Key Verse:1 John 4:11-12, "Since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us." (NIV)
Devotion: When you're with the ones you love, do you love the ones you're with? I am embarrassed to admit it, but there are times when I'm with my family, and my mind is somewhere else getting something done! I realized this one night while we were all watching a movie. It looked like we were spending quality time together as a family. I was there physically, but I was returning phone calls and emails mentally. I glanced at the clock to see how many hours before bedtime when I could get some work done, and noticed the silhouette of my son's face. I was struck by how grown up he looked. How quickly ten years had passed! It made me think, it won't be long before he's counting down the hours until I go to bed, so he can instant message or get on the phone with his friends. That's when I recognized the gift of being with the ones I love and loving the ones I'm with, while they're still with me.Jesus knew His time with the ones He loved was limited. He valued the years He had here and was very intentional about loving each and every person He was with. Jesus didn't see people's requests for His attention or time as interruptions, but welcomed them as invitations. I am a type-A, get-it-done, kind of girl. "Being" instead of "doing" is tough for me. The only hope I have is to take my struggle to God and ask Him to help me. He made me this way and He's the only one who can make me more like Him. Through His Word, He's challenged me to slow down and spend more time being with my husband and my children. He knows how easily I can allow my time with them to get crowded out by my need to "do" things. He has helped me to see them as the highest priorities in my life.What about you? How often are you really with the ones you love…no agendas, no errands, no planning…just being? How often do you laugh together, watch movies together, or go out for ice cream? There are a few things I do to help me cherish the time I have with the ones I love. First, I look into their faces and remember what they used to look like. That helps me grasp how quickly time passes. Second, I imagine a day they may not be here; the day they might live in another State with their own family; the day I will wait for them to call and tell me what they have been doing since we last talked. Third, I think back to what life was like without them. That jolts my memory, and makes me so grateful for the time God has given me with them. And lastly, I remind myself daily that my tasks and "to do lists" will always be here, but the ones I love may not. My prayer is that you will join me in slowing down to be with the ones you love and love the ones you are with!
My Prayer for Today:Lord, thank you for the people you have given me to love - even when they are hard to love, even when I feel like I don't have enough time to enjoy them. Help me to slow down and see them through your eyes. Help me to see them as the greatest gifts I will ever be given. Remind me daily that the only thing that will last for eternity is my relationship with you and my relationships with others. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Plan a date with someone you love (your child, spouse, parents or best friend).Talk about the things and people they care about most. Really listen and enjoy them.If you get distracted by things you need to do, imagine this is the last time you will be with them and make it your best ever!
Monday, April 30, 2007
Love the ones you're with
Thursday, April 12, 2007
PARENTING
Parenting
The Essential Ingredients of a Godly Home Matthew 10:11-13 says, “Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out. And when you go into a household, greet it. If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.” This is how God blesses homes. Your house needs to be a house worthy of the blessing of God. So I want to give you Five Essentials to a Godly Home. 1. You need prayer in that home. In Luke 19:46 Jesus says, “My house will be a house of prayer.” Teach your children that God will answer their prayers. If God’s house is a house of prayer, yours should be one too. 2. Speak the Word in that home. Deuteronomy 6:6-9 says, “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” 3. Make it a house of humility. James 4:6. God can bless humility. He resists the proud. 4. Make it a house of giving. Malachi 3:10 says, “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” 5. You need leadership in your house. Joshua 24:15 says, “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.” Take a stand, and have leadership in that home. The Four Stages of Raising ChildrenAs you train your children in the way they should go, it’s important to understand The Four Stages of Growth in Your Children so they will grow up to hear God’s voice and make right decisions 1.Discipline Stage 0-5 years CREATE CLEAR AND VERY STRICT BOUNDARIES – no choices; you’re teaching them to yield their will to your will so they will eventually be able to yield to God’s will.WHEN YOU’RE SPEAKING TO THEM EXPECT A RESPONSE – otherwise you’re teaching them not to have regard for your commands. Your children will rise to the level of your expectation. One of the reasons God chose Abraham was because “he will command his children,” Genesis 18:19 says.MAKE YOUR INSTRUCTION CLEAR – Colossians 3:21 says don’t exasperate your children. Warn them that the command is coming. “In 5 minutes, I’m going to call you and I want you to be finished…”2. Training stage 6-12 yearsThis is where you are training your children to be young adults. They are pretending to be in that role. Give them some grace. Give them more choices. For example, “Here are 3 choices, but remember when you make a decision, you’re not going to change it.” Teach them to make their bed and clean their room. Now let them do it. Check it. Show them where they need to improve. 3. Coaching stage 13-19 yearsDuring this stage, you let them be the quarterback of their life. You’re the coach, but you let them play. You’re not driving them. They drive. You coach. You call some plays, but let them call some. When they make a decision, you ask “So what did you decide?” Then you say, “let me give you some pros and cons about that…” You still give them your advice. 4. Fellowship stage (friendship)You’ve done your job. You give advice only when they ask for it. You can’t try to be their friend during the Discipline and Training stages. This is the time you can be their friend, when you’ve done your job correctly in the earlier stages. It’s tragic if we don’t honor the Discipline stage. It affects the rest of their life and yours too. Now that you have these practical stages of how to teach your children as they mature, remember what sets it all up is when your house has the 5 Essentials for the Blessing of God. God will bless and honor you as you honor Him and put Him first in your home.
Monday, April 9, 2007
Invade your teens' World Without Invading Their Space
Just thought of sharing you this one I read this morning.. It will help all of us ..Not only us parents but everybody who needs this..
FOCUS ON THE FAMILY --
http://www.focusonthefamily.org/
Be Your Teen’s Role ModelWhat is a role model?
When we say someone serves as a role model, we mean the individual is someone others admire or try to emulate. For teenagers this often means the person is someone they want to be like — whether it’s because of the person’s lifestyle, athletic prowess or the attitudes the person shows.
Some of those role models are celebrities out of your teen’s reach (athletes and movie stars), while others are in his or her own circle of influence (youth ministers, teachers and other parents). What do those people have that make them attractive to your teen?
What teens crave
Why do teens look up to the other adults in their lives? Whether or not we like it, parents are sometimes considered the enemy. Teenagers might see their moms and dads as judgmental and unconcerned about their lives. Two qualities, therefore, are crucial to being a role model.
1. A role model is understanding, not condescending.
When 13-year-old Jenny seemed especially upset about a boy not liking her at school, her father said, “That’s nothing to worry about. You’re too young to even think about boys.” When the dad spoke those words, he was telling Jenny that her concerns were not important. Yet it was serious in her 13-year-old world. Role models try to connect with a teen to understand what he or she is going through. They do so without belittling the teen’s problems or downplaying the triumphs.
2. A role model is a friend but also a leader. We often think that to be a role model to our teenager we must know the name of every new movie or be able to use teenage slang. That’s not necessarily true.
While most role models understand the teen’s life and are friendly, they also take on a leadership role with them. Role models provide answers, insight or suggestions about the teen’s struggles — oftentimes from their own experiences.
How parents can be good role models
• Be available. Let your teenager know your door is always open. While your son or daughter may not beat down your door every time he or she has a question, your teen is more likely to do so when you have left that door open.
Say phrases such as “I’m always here for you” or “I’d love to hear about your day.” Don’t apply pressure, but let your teen know you are there for him or her.
• Listen to your teen. Being available to your teenager does not mean listening with one ear and then giving a long string of advice. Listen to your teen first, then ask follow-up questions. Don’t jump in with advice (even when you clearly see what should be done). Instead, proceed slowly, asking your teen what he or she thinks should be done.
Being a role model to your teenager may seem like an impossible undertaking. But realize that your young person needs someone just like you — someone who loves him or her and who can point in the right direction.
Friday, April 6, 2007
Broken and Poured Out
“Kati, it is broken, surely you don’t want that one,” said my bewildered husband, while we were out one Good Friday evening a few years ago.
We had been walking around downtown after dinner to do some window shopping. Wandering into a little shop called “Barouke,” I spotted this hand- carved wooden cup. I had been on the hunt for a special cup that our family could use just for communion.
It was a fairly simple design made from Lignum Vitae, which according to its little tag, happens to be the hardest and most dense wood in the world. I thought it would be a very fitting cup for my wonderful, stubborn family. It has also been called “the Wood of Life” for its pharmaceutical values. What better communion cup could you ask for than one made from the Wood of Life that was found “broken” on Good Friday?
This is My body
Given for you
This is the cup that holds the blood
Of a new covenant
This is forgiveness,
Simple and True
This is the way
That I have made for you
Before you eat
Before you drink
Take a long look inside
And tell Me what you see
Do this in remembrance of me.
Will you remember what He did for you today? Will you slow down long enough to thank Him? Will you accept His forgiveness? I will.
Take the time to read the Easter story today from the Bible, any gospel – Matthew, Mark, Luke or John - that you choose.
Reflections:
How often do you stop to think about what the Lord has gone through to make sure that you are with Him in Heaven?
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
The children are watching us
Good Morning friends, please allow me to share you this daily devotional I received this morning..I know that many of us can relate to this story. I know I am =). See my husband always say Good Morning to us and I remember one time when when my older daughter forgot to say "Good Morning" to her Dad. So then I told her to go and say sorry. But before she went...She told me that "Mom,how come you tell me to say sorry when you always forget to say Good Morning to Dad too.Oh my! I felt so ashamed and I prayed right away and asked for forgiveness and to help me be a better person and be a good example to my children. I then went to talk to my hubby and we had our talk..See, God understand that we are not perfect but we can always try to be a better person. Remember that our kids are not only smart but are always watching their parents. But remember this one, before we can teach our children God's ways, we first build a right relationship with them, one in which God's truth will grow and flourish in the hearts of our children. Our teaching and example just demonstrate to them a way of life they will want to emulate, rather than a burden imposed on them. Here you go and hope you enjoy reading this.. BE BLESSED!
The Mom in the Mirror
By Karen Ehman
“However, … the wife must respect her husband.” Ephesians 5:33 (NIV)
Devotion:
I’ll never forget the day I saw myself in that mirror. Even though over a decade of time has passed since I caught the glimpse, the image is still vivid. And I’m sorry to say that it wasn’t a pretty one. My then six-year-old daughter and her three-year-old brother were playing together in their room. I strolled down the hall to check on the baby who was due up from his nap soon. It was then that I saw it.
As I approached the room where my kids were playing, I heard Mackenzie’s voice pipe up as she expressed to Mitchell her immense displeasure. You see, he was not stacking the colorful, snap-together, plastic blocks in a manner that suited her. As I neared the door I heard her sharply declare “No, Mitchell. Not that way! Oh, just give it to me! Anybody with a brain knows they go like this, not like that. Can’t you ever do anything right?” Her words, though unkind, weren’t the real issue. What bothered me most was that they were spoken with a caustic, condescending tone. I was not going to let her get away with it.
I stepped into the room and with classic mom form - hand on hip, finger pointed, throwing the child’s middle name in for emphasis???I gave it to her. “Mackenzie Leith Ehman! Young lady, I don’t ever want to hear you talk like that to your brother again!” Without even looking up from her pile of blocks, she quickly and calmly retorted. “Why not, Mama? You talk like that to Daddy all the time.”
Ouch! My kids often serve as a painstakingly honest mirror when it comes to my attitudes and actions. The offense my daughter had committed that day paled in comparison to what I feared my kids were witnessing in our home as they saw their mom interact with their dad in a disrespectful manner. I cried and prayed and cried some more. I told my husband what had transpired. I then told my moms’ Bible study group. Turns out I wasn’t the only mom who had a little mirror in their house. Many of us had seen ourselves vividly reflected through the voices and actions of our offspring. We vowed together to keep our words and tones in check. Of course, we found out this is often easier said than done.
The word “respect” in today’s verse can be one we wives assume we are obeying because we have a limited view of its true meaning. A quick reading of this verse in the Amplified Version of the Bible sheds a deeper light. Its parenthetical description of the word “respect” reads, “that she notices him, regards him, honors him, prefers him, venerates, and esteems him; and that she defers to him, praises him, and loves and admires him exceedingly.” Whew! No wonder God wants marriage to last a lifetime. It might take us women a lifetime to learn to exhibit all those qualities!
It’s been a long time since I spied my ugly self in that mirror that day. I still struggle at times with a sharp tongue, often saying things in jest that in reality are unkind. And my kids now reserve the right to call me on the carpet for such behavior. We moms need to remind ourselves that there are little and not so little eyes watching, and in many cases imitating what they see. What’s in your mirror?
Dear Lord, Forgive me for the times I have used my words, attitudes and actions as weapons of disrespect toward my husband. Empower and enable me to live a life that accurately reflects what a godly wife should be. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Application Steps:
Pay close attention to your words and tone this week as you interact with your husband. What would you see if you were videotaped and then had to watch a playback of how you speak to him? Would others be able to tell from your encounters that you respect your spouse?
For the brave at heart only: Ask your children to be honest with you. Question them about what they observe when you speak to your husband. Is there anything they think you should clean up? What grade would they give you when it comes to how you treat their father? Tell them that you are trying to obey the Bible by showing dad respect. You just need a little report card from them to know how you are doing and to enable you to make the necessary changes.
Reflections:
Name a wife who gets a good grade in this subject. What is different about her? What does she do, and not do, that makes her a good example?
Ask yourself, “Is there one person who would be a good fit to hold me accountable in this area?” Pick someone who will be honest with you and who cares enough about you and your marriage to tell you the truth and point you to God. Contact her to see if she’d be willing to check in with you periodically to inquire how you are doing.
Enjoy the rest of your SUNNY AND SMILEY DAY
I thank God for our 2 beautiful girls =) Destiny & Kalea
