Feed, Don't Force

I hear alot of people say they don't want to force their faith on their children. They want their children to come to Jesus on their own, to have their own relationship with our Lord. I agree completely--it can't be a forced relationship.
For a long time I didn't understand what the phrase "force my faith" meant, exactly. I was afraid of doing it to my own children. We've all heard someone say, "don't shove it down my throat," when it comes to religion, haven't we?
God has shown me that if you have an authentic relationship with Him, if He truly is the center of your life, you won't have to "force your faith" on your kids. When you live as children of the light (Eph5:8), everything you are involved with feeds your faith. The music you listen to, programs you watch, books and magazines you read, websites you visit, people you hang out with, conversations you have, they are all done to the glory of God. There is no forcing, just feeding.
If I want my children to be Christ-like, am I going to feed them a diet of worldly entertainment? I don't feed myself worldly entertainment because most of it is anti-Christ. How do you become more Christ-like if you fill up on things that deny or blaspheme Him, and encourage anti-Christ behavior?
If you want your children to be faithful to God, to have their own relationship with Jesus, you have to give them the tools to make it possible. You can't just pray that they'll see it in you, and figure it out on their own. You also can't superficially be living for Christ and "force your faith" on them. That's when it's forcing--when you aren't authentic. If you're real, you will naturally be feeding your children. If you're not real, you'll be forcing instead of feeding.

Does Kleenex equal love?

I remember my first sleepover at a friend's house when I was about 9 years old. Her house was a few miles from our house, but just acrossed the road from my Grandma's house.
I had alot of fun all day long. Her dad was a fun, goofy guy. She had a little brother that either left us alone or was a good sport about being picked on. She lived in the country and while she didn't have any animals, they had a really cool dunebuggy, an awesome treehouse and a huge yard with woods for us to explore-and almost wreck ourselves on the dunebuggy. What great memories....
Did I mention the super-cozy big ole couch in the living room? That's where we were all set to go to bed. I really liked that couch. We had a very busy day and were tired and ready to have a good sleep.....that's when the trouble started.
Notice I haven't mentioned her mom? She had one, only she wasn't real involved with us when I was there--at least that's how I remember it. She definetly wasn't one of those cookie baking, tuck-you-in, goodnight stories and kisses kind of moms....which I was used to. Uh-oh. How do you go to bed in a strange place without some lovin' and snugglin'? I tried, then...I cried. Big crocodile tears. I asked my friend for a kleenex. Would you believe she said they didn't have any?! She woke up her mom who SENT a roll of toilet paper out with her!!! She not only didn't buy kleenex for her family, she didn't come and comfort me like any good mom would, and should!!! Who doesn't have kleenex? Isn't that a staple in every house? In our house we had a place for everything in the kitchen...toaster here, cookie jar over there, box of kleenex next to that. Always! We may not have had new sneakers all the time, but we ALWAYS had kleenex, because that's what a good mom does--makes sure there is kleenex, right?!
Okay, jump to present day...my family has the sniffles this week. No swine flu, just good old fashioned colds. GUESS WHO DOESN'T HAVE KLEENEX? Guess who's using a roll of toilet paper, instead?!
Here's what I've learned: 1. Kleenex does not equal love. 2. A certain brand of toilet paper feels and works much better than kleenex. 3. Really good moms have a way of knowing when you won't make it through the night at a friend's house and have no problem coming to pick you up. (especially if Grandma lives close by).

Are You Fully Dressed?

Recently, I read an article written by Charles Stanley called Dressed For Battle. He talked about the importance of realizing that we are at war with satan and his loser friends, and because of that, we need to be sure to put on the full armor of God.
I've read Ephesians 6:10-18 numerous times, heard it preached on, or talked about several times--but this time something touched me. If you haven't read it in a while, or ever--go read it now.
I have a long history with a short temper, I think I've mentioned that before. God's been helping me with it for a few years and we've come quite a long way. There are still days, however, that it doesn't take much for me to lose it. For whatever reason, I have never started out the day putting on the full armor of God.
After I read Mr. Stanley's article I was so excited to get dressed the next morning that I almost couldn't sleep! Before I got out of bed that morning, I began praying and dressing, reminding myself what each piece stood for.
As the day progressed, whenever I started to feel a little agitated, God would remind me that I had the armor on--satan's darts couldn't reach me! Satan wants nothing more than for me to lose my temper and dwell on that, rather than have self-control and glorify Jesus.
I pray without ceasing, have for quite sometime, but I'll tell you what...try putting the full armor on and see what happens. You'll be amazed at the difference. I can't believe I've gone so long without it, I can't believe I've survived without it.
I receive Mr. Stanley's magazine called In Touch through the mail, but he has a website for it, www.intouch.org . The article I'm talking about is in the October issue, which I don't think is online, yet. It's definitely worth remembering and checking out once October rolls around!

Directions?

The curriculum we use is Christ centered. It's very serious about following directions. The answer is not as important as following the directions. I didn't quite understand this at first. How could the answer not matter as much as following the directions?
Today daughter came to me with her work and a question. As I looked over the page I finally got it! The directions had specified to draw a line through a word. She had scratched it out. I asked her about it. She didn't seem to think it was a big deal, the word was right--she just used a little more lead than called for.
I finally understood why the directions are so important. If we don't train our children how important it is to follow directions--regardless of the result--how will they know to follow the directions we are given in our life manuel--the Bible? Doesn't the Word tell us what to do, and what not to do? We aren't to add to it, or take away from it. We are to follow the directions exactly as the Father and the Son gave them! We will be forgiven for wrong answers, but we will be held accountable for following, or not following, the directions.

He Is AWESOME!!

Talk about super powers.....I thought I knew how amazing God is.
I receive a weekly devotion-type thing from Splink for my girls and part of today's was about the stars in the sky. Did you know that if you could count 3 stars per SECOND, for 100 YEARS, it would be LESS THAN 5% of the stars that exist?! WHAT??? The truly amazing part is that God calls them by name!!!! Psalm 147:4 says He knows the number and calls them by name! Can you even begin to imagine how utterly amazing that is?
Have you stopped to adore you're maker today? Nothing on this earth, no cell phone, no computer, no music group, no animal, no sneaker, NO thing or person, can begin to compare with the true awesome-ness of our Heavenly Father.
I thought I knew how amazing He is. I have so much to learn. Don't ever underestimate the power of God. He is beyond anything we could even imagine.....how could we not worship Him? How could we worship anything BUT Him? How could we doubt the Truth that is the inerrant word of God? How could we question anything or compromise on anything He says?
He is AWESOME, and I am humbled.

Super Powers!!

I found out today that I have super powers!
Here's what happened....sweet daughter 1 was asked to take the dog out (her regular chore). For whatever reason, she didn't want to be very cooperative about it. I could have begged, threatened, whined, done it myself, but nope--I used my super powers!
Let me give you the background....our curriculum for reading has stories that are based on scripture verses. This past week's story scripture verse was Proverbs 12:10--A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast.
So, what was my super power in this dog situation? It wasn't "because I said so", I didn't rely on parenting power. Instead I relied on God power--scripture. I quoted Proverbs 12:10 to her--A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast.
Because we had learned it last week, and she really enjoyed the story, and she really loves God, quoting scripture worked alot better than nagging.
I hear people say you need to hide scripture in your heart. You absolutely have to memorize scripture, but don't hide it! Use it! It's incredibly handy in all situations.
My daughter stopped for a second, looked at me, and then cheerfully took the dog out. I was so excited with these amazing super powers that I ran to my hubby and told him we need to start studying all the scriptures related to child-rearing because it was so much more powerful than anything I could have come up with on my own.
Try it yourself and see if you don't get positive results!

Come, Sit Awhile

"Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." (Proverbs 16:24)
I can see proof of that in my 7yo daughter's little face when I say something kind to her. She glows, she's pleased, all is right with her world.
"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." (Proverbs 15:1)
Just as I can see in her face what pleasant words do, I can see what harsh words do. She's ashamed, hurt, all is not right with her world. And when I see it in her face, I feel it in my heart. I long to be kind, gentle, patient, compassionate, peaceful. I beg God to help me be these things.
Before I know it, I'm trying so hard that I act the opposite! That's when God takes me aside and gently reminds me that I can't do it, only He can.
It's not long before I think about some of the people I know who have lost children. Oh, how my heart aches for them. I have babies I will only hold in heaven, but none that I've held on earth and then lost. I beat myself up for not being the most loving mom at all times, because some people would do anything to have their children back. How dare I be so annoyed with mine?!
That's when God takes me aside again and reminds me that these scriptures include how I talk to myself. Can you believe He doesn't get annoyed with me? He IS patience. He IS gentleness. He IS kindness. He IS compassion. He IS peace.
So I sit awhile with Him. I call to my girls and encourage them to also sit awhile with our Savior as He once again fills us with His love.
And then we pray. I thank God I have these precious girls. I pray day and night for the ones who have lost their precious children, their siblings. I thank God that, though I don't know from experience how they feel, He has gifted me with an empathetic heart. I use it to pour out intercessory prayer for them.
"Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones."
All may not be right with the world, but all is right with the Lord.

Through Clenched Teeth

I've talked about the importance of prayer, talking to the Savior, talking to God. I've discovered something interesting as I go through our days of homeschooling--if I'm praying through clenced teeth two things are happening. 1. I'm sinning. More than likely the initial problem was disobedience, or some other sin, on the part of the girls, but it doesn't matter what they did, as much as how I respond to it. 2. Even if I'm doing it through clenced teeth, at least I'm praying!
I may start out with the completely wrong attitude, but if I go directly to the One who can help me, the teeth gradually loosen, as does my heart.
Have you ever done it? Someone "wrongs you" and you pray (through clenched teeth) something like "Lord, please help me not rip his head off!" And God laughs and tells you He'll kindly not rip your own head off because of your lousy attitude. At this point, hopefully, you realize that regardless of what the other person has done, it's your reaction and heart attitude that is the real issue.
My stepdad said recently that he was proud of me, and how much I'd grown. I laughed and told about how I had behaved earlier that evening--hadn't grown that much!!
But God showed me that even though I still blow it in some ugly ways, I keep coming to him, clenched teeth or not, for wisdom. I'm reaching out to others to hold me accountable. I recognize my sins, hate them, and desire to be more Christ-like.
The clenced teeth become a softened heart that I can use to address the issue that started the whole thing. After I've dealt with my own sin, I'm better able to deal with the girls' sins. Then our day can progress and we can get about our business of loving the Lord!

Fancy False Teachers

Have you ever watched some of the mega-church preachers? I was curious about one in particular, so I watched his show tonight. WOW!!! It was amazing. Tons of people. Fancy decorations. Fancy suit. He talked all about how God wants to give us the desires of our hearts, all we have to do is believe. He quoted scripture where God blessed people. The crowd was smiling and cheering. He sounded wonderful.
I noticed, however, that someone was missing. There was a whole lot of "me", but there was no Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 2:18 says "For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error." Peter was talking about false teachers.
John says, in 1 John 4:5-6 "They are from the world, and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of the truth and the spirit of falsehood." He is also talking about false teachers.
The only way you will be able to identify a false teacher is to pray for discernment and read your bible. If you know the real thing, then you will recognize the false one. If you never feel offended (I call it conviction), you might want to investigate a little bit.
If you really want to know Jesus, then listen to preachers like Dr. Dobson, James McDonald, Chip Ingram. Read something by Chuck Swindoll, Chuck Colson. Check out Way of The Master.
Read your bible, pray!

Who's With Me?

It's been a while since I scanned the magazine covers while waiting in the checkout line. I deliberately avoid looking at them because I don't want to take up space in my mind with the junk they offer. I'm also training my little ones that one way to avoid the traps of society is to never get wrapped up in what they say is important. 1 Corinthians 2:5 says "That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."
Well, today I happened to be in the checkout line with only one child, who was actually behaving quite well. So....my eyes wandered....Have you seen the kind of garbage that is making the cover of so many popular magazines?! People actually spend money on them?! People don't see a problem with them?! I was in utter shock at first. I'm talking vulgar! Thank the Lord my reader wasn't with me!!
The lady in the lane next to me had a screaming toddler--wanted some of that candy they put right at kid level--she suggested they have a lane that's child-friendly. No candy, toys, smutty magazines (I added that one). The cashier said that would have been a great suggestion at their grass roots meeting. I asked how I can lobby for this lane--everyone agreed and laughed.
The thing is, I'm totally serious. It's time we took a stand and did something about the lack of morals and values and respect, not to mention common sense! I go to the store to buy groceries, not to explain to my 7yo what a "sexy a-- workout" is! At the end of an hour of searching for the best deals to make the most of one income--and saying no to all the "gotta have it or you're sooo not cool" products--do I really have to subject my tired girls to a rack of toys and candy they can smell and can't help but touch because the aisle is so narrow?! (Is that the longest sentece you've read in a while?) Should I have to explain to my curious reader what a "hookup" is? Or why that girl has almost no clothes on? I wonder what they would do if I suggested they have a rack for bibles?
"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." (1Cor.1:18)
I intend to take a stand and do what I can to get a child friendly lane established. Maybe I'll start moving a bible to the checkout everytime I go! Who's with me? I've heard complaining for years about the candy and toys causing such a problem. The magazines are absolutely inappropriate for grown-up eyes, let alone children. Let's show our kids how much we love and respect them by trying to make their grocery shopping experience a little less traumatic.

Warning!!

It's too quiet this afternoon. Little one is at Grandma's, older one is gathering firewood with Daddy. Mommy has alone time. It doesn't happen very often, and I almost can't enjoy it. Oh, wait....yes I can!!
I was listening to Focus on the Family today on the radio and now that it's so peaceful here, I have a chance to really focus on what I heard. Dr. Dobson was interviewing a woman that wrote a book about mommies being angry. She told about an incident that led her to write this particular book, and boy could I relate! I haven't read the book, so I don't know what it's all about, but she shared a bit about her sometimes less than glorious journey with her children.
I was laughing, I was crying, I was thinking, I was praying. She mentioned hormones being an issue with mommies--yep!!! She mentioned being tired--yep! She mentioned how one day, everything would go really well, the next day--not so much.
It really got me thinking about life in my house. Hormones are definitely something to be reckoned with--thank the good Lord my husband has his eyes opened to that!! I have made sure my husband realizes that sometimes I'm just plain unreasonable--hug the monster and maybe it will go away!
If I warn my girls and teach them to be aware of the rotten hormones now, at their tender age, maybe they won't be ruled by them as they get older.? We warn our children about so many things that can cause them to stumble, how many of us have thought to talk about hormones?
See what happens when I have time on my hands? But seriously, we all have them. They are involved in alot of life-issues. Teach them the pros and cons of having hormones, equip them with appropriate scripture, and pray.

Children of the Light

Hubby, Dad and girls were painting our house this weekend. The girls helped in a way only a 3yo and 7yo can, but actually I was surprised at what a good job they did!
At one point the youngest was singing "I've got the joy joy joy joy down in my heart..." She often walks around singing tunes to and about our Lord.
Today, she was with me in church, during communion. While Pastor was talking about the blood of Jesus and how it was shed, she quietly (for her!) caught her breath and exclaimed "he's talking about Jesus!"
Anytime she sees a cross, she tells people what it means. She sings whenever she feels like it. She talks to God as if He's right there with her.
My point is not to brag about my little angel (she's a sinner, like the rest of us), my point is that she is a reminder to me of Ephesians 5:8. "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light..."
Did you ever notice society tells us it's time to grow up! Quit acting like a child! Hmm.... The bible tells us the opposite. It tells us, more than once, to act like children! Children don't care what people will say about their singing. Children aren't shy about talking about Christ. Children get excited and aren't afraid to show it.
I challenge you this week to act like a child! The bible says that's the way to show your love for Christ. Children also have a tendency to rebel--this week, rebel against society and refuse to grow up! Act like a child of light.

Do You Really Want To Know?

We started school this week. My 7yo has been asking about Labor Day, so I looked it up online and found a very good, basic unit study to spend a day on. We read the story, answered some questions, had some discussion, drew some pictures, and when we were all finished I asked her what she learned about Labor Day. "Uh, (blank stare turning into deer in the headlights stare)...umm....I don't know?" I asked "If Grandma asked you what Labor Day is about, what would you tell her?" Shrugged shoulders.
She had been asking about Labor Day everyday for a week, so I thought she really wanted to know.
It makes me think of when I started praying more of you (God), less of me. Did I really want more of Him? Or did it just sound like the spiritual thing to do?
The carnal side of me was not pleased. There were a few television shows that I thought I probably shouldn't watch, but made excuses and watched them anyway. Guess what? When I started asking for more of Him---that's what I got. I no longer watch those shows because God wouldn't watch them and He owns more of me than I do. He changed my mind and heart so that those shows were no longer appealing.
Do you really want to know about Christ, or are you just playing church? If you really want to know him, pray things like "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10) Or "more of You, less of me", etc.
Don't ask if you don't really want to know! If you ask, he will change your heart and mind and you will grow closer to Him. You won't be content with going along with the crowd anymore.
As for my girl, after a recap of the lesson she was able to give an explanation of Labor Day with a big smile on her face.

Truth or Snare

2 Timothy 3 talks about Godlessness. Paul tells us "People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God--having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them."
I am guilty, at times, of more than one of those. I pray for God to show me when I have sinned, and to help me be more Christ-minded. My one true desire is to please God. Over the last several months I have prayed for boldness--can you tell how He answered that prayer? I have discovered a few things happen when you are bold--people don't like it, and sometimes I feel like I've done something wrong. When this happens, I search my heart, go to God in prayer, and search the scriptures. Sometimes He shows me how I could have been more loving, but one thing is certain--people have to know the truth. I am not afraid to share it.
The things Paul talked about in verse 2 are going on in everyone's lives, but if we are tuned into the Holy Spirit, search for the truth, and desire to be more Christ-minded, He will give us wisdom to avoid the things that draw us away from Him.
Paul goes on to say "They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth."(verse 6-7)
So, people who are lovers of everything except God, are taking advantage of busy, tired, overburdened women who are easily influenced and looking for something to make them feel better. Sounds like alot of the advertising on T.V. and in magazines and online, doesn't it? Paul is warning us to "have nothing to do with them".
If you were pulling out of your driveway and your passenger saw a car coming, you'd want her/him to tell you, right? I think it's the same with the Truth. If someone sees something you don't, they are obligated to tell you. We all have to answer to God one day--for what we've said, and for what we've done with what we've heard. Everyone has to answer to God, believer and non-believer!