Monday, October 29, 2012

Musical Monday ~ "Mighty To Save" by Jeremy Camp

"Mighty To Save"

Everyone needs compassion
Love that's never failing
Let mercy fall on me

Everyone needs forgiveness
The kindness of a Savior
The hope of nations

Savior, He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save

Forever, author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave

So take me as You find me
All my fears and failures
Fill my life again

I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in
Now I surrender

My Savior, He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save

Forever, author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave

Shine your light and let the whole world see
We're singing for the glory of the risen King, Jesus
We're singing for the glory of the risen King, Jesus

My Savior, He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save

Forever, author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave

My Savior, You can move the mountains
You are mighty to save
You are mighty to save

Forever, author of Salvation
You rose and conquered the grave
Yes, You conquered the grave



Click Here to listen to "Mighty To Save" by Jeremy Camp

"The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

Friday, October 26, 2012

Angry Mommy ~ Praying for Patience

My poor little four-year-old is in a screaming stage.
I am at my wits' end!
I really don't know what to do with him!!
There. I said it.

Okay, it has been a really rough week. I love my son. He is my baby, but he has really been acting like just that. A BABY!!

Screaming fits, even in public.
This week I have been that humiliated mommy, who walks out of the store, with her screaming preschooler following a distance behind.
People stare, and I really don't care what they think.
I do, however, care what I am teaching my son through my reactions to his behavior.

I don't know what's causing these tantrums, or the fact that he is inconsolable. Normally he is easy to reason with, and can be easily distracted, as most four-year-olds can be.

I have resorted to throwing him over my shoulder, carrying him to his bed, and spanking him!

Yes, I spank him!

There are so many other things I could do, but spanking seems to be the ONLY thing that's getting through to him!
My other children responded well to other consequences.
My baby is not responding well to any consequences, other than spanking, and being put in bed.

Daddy and I are suffering too. We went out for dinner on Wednesday night, and the baby had a melt down, and refused to go use the bathroom, even though he was doing the potty dance. He had already thrown a screaming fit for me earlier in the day. Daddy graciously took him outside to remove him from the audience he so loves, and talk some sense with him.
Daddy and baby ended up in the car for the entire time the rest of the family was eating dinner.

Daddy heated up his food when we got home, while I put the kids to bed. Baby didn't eat at all.

Boy, was he HUNGRY the next morning!

Dear Lord,
Please grant me the patience I need to teach my baby boy how to communicate his disappointment, fears, sadness, and other negative feelings in a healthy way. Please help me to respond appropriately when he chooses to scream or disobey. Help me, Lord, to remember that You planned this child to be mine, and that I am the best mother for him, according to Your plan! Direct my heart, Lord, as I guide my son to be the big boy that You have planned for him to be! AMEN

"With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love..." Ephesians 4:2

"Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit." Ecclesiastes 7:8

"Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools." Ecclesiastes 7:9

"For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." James 1:3-4

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Serving Others ~ Serving God

I am often volunteering myself to do something for other people.
My husband has declared that he does not need to volunteer, because I do enough for the both of us.

My mother has asked me if I'm short-changing my family, because I am giving of myself to other people.

Well, I certainly hope not!
I have a hard time saying no to people, when asked to do something that I enjoy doing!
I LOVE to be at my children's school, helping out the teachers and staff.
I LOVE to organize Coffee and Donuts at my church, and see the pleased looks on the kids' faces as they get to choose any sugary doughnut they want after church!
I LOVE to organize the parties for my kids' classrooms.
I LOVE to coordinate after school activities like Odyssey of the Mind.

In my mind, I do these things to serve my family, and my community.

I also do these things in attempt to serve God.
He has blessed me with so many talents, and so much treasure, that I really do enjoy sharing them with others. I don't always reap the benefits of people recognizing how much work I put in, as so many are not aware. But GOD is aware! He knows the motivation of my heart, and the energy I spend blessing other people because he has made me able!

Dear Lord, Thank you for the talents and treasures you have blessed me with. Help me to be an example for my children, of how to spread Your love to others, through service and love. Help me to remember that the only gratification I really need comes from You, Heavenly Father. Amen

"Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38

"In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 4:10-11

Friday, October 19, 2012

Nurse Mommy to the Rescue!

My poor little man is sick.
He is sitting beside me shivering, despite his fever, and sniffling like crazy.

I kept him home from all-day Kindergarten today, so he could rest. He really needs it!

I am not a nurse, but mommy always gets to play nurse when the kids or daddy is sick!

Some things that make Nurse Mommy's job easier are remembering how you feel when you are sick. You like to be talked to gently, have your every need brought to you, and just to rest in quiet.

I am trying really hard to remind my little man that he needs to drink lots of liquids. He is allowed to have gatorade or Kool-Aid and other drinks he might not normally get to drink.

He says he's not hungry, and I think it hurts to swallow. So, I will make him soup, jello, and whatever else his little tummy thinks it can handle.

Dear Lord,
Please heal my little man. Help me to know what he needs to get better quickly. Grant me the patience to see him as my little patient, and to nurture him through this tough time. Help me, Lord, to remember that he is sick, and needs me to be understanding, and accepting that he may whine a bit more than usual, and that it's not because he's naughty. He whines because he doesn't feel well! Amen

"Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you." 1 Peter 5:7-10

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Metamorphosis ~ Change Your Heart

I have had tons of pain in my abdomen lately. Actually, for the past 6 years!
Well, it is time for a change! My doctors have prescribed me some medication that is helping, but I will probably have to have surgery.
The time of my life to think about not being able to have more children is here. The notion of not having a uterus is daunting. I know I am still a woman, but not having those reproductive parts of my body is scary, and makes me sad.

God has given us everything we have. When we have to give something away, or something is taken away from us, we often feel the loss for a very long time.

My heart is terrified, sad, and worried about potential side effects.

I have to remember that God made my body the way He did for a reason!
We were made to bring Him glory, and I have to remember that everything happens for His reasons.


Dear Lord,
Please protect my heart from my worldly fears. I do not let pain rule my life, as I strive for Your commands to be the ruler of my heart. Transform my heart to open up to Your love, comfort, and strength. As I work with the doctors here on Earth, I pray that You will be my Heavenly Physician, the One who created my body, and help us to know Your will. Amen

"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:1-2

"It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body." 1 Corinthians 15:44

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Giving Blesses Us MORE than Receiving!

At our favorite Aldi store this weekend, there were people collecting donations for our local food pantry.

I told my children to each find something in the store that they like to eat, and we would buy it to give to people that don't have any food.

My children were so willing to shop and give! They acted like it was Christmas, and they were getting gifts!

All three of them went right to the fresh fruits and veggies! I hated to explain to them that the food pantries only accept donations of canned and boxed food that won't go bad. They made the transition, and went hunting for good food to give.

My eight-year-old daughter chose Beef Stew! I was surprised by that choice.
My five-year-old son chose Corn Chex! Cereal is one of his favorite foods for sure.
My four-year-old son chose Spaghetti O's! No surprise there!

The food pantry volunteers were so thankful, and blessed us as we left, and commented on what a good lesson in giving my children experienced that day!

How do you GIVE?
How do you encourage your children to be givers?

My children and I agree, it is better to give than to receive!

"He who is generous will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor." Proverbs 22:9

"Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return." Luke 6:38

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Strength in Time of Need

There are so many families out there going through tough times.

I am blessed that my family is healthy, and that we work through our tough times together.

Tonight I feel called to pray for those families who are in need of strength, encouragement, and healing.

Dear Lord, Please protect the hearts of the mommies and daddies out there who are struggling. Send them Your strength and conviction, to make it through. Lord, You say You are the Master of our hearts. Please help our minds to understand and our hearts to Trust in You Lord! Amen

"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." Proverbs 4:23

"But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Following God, Not Society

So many times I catch myself judging others, or being critical of others, or even envious of what others have in their lives.
I am not lacking in anything. I am so blessed with a beautiful family, a wonderful husband, amazing children, and a beautiful home. Yet, it is human nature to desire what we do not have.

Society tells us we should have the latest technology, creature comforts, and the best of everything.

It is difficult to put aside these societal expectations to follow the Lord!

I am the first to admit that I find it difficult to not go out and shop for new clothes, household items, and luxurious items we do not need.

I am striving to follow the Lord my God, and revere his word.

I am really trying to obey his commands, and serve everyone around me through Him.

Dear Lord, guide me to hold fast to Your word and commands. Help me to remember that if I serve You, others will be blessed by my actions and choices. Make me a better wife, mother, daughter, and friend. AMEN


"It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him." Deuteronomy 13:4