Tips for Moms

This past week I had the opportunity to speak at a baby shower.  My thoughts turned into a bit of a top-ten list. It is by no means a complete list, but with the time I had to speak, I tried to cram as much as I could onto one page and into 5 minutes.  A few people have asked for it, so I thought I'd just post it here...

For Stephanie: Top Ten Tidbits of Mothering Advice ~ 02.23.12

Subject to change as I grow and learn more about being the mom God wants me to be… 

(*Crazy Glue: fixes almost anything they break…almost everything…)
10. Many wise women have told me this: Enjoy every stage of your child’s development.  Time is fleeting.  You won’t believe how fast the time flies…Before you know it they are behind the wheel & looking at universities… (Jms 4.14 Life is a vapour) Enjoy them while they are with you…some day you have to let them go…
9. Model a life of Balance…whether it’s in the work you do, the food you eat, the leisure activities you enjoy…the list could go on and on. What does this mean? One example: Balance work and play. It’s important to take time to play, dance and sing with your children.  When they grow up they will remember the time you spent playing with them, not whether your floor was sparkling clean. Give them undivided attention. Look them in the eyes when they are talking to you. Sometimes you need to demonstrate to them that they are more important than the dishes. (Eph 5.16-redeem the time)  
8. Be there and Party. As they grow older, be there for them.  Be there.  Watch them play their sports…cheer them on at the spelling bee or the battle of the books, and be interested in their hobbies and pursuits, whatever they are.  And Party with your children. Tell them you are proud of them. Celebrate their successes, remembering to thank God for giving them those gifts. Encourage them when they fail or fall. Let them fall…valuable lessons are learned when we make mistakes. Instil in them the desire to always do their best for God…and celebrate with them when they do! (Col 3.23; Eccl 9.10; 2Tim 2.15)
7. Let your yes be yes and your no, no. (Jms 5.12) If you make a promise…keep it…or…don’t make a promise you can’t keep. (Heb 10.23 God is the ultimate example of a promise keeper.) Along with this thought comes the idea of consistency.  Be consistent with what you expect in your children. Be consistent in your discipline. If you say something is going to happen, follow through with it…which also means, be very careful what you do say. 
6. Model gratitude and godliness with contentment (1Tim 6.6; 1Thess 5.18) – Being thankful – First to God for all His blessings, and also thankful to each other. Be content with what God has blessed you with. Teach the difference between needs and wants.
5. Model a love for learning and reading.  A love for godly wisdom and knowledge. Show your children what “lifelong-learning” means…especially gaining more and more knowledge about God…we never know it all! (Prov 1.7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom)(Jms 1.5 Need wisdom…ask for it.)
4. Model Love – speak it and show it daily. Say it and do it. Tell them you love them and shower them with affection. Tell them that you are so glad God made them. God has created us all unique. We are all created in His image…but we are also different from one another. No one is exactly like them…they have different gifts and talents…take the time to recognize them and help them to develop them and use them for serving God and others. (Ps 139; Mt25) Love them for who God created them to be.  Take that love outside the four walls of your home and touch your neighbourhood with love. (Jms 1.27)
3. Model confession and forgiveness (Col 3.13; Mt 6.12; 18.35) – we are all sinners. When you sin against your children, ask for forgiveness.  Pray with them and for them.  Keep your eyes and ears peeled for those unique “teachable moments.” Bedtimes are often special tender heart times…great times to talk about God and life…those times are often not forgotten.
2. Model the love of Christ and the church in your marriage (Eph 5.24-26; Col 3.18-20). This is one of the best gifts you can give your children…a model of a strong Christian marriage. Your children should see the love of Christ for His church being lived out before them.  They should see love and respect demonstrated in your marriage. They should see parents who serve one another and put each other first.  Protect your marriage. Put a hedge around your marriage and you will be protecting your children. Make your home a haven of rest, refuge and comfort for everyone.
1. Put God first. Love Him above all. (Deut 6.4-6; Lk 10.26-28) Put Him first before your husband and your children.  Maintain a strong relationship with Christ by spending quiet time with Him daily.  Take time to grow in grace and grow in your faith (2Peter 3.17-18).  Model the reality that you live under God’s authority.  Teach your children that they need to obey you, their parent…and demonstrate and tell them that you obey God. He is the head, the #1 in your life, your marriage and your family.

Holding Each Other Up

It's a very Spring-like, rainy January morning and as I sit here with my feet up, enjoying my warm coffee, I have a very heavy heart for family members who are in a dark place right now.

I have members struggling with both physical and emotional difficulties, and these realities weigh on my mind and make it difficult to think of other things.  But that's okay, because on days like these, I feel especially close to God because I feel like I'm constantly praying while I go about doing my daily tasks.  We are encouraged to rejoice always, to pray constantly, and to give thanks in all circumstances...a high calling!

I must confess to my own shame, that the praying constantly is something that waxes and wanes in my life.

This morning I am also thankful for texts like the one above, and I thank God for the people in my life who help hold me up when I really need help.  The wonderful fact is that even when we can't be physically next to the ones we love, we have the blessing of being able to bring our loved ones to the throne of the Saviour and He is able to hold our loved ones in the palm of His hand. He has promised to never leave us or forsake us. He has promised to never give us more than we can handle. He gives us grace to make it through difficult times and He has promised to help us through them...we just need to take hold of His hand.

It's one of those days, when I can really feel His hand...

And so I am praying that my loved ones will feel His arms wrapped around them. He promises peace, so I am praying He will shower that peace on them right now.

We have an awesome, loving, heavenly Father.  He loves us more than we can even begin to understand and He has promised us so many blessings...blessings and promises that He WILL always keep. He will NEVER let us down.  Ever.

1 Peter 1:24-25

From Our House to Yours

Praying that all of our family and friends  

enjoy a very Blessed Christmas

and a Happy New Year!

"But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.  And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."  Mt. 1:20-21

Before You Speak

Found this yesterday and just had to share.  I love the way it's put together.  Very simple positive steps we can take that will probably save ourselves and others a great deal of grief.  I think there might be more peace and a little less hurt in this world if people thought before they spoke.
Great things to remind ourselves and our children.  Brings to mind a certain verse in James about being quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to become angry.  Jms 1.19
That book speaks a lot about the tongue.  Well, as my father-in-law would say, "Use your brains."  If we thought a bit more, used our brains a bit more before we opened our mouths, perhaps some of us would get in a little less trouble...

http://www.scribd.com/doc/61772754/Before-You-Speak-Think#

Let Jesus Argue With Your Soul About Being Anxious

Some great words from Piper on anxiety.....
Click on the link below.


Let Jesus Argue With Your Soul About Being Anxious

In Memory of Dianne

We have a funeral in our church family this week.  Dianne Paton, a dear sister in Christ, was taken to heaven suddenly last week.  As we heard in a message this weekend, there might be tears here on earth, but there is rejoicing in heaven.  God decided that her work here was done and it was time for her to be with Him. 

Dianne lived just around the corner from us, so we had the pleasure of getting to know her a little better in the past few years.  Some of us also went over from time to time to help with the leaves or the snow.  We have found it to be such a pleasure that God has given us opportunities to touch lives right here in our neighbourhood. (It's awesome!)

Well, it is very striking to drive past Dianne's house now and see her car sitting in the driveway.  For us as a family, it has given us opportunies once again to think and talk about the realities of life and death.  To consider eternal realities and especially in this world of "things", to see the reminder that Dianne's "things" are sitting there and she is no longer here.  This world, our lives, are not about things.  It's not about stuff.  It's not about our home, our cars, our gadgets, our clothes, our toys, our portfolio, or our books.  You and I were created and put on this earth for one purpose, and one purpose only.  For God. 

Christians mourn.  We still shed tears and we will still miss her.  The glorious reality is that though we might still mourn, we don't mourn as those who have no hope.  We can rejoice and praise God in days like this, because of Christ's work on the cross.  We have a Saviour and a Friend up above who desires that we be with Him where He is. Dianne is experiencing that reality right now.  What a Saviour we have!

I have one daffodil in my garden and it looks pretty isolated out there.  In honour of our friend Dianne, I have captured a picture of that solitary daffodil and posted it here  along with the words of a simple little song that captures my thoughts these days.

I am praying that even though the hurt is still fresh for those who were close to Dianne, we might still be glorifying Jesus in our thoughts and actions.  I pray that we might experience the oil of joy in the place of our mourning and that our heaviness of heart will be replaced by a garment of praise!

"You give and take away. You give and take away.

My heart will choose to say...Lord blessed be your name!"

And Can It Be ~ Charles Wesley

And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain—
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

’Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies:
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
Let angel minds inquire no more.

He left His Father’s throne above
So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

Still the small inward voice I hear,
That whispers all my sins forgiven;
Still the atoning blood is near,
That quenched the wrath of hostile Heaven.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Spirit Song

I have known the melody that goes along with this song for years...but never have I taken the time to focus on the words, until today. They are based on Ephesians 3:17, "that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love..." Awesome words. It is a beautiful song. A lovely melody and words written by John Wimber. There are some beautiful nuggets and jewels in this one.


Oh let the Son of God enfold you with His Spirit and His love,
let Him fill your life and satisfy your soul.
O let Him have the things that hold you,
and His Spirit, like a dove,
will descend upon your life and make you whole.

Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill Your lambs.
Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill Your lambs.

O come and sing this song with gladness
as your hearts are filled with joy,
lift your hands in sweet surrender to His name.
O give Him all your tears and sadness,
give Him all your years of pain,
and you'll enter into life in Jesus' name.

Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill Your lambs.
Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill Your lambs.

We need to give up those things that we hold dear and give up the things that hold us back. Even if we are already His lambs, we are sinful, we still hold on to things that we shouldn't, we still struggle with pain and some of us have held on to pain for years. We need to give Him all our tears, sadness, and years of pain. It's in giving up those things, and leaving them at the foot of the cross, that we receive freedom and make ourselves open to His filling us and His using us.
We have such an awesome God. One who is so full of unending, boundless love, grace and patience. He draws us to Him, saves us, fills us with Himself, and holds on to us so that we make it to the end. He starts the work and He finishes it.
We have an awesome God!

 
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The "Being" One

I had a blessed Lord's Day this past weekend.  I had the privilege of playing the organ again, and do the people in Trinity ever sing!! Some Sundays their singing just blows me away.  Such power and volume and praise from those lungs.  Not only that, the words of the hymns were beautiful to meditate on.

It was another day of encouragement from God's Word and in the evening Carl spoke about the Majesty of God.  I was drawn to those thoughts earlier Sunday afternoon, when I didn't really even know he was going to speak on that theme.  He is preaching through Habakkuk in the evenings, and this week we looked at chapter 2:20.  "But the Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him." Our thoughts were directed to focus on the many attributes of God.  His transcendence and omnipotence, His omnipresence and omniscience.  His holiness.  The "I am".  I didn't write down who this particular term came from, but Carl read from someone who spoke about God as the "Being" one.  I like that...the "Being" one.  God always has been and always will be.  He is always the same.  He never changes.  Awesome thoughts.

We thought about how God is completely present wherever He is.  All that He is, is everywhere, where God is.  He is the high and lofty one.  We thought about Jesus being at the right hand of God, in Majesty.  How man makes plans but the Lord directs his steps and our times are in His hands. 

I have to confess that often my thoughts of God are too small.  The more I think about Him, the smaller I feel and the more I realize I don't know much about Him.  There's so much to learn.  The older I get, it seems the less I know...

It was wonderful to think about how certain words in scripture are repeated for emphasis.  Repeated so that we won't miss the point.  Like when Jesus would start something by saying, "Truly, truly I say unto you..."  You know the repeat is there for a very good reason. It should cause us to pay close attention to what comes next.  Or it is like saying it's "Cold, cold" outside.  It means it's really cold out there.

And so we contemplated that and thought about the holiness of God and the references in scripture to those who are before the throne crying out, "Holy."  Not just one holy, but "Holy...Holy...Holy."  God is thrice holy.  So pure, without blemish, absolutely light, no darkness at all.  To think that the Holy, Holy, Holy God loves......me.  To think that this God in fact, lives in me with His Spirit...humbling thoughts.

Some day, we who are His children, will see Him as He is.  We will see Jesus face to face.  It causes me to quietly reflect, but it also fills my heart to want to cry out and sing to Him.  It is cause to rejoice for what He has done, and it is also cause to trust.  To trust Him...our majestic God who keeps His promises...always.

Isn't it wonderful that while we go through the ups and downs of life, we have a majestic God who is the "Being" one.  He is steadfast and doesn't change.  He has given us a Bible full of promises and He has promised to keep us to the end, to never leave us or forsake us, to never give us more than we can handle, and to be there with us when we go through this "vale of tears."  Some day...no more tears. 

We have an awesome God!

Well, on Sunday afternoon I put some of my pictures to the music of one of Chris Tomlin's beautiful praise songs, "Majesty of Heaven."  I hope you enjoy the video and glorify God for what He has done for us.  I pray the words will touch your heart.  He's given us these things to enjoy...so give Him the glory.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QWBR5ti1Gk

Some Thoughts on the Words..."I Love You"

Those words are said a lot in this house.  We tell our kids we love them.  I speak those words to my husband several times a day and he also says them frequently to me.  I never grow tired of hearing them.  They never grow old.  They are not just words.  Love is demonstrated through acts of kindness to one another.  Love is a fruit of the Spirit, and as far as the fruits go...it's the one on the top of that list.  Don't you think that being on the top of the list means something?

Love is the summary of the law...to love God with all that we are...to love Him above all and our neighbour as ourself.  We are commanded to love.  Husbands are commanded to love their wives...Titus 2 tells the older women to encourage the younger women to love their husbands and to love their children.  Our marriage and our family life is to be characterized by love.  The Bible is full of examples of love and explicit commands to love...not just the ones we find easy to love. 
We love our children just because of who they are.  We love them even when they disappoint us.  We love because God first loved us.  We love because of what Jesus has done for us. 

Well, it's the beginning of a new year.  I pray that I will grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ in the year 2011.  I pray that I'll grow in love as I should...that I'll forgive others as God forgives me...frequently and completely.  That I'll display those fruits of the Spirit more and more.  I pray that when December 2011 rolls around(DV), I will be able to look back and again see God's faithfulness in my life. That He has drawn me closer to Him and that He's made me more like Jesus.  How exciting it is to have a fresh new year to live for Him.  Who knows what God will bring our way this year...

What a lovely Christmas break we had as a family.  It was such a blessing just to be together and celebrate this wonderful gift of Jesus. 
Just prior to Christmas I celebrated 40 years of life.  How can it be that I am 40?  I still remember being a young girl and my mom turning 40. 
Isn't life amazing?  The older we get, the younger we think we really are...I'm not so old really, am I? 
All I have to do is ask my youngest.  He thinks 40 is a pretty big number...It's all perspective, I guess.

I believe that the best gifts don't have to cost a lot of money.  They don't have to be wrapped in fancy paper.  Sometimes the best gifts are the simplest.  For me, this card was one of those gifts.  It struck home and reminded me once again how God has blessed me.  Are husbands supposed to make you cry on your birthday?  (My dad says happy tears are ok...)

I am posting pics of the card I received from Rick for my birthday...probably illegal to do so...but I wanted to share it's message...and I want to be able to read it from time to time...(just in case the paper version does accidentally get misplaced...)

♥I am so blessed...

Reminder from Paul

Beatitudes in Revelation

I love days like today when I can relax, rest and spend extra time in reading and studying the Word.  Today I came upon something that I'd never read before, so since I found it interesting, I thought I'd share.  It has to do with Beatitudes in the book of Revelation.  To be honest, I guess I never realized there were beatitudes in that book.  If I think about Beatitudes I automatically think of the book of Matthew, but thanks to my new MacArthur study Bible, I now know that there are seven beatitudes in Revelation.  MacArthur says that this is the only biblical book that comes with a blessing for the one who listens to it being read and explained and then responds in obedience.  I love learning new things...

#1  Revelation 1:3    "Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near."

#2  Revelation 14:13    "And I heard a voice from heaven saying, 'Write this; Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.'  'Blessed indeed,' says the Spirit, 'that they may rest from their labours, for their deeds follow them!'"

#3  Revelation 16:15    "Behold, I am coming like a thief!  Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!"

#4  Revelation 19:9    "And the angel said to me, 'Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.'  And he said to me, 'These are the true words of God.'"

#5  Revelation 20:6    "Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection!  Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years."

#6  Revelation 22:7    "And behold, I am coming soon.  Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."

#7  Revelation 22:14    "Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates."

Praying God will bless these verses to your heart...

Anniversary Weekend at TBC

Trinity Baptist Church celebrated 38 years of God's goodness this weekend.  We had a lovely time together as church family, enjoying fellowship and worship, amazing singing and edifying lessons from the Word of God.

Our visiting pastor from Coconut Creek in Florida, Pastor Bill Hughes, gave us some wonderful messages.  We were challenged to be the salt and light God wants us to be and to have GREAT faith.  The focus on our Heavenly Father and the home He has for us in heaven gives us perspective while we go through difficulties here on earth. 

At times, the "tough times" seem to be everything and all-encompassing in our lives, but as we were reminded again, these are just "light afflictions" and they pale in comparison to what God has prepared for us in glory.  We were reminded to keep eternity in perspective and heaven before our eyes..."to have heaven in us now, before we are in heaven."  Deep things to meditate on and put into practice. 

I'm so thankful for men like this who have such God-given gifts to open up God's words and "thoughts" in a way that our feeble minds can understand and our hearts can be encouraged and built up. It was awesome to sit under the Word again.  Isn't it amazing how our Father in heaven always gives us what we need to hear, when we need to hear it!?!  We came to church hungry and we went away fed.  I believe this weekend was another foretaste of heaven.  God is so Good!

We learned a new hymn this weekend and I suppose it was our "theme" song:

O God beyond all praising, we worship you today

and sing the love amazing that songs cannot repay;

for we can only wonder at every gift you send,

at blessings without number and mercies without end;

we lift our hearts before you and wait upon your word,

we honour and adore you, our great and mighty Lord.

Then hear, O gracious Saviour, accept the love we bring,

that we who know your favour may serve you as our king;

and whether our tomorrows be filled with good or ill,

we'll triumph through our sorrows and rise to bless you still;

to marvel at your beauty and glory in your ways,

and make a joyful duty our sacrifice of praise.

Michael Perry 1942-96

Healing Update~Reasons to Praise God

Well, it has been 13 days since I cut my finger.  I'm starting to get used to typing without the pinky.  (Strange how we adapt.)  The finger looks to be healing fine, but it is still tender on one side.  I'm not exactly sure why that is, but I suspect because it was rather deep, I must have hit a nerve or something.  I hope once the wound itself is done healing, that the pain will also go away.  Once in a while it just stings or throbs and aches, so perhaps things are just healing on the inside.

I'm glad that God the great physician has it in control.  Watching and feeling the healing process is another reminder that we are fearfully and wonderfully made.  Times like this make me thankful for my health and make me appreciate my other 9 healthy fingers.  I have been staying off of the keyboard and organ these past couple weeks, and I'm looking forward to this little finger being 100% healed so I can make some music again.

9 days                                                                            13 days

All this attention to a little "owee" makes me think about Jesus.  One of the aspects of His public ministry was healing people.  He taught people, proclaimed the gospel, and also healed.  It must have been something to witness the healing that went on during the time of Jesus and the apostles. 

I just finished reading through the book of Acts, and I was struck again by the amazing power that even the disciples and apostles had during that time.  But thinking about the miraculous acts also made me think about the many multitudes of people who witnessed these things and still didn't believe He was the Son of God. 

"Jesus said to him, 'Because you have seen Me, have you believed?  Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.'" (John 20:29)NASB

What a gift faith is.  We wouldn't even believe if He didn't first give us the gift of faith.  We have an awesome God.  It's all from Him...I have lots of reasons to be praising God!  I am so Blessed.

  

"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Eph. 2:8-9)NASB

Do Not Worry

We are always trying to pass on our wisdom to our kids. Hopefully the wisdom we pass on to them is God's wisdom. Well, sometimes in our Christian walk we have to learn lessons over and over and over again. Not worrying is one of those lessons. In this house people worry about tests and quizzes and sports games and work and that parent that wrote that nasty email and that boy who stole my hat and that project that needs to be done next week and that giant memory work the teacher assigned and all sorts of things. What happens when we worry? Usually in this house, it means someone can't get to sleep. Tears are often shed. We lay awake for long periods at night and stew things over and over.

What are we trying to learn to do? To trust and obey. To tell God about it and leave it with Him. To do our best and leave the rest to Him. To trust that He has it all under control and has our best interests in mind. To remember the many promises in His Word.

So what did I tell my son today when he was worrying about something? As Mater in the "Cars" movie so aptly puts it..."to NOT to." There's a good reason why we tell our kids not to worry.

What did Jesus say?

"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?" (Mt. 6:25-27)

The funny thing is, we always realize after the fact, that all the worrying was good for nothing. If only we would do what the Psalmist David said.

"Cast your cares on the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall." (Ps. 55:22)

God is busy working on us. Hopefully we see a progression in our faith and trust in His provision for our lives. I pray that we and our children will continue to grow closer to Him and learn to trust and not worry.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but IN EVERYTHING, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:6-7)

What an awesome thing to experience God's peace. What a gift from above. What a gift sleep is; when you can just rest your head on your pillow and know that God is taking care of it all. When we truly leave it all at the feet of Jesus, He promises to give us His peace. Amazing. God is so good.

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jer. 29:11)