Each path is difficult, to be sure. But, there is glorious joy in being part of a family that God makes. Adoptive or biological, or a mixture of both, God's plans are perfect. God says for us to wait patiently on Him. His ways and His timing are perfect. God's grace is sufficient to comfort the hurting, barren heart.

Toddlers

2008-07-08T23:19:00.004-06:00

"Whew! I'm glad they behaved this evening." I mentioned to my wife as we left the restaurant. Chaos creeps in and pounces like a pack of hyenas. As a parent, I've realized that children aren't born submissive, gentle, selfless, kind, in control. (Sure, some of these qualities are easier for some kids than others.) Instead, the rebellious, me-me-me-and-make-it-snappy heart fuels the child. Decency can morph into destructiveness. Obedience inconvenienced gives way to a foul spirit of my will be done. Kids aren't born with clean hearts ready to obey God and parents. No, only God can gift a clean heart. And, good character is only accomplished through years of training, consistency and Biblical discipline. We are building the fortress of character - one brick at a time.

Focus on Family Helps Martyrs

2008-06-27T17:18:00.003-06:00

I was really pleased to receive an invitation from Focus on the Family to receive Voice of the Martyrs free monthly magazine! As a long-time subscriber to VOM's incredible monthly magazine, I still can't believe that it is free. If you don't receive this no-strings-attached free magazine, you should. Take Focus on the Family up on their invitation and subscribe through their link.

Raising Children with Aspergers

2008-06-20T22:28:00.008-06:00

Frustration, exhaustion, loneliness. Do people around you judge you and make underhanded comments about your parenting? Is your child content within his/her own world? Are there unknown triggers which set off tantrums and emotional outbursts? Do you wonder if your child has an emotional disability?

Every child is different, which results in a wide range of manifestations of aspergers. Your child with aspergers may be very different from other kids with aspergers.

1. Educate yourself on how asperger syndrome manifests itself. You must become the expert. Remember, a little research goes a long way.
2. Try to understand the mental make-up of your child. Every child is different and will have struggles unique to him/herself. It will be difficult to teach, train, mold, disciple your child if you do not have an understanding of his/her personality and mental wiring.
3. Discipline Biblically. Your child does not know that there is anything abnormal about his/her social interactions. There is no concept that there is something wrong with the way he/she is acting. You have to teach that. Other children naturally read YOUR facial expressions and cues. That is not the case here. You must identify the areas of disability and start teaching coping skills for those areas. Give consequences for accidental/ignorant disobedience. Use loving spankings on the bottom for rebellious disobedience.
4. Give your child the gift of time! You should be at home full-time. Your child has complex areas of need. You must identify those areas and teach specifically to those areas. Don't leave this to others. Only you know your child's heart, mind and soul. You are the one who MUST help him/her.
5. Patience, prayer, Bible reading, Christian support from understanding friends. Keep the long-term roadmap specific to your child in mind at all times. You are working for his/her future.
6 Introduce him/her to Jesus Christ daily.

For a true-to-life, first-hand, Christian perspective on autism, Too Wise to Be Mistaken, To Good To Be Unkind by Cathy Steere is a must read. (I am aware that aspergers is a different diagnosis than autism, but this book will be encouraging for you.)

Fly Lady

2008-06-04T23:54:00.004-06:00

Do you ever get tired of the daily grind, with dishes and toys dominating your house? Do the paper piles linger a little too long on the kitchen counter? What about your husband's clothes on the dresser?

Are there times when you wish you could get an encouraging email in your inbox?

If you felt a yes resound to any of these questions, the Fly Lady is for you. She will help you bring order to your house and it won't cost you a thing. Check her out at FlyLady.net

Trying Times

2008-05-14T22:31:00.002-06:00

In the trying times, look for God's answers to the little prayers. Trials seem to show God's face in a special way, especially through His daily providencial care.

Hannah Overton is still in prison

2008-05-07T22:52:00.004-06:00

After reviewing the narrative of facts, I smell a rat. It appears that this lady innocent. I suggest that you do some reading and form your own opinion. Then, send an email to Governor Rick Perry of Texas, who probably has his plate full with the FLDS thing. But, Hannah Overton really does need our help - so send an email anyway! She's at 200 days and counting. There is some good news and that is that her family visits have been reinstated.

Contact Rick Perry by clicking below:
http://www2.governor.state.tx.us/contact/assistance.aspx

Juno - Movie Review

2008-04-24T19:44:00.007-06:00

This DVD takes us inside the perspective of 16 year-old Juno, bringing us on her journey through pregnancy, decisions, emotions. Entirely too immature but equipped with a bit of a post-modern conscience, Juno is good-hearted and wants to do the right thing.

American teens live in a distorted world of fractured hope, meaning that true love doesn't last and Jesus is just a cultural memory. Parents don't parent, they shuttle, and sex is something that will probably happen. You'll feel for Juno when her dad unfairly states that he "didn't think she was that kind of girl." I say unfairly because he really never earned the right to think make that statement. After dad lets himself and the boyfriend off of the hook, the movie takes some intriguing turns. (You'll have to see the film to know what I'm talking about.)

For positives, Juno, the movie, validates that unborn babies are neither unwanted nor unalive. It paints a pretty realistic family dynamic for most Americans, experienced through the likeable Juno. On a side note, Juno touches on the heartache felt through barrenness, while indicating the lonely struggle of a wife longing to be a mother. Strangely, the movie left me feeling positive

Family-friendly? Not in the least. The language and images are crass, and a suggestive memory of Juno's sexual encounter is repeated a couple of times. This is not a movie that will benefit young adults who already understand God's morality and are members of families that disciple them.

Who could benefit from watching this movie? Unchurched kids of this current generation. Juno connects with and brings a pro-life message to teens. That is - teens who have been abandoned by their parents to fend for themselves in the moral relativism of American secular culture.

Must-See Movie

2008-04-09T23:47:00.005-06:00

Your pre-teen and teens really should see this new Ben Stein documentary, Expelled. It opens next Friday - April 18th. I have watched the trailers and read a few trusted reviews from Answers in Genesis and World Magazine.

Also, there are some cool posters that you can print out on your printer to invite people to the movie. This is a super movie about bringing God and free speech back into American academia.

I also just ordered fifty DVDs Creation: Science Confirms That the Bible is True by Jason Lisle from Answers In Genesis, which I'm hoping to pass out to people who have seen the movie. This is a great opportunity to kill two birds with one stone: Disciple your kids and Evangelize some friends.

Hannah Overton - 170 days and counting

2008-02-26T21:03:00.005-07:00

This case will make your blood boil, and I mean to use that familiar cliche. Hannah Overton is rotting in prison, after riding a railroad right into a life sentence.

Without having sat through the court proceedings, I really can't make a judgement call. Or, can I?

The low-down is as follows:
Christian family sign to adopt 4 year-old Andrew Burd. This child exhibits typical behaviors for many foster kids with histories of abuse and neglect. He stole food from the trashcan, overate, vomitted frequently. He dies from eating 23 tablespoons of salt in 15 minutes.

Hannah didn't hide that she had fed him a home remedy that contained a teaspoon of salt to try to satiate his urges for food. But, that is a far cry from 23 tablespoons.

The jury didn't want to convict on murder but was willing to go for failure to prevent death because they didn't take him to the hospital when he vomited. (This kid was a known vomiter.)

So, what is your verdict? If you have ever done any work with foster kids, you already know the risks. There are no guarentees. Large numbers of foster kids falsely accuse their foster parents of abuse. The system investigates.

Foster care is the frontier of unknown. The system can turn on the foster parent at anytime, assuming guilty until proven innocent. Jesus wants us to reach out to foster kids, America's orphans. But, when you do, be prepared to pay the ultimate price - your life.

Pray for Hannah Overton. Hannah probably knew the pain of foster parenting. Anyone who has fostered knows. But, does that make her suspect of murder?

Read more at WorldMag.com

Learn more about Hannah, who has been denied family visits for 4 weeks now, at http://freehannah.com/

Be Encouraged!

2008-02-25T22:46:00.003-07:00

Ladies’ Lamp
THY WORD IS A LAMP UNTO MY FEETAND A LIGHT UNTO MY PATH

Psalm 119:105

www.ladieslamp.com

MARCH/APRIL, 2008 ISSUE 75

DEAR LADIES

The New Birth begins a life of holiness, the only solid principle of joy and happiness. The new heart is the inward fountain sending forth wholesome water; the good tree bearing good fruit; the softened and humbled heart bowing to the will of God. Without the new heart of the New Birth, the ways and fashions of the world rule with a mighty power!

The New Birth also begins warfare with the enemies of salvation and the battle of two natures. It is not a burden to the true Christian to take on the yoke of discipline, which is the key to victory in the war between his old and new natures. Scripture exhorts us to declare war on our sins and mortify them.

Years ago my brother and I agreed to meet our younger brother to give him a ride home. He was late meeting us and I was short-tempered about it. I opened the door of the car for him to climb into the back seat, gave him a sizeable piece of my mind, and slammed the door for emphasis. However, I forgot my sandaled foot was still in the door! When the trauma of broken toes subsided, I was humbled enough to realize some “poetic justice” in that. Here was a classic case of anger that needed to be mortified and the lesson was poignant!

Carol Swanson

MORTIFICATION OF SIN“BUT IF YE THROUGH THE SPIRIT DO MORTIFY THE DEEDS OF THE BODY, YE SHALL LIVE.” Romans 8:13b

Mortification means “to kill”. It is a holy disposition in the regenerate person, received by virtue of Christ’s death. Interested? Click to read more!

Eritrea - Update

2008-02-23T16:50:00.006-07:00

In my last post on Eritrea, I provided addresses for Christians who are imprisoned in Eritrea. To refresh your memory, since 2002, Eritrea has tried to eradicate Christianity from its borders. Over 2000 Christians are unjustly imprisoned at this time.

There appeared a small gimmer of hope this weekend when the government released 35 Christians. Reportedly, none of the 2000 Christians have been legally arrested and given a fair trial. Instead, they have been picked up and forced into prisons and labor camps, although some are under house arrest.

Keep praying and feel free to write some more letters. You can read a COUNTRY REPORT over at persecution.net.

Seoul Railroad - just as real as the Underground Railroad

2008-02-23T00:37:00.003-07:00

Most aren't aware of the underground railroad that takes North Korean refugees across China and eventually to South Korea. Fraught with danger, missionaries and refugees risk torture, death, starvation, beatings.

Here is an interesting article about a well-known Christian conductor: http://www.time.com/time/asia/covers/501060501/story.html

This first video shows the situation in North Korea to some extent. You really must read between the lines - what DON'T you see? Remember as you watch this that there are 200,000 in North Korean prison camps.

This next video is only a few minutes long. It is intense and follows a family trying to escape along the underground railroad. Do not watch this if you are faint of heart. It will burden you, the reality of North Korean brutality.

DO YOU WANT TO HELP? Here is the website for a leading Christian underground railroad network in South Korea. http://www.helpinghandskorea.org/

Renew the Vision

2008-02-18T21:33:00.003-07:00

Watch this music video. What should my response be to this video? Forward this blog to a few friends and see what they think. How do we wake up America?

Urgent Prayer Request

2008-02-01T23:58:00.001-07:00

Please stop and pray for the Davis family who just lost their dad.
http://www.lazydranch8.blogspot.com/

Fruits of your labor

2008-01-26T22:03:00.000-07:00

The character of Jesus Christ is reflected in the joy, self-control, peaceful-calmness that shines from you and your children.

Sure, your daily life has moments of impatience. Of course, you aren't able to be supermom and do everything perfectly: disciple, train, discipline, love, dishes, dust, file paper-piles, potty-train, clean potties, fix meals reflecting the food pyramid 3 times a day, laundry, change sheets, change diapers, change lightbulbs, write checks, clean the car, clean sinks, disinfect car-seats, dust and sweep, mop, clean bibs, read stories, act excited at everything your child does, cuddle, snuggle, rock, bandage, monitor 24/7, change another diaper, bathe the kids, clean bibs, wipe down the table, refill sippy cups, pray, teach manners, impart principles of sharing, stop whining, track down missing stuffed animals before a crying child will go down for nap-time, smile at the neighbors, answer the telephone again, act excited when you husband comes home, smile at his same-as-everyday jokes, do more dishes, cook dinner even though you are burned out on every option in the 'fridge, read bedtime stories, play legos and pretend to bake with your kids, put them to bed, talk to your husband, check your email, read your Bible, go unconscious.

But, your discipleship is working! Incrementally, you are laying a spiritual foundation of morality, knowledge of God. You are building a fence around your children to protect them from Satan and immorality. The result is that your children, even on their worst behavior, still send out the message: my mom knows Jesus and she's teaching us how to be like Him too.

Drive Thru History America With Dave Stotts

2008-01-18T17:59:00.001-07:00

Drive Thru History America With Dave Stotts is a momentus accomplishment!! Gender, race and religion are not descriminated against in Dave's presentation of history, empowering an accurate understanding of America's Revolutionary period. Riveting on-the-scene reporting creates a hybrid of anticipation slash excitement.

History is best explored through the investigation of individual people and their participation in historical events. Dave digs into background, character, values, ambitions of American favorites such as Benjamin Franklin and Benjamin Rush. Although many historians shy away from issues regarding slavery or repression of women in the colonies, Stotts celebrates advocates for equality from Abigail Adams to Benjamin Banneker.

Is your American history hour lacking zest? Captivate, educate with the dvd. Challenge, disciple as you journey through the journal. The dvd is suitable for secular and homeschool viewing, with the journal skillfully tailored to a Christian world-view.

Here's a quick preview:

Just me and the toddlers

2008-01-12T13:25:00.000-07:00

AAUNNGGHH hah hah ahah. YEEOWWW! Is that what you hear ALL day? Do you feel like a single mother, struggling to love, teach, enjoy your children. Patience runs thin about 45 minutes after the kids wake up. You barely get breakfast cleaned, dishes rinsed, children played with, tantrums disciplined, when you notice that the entire house is torn apart, and someone is carrying around stray floss from the master bathroom. The UPS driver rings the doorbell and you are still in your pajamas. Risking embarassment, you answer the door for the only adult interaction you'll have all day.

Mulitply that by 16 hours a day/ 7 days a week/ 52 weeks/ 2 or 3 years.

Honestly, as a husband who can barely handle giving my wife a pathetic break on the weekends and evenings, I have nothing to say. Except -for every minute that you persevere, I say, "Thank You". You kids will rise up and call you BLESSED and HAPPY.

Jesus Christ is willing to help you in this time of weakness. And, before you lose hope, remember:
1. Your labor is not in vain because the Lord is building a spiritual house in your child through all of your actions, words, daily structure, training.
2. Take it one step at a time - one activity at a time - one day at a time.
3. Remember the vision: Discipled children who know and love Jesus and long to serve Him.

Learning to Be Happy

2008-01-08T23:35:00.000-07:00

Jeremiah Burroughs wrote a book, which has been printed by Grace Publishers, called Learning to Be Happy. My wife has been reading me portions of it and I can't believe how helpful this book is.

Jeremiah mentions a number of reasons why complaining is really bad - I mean really looked on by God as sinful. The point that sticks in my mind the most is that complaining infects me and then spreads poison to those around me. Jeremiah notes that complaining creates death inside. It is like a sore that becomes infected and turns septic.

That is so true, I've been complaining a lot lately in a self-righteous, respectable manner. Negative comments that infer a complaint or insinuate gossip pour out, revealing the septic condition of my soul. "Learning to Be Happy" is a great read! It's short too!

Shoes for Souls

2008-01-05T15:53:00.001-07:00

Imagine walking barefoot to your car after a quick shopping trip to Wal-Mart. Winter or Summer, it would be painful. Think about stepping into the restroom at Safeway, seeing the reflection of your toes in the tiles as you take a quick relief stop. At first, the shoeless feeling would be one of freedom, but bondage to dirt, germs, cracks, and punctures would quickly displace the benefits.

Involve your family in helping a few of the 143m orphans get a pair of shoes! I did this a few months ago, simply giving a few bucks online. Two options: 1. Donate online. 2. Buy a pair and ship them to TX.

http://www.shoesfororphansouls.com/

Google me this!

2008-01-03T16:20:00.000-07:00

Google "witness to muslims" and you'll find a trend - Believe in the power of God to change people through His word. Sometimes, I get so carried away with trying to be an amazing Christian so I can point people to the AMAZING GOD that I forget to simply tell people about Jesus and show them what He says in the Bible.

Here's an interesting article from Banner of Truth, albeit a little intense:
http://www.banneroftruth.org/pages/articles/article_detail.php?911

Jesus Is For Muslims

2007-12-31T18:36:00.000-07:00

I'm posting this video clip because it relates to my previous blog: Escape From Darkness.

Adoption

2007-12-29T22:50:00.000-07:00

Here is a thoughtful blog, 10 Things I'm Thankful For About Adoption Today. As an adoptive parent, I see a few things on that list that I'm thankful for too.

http://adoption.families.com/blog/ten-things-im-thankful-for-about-adoption-today

Ladies Lamp Encouragement Newsletter

2007-12-28T11:16:00.000-07:00

Carol Swanson's latest encouragement and discipleship publication is posted on her website:

http://www.ladieslamp.com/

A number of Christian moms receive the hard-copy of Carol's bi-monthly publication. For those who aren't on the mailing list, encouragement is available online: www.ladieslamp.com

Escape From Darkness

2007-12-27T16:48:00.000-07:00

Watching dvds with my mom is one of my favorite Christmas past-times. We enjoy Piper, Ham, Morris. Last night, we watched a testimony by Daniel Shayesteh, an Iranian muslim who discovered that Christ is the God of amazing relationship, beauty, forgiveness and love for all peoples.

Americans naively believe Islam to be the religion of peace, ignoring the inhumane violence that eminates from the middle eastern muslims. This DVD will help you understand Islam and how to evangelize those who are trapped by that religion.

http://www.escapefromdarkness.org/resources
or
http://www.answersingenesis.org/
or
http://www.persecution.com/

Meals on Wheels

2007-12-26T19:17:00.000-07:00

Having moved in catty-corner to our pastor, I've been encouraged by the activity spanning out from his house. Watching her take trays of sweets or quart-jars of flowers to the various neighbors has shown me just how special a pastor's wife can be.

Just tonight, my mom received a call from a lady in her church letting her know that she is up for providing a meal for January 4th - a lady just got out of the hospital. For elderly couples, the church does meals 3 nights a week, with the expectation that left-overs will be enjoyed the other nights. Wow! I like that type of out-of-the-box ministry (no pun intended!).

Evangelism is misunderstood to be solely speaking to and approaching strangers.

Adoption - Treasure Hunt

2007-11-14T23:19:00.000-07:00

God, in His infinite wisdom, has predestined specific children to be in your family, whether biological or adoptive. As you follow the light that God gives you for each time of your life, you are following the clues that He has laid out for you in this important adventure. For some, God has adopted children. For others, biological children. For many, God has destined several children to be birthed through adoption and several to be born biologically.

Christian adoption means: Predestined from eternity to be discipled into the knowledge and love of our Heavenly Father in the forever family of His specific choosing.

Jesus tells that His sheep hear His voice and that we know Him. Eternal life is knowing Jesus Christ and through Him our Heavenly Father. In just that same way, God has selected specific children to be adopted by specific Christian parents. My child hears my voice and knows me and through me comes to know Jesus. There is nothing left to chance.

Are you seeking a special treasure predestined by God to be your child? If you are, she or he is waiting to be found.

Housewife... Stay-At-Home-Mom

2007-11-10T21:57:00.001-07:00

Identity crisis - you can't be American and housewife without wondering if who you really are. Have you ever wondered why mothers will pay someone else to care for their children while they go to work? One answer could be found in the identity that women find in careers. If you are a full-time mom, you know what I'm talking about! The more difficult road to take is to devote yourself to raising and teaching your own children. Your identity is relegated to a grey area in American femine culture. Not only will you struggle with the usual challenges but you will also be saddled with the perception that you aren't as valuable as the one who is out of the house.

Take heart! You are more valuable as a stay-at-home mom than if you were to designate others to raise their children and go off to full-time employment. Think about it this way: Who do you want to raise your children? Who is the most qualified? You - of course!

If a career person dies, their cubical or classroom is filled by the next day. If a mother dies, her death leaves a eternal void in her children. Mom at home will impact the eternal destiny of her children. Careers are temporary - motherhood is permanent.

Pray Scripture!

2007-11-03T18:58:00.001-06:00

Have you ever tried that? Do you have some great passages for praying over your kids?

Pray!

2007-10-26T08:07:00.000-06:00

After fostering 28 foster kids, a UK couple is forced to retire by new pro-gay legislation. I don't know the whole story, but there were a few good quotes in this article, reflecting the Bible's position on homosexual behavior. Pray that God will change the hearts of people who read this article by reminding them that He deserves their worship and it's by His gameplan that we are to operate - not by our own tired desires for pleasure. Ultimate pleasure is found in fulfilling God's design for us to live in humility and relationship with Him.

"I could not agree to do it because it is against my central beliefs. We have never discriminated against anybody but I cannot preachthe benefits of homosexuality when I believe it is against the word of God." - quoted from the below linked article.
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/23028/Barred-the-Christian-foster-parents-who-refused-to-tell-boys-It-s-great-being-gay

Mom's Prayer List

2007-10-20T17:28:00.000-06:00

With 25+ family members, my mom has a really long daily prayer list which she faithfully prays through. She prays for the extended family members who aren't professing Christians, including relatives of her children in law. One thing that caught my attention was that my mom has adopted several families to pray for who DON'T have Christian parents to pray for them. She prays for these families like they are her own children. And, how about those grandchidren who will be married after mom goes to heaven? She prays for them by name to meet and marry godly, doctrinally-solid Christians. Those are some great ideas for me to try out in my prayer time.

Praying for those who don't have prayer support from their own parents and praying for those needs that will exist after I die. Battle on, prayer warriors!

Free Creation Videos - A new one each week!

2007-10-18T19:04:00.001-06:00

Answers In Genesis has a new video posted every week for free viewing. They already have quite a list of previous postings that you can view with your kids. Free and very understandable sessions by Ph.D teachers.

http://www.answersingenesis.org/video/ondemand/

Find a good one? Email the link to your friend.

Creation DVD on sale at AIG

2007-10-07T21:19:00.000-06:00

Creation: Science Confirms the Bible's True by Jason Lisle is one of the best DVDs I've found for giving out to friends and neighbors. It's on sale now at AnswersInGenesis f0r $8.99. It would be worth it for you to pick up 3 or 4 copies to send to relatives or give out to friends.

http://www.answersingenesis.org/PublicStore/product/Creation-Science-Confirms-the-Bible-Is-True,4838,229.aspx

Update on Kazu

2007-10-05T15:27:00.000-06:00

Kazu was fired, lived in his car for a few weeks and now is working again. God seems to have His hand on Kazu, providing work and some family support for him. Pray that Kazu will be healed, saved, kept out of trouble. (remember -- Kazu has a brain injury as a teen, resulting in little self-control with his emotions.)

Mom's Single Hope

2007-09-30T14:05:00.000-06:00

Have you ever thought? Who will open the blind eyes and give understanding to dead minds? Who will change the heart that hates Almighty God's law and grace?

Faith and repentance are the first cries of a newborn spirit. Death turns to life at the call of the Savior's voice. Hate or indifference transform to love and appreciation with the Spirit's regenerate touch. Impossible responses are eagerly initiated when the clouded mind clearly sees his sin absorbed in Jesus' suffering.

God will open the eyes, ears, minds, hearts of those He has called through the ages of eternity. It is not by accident that He has placed your children in your home. You, He has sent to carry the good tidings. His Spirit empowers His good news of guilt washed away. Lift up your head, o weary mother. Hear Jesus speaking to you.

[I send you] "to open their eyes,, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in ME." Acts. 26:18

Adoption Adoptee Oregon Conference

2007-09-27T18:51:00.000-06:00

Chosen International is at it again with a fabulous conference in the works!! Their adoptee camp last May was a HUGE success, with testimonials gallore! If you are an adoptee or an adoptive parent, you should consider going to one of Chosen International's events.

Identity and emotional issues may seem insurmountable. At a Chosen International event, kids and adults alike find answers and acceptance.

"Touched By Adoption"
Saturday, November 3rd
Fruitdale School in Grants Pass, OR
9:30 AM - 3:00 PM
http://www.choseninternational.org/

Bible Calendars and my Mom

2007-08-26T17:26:00.001-06:00

Prayer warrior - yes. Street Evangelist - no. At least that is what I thought until she told me about her latest ministry effort. I sat across from my mom this weekend, enjoying a nice chat! Age hasn't slowed my mom down. Although she isn't doing Bible clubs or writing Sunday School curriculum anymore, she still has her fingers in a few pies. Her website - www.ladieslamp.com is a natural extension of my mom's desire to disciple women. But, back to her latest evangelism effort. (In order to appreciate this, you must know that my mom is a soft-spoken, shy woman with a lot of backbone.)

Mom has been really troubled for the eternal status of most of her neighbors. One neighbor has been really tough. The only two times that she has spoken with her have been when she was able to catch this lady as she got into her car or happened to be in the yard. Mom typed up tracts one year and passed those out. She makes the rounds, trying to reach out. Unfortunately, her neighborhood is pretty brazen to Christ. With that background let me give you the punchline!

Trinitarian Bible Society has a super Bible verse calendar for evangelism which Mom picked up to hand out to the neighbors. It is nicely done and looks great. Pick up a few yourself and hand them out.

http://www.tbs-sales.org/site/sales/category.asp?id=45&back=Calendars+%26+Diaries&backlink=category.asp?id2=44

A little goes a long way

2007-08-19T14:53:00.000-06:00

You see it all of the time. A little consistency and discipline over a few weeks and your toddler is in an obedient trend. (Of course, he/she thinks up new challenges for you to simultaneouly focus on...) But, the principle is there: A little goes a long way.

We just moved into a new house in a new town and 2 ladies from a church that we've only been to a few times showed up. One brought a gallon of milk and a dozen eggs. She also brought a small veggie tray. What really touched my heart was that she had hand-cut the veggies and mixed up her own dip. A little goes a long way.

But, there's more to that story - the two ladies stayed most of the day and unpacked the entire kitchen, even washing the dishes before shelving them. In this case: A LOT went a long way!

Later that evening, our little family spent a few minutes eating oven-hot, home-made rolls. You can guess where those came from. :)

Christ spent only 3 years with His disciples - A little went a long way! So, be encouraged as you sweat it out training your children, managing your household, helping your husband, ministering outside of the home. Remember - with Christ's blessing - a little goes...

Homeschool Families in Mexico

2007-08-15T23:59:00.000-06:00

Kevin Swanson just returned from speaking at a homeschool conference in Mexico. You can read his short report and see pictures at his blog:

http://www.kevinswanson.com/Blog

Make sure you read the part about the mountain church.

Kazu prayer update

2007-08-04T14:03:00.001-06:00

Kazu has had some turbulence since I last asked you to pray. He's moved several times and has not been able to control his emotions, resulting in his now being jobless and basically homeless. Pray that God will connect Kazu with a group that can help him. Also, pray that God will heal his brain and change his heart in salvation.

India and the Gospel

2007-07-23T21:48:00.000-06:00

AIDs took her mother’s life and she was abandoned by her dad. At 10 years old, Angelina met Jesus Christ as her savior through Bridge of Hope in India. Gospel For Asia gives 42,000 “untouchable” children hope in Christ through their Bridge of Hope children’s ministry. Bridge of Hope focuses on teaching the gospel, while providing a uniform, healthy meals and medical check-ups.

Along with reaching out to thousands of “untouchables”, Gospel For Asia is ministering to many young people across India. Sixty-five percent of the population of India is under 30 years of age. Those that aren’t generationally impoverished are being swept away by western media influences. Gospel For Asia national missionaries are reaching out through youth Bible camps and church Sunday schools.

There is a lot of opportunity for you to be involved in spreading the good news of forgiveness in Jesus Christ to the boys and girls, men and women in India. There is very little hope in India because their polytheistic religion requires tremendous sacrifice in order to gain forgiveness for sins. The truth of Jesus Christ is actually the opposite and has set thousands free in India. God loves sinners and poured His wrath for the sins of His chosen people out on His Son. Freedom and peace, relationship and purpose are freely offered to all.

You can do a lot for the price of a few lattes – www.gfa.org/send is a great place to find out more!

For those of you who are interested in GFA’s doctrinal practices, as close as I can understand GFA missionaries are Arminian but use Ray Comfort’s approach of contextualizing the invitation to Christ with Christ’s moral requirements for all humanity.

AIG Published My Article

2007-07-18T23:12:00.001-06:00

Check out an article that I submitted to AnswersInGenesis:

http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2007/07/17/video-vangelism

What did you think?

Update on KAZU

2007-07-15T19:16:00.000-06:00

God has spared him several times in the past 2 weeks from seriously bad choices. Pray that he will heal mentally, emotionally and be saved. This kid really needs to be saved.

Paper piles!!! AHHHHH!

2007-07-10T15:17:00.000-06:00

My experience is that counters are either pristine or barely visible between the paper piles. Cheryl Carter in her book Chasing God and the Kids Too has a great strategy for organizing the mail. Use six colored folders:

Red: Bills to pay
White: Mail needing immediate action
Yellow: Issues that are not immediate but will need to be dealt with or read eventually
Green: To file later
Blue: Mail for your husband to read
Orange: Mail that will take more than 10 minutes to read

Reaching Out

2007-07-10T14:38:00.001-06:00

Reaching out is dangerous because frequently people will hurt you. They will disregard the fact that you stretched out your arms and welcomed them in with your time, love, and friendship. The only consolation that I can offer is that Jesus knows how you feel because He stretched out His arms on Calvary and receives daily disrespect from His disciples, not to mention the entire world. So, give the unforgiven hurt to God and turn afresh to serve!

Many young mothers are desperate for someone, anyone, to spend time with them. Make a Bible study date with a young mother during nap time. Sneak in a weekly walk between lunch and the two 0'clock nap with a new stay-at-home mom. Coordinate with your husband to invite one family over every few weeks for a BBQ. Build relationships and carry your cross of stress, disappointments, and non-reciprical relationships. Souls are won as you sail through the bloody sea of building relationships.

"I gave my life for thee. What hast thou done for me?" - Don't you just love the poigniance of hymns?

Pray For Your Spouse, Today

2007-07-06T16:59:00.000-06:00

If you are married, pray for your husband. Husbands can be a bit unpredictable. Sometimes caring and sensitive and many times a bit pig-headed or just a plain jerk. Whatever the case or the moment, he needs the hand of God opening up his eyes to your needs and his weaknesses.

He's desperate for the wisdom of God in giving spiritual vision to you and your children. He needs Holy Spirit moderation in pursuing work and hobbies, and increased desire for family time and relationships.

Pray for balance in his pursuits, strong spiritual leadership in your home, an overflowing of compassion towards you and your children.

Pray For KAZU

2007-06-27T23:10:00.000-06:00

Pray for a mother's son - Kazu. His head was smashed between a truck and a wall in a motorcycle accident. God healed him totally, except for his emotional stability. He knows that God healed him and spared his life but he doesn't want to surrender to Christ. He's been in a bit of trouble involving girls, drugs and fights. Please pray that he will be saved and given Holy Spirit power to repent. Pray that his emotional component will be healed.

School Books For Zambian Orphans

2007-06-22T16:37:00.000-06:00

Sixty-five orphans live under the care of John and Joyce Jere in Lusaka, Zambia. Along with putting food on the table and teaching them life-skills and about Christ, John also is responsible for schooling the children. A few years ago, the Christian school that the children attended started to accept UN money, resulting in the curriculum changing to teach about condoms, etc. So, John pulled the kids and started home-schooling them. Since he has very limited curriculum, Reformation Church in Castle Rock, Colorado is preparing to purchase Christian readers for each grade-level. These materials will be shipped shortly, as the Zambian winter will begin soon.

You can:
1. Pray
2. Send money (write check to Reformation Church of the Rockies)
Reformation Church of the Rockies
c/o Dave Brent
3206 S. Palomino Road
Evergreen, CO 80439
3. Write emails to encourage Joyce Jere.
revjohnjere@yahoo.com

Have You Read...

2007-06-16T21:05:00.000-06:00

Upgrade - The Ten Secrets to the Best Education for Your Child by Kevin Swanson? Unequivocally, Upgrade is the best book I've ever read on the foundations of education. Whether you are public, private or home schooling your children, this book lays out Biblical principles to help you raise godly, educated kids. My favorite chapter is the chapter on the Principle of Relationships because God has ordained relationships to be an insulator for building wisdom and passing on knowledge. For those of us with NO TIME!!!!, Upgrade is an easy read and is hard to put down.

Ministry Idea: This book is so good that a friend of mine bought a case and gave copies of Upgrade away to clients. Upgrade establishes the Bible as a valid source of wisdom for educating children, making interest in the Bible a natural next step. Pick up a copy online, read it, and then pass it on to a friend.

Review and/or buy the book here: http://www.checbooks.com/Index.php?maincat=&subcat=&product=838

Letters Encourage 3 Indonesian Women in Prison

2007-06-12T21:34:00.000-06:00

RELEASED after 2 years in prison for teaching muslim children in their Christian sunday school!! Even though we all know that two years in prison for teaching the gospel is a travesty of justice, it is wonderful to hear that these three women have been released early.

According to these three martyrs, receiving letters from the international Christian community was a HUGE encouragement! God has been faithful to these women and has arranged for them to be released early. Praise Almighty God!

Read Gina's post on how to write letters to the persecuted church:
http://bfsmoms.blogspot.com/2007/02/writing-letters-to-persecuted-church.html

Read the article:
http://www.mnnonline.org/article/10013

Exhausted

2007-06-10T22:16:00.001-06:00

Jesus said that those who serve others will be first in His kingdom. Look at your exhaustion as a reassurance that you are on the right track. Another way to put it into perspective is to think about your children as partially filled glass pitchers. Every minute and every effort is the action of filling up those glass pitchers with refeshing lemonade. At birth, the child is empty of truth, instruction and wisdom. As you pour Christ into him through your sacrifice, he begins to take on a brilliance, resulting in a full, sparkling pitcher that you set before Jesus.

Letters for Persecuted in Eritrea

2007-05-14T21:40:00.002-06:00

Background:
Eritrean government has arrested and imprisoned over 2000 believers. None have been officially charged or given due process in the courts. One Christian lady was recently released after spending 29 months in a shipping container. In the past 9 months, 3 Christians have been confirmed dead from torture by Compass Direct. At the end of April '07, an entire church of 80 Presbyterian believers were arrested after their Sunday service. The totalitarian government is run by His Excellency (President) Isaias Afewerki.

Names of Some Believers:
Kidane Gebremeskel
Girmay Ambaye
Haile Naizghi
Dr. Kilfu Gebremeskel
Tesfatsion Hagos
Abune Antonios

Action:
1. Pray

2. Please write a respectful letter asking for the release of the Christians who are being incarcerated by the Eritrean government.

His Excellency Isaias Afewerki
President of the State of Eritrea
P.O. Box 257
Asmara, Eritrea
Fax: (011) 291-112-5123

3. Email your congresspeople asking for them to put pressure on Eritrea. You can easily access and email your senators and representatives at one of our sites: http://www.freemelissabusekros.org/
Enter your zip code in the BLUE BOX on the right side of the page.

More Information:
http://www.compassdirect.org/en/display.php?page=news&length=long&lang=en&idelement=4870

Bible Camps

2007-05-12T23:43:00.000-06:00

It's almost summer - Reach your neighborhood kids for Christ by having them over for a week of Bible Camp! Check out our Bible Camp ministry idea page:
http://www.biblesforstudents.com/Bible%20Camp.htm

Melissa Busekros Update May 07

2007-05-12T23:12:00.000-06:00

According to Melissa Busekros' attorney, the German government is allowing Melissa to stay at home for the time being. Please continue to put international pressure on the German authorities. Email a simple letter asking for the case against Melissa Busekros to be dropped completely. Regarding homeschooling persecution in Germany in general, let the official know how valuable home education can be. Give a personal example if possible.

Contact info and email addresses are here: http://www.freemelissabusekros.org
Be sure to email the mayor, president and ambassador. If you have time, a hand-written letter gets more attention.

Prayer Time

2007-05-07T23:58:00.000-06:00

Here is a prayer from Psalm 73:

"Endow the king with your justice, O God (and) the royal son with your righteousness."

Samuel

2007-05-05T14:57:00.000-06:00

Hannah didn't take the few years she had with Samuel for granted. Instead, she gave Samuel her best: a foundation for friendship with his heavenly father. You'll probably have more time with your children, so learn from Hannah. Samuel had the world-view to protect him from peer pressure and immorality. That was not by accident. Raise your children in the rich soil of scripture. Openly discuss the constant barrage of worldly input within the context of God's wisdom. Leave their world-views to chance, and you will guarantee rejection of God's truth in their lives. Build the foundation and empower Biblical application, and you'll give the best gift possible - A heart trained in righteousness, led to the throne of the grace.

Pray

2007-04-19T21:53:00.000-06:00

Times have changed. We aren't worried about overhearing a Madonna song or accidentally catching the tail end of AC/DC metal at the stoplight. The lambs in this current generation are bleating, blitzing full speed amongst the hell-hounds. Look at the kids in your neighborhood. Every child over 10 years old is facing f-bombs, sexual temptation, "God is dead immorality", extreme humanism and demon spawned violent media. Girls are looking for emotional affirmation and boys are craving meaning. Many opt for sexual immorality or rebellious hopelessness. Others throw themselves into any crowd that will accept them, while some lose themselves into isolation.

Pray. We are their lifeline to their only hope - Almighty God. Pray.

Single Moms

2007-04-14T16:45:00.000-06:00

"It's great that many moms can homeschool and spend endless hours with their children. But, what about me, a single mom who has to work to keep my children fed and clothed?"

God has a special place in his heart for you. In fact, he declared that the essence of worshipping Him is taking care of single moms and fatherless children. Our Heavenly Father will be the husband and father that we need when those we trust on earth leave us.

Here are 4 things that you can do:
1. Take care of your spiritual walk: Read and Pray - make Sunday church priority number 1.
2. Help your children get to know their Heavenly Father. Spend extra moments teaching them about God, the Bible and Jesus. Talk about God all of the time. Sing Bible verses with them. Read Bible stories to them. Constantly apply the Bible truths to your children's everyday life. Don't let even one day go by without teaching your children about God, their sinfulness, and Jesus' sacrifice.
3. Along with training your children for a Godly life, be their friend. Jealously spend weekends and evenings with your kids. You are their touchstone. You are their guide to God. Listen carefully to your children. Since you don't have a lot of time, be super involved in their thoughts and activities.
4. Don't be afraid to ask your church for financial help. People want to help but they don't know how to ask.

Remember, God "gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to his heart; He gently leads those that have young." (Isaiah 40:11) God has given you these lambs to shelter, equip and place into His arms daily.

For an absolutely Free children's Bible song CD - email me: tim@biblesforstudents.com

You are valued

2007-04-11T20:50:00.000-06:00

When everything is said and done, you will see the beauty of your everyday struggle to love, teach and disicple your children. Thank yous and recognition may be in short supply, as you ask God for more patience. Your discipleship and daily care for your children is their life-line to Christ.

1. Always remember that your vision is to raise children who love and know the Forgiving God personally.
2. Pray constantly for wisdom, patience, health. Pray for changed hearts.
3. Give your children to God, as He is the one who changes hearts and lives.
4. Use the teachable moments throughout the day to show and tell the beauty of God.
5. Always remember that what you model is more potent than what you say.

God has selected you to minister on His behalf. You are a valued, fellow-worker with God as you disciple and train your children in godliness. Although they aren't doing it now, in a few years your children will call you blessed!

Free Melissa

2007-03-30T13:44:00.001-06:00

You may or may not know that the German government seized and has held by force Melissa Busekros because she is homeschooled. This is shocking in our modern society. Please unite with us by writing an email to the German ambassador. This has been going on for several months and it is getting to a critical point. Please help out by emailing now.

http://www.FreeMelissaBusekros.org

Daycare Study

2007-03-28T11:15:00.000-06:00

A study covered by the New York Times (March 26) confirms what the Bible teaches. The Biblical model is for parents to raise and teach their children themselves. In our modern day of self-indulgence, double-incomes are a must. But, a price must be paid for such income and the buck stops with our children.

According to this study, delegating your child to a day care center for a year or more during preschool years will increase his/her likelihood of disruptive behavior in school, even through the 6th grade. That's one year of day care setting your child up to misbehave for 7 years. The study also showed that every year in daycare corresponded to a 1% increase in teacher reported problem behaviors.

Sure, daycare is understandably necessary for single moms or single dads. But, the rest of us need to do a reality check. Your children will be the culmination of your spiritual vision and legacy. Don't waste the formative years delegating their teaching to paid staff who cannot give the love, training and relationship that you are entrusted by God to give.

Read this article online
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/26/us/26center.html?_r=3&th&emc=th&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

Never ending story...

2007-03-24T10:11:00.000-06:00

The never ending story of managing a household, that is! Be blessed today MOM! Your burden is heavy. But, your blessing is waiting! As soon as the dishes are done, 1,399 more await in the sink. "What is that noise? The low humming from the basement." That's just the never-ending reminder that clothes and towels are sitting wet in the washer - waiting for the dryer to buzz.

One of my favorites is that my son senses fresh diapers to soil. As soon as the clean diaper is velcroed on, the universe seems a peace - just the time to present the world with a little momento!

Be encouraged! Be blessed! When your husband rudely brushes off your daily labor or marginalizes the truth about exactly how much elbow grease was lost today that will never be recovered... When he fails to notice the insane amount of energy that you personally contribute to fuel the family vision... Then, fix your eyes on the beauty of Jesus and His appreciation for you. God looks down at you and delights in the beauty that He is working through and in you.

Hop in God's time machine. Take a quick flight forward 20 years. Can you see them? Your children - all grown up. Look! See them serving the Lord in your footsteps? Watch closely! Do you see the vision that your children have for Almighty Jesus? Can you believe it? Your grandchildren are being discipled in the beauty and affection of God.

Encourage Someone Today

2007-03-21T22:26:00.001-06:00

Click on this blog and leave an encouraging note. I happened on this lady's blog a few weeks ago. She really needs to be blessed with the Lord's peace.

http://there-was-an-old-woman.blogspot.com/2007/03/twenty-years-of-heartbreak-oceans-of.html