Friday, November 28, 2008
Talk
This morning I woke up thinking about how amazing is the gift of talk. We come into this world as a baby not knowing anything about language other than hearing it inside the womb. Then over time we watch others, listen to others, and then try it out for ourselves. Toddlers and preschoolers talk non-stop. Elementary age children are inquisitive and ask many questions. So far on my journey in motherhood I have not reached the middle school or high school years yet with my children. Then as adults we continue to talk a lot. Our brains get tired at night and we think that we have said everything that we know by the time we got to bed. Then amazingly, morning comes and our minds are filled with lots of new words and thoughts. Talk really is an amazing gift. We need to thank God for our minds and for our mouths. However, we need to put a careful watch on our mouths so that we do not tear others down. The Bible teaches us that we should build one another up and not tear one another apart. The book of James speaks all kinds of things about the tongue. May we continually be in prayer that we do not misuse this wonderful gift of talk that God gives to us. Also, we need to learn to listen more and talk less. The Lord gave us two ears and one mouth. Maybe so that we would listen more.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Instilling Godly Character in Your Children
My study has recently been on how to instill godly character in my children. I have been reading, mediating, and praying through Proverbs. I want more than anything for my children to leave the home one day and to say, "my mom and my dad showed me with their lives and with their words how to glorify God". I also pray daily for their salvation. Recently, I purchased, Gleanings From Proverbs by Robert Jones. I found this particular devotion very helpful.
"My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck". Proverbs 1:8,9
Wise King Solomon, after laying the foundation that all true knowledge begins with the fear of the Lord, proceeds to give fatherly counsel to his son. A person possessing proper reverence for God and for the authority of His Word will also demonstrate respect and submission to human authorities placed by God in his life.
Parents entrusted by God with the raising of children cannot begin too early to instill godly character in their lives. EVERY baby enters the world with the fallen, sinful nature of Adam that will NOT love and choose what is right, a nature that knows how to become evil and selfish, but is IGNORANT of how to do good.
Though only the grace of God in Christ can impart a holy nature into the soul of a child, parental instruction and discipline can greatly suppress the manifestation of its evil nature, develop its common graces, and be a blessed means of leading the young person to saving repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
A father is to be the instructor of his own children. To be an effective teacher, he himself must apply and delight in the knowledge he is communicating. It is not sufficient that he say to his son or daughter, "Do as I say!" when he himself does not do as he says. A mother is to be a lawgiver to her children as she guides the house. This necessitates moral courage, for children will strongly test the boundaries set for them. She must display both firmness and compassion, ruling and acting consistently with the instruction of the father.
Solomon may well have been addressing at this time a son who had arrived at or was near adulthood. Even at this age the young person's responsibility is to hear his father's instruction, not with the secret intention of finding a way to rebel against what is spoken, but that of devoting his growing intellectual powers to understanding and obeying the counsel given. He is not to forsake the law of his mother, not to regard her rules of conduct as meaningless scruples when away from her direct supervision, but continue to often confide in her in life's situations. If parents will pattern their instruction after God's law, The Ten Commandments, they need never fear the usefulness of their instruction to their children will come to an end.
Obedience to parental authority will beautify the life of a young person with a beauty that cannot be purchased with any amount of wealth, neither is dependant upon natural gifts and graces. It is like that spoken of in I Peter 3:4 : "But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." As an ornament adorning one's head cannot be hid, an obedient spirit will make the whole life winsome and comely. In Scripture, chains about the neck are emblems of royal favor. A young person who learns to render heartfelt obedience to his parents will have the gold chain of a good conscience about his neck. He will be spared much sorrow, and have much cause of thanking God.
"My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck". Proverbs 1:8,9
Wise King Solomon, after laying the foundation that all true knowledge begins with the fear of the Lord, proceeds to give fatherly counsel to his son. A person possessing proper reverence for God and for the authority of His Word will also demonstrate respect and submission to human authorities placed by God in his life.
Parents entrusted by God with the raising of children cannot begin too early to instill godly character in their lives. EVERY baby enters the world with the fallen, sinful nature of Adam that will NOT love and choose what is right, a nature that knows how to become evil and selfish, but is IGNORANT of how to do good.
Though only the grace of God in Christ can impart a holy nature into the soul of a child, parental instruction and discipline can greatly suppress the manifestation of its evil nature, develop its common graces, and be a blessed means of leading the young person to saving repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
A father is to be the instructor of his own children. To be an effective teacher, he himself must apply and delight in the knowledge he is communicating. It is not sufficient that he say to his son or daughter, "Do as I say!" when he himself does not do as he says. A mother is to be a lawgiver to her children as she guides the house. This necessitates moral courage, for children will strongly test the boundaries set for them. She must display both firmness and compassion, ruling and acting consistently with the instruction of the father.
Solomon may well have been addressing at this time a son who had arrived at or was near adulthood. Even at this age the young person's responsibility is to hear his father's instruction, not with the secret intention of finding a way to rebel against what is spoken, but that of devoting his growing intellectual powers to understanding and obeying the counsel given. He is not to forsake the law of his mother, not to regard her rules of conduct as meaningless scruples when away from her direct supervision, but continue to often confide in her in life's situations. If parents will pattern their instruction after God's law, The Ten Commandments, they need never fear the usefulness of their instruction to their children will come to an end.
Obedience to parental authority will beautify the life of a young person with a beauty that cannot be purchased with any amount of wealth, neither is dependant upon natural gifts and graces. It is like that spoken of in I Peter 3:4 : "But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." As an ornament adorning one's head cannot be hid, an obedient spirit will make the whole life winsome and comely. In Scripture, chains about the neck are emblems of royal favor. A young person who learns to render heartfelt obedience to his parents will have the gold chain of a good conscience about his neck. He will be spared much sorrow, and have much cause of thanking God.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Book Recommendation
On a recent trip to the library I discovered The M&M's Counting Book by Barbara Barbieri McGrath. It is a great way to teach your preschooler about addition, counting, colors, and shapes. It is bright and colorful and the children LOVED it.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Children- Blessing or Burden?
Voddie Baucham in Family Driven Faith writes, "we are anti-abortion, not pro-life". Children in this culture are viewed as a curse or a burden and not a blessing. We say that we are against abortion, but do we applaud the family who decides that children are a blessing and decides to have more children or do we just roll our eyes and say they must be out of their minds. Many people are just indifferent and stand in judgement of larger families. Larger families experience contempt from the world and from other well meaning Christians and family members who have had their views of children shaped by the worlds' views. Pregnancy should be joyfully embraced because ALL children are a blessing from the Lord! Motherhood is an awesome job and we should embrace it with a thankful heart.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
preparing children for adulthood
When children leave the house they should be ready for adulthood. They should be able to manage finances, know how to clean a house, wash laundry, cook, lead a family or be a submissive wife, maintain personal devotional life, be hospitable, and serve others. They should know how to train and discipline their children if God should bless them with children. They should know the word of God well so that when trials in life come they will know where to turn. How many of us can say that we were fully prepared for adulthood when we entered it? Our goal as parents is to do the very best job that we can do to prepare our sons and daughters for this world. It is my prayer that when all is said and done the Lord will say that I did my job to the best of my ability. We are to give God glory by doing our best for Him.
Last night my husband and I watched an amazing testimony of faithful parents who did the very best job they could do in preparing their children for adulthood. Their son was 18 and more of an adult than a 27 year old man I know. He even owned his own business, was engaged, and was preparing to purchase his first home for the marriage. What a testimony of faithful parents! Lord, let my children not call me lazy but blessed of the Lord when they enter adulthood. May they say thank you mom and dad for preparing me for adulthood. I am ready to face this world.
For now if all you can do is wash laundry and cook to God be the glory. Train your children well, teach them (boys too) to love laundry and cooking and all the other skills will come in time as they move into the next stage of childhood.
Last night my husband and I watched an amazing testimony of faithful parents who did the very best job they could do in preparing their children for adulthood. Their son was 18 and more of an adult than a 27 year old man I know. He even owned his own business, was engaged, and was preparing to purchase his first home for the marriage. What a testimony of faithful parents! Lord, let my children not call me lazy but blessed of the Lord when they enter adulthood. May they say thank you mom and dad for preparing me for adulthood. I am ready to face this world.
For now if all you can do is wash laundry and cook to God be the glory. Train your children well, teach them (boys too) to love laundry and cooking and all the other skills will come in time as they move into the next stage of childhood.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Refrigerator Muffins
These muffins are versitile and delicious!
2 cups old fashioned oatmeal
2 cups all-bran cereal
2 cups shredded wheat, crushed
2 cups boiling water
1 1/2 cups crisco
4 beaten eggs
3 cups sugar
1 teaspoon salt
5 teaspoons baking soda
5 cups flour
1 quart buttermilk
(nuts, dates, cranberries, spices, etc.)
Use a huge bowl with a lid. Serves 65. BUT you will keep the dough in the refrigerator to use each morning for a delightful surprise at breakfast. Dough will keep up to 3 months.
Put oatmeal, all-bran, shredded wheat, water, and crisco in a bowl. Soak. Add eggs and sugar. Mix. Sift together salt, soda, and flour. Add to cereal mixture alternating with buttermilk and mixing. Store in a covered container. Add nuts, dates, whatever in small amount of batter each morning to keep them guessing. Bake at 450 degrees about 18 minutes.
2 cups old fashioned oatmeal
2 cups all-bran cereal
2 cups shredded wheat, crushed
2 cups boiling water
1 1/2 cups crisco
4 beaten eggs
3 cups sugar
1 teaspoon salt
5 teaspoons baking soda
5 cups flour
1 quart buttermilk
(nuts, dates, cranberries, spices, etc.)
Use a huge bowl with a lid. Serves 65. BUT you will keep the dough in the refrigerator to use each morning for a delightful surprise at breakfast. Dough will keep up to 3 months.
Put oatmeal, all-bran, shredded wheat, water, and crisco in a bowl. Soak. Add eggs and sugar. Mix. Sift together salt, soda, and flour. Add to cereal mixture alternating with buttermilk and mixing. Store in a covered container. Add nuts, dates, whatever in small amount of batter each morning to keep them guessing. Bake at 450 degrees about 18 minutes.
Prayer
I have recently been reading Walking With God by J.C. Ryle. It was recommended by a friend and I would highly recommend it to anyone! The chapter I read this morning was so timely as it was about prayer. It was so encouraging to me that I want to quote some of it to you.
"The first act when we have genuine faith will be to speak to God. Prayer is to faith what breath is to life. Just as we cannot live without breathing, so we cannot believe in Christ without praying." pg.32
"For those who do pray. Let nothing at all discourage you. Remember the importance of reverence and humility in prayer. Remember the need of the Holy Spirit's help in prayer. Remember to pray regularly. Remember to persevere in prayer. Be earnest in prayer. Pray with faith. Pray with boldness. Ask God for much. Be specific in prayer. Pray for others. Be thankful in prayer. Be watchful in prayer." pgs. 39-40
"The first act when we have genuine faith will be to speak to God. Prayer is to faith what breath is to life. Just as we cannot live without breathing, so we cannot believe in Christ without praying." pg.32
"For those who do pray. Let nothing at all discourage you. Remember the importance of reverence and humility in prayer. Remember the need of the Holy Spirit's help in prayer. Remember to pray regularly. Remember to persevere in prayer. Be earnest in prayer. Pray with faith. Pray with boldness. Ask God for much. Be specific in prayer. Pray for others. Be thankful in prayer. Be watchful in prayer." pgs. 39-40
Monday, November 3, 2008
discouragement and the grace of God
This morning I woke up discouraged and felt as if I had lost purpose. Motherhood can be tiring always thinking for someone else, planning everyone else's schedule, refereeing behavior, training, being consistent, potty training, homeschooling, encouraging others, keeping up with household duties, being a Godly wife and mother, and maintaining my own spiritual life. I get lonely living in a place where there are no other like minded people and the spiritual oppression is great. Gray days are many during these months (November-April). So I pray. The Lord is Good! He gently reminds me of a Bible verse and a hymn.
"But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good." I Thessalonians 3:13
"So amid the conflict, whether great or small, Do not be discouraged; God is over all. Count your many blessings; angels will attend, Help and comfort give you to your journey's end. Count your blessings, name them one by one; count your blessings, see what God has done. Count your blessings, name them one by one; count your many blessings, see what God hath done."
My many blessings this morning include: Bread that is rising in the oven getting ready to be baked, a washing machine that is washing our laundry, school that is being taught already this morning, obedient children, family worship, a motivated husband who is a great encourager, and a daughter who is patiently holding her baby sister.
"But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good." I Thessalonians 3:13
"So amid the conflict, whether great or small, Do not be discouraged; God is over all. Count your many blessings; angels will attend, Help and comfort give you to your journey's end. Count your blessings, name them one by one; count your blessings, see what God has done. Count your blessings, name them one by one; count your many blessings, see what God hath done."
My many blessings this morning include: Bread that is rising in the oven getting ready to be baked, a washing machine that is washing our laundry, school that is being taught already this morning, obedient children, family worship, a motivated husband who is a great encourager, and a daughter who is patiently holding her baby sister.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
He's Still Working on Me
I woke up this morning singing, He's Still Working on Me. Here it is:
There really ought to be a sign upon my heart, "don't judge me yet,
there's an unfinished part." But I'll be perfect just according to His plan
fashioned by the master's loving hand. He's still working on me. He's still
working on me. It took Him just a week to make the moon and the stars,
the sun and the Earth, and Jupiter and Mars. How loving and patient He
must be. He's still working on me.
So many times I get frustrated at myself with my own inconsistencies. I start something and don't follow through to completion or I get distracted. But one thing I know for sure is that The Lord always follows through and does not get distracted or interrupted. He's still working on me to conform me to the image of His son, Jesus Christ. That should bring great comfort to anyone who is repenting of their sins and trusting in Christ alone for their salvation!
There really ought to be a sign upon my heart, "don't judge me yet,
there's an unfinished part." But I'll be perfect just according to His plan
fashioned by the master's loving hand. He's still working on me. He's still
working on me. It took Him just a week to make the moon and the stars,
the sun and the Earth, and Jupiter and Mars. How loving and patient He
must be. He's still working on me.
So many times I get frustrated at myself with my own inconsistencies. I start something and don't follow through to completion or I get distracted. But one thing I know for sure is that The Lord always follows through and does not get distracted or interrupted. He's still working on me to conform me to the image of His son, Jesus Christ. That should bring great comfort to anyone who is repenting of their sins and trusting in Christ alone for their salvation!
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