Posts by guest:
- pray for him daily
- show him respect in front of your children and grandchildren
- remember that he may do things differently that you would, but God designed it that way
- re-enforce how proud you are of him for engaging in your children’s physical, emotional, and spiritual lives
- tell your children how blessed they are to have a father that loves them so much
- look for ways to complement his teaching with daily reinforcement
- submit to your husband’s God-given headship and watch how God blesses you. (Christ submitted to His Father and yet they were equal and one.)
- foster and encourage a loving and emotionally open relationship between him and your children
- do not step in and take over if he is trying to help
- do not be critical or he will become disheartened
- do not step into the Holy Spirit’s job. If your husband is trying to appease you, he won’t be listening to God. (Remember when Sarah did that to Abraham and they ended up with Ishmael.)
- do not make him feel inadequate or he may stop trying
My Perfect Life Project
May 17th, 2013
Author: Tashelga Parrott Recently, my husband and I were discussing our children. What to do? Who to coddle? And who’s getting tough love?
When it comes to blending a family, unless a woman conceives by Immaculate Conception, there is neither a perfect nor an ideal way that words around the topic can be spoken.
The idea itself is imperfect.
Here’s My Story:
When I was a girl, I dreamed of my perfect family- my perfect life. I learned from my broken home, as a child that broken is no way to continue or leave a family… not my family. I thought to myself, since I know what family should not be; it is simple enough just to do the opposite. I’d had-it with the inconsistencies and momentary cushions of the “I’m trying” chat from my folks -separately when they (in his and her own time) could borrow time and hang out with my brother and me. I was all ready to get out of the substitute home of my great-grand parents and into a home of my own. I was anxious for the home that I would make perfect. It would exclude everything that I did not want. My plan was that it would be perfect simply because of the ideal family image that was formed in my head.
If you are not familiar with “My Perfect Life Scenario”, I’ll share it with you. It is the idea that the mom (me) is like Donna Reed from the black and white television show of the 1900’s, (I would just be more black than white). Nevertheless, I’d be the ideal wife right away. And, I’d be mother of children ( all of the same tribe).
But as it happened, I seemed to have gotten my way for a time and impatience had its play.
I was hurt and running out into the storm of life -without a covering. I was equipped only with known examples of relationship trials to hold onto as I ran. My unattended hurt lead to a harden heart early along my journey.
I had more than a chance. And still, I longed to receive love and to express love. I had need for the right way of doing things. I was desperate for reference and power to live in the way… Ah yes, this glorious way of life.
After turning my back to the world, I was so alone until one day; I was lead just to give myself away. I then turned my face to God and tried a new relationship with Him. I turned over everything that I knew. I traded in every hurt, sorrow and shame from the rubble that was left of “My Perfect Life Project”.
A stent of just pressing in hard: worshiping, reading and trying life God’s way, revealed that my dream was still there… It’s just that -I had no plan. I had only passion for my new life and newest relationship (with The Triune God of the universe).
I kept a journal and was able to recognize that my new course had me in good shape. My new efforts were toward having right relationship with God and mankind.
Today, my path challenges me to be effective in every area in which I hope to have happiness. The theme for my life is the same: Family.
I am learning not to chase perfection. Instead, I persevere through trial that I may have patience.
Part of the glory for choosing this way of life is our youngest daughter. She is brilliant and loving towards her visiting sisters and brother. She is amazingly appreciative for seemingly everything. I believe that observing the dynamics of our family helps her to be grateful.
My husband and I (together) do what we can for each of our children. We keep God first and each other the very next priority. If people would stand firm on principle and, “be more flexible and willing to change” themselves “it would solve a lot of problems and challenges in marriages today.” Dr. Phillip Goudeaux, “Protecting and Safeguard Our Marriage”. Investments such a reading is a very simple way to help set a greater example that can be duplicated by generations that follow our own.
In my opinion, there are not many relationships more challenging to maintain than those that include family. I am humbled and choose this path. What I can share with you is that: I shout out victory and believe for good success. We have overcome by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony. (Revelation 12:11)
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The Trouble with Superheros
April 3rd, 2013
Author: Brian Ashbaugh
Since boyhood I have been a fan of action and adventure movies, particularly those about superheroes. From Superman to Spiderman, I’ve found such characters not only entertaining but inspiring and uplifting in a way. Who hasn’t walked out of a theater after a good superhero flick ready to take on the world? I am part of an American obsession that is a multi-million dollar business spawning movies, games, toys, and clothing ad infinitum.
Recently I was thinking about this cultural preoccupation we have with supernatural characters and its impact on young men, in particular. Everywhere boys are bombarded with the theme of superheroes and magic: in movies, cartoons, commercials. They see Superman on a cereal box every morning, play with Fantastic Four action figures during the day and sleep in Spiderman pjs at night. And what do we do? We encourage it all, because its cute or cool, because its popular…because we don’t really think about what we’re teaching them.
I don’t have a son, so I can only make observations here–I can’t share my experience as a father of boys. But I did grow up in this culture and its effects clearly linger today in my entertainment choices. The Spiderman pencil cup and mouse pad in my office reveal my lingering fascination with the “supers.” What’s the problem? you might ask. The problem is a nationwide failure to recognize true heroism, courage or strength. Our kids don’t know what a real hero looks like. They run past the soldier in the mall to look at a Spiderman poster. They yawn at stories of great Americans like George Washington, Daniel Boone, Alvin York, or Chappie James. Such mere mortals are so…human. They were just men!
Why, I asked myself, are we so mesmerized with superheroes? What is it that draws us to these characters? Then it hit me: “..You will be like God…” (Gen. 3:5)
The original temptation presented to Eve in the Garden was the offer of…can I call it “super-powers”? Satan offered Eve the equality with the Creator. He enticed her with power and glory beyond that granted to humankind–with supernatural knowledge and abilities. He made her discontent with the limitations of her humanity. And her desire for “super-powers” still lingers in our blood. We still long to be invincible, powerful, to transcend the limits of this natural world…like God.
The trouble with superheroes is that they distort our concept of heroism and make it something unattainable. So I ask myself, if I had a son, what would I do about this? My conclusion: introduce him to real heroes. Not that I would completely forbid superheroes. But I would promote the real deal–historic and current. It is interesting to look at the heroes of the silver screen, those black and white films of 60 years ago. How different they are from our superheroes today! Mere mortal men of courage, with everything to lose, putting their lives on the line for others. You can find films about many historic heroes. I recall an excellent movie about Sergeant Alvin York, the World War II hero, and another about Daniel Boone.
What about modern heroes? I think immediately of firemen, policemen, EMTs, soldiers–men whose lives are about self-sacrifice and brave rescues. Real men who weep, bleed and sometimes give their lives in the line of duty. Those are the kind of action figures I would give my son and the kind of Halloween costumes I would encourage. And not only could we find entertainment and recreation in the ideal of the hero, but we could connect with real heroes. Get to know the guys at the local firehouse, the local deputy up the street, maybe soldiers at the nearest army hospital. Sure, we might watch a superhero movie now and then, but the contrast between true heroism andHollywoodheroism would be discussed and understood.
One other idea that comes to mind: how about real action and adventure? Camp, kayak, hunt, explore–get our boys outside and teach them that life is full of opportunity for real adventure. I grew up in ruralMichigan, where I spent my summers fishing, collecting frogs and turtles, exploring in the woods (and sometimes getting lost). Not all boys have that opportunity, however, so as fathers we must make the effort to create those experiences for them. I call that “Daniel Boone” adventure–outdoors action.
Another idea with similar benefits is to train and run a race together. The goal is to face some hardship or challenge, maybe suffer a little in the process, to achieve something. The problem with our armchair action and adventure society is everything is virtual and artificial. We enjoy adventure without any discomfort or pain. And frankly, I think many of us are afraid of the real thing because it might hurt.
How does this relate to heroism? I believe it prepares boys to risk the pain and loss that heroes must risk. I’m not suggesting life-threatening extreme sports but ordinary reasonable activities that require courage and involve a healthy dose of risk. They might end up with some bruises and scrapes, maybe even a broken bone–but they will learn how to endure pain and keep on living in spite of it. Boys who have never risked or experienced injury are going to grow up with a fear of it that will inhibit real heroism when the opportunity comes to risk their own well-being to help someone in danger or need.
Yes, I’m full of ideas for a man who has no sons of his own. But I see our society losing its reverence for true heroes, our young men growing up without integrity or self-control and bereft of respect and compassion. A world without heroes is a dark world indeed and that is what lies ahead if we do not begin to raise up heroes again. No boy can hope to grow up to be the “Man of Steel”. Mankind has his limits and cannot, will never be, like God. But boys can aspire to be real heroes, men of action and courage who save lives, defend the weak and helpless, and make a difference in their world. And that kind of hero trumps Spiderman any day.
Next Week’s Author: Susan Arico
Seedtime and Harvest
December 12th, 2012
Author: Tashelga Parrott
Once, there was a farmer who planted bamboo seed. This farmer took care to give the seed to fertile, sunlit soil. He did water it every day. A whole year passed after the seed was planted but then, there was no harvest. Other area farmers questioned the bamboo farmer and asked, “Where is your bamboo?”
The farmer had no reply but was certain of his good seed, good ground and excellent care. So, he was watched and waited some more.
The second year passed. Still, there was no bamboo. Other farmers said, “There will be no return. The bamboo farmer should give up.”
The third year came. Can you guess what happened???
…Nothing.
But now, it was the fourth year! Can you guess what happen??
.. Well, there was no bamboo.
During the fourth year, the farmer continued watering and there was plenty of sunlight. Even though the other farmers were not experts on bamboo, they were convinced by their farming experience that the bamboo farmer was out of his mind. And, they had long abandoned the idea of seeing any bamboo.
The fifth year came and did progress. Can you guess what happen next?
… The bamboo farmer checked on his seed-area-soil. Then, secured his property and went away with a smile -having noticed a tiny little sprout emerging from the ground. When he returned, he came to discover that there was over 90 feet of bamboo standing tall. It all seemed to happen overnight.
Actually, over the farmer’s six week vacation, the bamboo continued to grow two feet each day.
Until this time, not much growth could be detected above ground. Nevertheless, the bamboo seed took five years to network a root system that was vast, deep and complex enough to support the height, weight and quick spouting enormous plant.
When this story was shared with me, it really took me back. As much as I knew about plants, roots and how to predict a story, this one surprised me.
Since then, I have learned the same is true for buildings with multiple stories. Now, I know that the same height must be matched or exceeded in depth beneath the ground to support a high rise.
So, I can see the same concept is true for us as humans. For as much as you may see on the surface, equal amounts or more of foundation work must take place beneath the surface for anything seen to be supported and last.
Here’s a quote that I have embraced recently: “I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these” (John 14:12 AMP)
Every seed has its purpose. Each one grows in its own time and fashion. The one whose seed it is has the most realistic expectation for its growth, development and effectiveness; according to its ground, care and season.
Think about this: “Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the Lord blessed him. And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great” (Genesis 26:12-13)
With only a few days left in this year, I write to you that you may sow seed.
Sow and speak out your expectant harvest. Care for your seed and water it daily. May your seed remain and be uprooted by neither negative words nor deed. May you receive your return in the same year a hundred times over and above that which you sow. May the blessing that was placed upon Isaac also be upon you. May you go and grow and become exceedingly great!
I pledge to not only live out good examples, but to also live godly; being the difference for the next generation of sowers.
Next Week’s Author: Joanne Miller
Becoming Your Husband’s “Ezer Kenegdo”
November 27th, 2012
Author: Janet Mease I co-lead a weekly parenting class for moms where we are studying the book “Parenting is Heart Work” by authors Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller. Each week I do a recap about what we’ve read and discussed in our group which I send out to our ladies. After sending out my e-mail on Chapter 5 where we learned that parents are their children’s primary source for emotional health, I had one mom e-mail me back. She wrote that after reading the section in the book which said that dads have a tremendous impact on their children’s well-being and that understanding emotions gives them greater effectiveness in their relationships, she felt that she could do a better job of encouraging and supporting her husband’s efforts of connecting with their kids. God had convicted her about how quickly she could be to take over doing things for the kids even when her husband offered to help. She was so use to meeting her girls’ needs throughout the day but now she realized she would have to make a conscious effort to step back once dad got home and not be a part of his every interaction and conversation with the kids. She needed to start giving him the opportunity to give out the first praise for obedience or to take charge when correction is needed. While discussing this issue with her husband, he shared that the more she jumped in, the less he felt inclined to help and the easier it was for him to feel complacent. She closed with, “As his wife and the mother of our kids, I believe that I can have a really positive influence on fostering a trusting, loving, and emotionally open relationship between my kids and their dad if I encourage it.”
When I responded to her I told her that she had brought up a very important subject for all of us as women to think about. I had been reading the following’s week lesson which opening statement was “…when children feel the love of their parents, they’re better able to understand God’s love for them”. I truly believe that this is how God designed it to be—the family relationship is to reflect His image and be the introduction of His love and nature to a child. My friends who have had fathers who did not participate or who were a negative influence in their lives always seem to struggle with the image of a loving heavenly Father, whereas those friends who had fathers who were lovingly engaged in their lives were readily open to receive that same image and relationship with God the Father. How a father relates to his daughter has an enormous effect on her soul—for good or for bad. Margo Maine reports in her book Father Hunger that numerous studies have shown that women who report a close and caring relationship with their father and received approval from them during their childhood, suffer less from depression and develop a stronger sense of personal identity and positive self-esteem.
Within the Trinity we see the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit which forms a family, each one having their divine purpose and having a relationship that connects them intimately to one another. With that blueprint, God created man in His image then stated that it was not good for man to be alone. So God put Adam to sleep, removed one of his ribs, formed woman, and brought her to man (Genesis 2:18-22). God designed for mankind to share in that same intimate relationship-oneness, and for them—man and woman—to fulfill His divine purpose for them. When you study the character of God you notice both a feminine and masculine side. The feminine side being the nurturer whom we see in Matthew 23:37 where God says to Jerusalem “…how often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings”. As an example of the masculine side—the admonisher—is found in Hebrews 12:6, “For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He punishes every son He accepts”. God designed men and women with a unique purpose just as we see within the Trinity. Each role is needed and an important part in the raising of children. Children need to be nurtured and cuddled and loved, but they also need discipline, counseling, reproof and even rough housing. (I am not saying that moms never admonish or dads never nurture.)
I know that as women, we can look at the ways that our husbands do certain things around the house and say that they don’t do them ‘correctly’, which is our way of saying that they don’t do it the ‘way we do it’. And if you ask most men to clean up the kitchen it may not be the way you would have done it or if you ask dads to get the kids ready for bed, they may forget to have them brush their teeth or even put on pajamas! But when we don’t encourage our husbands to try or if they only hear criticism when they do, then they will willingly retreat and give up. When God created Eve, He called her an ezer kenegdo in Genesis 2:18. Many scholars have found it very difficult to translate this phrase. We often hear it translated “help meet”. The word ezer is found only twenty other places in the Old Testament and each time the person being described is God Himself. These scriptures describe God as our ezer—our lifesaver—our helper, shield, protector, and the one who will come through for you when you need Him desperately. Kenegdo means ‘alongside’ or ‘counterpart’; therefore, God intended us to come through for our husbands and to fight alongside them and not against them.
Here are some things that we can do as our husband’s “ezer kenegdo”:
Here are some things that “ezer kenegdo” do not do:
The following week in our class, one of our ladies told an interesting story. When she was young she would go to her mom to share what was going on in her life. Her mother would always listen but then many times would say, “Let’s share that with your daddy tonight”. She didn’t understand at the time why her mother felt this was so important, but now she sees how including her dad helped to built a stronger open relationship with her father whom she still relies on today to give her godly advise and a man’s perspective. Well done, ezer kenegdo!
Next Week’s Author: Linda Wright
Defining Your Mission and Vision
April 6th, 2011Author: Janet Mease (wife of our Passionate Purposeful contributing author Rick Mease)
My husband Rick and I teach a small group class on discipling your children. We were looking for a way to show the families in our group how to make a mission statement of purpose for their own family. God brought to mind a book by Pamela Hoover Heim entitled: Leading Women’s Ministries: A Guide to Effectiveness and Excellence in Serving Women. The book contains explanations about making both vision and mission statement for ministry. In the chapter called “Focusing on Vision & Missions”, Pamela stated that she had come across the work of church growth specialists Bob Logan and Steve Ogne, who developed what they called the “Vision Tree” to show how various aspects of organizing and doing ministry relate to each other. She added that best-selling author Stephen Covey also uses a tree diagram to illustrate how principles, mission, and roles connect in living out relationships. From these examples, Pamela drew her “MinisTREE” for her own women’s ministry and book.
I have taken those explanations and have formed them into ‘Your Family Tree’, to help our families make and define their own personalized family mission statements. Here it is as follows:
Your Family Tree: Defining Your Mission, Vision, Goals, Activities, and Results
Envision a tree:
1. The roots: your family’s beliefs—your fundamental, unchanging convictions.
• What does your family firmly believe?
• Out of your roots—your beliefs—will come your mission (or purpose) statement.
2. The trunk: your family’s mission statement or purpose
• What is your family’s stated purpose? What is its reason for existence?
Examples:
“We exist to bring glory to God.”
“Our family’s purpose is to love God and love others.”
3. The limbs: your family’s vision
Ponder:
• Where do you see your family right now? What frustrates, concerns, saddens, frightens, encourages, or inspires you about your family?
• What would you like to see instead of the current reality?
Now set the course:
• What are two or three broad areas that you can give your focused attention to that will accomplish your mission?
Examples:
If your family mission statement is to “Bring Glory to God,” your vision may be “We Bring Glory to God by Loving Him and Loving Others.”
If your family mission statement is to “Love God and Love Others,” your vision may be “We Love God by Obeying Him and We Love Others by Serving Them.”
4. The branches: your family’s goals
• Goals are tangible, practical ways to fulfill your mission. They are to be changed or added to each week or month.
Examples:
If your vision is “to Love God and to Love Others,” then a practical goal to love God could be “Keep His commands” and a practical goal to love others could be to “Show Kindness.”
If your vision is to “Obey God and Serve Others,” then a practical goal to obey God could be to “Obey Your Authority” and a practical goal to serve others could be to “Regarding Others as More Important than Yourself” Phil. 2:3.
5. The leaves: your family’s activities that accomplish your goals.
• Try out new activities; be creative and adventurous.
Examples:
If your goal is to “Keep God’s Commands,” then a family activity that could accomplish that goal could be memorizing a verse each week as a family. Post it on the refrigerator, mirror, or popular spot to gather.
If your goal is to “Show Kindness,” then a family activity that could accomplish that goal could be showing kindness by taking your neighbor’s trash cans down the night before garbage pickup or baking cookies and taking them to a new family at church.
6. The fruit: the results of your purpose/mission.
• Outcomes show in tangible ways whether or not you’re achieving your goals and making progress on accomplishing your mission.
• Look for fruit—God working within your family.
Next Week’s Author: Kelly Patchin
Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room
December 1st, 2010
Author: Lynn Winters
Lynn and her husband live in Benicia, California and attend New Harbor Community Church. Lynn has been married to her wonderful husband Roger for 34 amazing years. She enjoys cooking, quilting and reading. She and her entire family love the outdoors and boating. Lynn works full-time outside the home. She has been involved in children, youth and women’s ministries for over 20 years. Her greatest treasures are her adult children Joni, Hans, RJ and Carrie and her very precious grandchildren, Justin 7, Abby 5, and Dalton 2. Passing on their Christian Heritage is one passion she and her Husband love to share with family and friends.
Let very heart prepare Him room …
Who doesn’t have a favorite Christmas Carol, maybe two, three, or more? Our family has a few that we play over and over as we prepare our home for Christmas. One of our favorites is a song written by Ronny Milsap in 1986 called, “It’s Christmas”. It has a few lines we especially love… the snow is on the ground the families all in town….Love is flowing free… all the worlds at peace it’s Christmas. Another favorite, Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him Room…that’s our favorite line, let every heart prepare Him room.
Christmas can be very overwhelming for some for many reasons. The loss of a loved one, finances, job, health issues, marital issues and maybe you would even like to see it just pass quietly and quickly by. For others, you warmly embrace everything Christmas brings, the planning the shopping, baking, decorating and the countless other things we do to make it the most wonderful Christmas ever! While you may be in the “pass by quickly group” or the “embrace it all group”. (I‘ve been in both and sometimes in the same year!) We can prepare our hearts. Luke 1:37 says, For nothing is impossible with God. Prepare your heart for His love and let him have his way with you this Christmas.
Last year our family wanted to prepare better for this year to share more of our faith with our family and friends by making Christmas more meaningful for everyone. Trim down the traditions so to speak. Someone had given me the book “Christmas Jars” by Jason F Wright and I thought it was a great little book. Then I asked my step Mom to read it also, which she enjoyed it and loved the idea of it too. It started all kinds of ideas flowing to change how we celebrated Christmas day with our family and friends….first we played a Christmas trivia game that we made up all the questions having to do with why we as Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. We also had some trivia about Christmas carols. We had questions for every age and even fun little prizes we purchased at the dollar store. Justin, our six-year-old grandson, read us the Christmas story from the Bible as he sat next to his Papa GG and Uncle Ken. (That was our last Christmas with Papa GG he went home to be with Jesus on 1/27/2010.) Justin shared he wants to read it again this year and Abby wants to act it out.
Then as the evening was winding down we shared about the Christmas Jars, we made the jars look very pretty with shiny red ribbon and a tag that explained what to do and when we would meet again. We lined them up on the fireplace mantle. Everyone was invited to take a jar if they wanted and collect all their change for the next eleven months. The following Thanksgiving, we would decide as a family which charity to donate it to. Last week, we met for Thanksgiving and everyone had filled the jars with change! We all agreed to give it to a local charity in Solano County, Ca. It was fun and it brought us all a little closer knowing we were doing something special for others. Everyone prepared all year long for that day and it was delightful and exciting to talk about what we could do with it. I know I have family and friends who learned a little more about Jesus this past year as they saved their change. The rest of us, well we learned more about giving to others…..So as this Christmas season gets closer, let every heart prepare Him room.
Merry Christmas and God bless you all.
Next Week’s Author: Laura Kuehn
Worry
November 18th, 2010
Author: Keri Bruins
Keri is a follower of Christ, a wife of 11 years to a wonderful, patient man, a mom to three fun, bright, noisy children, a friend, a crafty-type, and a recovering Diet-Coke addict.
When I was younger, I wasn’t a worrier. I was never prone to anxiety or fears or being scared.
Then, I had children.
Once I became a mother, a different side of me came out.
I became a worrier.
I worried about my children: I was worried whenever they came down with a fever, worried that they’d never learn to share as toddlers, worried about what the future would hold for them.
I worried that something would happen to my husband or I and that we wouldn’t be around for our children. I also worried about my ability to be a good parent. I didn’t want to do anything to “mess them up”.
Worry and anxiety became a problem for me.
It was ever-present, and managed to suck the joy out of many aspects of life.
As a Christian, I knew what the Bible said about worry.
I knew Matthew 6:25-27. “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”
I knew God didn’t want me to worry…but I continued my cycle of worry and anxiety.
What I didn’t realize was that my worry equaled a lack of faith.
Then I participated in a Beth Moore bible study entitled “Believing God”.
This study didn’t focus on believing in God, but rather believing God.
As Christians, we are commanded to believe God.
We must believe that He is who He says He is,
and that He can do what He says He can do.
For me, this was life changing.
I had never had a problem believing in God.
But by worrying, I wasn’t believing Him.
By worrying, I wasn’t believing what He told me (over and over) in the Bible.
I memorized Philippians 4:6-7 (New Living Translation):
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
I say this verse to myself at times I feel prone to worry or be anxious.
It reminds me that God commands me not to worry.
It reminds me that I am not in control.
And it reminds me to believe what he says:
I will experience God’s peace, and God’s peace is mind-blowing.
*********
Other great verses on worry:
-1 Peter 5:7
-Isaiah 41:10
-Deuteronomy 33:25
-Ephesians 3:20
-Psalm 94:19
Next Week’s Author: Linda Wright
Lean Not on Your Own Understanding
August 25th, 2010
Author: Jann Zeilenga
Jann grew up in a Christian home and has been a Christ follower for as long as she can remember. Her goals as a teenager were to marry a wonderful Christian man, have children and become a teacher. God granted her one blessing after another. She married her soul mate Bob, 38 years ago. Together they had a wonderful son Rich and dear daughter Laura. Laura married a great guy named Casey and they gave Jann and Bob two precious grandchildren, Presley and Toby. Jann has enjoyed teaching and impacting the lives of mostly kindergarten and first grade students for 27 years. Jann is also most happy and proud to be Melanie’s “Auntie Jann”.
Have you ever watched your child disobey, make poor choices or seem to get stuck in neutral in their relationship with the Lord? I have and I found myself thinking, “Where did I go wrong Lord? I began to present my case to the Lord. I told God how my husband and I had sacrificed financially to send our children to Christian schools, how we took them to church every Sunday, how we taught them to pray, how we told them bedtime Bible stories and how we instilled Christian morals and values in them. I explained to God that I had been clinging to His promise in Proverbs 22:6 that states, “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” I felt that my husband and I had trained our children in the fear of the Lord to the best of our ability. I just did not understand why I was not always seeing the results that I had expected. I guess I thought that there was a Biblical formula or equation for producing Godly children. Do this and this and this and you’ll get the human equivalent of perfect Christian children?
While I was despairing and mulling these thoughts over in my mind God prompted me to listen to a Christian radio talk show program on my way to work. It was from Focus on the Family and I can’t give credit to the speaker, but the wise counsel that I received from the program gave me such comfort. The speaker said that as parents we often fall into the trap of focusing on how our children are doing in their spiritual life. If they are doing well we sometimes take credit for that when actually that was not of our own doing. In the same way, if our children are not doing well in their Christian walk, we tend to blame and place judgment on ourselves as parents. The speaker went on to say that our job as parents is not to focus on where our children are at in their relationship with the Lord, but where WE are in our walk with the Lord.
Our job as Christian parents is to listen to God’s voice. The enemy loves for us to dwell on our past failures and parenting mistakes. However, God’s voice is one of encouragement, hope and comfort. When we listen to His voice and submit to Him, we allow God to lead us, to calm us and to draw us to Him. So what does God ask of us as parents and His people? Micah 6:8 says, “He has shown you, O man what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” And as far as understanding the things of this life, I have learned that trying to understand God’s plan is futile. God only wants us to trust Him with all our heart, soul and mind. We will never completely understand God’s ways. In Psalm 139:6 we find that “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain…” this means we need to place our hope and our trust in God and God alone. My prayer for each reader is that you will, “ Trust in the Lord with all you heart and lean not on your own understanding: In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5 & 6.
Next Week’s Author: Melanie Robbins
Back to School with Great Enthusiasm! But wait…..don’t forget to pray!
August 18th, 2010
Author: Lynn Winters
Lynn and her husband live in Benicia, California and attend New Harbor Community Church. Lynn has been married to her wonderful husband Roger for 34 amazing years. She enjoys cooking, quilting and reading. She and her entire family love the outdoors and boating. Lynn works full-time outside the home. She has been involved in children, youth and women’s ministries for over 20 years. Her greatest treasures are her adult children Joni, Hans, RJ and Carrie and her very precious grandchildren, Justin 7, Abby 5, and Dalton 2. Passing on their Christian Heritage is one passion she and her Husband love to share with family and friends.
My sweet, bubbly little granddaughter is preparing to begin kindergarten with such great anticipation that just being around her gets me excited! Abby gets up in the morning asking how many more days until school starts! She said she has dreamed about this day for a long time! She literally is so happy to be going to school she cannot contain all that enthusiasm she has inside her. She has planned her wardrobe down to what shoes and socks she will be wearing, what pretties will be in her hair, and what she will take in her backpack. She knows for sure her teacher is very nice! In her world, she is more than ready for that very first day of school!
On the other hand, not all children are like that. For example, Abby’s mommy was not at all like that. She was very quiet and studious; she liked to think things through very meticulously. She was concerned about what school was really all about and if the teachers were going to be nice. She wondered what the other children were going to be like. Would she make friends? Would other kids like her? Could she read well enough? Was she ready to go to school all by herself? I asked myself if I was ready to give her over to strangers.
With all of Abby’s enthusiasm, it started me thinking about all our children who will be starting the 2010-2011 school year. It may be pre-school, elementary school, middle school, high school, college, graduate school, or maybe even adult education courses. It may be private school, public school, or maybe home school. No matter what school each of them attends, they are beginning to embark on their own educational journey.
You know your children, you love them, you study them, and you nurture them daily. They are very precious gifts from God chosen especially for us. Each child is uniquely gifted and created by Him with a very special purpose and plan for their lives.
With that said, Dear Passionate Purposeful Parents, I am asking that we all join in prayer today for all of our children as they begin a new school year. May our Lord and Savior guide and direct their paths, keep them from any harm, and protect them from the evils of this world. At the same time, we also ask that He provide them with their own individual physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Allow us as parents, families, and friends to be an encouragement to one another by being loving and kind to each other. May we do our very best to be a good witness to all children that we meet. Pray continually, as that is what the Lord would have us all do. Be an encouragement to others around you, as we have no idea what life challenges others may be facing.
Below are just a couple of scriptures we can personalize for our children.
Joshua 1:9
Eph. 4:14-21
Phil. 1:9-10
Phil. 4:4-8
1 Cor. 15:33
1 Cor. 15:58
Next Week’s Author: Jann Zeilenga
Memories from my heart
March 10th, 2010
Author: Lynn Winters
Lynn and her husband live in Benicia, California and they attend New Harbor Community Church. Lynn has been married to her wonderful husband Roger for 33 amazing years. Enjoys cooking, quilting and reading. She and her entire family love the outdoors and boating. Lynn works full time outside the home. Has been involved in children, youth and women’s ministries for over 20 years. Her greatest treasures are her adult children Joni, Hans, RJ and Carrie and her very precious grandchildren, Justin 6, Abby 4, and Dalton 1. Passing on their Christian Heritage is one passion she and her Husband love to share with family and friends.
My dad passed away January 27, 2010. That was one day in my life that the world seemed to stand still. The events leading up to him leaving this journey here on earth to be with his Savior in heaven have had a very strong impact on my life. You see, my Dad was like our super hero, not that he could fly or leap over big buildings in a single bound, but super hero in that I thought he would live much longer than his 75 years. I do not think any of us were prepared to plan a celebration of life service for him but that is exactly what we did.
My Dad was quite a character he had some very strong opinions about almost any topic. If you knew my Dad, you knew he loved to talk and tell stories. He won all the fights he’d ever been in and he was always right. We all accepted that about my Dad but you see there was more to my Dad then the talking and the stories. My Dad came from a bed of brokenness and built himself into a strong tower. I say “built himself” because he did things his way in his time. My Dad made some major mistakes in his life doing things his way and he recognized a need for some changes. I choose to believe that process began when he was in his mid fifties. In his sixties, I began to notice those changes. He talked less, shared more about his life experiences, and listened more. He was gentler and kinder to those around him. He was available to help anyone who asked for his help and he never said no. He would babysit his great grandchildren as they were a priority in his life. He and Maryanne also went back to Illinois to help care for his mother when she was ill. My Dad was a good caregiver. I had two surgeries and each time my Dad came to take care of me.
My Dad was baptized when he was 70 years old. After that we saw even more changes in him. My Dad was quiet about his faith. He had friends who encouraged him in his faith and they studied the bible together. They did things together and enjoyed one another’s company. He was so grateful that God brought friends into their lives. Those friends helped to change my Dad’s life and those same friends will be there to support his wife Maryanne.
My Dad was not one to say “I love you” but the days before he died if you said, “I love you” he said, “I love you too”.
One of the doctors told us that my Dad let her know he was a Christian! She said she was amazed that he shared that. She was so blessed that he shared that with her because she too is a born again Christian.
When a nurse came into his room and asked, “Can I get you anything Mr. Henry”? He said how about another 20 years? We all laughed and cried at that comment. You see my Dad was preparing himself because he knew he was not going back to his home. That was on a Tuesday. I stayed with my Dad that night not wanting to leave him and wanting to talk. He did not say much when we talked but I knew he could hear me. I prayed with him and talked to him. I let him know my brothers and I loved him very much that his whole family loves him.
As Maryanne and I sat with my Dad on Wednesday morning, my Dad not able to move much he was lying very still but he was talking in a very quiet voice, and not making sense to us. He seemed to be having a conversation with someone. We listened and watched as my Dad lifted both arms began to sit up in his bed. With both arms raised up high; he softly said, “I’m ok now, I’m ready God, you can take me now.” Those were the last words we heard my Dad speak. He died several hours later with his family around him and just after Maryanne had everyone hold hands and pray together one more time.
My Dad left this world to go to heaven where we will see him again. My faith is stronger because of those last few days with my Dad. I miss him terribly but for now, I am grateful that he had a saving grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is my prayer that each of us who knows Jesus keeps praying for unsaved family and friends. It was prayer that changed my Dad and it will be prayer that brings those you love to Jesus so they can experience God’s grace and love too.
Next Week’s Author: Tyler Robbins
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