The View from Baltic Drive
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
post script..
ok..I read it again..and it is GREAT..but I may have a bit of trouble with the speed limit thing!
todays devotional
click here for site
January 16, 2008
Real Resolutions for Moms
By Karen Ehman
"... But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:13b-14 (ESV)
Devotion:
It's that time when many of us are making New Year's resolutions, so how about some resolutions for mothers? Here are mine:
I will put my Bible before the television, the radio, the telephone, and even before good Christian books, for my children will know my priorities by the way they see me spend my free time.
I will make my prayer requests known before God and my children, enlisting their help in the process and informing them of the outcome, for by letting them help when I petition our Lord will they learn of a living God who still answers prayer.
When times of crisis, conflict or confusion arise, I will hit my knees before I hit the phone knowing that by my example my children will discover that although friends are important, God alone is the one who holds the solution to life's every problem.
I will erase the words "luck" and "lucky" from my vocabulary and will instead by my speech point my children toward the One who orchestrates every detail of our lives and brings all good things to pass, for by this my children will learn of an omniscient God.
When bad things happen, I'll neither grumble nor complain, but will instead help my children see that in the scope of our lives even the bad times are allowed for a reason, for by this my children will learn quiet trust in their Maker.
When normal childhood mishaps occur, I will remember that although difficult, it is still easier to remove grape juice from off-white carpet than to erase harsh and unloving words hurled at a child whose chubby little fingers have failed her, for by this my children will see a God who understands when our best efforts fall short.
When my children have witnessed something ugly in me - unkind words, an angry temper, "harmless" gossip, biting sarcasm or even my infamous "mommy pout" when things don't go my way - I will confess it as sin before them seeking their forgiveness, for by this my children will develop the much needed habit of wiping their spiritual slate clean before God and man.
I will teach my children the importance of cleanliness and order while at the same time remain sensitive to the fact that a skinned knee or hurt feeling is more crucial than a spotless floor or uncluttered counter, for by this my children will learn to value people above things.
I will make time for the lonely, the sick, the elderly, the difficult to love, and will bring my children along, for with each afternoon visit, each ride to the doctor, each raked lawn or washed window they will have opportunity to serve Jesus by serving the "least of these."
I will make our home a haven of rest and retreat from the outside world and a welcomed place for my children's friends, for with each impromptu backyard soccer game, each video viewed on a rainy day, each cup of hot cocoa or chocolate chip cookie, my children will have opportunity to practice the art of Christian hospitality thereby learning to share all God has given them.
I will by my actions and my speech let my children see a mom love their dad, for by this will my children sense family stability at a time when marriages all around them are crumbling.
I will not require of my children obedience, honesty, patience or kindness without first being willing to submit to the same rules whether in speed limit, in miscounted change from the grocery store or when answering a toddler for the fourteenth time, for by this my children will see a mother who is also learning and not a perfect parent to whom they'll never measure up.
In all things will I remember that more is caught than is taught.
There are little eyes upon you, mom. You are the first Bible your children will ever read.
Dear Lord, may my goals this year spring from a right relationship with You and may carrying them out point others heavenward. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
A Life that Says Welcome by Karen Ehman
January 16, 2008
Real Resolutions for Moms
By Karen Ehman
"... But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:13b-14 (ESV)
Devotion:
It's that time when many of us are making New Year's resolutions, so how about some resolutions for mothers? Here are mine:
I will put my Bible before the television, the radio, the telephone, and even before good Christian books, for my children will know my priorities by the way they see me spend my free time.
I will make my prayer requests known before God and my children, enlisting their help in the process and informing them of the outcome, for by letting them help when I petition our Lord will they learn of a living God who still answers prayer.
When times of crisis, conflict or confusion arise, I will hit my knees before I hit the phone knowing that by my example my children will discover that although friends are important, God alone is the one who holds the solution to life's every problem.
I will erase the words "luck" and "lucky" from my vocabulary and will instead by my speech point my children toward the One who orchestrates every detail of our lives and brings all good things to pass, for by this my children will learn of an omniscient God.
When bad things happen, I'll neither grumble nor complain, but will instead help my children see that in the scope of our lives even the bad times are allowed for a reason, for by this my children will learn quiet trust in their Maker.
When normal childhood mishaps occur, I will remember that although difficult, it is still easier to remove grape juice from off-white carpet than to erase harsh and unloving words hurled at a child whose chubby little fingers have failed her, for by this my children will see a God who understands when our best efforts fall short.
When my children have witnessed something ugly in me - unkind words, an angry temper, "harmless" gossip, biting sarcasm or even my infamous "mommy pout" when things don't go my way - I will confess it as sin before them seeking their forgiveness, for by this my children will develop the much needed habit of wiping their spiritual slate clean before God and man.
I will teach my children the importance of cleanliness and order while at the same time remain sensitive to the fact that a skinned knee or hurt feeling is more crucial than a spotless floor or uncluttered counter, for by this my children will learn to value people above things.
I will make time for the lonely, the sick, the elderly, the difficult to love, and will bring my children along, for with each afternoon visit, each ride to the doctor, each raked lawn or washed window they will have opportunity to serve Jesus by serving the "least of these."
I will make our home a haven of rest and retreat from the outside world and a welcomed place for my children's friends, for with each impromptu backyard soccer game, each video viewed on a rainy day, each cup of hot cocoa or chocolate chip cookie, my children will have opportunity to practice the art of Christian hospitality thereby learning to share all God has given them.
I will by my actions and my speech let my children see a mom love their dad, for by this will my children sense family stability at a time when marriages all around them are crumbling.
I will not require of my children obedience, honesty, patience or kindness without first being willing to submit to the same rules whether in speed limit, in miscounted change from the grocery store or when answering a toddler for the fourteenth time, for by this my children will see a mother who is also learning and not a perfect parent to whom they'll never measure up.
In all things will I remember that more is caught than is taught.
There are little eyes upon you, mom. You are the first Bible your children will ever read.
Dear Lord, may my goals this year spring from a right relationship with You and may carrying them out point others heavenward. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
A Life that Says Welcome by Karen Ehman
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Family devotions...
Tom Harmon, a Pastor that travels to different churches to speak, is at our church this week. I have been hearing Tom every couple of years since I was in high school, and always look forward to his return to our church. This week, he is speaking on the family. This convicted me that I needed to devote more time to my girls in family devotions. Pastor Tom's amazing knowledge and memorization of the scriptures also encourages me to continue working with memorization with the girls...and maybe start doing some memorizing myself.
I did a google search for a new way to do devotions with the girls in the mornings before starting school. I am afraid that outside of the weekly verse they write and memorize, and their Christian homeschool curriculum, I have become way too lax about family devotions. So I brought the laptop to the table during breakfast and quickly found this a site that had a great daily devotion for kids, along with a great link to the Bible reading. While I prefer a notebook and a "real" Bible for the majority of my own Bible study, I also appreciate these internet sites that offer so much material at your finger tips. Click here for the site that I found.
"
Keys For Kids Daily Bible Study
No More Weights
Bible Reading: Matthew 11:28-30
"Molly!" Mom's voice was stern. "I told you it's time to eat!"
Molly hurried to the table. She had noticed that her mother wasn't as patient as she used to be before Dad left. And Mom always looked tired and sad. "I'm sorry," apologized Molly as she took her seat. "I'm not very hungry," she added. Her voice trembled as she hurried on. "I'm worried about how we'll live until you find a job . . . and about doing better in school so you'll be happier. I've been trying to clean up after myself so you won't have to yell." Tears slipped down Molly's cheeks. "I worry that Daddy won't come back after the separation."
"I worry, too," Mom admitted. She got up to give Molly a big hug.
"Anybody home?" interrupted a loud, cheerful voice from the kitchen door.
"Uncle John!" exclaimed Molly. She jumped up to greet her favorite uncle-then pointed to his wrists and ankles. "Why are you wearing those things?"
"You mean my weights?" asked Uncle John, holding up his arm for her to see better. "I'm getting in shape for the marathon, so I wear these when I run. It helps me build strength," he explained. "But you can be sure I won't wear them for the race!"
After a short visit, Uncle John left to continue his workout. "Chins up!" he called on his way out.
"I can't imagine weighing myself down like that," Molly told her mother after Uncle John had left. "Running is hard enough without those weights."
"Yes," agreed Mom, "but like Uncle John said, it does help him grow stronger." After a moment, she added, "I think you and I are wearing weights, too-not just in practice, but in the race itself."
"Not me!" protested Molly, lifting her wrists and a leg. "See . . . no weights!" She frowned. "But you don't really mean weights on our arms and legs, do you?"
"No," said Mom. "Our 'weights' are on the inside. I'm thinking of weights like a mind full of worries."
Molly sighed. "Too bad we can't take those off like Uncle John can," she said.
"Ours can come off, too," Mom assured her. She spoke with new hope. "God tells us to give our cares to Him, so I'm wondering why I've waited so long to do that. Let's pray right now and really trust God to take charge of our situation. If we let Him, He'll carry the weights for us."
Memorize:
Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
How About You?
What do you worry about? Are there family problems, school problems, or money problems that make your spirit heavy? Does it seem like there's no solution for the problems you face? You need God's help. Go to Him whenever you feel burdened by something that's happening in your life. God cares. Ask Him to carry your burdens-big or small-and depend on Him for strength each day.
Key Thought of the Day: Give your problems to God
I did a google search for a new way to do devotions with the girls in the mornings before starting school. I am afraid that outside of the weekly verse they write and memorize, and their Christian homeschool curriculum, I have become way too lax about family devotions. So I brought the laptop to the table during breakfast and quickly found this a site that had a great daily devotion for kids, along with a great link to the Bible reading. While I prefer a notebook and a "real" Bible for the majority of my own Bible study, I also appreciate these internet sites that offer so much material at your finger tips. Click here for the site that I found.
"
Keys For Kids Daily Bible Study
No More Weights
Bible Reading: Matthew 11:28-30
"Molly!" Mom's voice was stern. "I told you it's time to eat!"
Molly hurried to the table. She had noticed that her mother wasn't as patient as she used to be before Dad left. And Mom always looked tired and sad. "I'm sorry," apologized Molly as she took her seat. "I'm not very hungry," she added. Her voice trembled as she hurried on. "I'm worried about how we'll live until you find a job . . . and about doing better in school so you'll be happier. I've been trying to clean up after myself so you won't have to yell." Tears slipped down Molly's cheeks. "I worry that Daddy won't come back after the separation."
"I worry, too," Mom admitted. She got up to give Molly a big hug.
"Anybody home?" interrupted a loud, cheerful voice from the kitchen door.
"Uncle John!" exclaimed Molly. She jumped up to greet her favorite uncle-then pointed to his wrists and ankles. "Why are you wearing those things?"
"You mean my weights?" asked Uncle John, holding up his arm for her to see better. "I'm getting in shape for the marathon, so I wear these when I run. It helps me build strength," he explained. "But you can be sure I won't wear them for the race!"
After a short visit, Uncle John left to continue his workout. "Chins up!" he called on his way out.
"I can't imagine weighing myself down like that," Molly told her mother after Uncle John had left. "Running is hard enough without those weights."
"Yes," agreed Mom, "but like Uncle John said, it does help him grow stronger." After a moment, she added, "I think you and I are wearing weights, too-not just in practice, but in the race itself."
"Not me!" protested Molly, lifting her wrists and a leg. "See . . . no weights!" She frowned. "But you don't really mean weights on our arms and legs, do you?"
"No," said Mom. "Our 'weights' are on the inside. I'm thinking of weights like a mind full of worries."
Molly sighed. "Too bad we can't take those off like Uncle John can," she said.
"Ours can come off, too," Mom assured her. She spoke with new hope. "God tells us to give our cares to Him, so I'm wondering why I've waited so long to do that. Let's pray right now and really trust God to take charge of our situation. If we let Him, He'll carry the weights for us."
Memorize:
Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
How About You?
What do you worry about? Are there family problems, school problems, or money problems that make your spirit heavy? Does it seem like there's no solution for the problems you face? You need God's help. Go to Him whenever you feel burdened by something that's happening in your life. God cares. Ask Him to carry your burdens-big or small-and depend on Him for strength each day.
Key Thought of the Day: Give your problems to God
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Fashion Show
Lauren and Brookelyn spent the night Tuesday night..and a fashion show was scheduled for just that time. We started with makeup...and then the girls put on dress up clothes and the lights were dimmed. Thankfully there were a few working flashlights for Peyton to be in charge of lights..and introducing each girl as she came down the hallway..Of course I snapped a few pictures!
from my email this morning..
Isaiah 43:16 and 18-19
This is what the Lord says, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."
Thoughts on today's verse
The year is gone, finished, past. We cannot reclaim it or undo it. We cannot rest on the things it has brought us. If tomorrow dawns, it will be another day, a new opportunity, and the time to show our faith in Jesus as Lord. Let's journey forward, knowing that God already inhabits the future and promises to provide us refreshment.
Prayer:
Lord of all eternity, please help me to learn from my mistakes but not dwell on them. Please help me not rest on my accomplishments in this past year, but use them to further your work in me and through me. Please help me not quarrel with those who injured me yesterday, or last month. Instead, O Father, lead me in your paths and help me see your mighty works this next year. In Jesus name and by his power I ask it. Amen.
Go to www.crosswalk.com for a link to this daily devotional
This is what the Lord says, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."
Thoughts on today's verse
The year is gone, finished, past. We cannot reclaim it or undo it. We cannot rest on the things it has brought us. If tomorrow dawns, it will be another day, a new opportunity, and the time to show our faith in Jesus as Lord. Let's journey forward, knowing that God already inhabits the future and promises to provide us refreshment.
Prayer:
Lord of all eternity, please help me to learn from my mistakes but not dwell on them. Please help me not rest on my accomplishments in this past year, but use them to further your work in me and through me. Please help me not quarrel with those who injured me yesterday, or last month. Instead, O Father, lead me in your paths and help me see your mighty works this next year. In Jesus name and by his power I ask it. Amen.
Go to www.crosswalk.com for a link to this daily devotional
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
New Years Eve
We enjoyed a fun night in on New Years Eve with cousins Lauren, Brookelyn and Nathan coming over, as well as Aunt Brittany. Lots of snacking and game playing and dancing. Everyone was very tired by the time we toasted (at 10 pm) with sparkling grape juice (kinda yucky). The festivities continue tonight with Lauren and Brookelyn coming over for a slumber party/makeup party...pictures coming soon, I am sure!
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