My daughter-in-law has been in town with my grandchildren while my Son is in California training with his squadron. It is so good to see them! Both of them have really grown since I saw them last. My grandson, who is 3 years old, has started talking more and he has become a real character.
One day while they were visiting at our house, we had been sitting in the recliners in the sunroom watching Alvin and the Chipmunks and Austin kept wanting to go behind the recliners and peek through the space between them. His mom asked him not to do that several times. She needed to leave the room for a few minutes to take care of my baby granddaughter, Ashley. He immediately went behind the chairs and whispered to me "is she back yet?" Just like most other kids, he figured he could disobey and as long as his mom didn't see it, he was in the clear.
I told him that even if his mom didn't see him disobeying her that God still saw. I don't think he had ever realized it before.
I think that adults think the same way sometimes. We forget that God sees everything. Its a sobering thought.
I challenge you to remember that God is always watching as you go through your day. Would He be proud of you or disappointed?
Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Monday, August 2, 2010
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Children: Joy or Drudgery
* Tomorrow we will give official word about the contest.
Now a post from quite a while back :
Motherhood: This is a very broad and beautiful topic. I love reading, listening to people chat and listening to lectures on this topic, there is a lot of good stuff out there. The Bible of course is the best place to get information in this subject. The Bible is not silent, it is very clear about what a woman's role is in raising children and celebratory in the way it speaks of mothering and children. So, when you think of motherhood, what is that you think about? What comes to mind? Are you inclined to think of work, responsibility, burden, sacrifice, more work? If so, you are not alone. You are not alone because it is true; being a good mom is hard work and it takes sacrifice. One person said this about mothering: "No job on earth takes more physical, mental, social, emotional and spiritual strength than being a good wife and mother. If a woman is looking for the easy life she might try teaching tennis, cutting diamonds, or joining a roller derby team. There is nothing easy about good mothering. It can be back breaking, heart wrenching, and anxiety producing. And that's just the morning."
Many mom's are probably saying “Amen”. We have all experienced sleepless nights, whether because we are feeding a newborn, have sick kids, or are worried sick about our older children who are struggling in this world.
But just because something is hard doesn't mean it is a joyless drudgery with very little pay off for all the work it takes.
In fact the Bible is clear that this task is neither joyless nor fruitless. But God knows our frame, He knows we are weak and selfish and easily discouraged, and He gives us Titus 2. Read Titus 2:3-5. Notice that phrase to love our children. That word love means tender affection. It means we enjoy our children, we are passionate about them, and desire to be around them and nurture them. We want their good above our own. You will also notice that it takes training. The older woman described in this passage is someone who is capable and willing to train others to have this kind of love for our children, because we get discouraged and lose this affection on the long, bumpy road called motherhood. That precious baby that you hold so gingerly and protectively at first, so easily becomes this energy sapping, body draining, sometimes heartbreaking burden. Why? Why don't we see motherhood the way we ,or if we do ,why do we find it hard to sustain the joy and passion we are called to? Why don't we “feel” fulfilled?
I am going to give you 4 reasons I think we have less than tender feeling in regards to motherhood. This is by no means extensive.
1. We do not meditate deeply on the love of God.
God loves His children, this is very clear. Eph. 5:1-2 says: Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. God's love acts. Romans 5:8 says that He demonstrates His love in the sending of His own son for His enemies. He sent Him to die, to offer Himself as a sacrifice – a payment for our sins. For the sins of those who did not love Him. And Jesus willingly and lovingly gave Himself up. He knew no sin and was made sin on our behalf so that we who were far from God would be brought near to Him. We sin by disobeying and ignoring our greatest good- God. And yet, He sent Jesus to pay the wages we owe God for our sin so that we can enjoy God – the lover of our souls forever. He is good and those who are His get to experience this love and shepherding. He supplies all that we need according to His riches and glory. He nurtures our souls through His word and teaches through His Spirit. He disciplines us for our good, to bring about the peaceful fruit of righteousness in our lives. We know that if God gave us His only beloved Son he will not withhold any good thing from us. This includes discipline, so that we experience the ability to know more of His tender grace. Because even though His love is a choice, it is not without affection. Jesus wept over Jerusalem longing to protect them and gather them just like a hen would her chicks. This is kind of love we receive from God and the love that we are called to comprehend with all the saints. A love that cannot be measured. And this love that He lavishes on us should overflow to our children. We can tell them God loves them all we want, but we make it harder to understand and accept when we fall short in loving them.. We are the hands and feet of God's love.
2. We allow our culture to give us our view of children rather than the Word of God.
Our culture tells us that children will be a burden that isn't worth it. They hold you back from your full potential and leave you a less than adequate contributor to society. You are considered a large family if you have more than 2 children and a dog. You are expected to do better than raise children. Mothering in a sense is something to do in your spare time. But God paints a different picture about having children.
Psalm 127:3-5: Behold children are a gift from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; they will not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies at the gate.
God says he gave you a child as a GIFT! A child or children are rewards! They are good things and a precious thing to have. They are not burdens and just a load of work that isn't worth it. This is God's good gift and reward for you. Being a mommy isn't something to be ashamed of, it is something to rejoice about and love. Children are something to get excited about and thank God for. And for you guys with kids, let them know it. I love to tell my kids that they are special gift from God to me.
3. We neglect to raise them for God in His way.
If being a parent is such a good thing, why do we see so many parents tired, ashamed and angry especially as their children get older?
Proverbs 23:23-24 say: The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice and he who sires a wise son will be glad in him. Let your mother and father be glad, and let her rejoice who gave birth to you.
You want to rejoice and be glad. Raise a wise son/daughter.
A foolish son is a grief and bitterness to the one who gives birth to him. Pr. 17:25.
So how do you raise a wise child? God says the rod and reproof. Pr. 29:15 says: The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother.
If a child, whether an infant and toddler, and young kid or a teenager is used to getting what he wants when he wants and is never given boundaries or these boundaries are always negotiable you can be certain to raise a fool. If your child lacks consequences to sinful and selfish acts you can be sure that you are raising a fool and worse than that the bible says in doing so you desire his death. And the only thing you can hope for is to be shamed.
So discipline your child while there is still hope. Do it for his good and because you love him. Give him his way and you will teach him that that there is very little consequence for bad decisions and there is little reason to have hope for that child.
Do not stop at discipline; you are also to nurture him in the Lord. Discipline is the first step and a continual companion to declaring the works of God to your child. (Read Psalm 78) Teach them to obey so that they will obey the gospel call. Speak much about Jesus in your home. Teach them the word and surround yourself and your children with the people of God. God's word is sharper than any two-edged sword. The word will lead your child to salvation. Talk about God and what He has done in your family and other's lives and talk about Him in what is going on in the world around you. Take every opportunity to point your children to the hope that does not disappoint. I find with my young children walks outside, sick family and struggling church members give great opportunities to speak about glorious grace and power of God. Discipline is an awesome time to teach about Jesus taking our disciplines that we deserve and teach them about the complete and wonderful forgiveness found in Jesus alone. Pray often for your child's salvation and walk with God. Pray in front of them so they hear your heart for them. God is the only one that can save. So plead with Him for your children and in faith train them, discipline them and talk about God with them because we know that this is the means God uses to lead our children to Him
4. Pride.
We love ourselves. Pride is self love- self worship. Pride says we are better than we are and makes us God's enemies. Pride is destructive and God is the one who destroys us because of it.
As parents or mom's to be, we must keep this in mind. Pride is a real joy killer!
Pride will say “I know”. Either out loud or in your heart.
Pride will cause you to compare yourself to other mom's and say you are better. Anytime you think you are something great, you can rest assure that pride is present in that moment.
Pride looks at Titus 2 where we are called to be trained and it looks around and says, “There is no one here who can offer me anything!”
Pride will make you a terrible student.
If you do not know anyone who you think can help you to be a better mother, you will be robbed of great joy and consistent tender feelings toward your children. Proverbs 13:10 says: Through insolence comes nothing but strife, but wisdom is with those that receive counsel.
Did you get that? Receive counsel! Do you surround yourself with women who can teach you and are you receiving it. Or do you think you know it all or at least more than anyone else around you?
Surround yourself with women that look like the women described in Titus 2. Not perfect women, but women who are concerned with honoring the word of God, women who are learning and working toward and consistently, though not perfectly, living a disciplined life. Find a woman who is willing to open up her life to you – warts and all so she can come alongside you and warn you off of her mistakes and show the wisdom she has gained through experience and the word.
And I would challenge you to work towards becoming one of those women. Pride will keep you from it. So put away pride and listen and learn.
To those who want to be listened to and yet people don't want to, examine why. Is it perhaps because you come off arrogant and critical. Do you feel like it is your job to correct everybody else's children when the parent is standing right there, because you are God's gift to parenting after all? You make it harder for people to receive your counsel even when it's good when you act like that. And it robs you of the joy of helping other women experience the consistent joy of motherhood. You will find that even if your kids aren't perfect and you have flaws you are easier to listen to because you are tender, kind and humble.
Moms, let's love our children. Do not let any one tell you they are a burden, they are a joy. Being a mom is fun, fulfilling, rewarding. But it must be done God's way and we must guard against the things that rob us of that joy!
So, meditate deeply on the love God has lavished upon you and see how God views children and let that control your view of them and this task of mothering. Be a woman of His word, motherhood is no excuse to neglect it, a in neglecting the word you will be weak in your meditation and therefore; your love.
In faith, discipline and train your child God's way, so that you can be a rejoicing mother; rather than ashamed.
And humble yourself enough to surround yourself with women who can teach you and listen!
And then love passionately, deeply and tenderly. Your labor of love will be rewarding!
Now a post from quite a while back :
Motherhood: This is a very broad and beautiful topic. I love reading, listening to people chat and listening to lectures on this topic, there is a lot of good stuff out there. The Bible of course is the best place to get information in this subject. The Bible is not silent, it is very clear about what a woman's role is in raising children and celebratory in the way it speaks of mothering and children. So, when you think of motherhood, what is that you think about? What comes to mind? Are you inclined to think of work, responsibility, burden, sacrifice, more work? If so, you are not alone. You are not alone because it is true; being a good mom is hard work and it takes sacrifice. One person said this about mothering: "No job on earth takes more physical, mental, social, emotional and spiritual strength than being a good wife and mother. If a woman is looking for the easy life she might try teaching tennis, cutting diamonds, or joining a roller derby team. There is nothing easy about good mothering. It can be back breaking, heart wrenching, and anxiety producing. And that's just the morning."
Many mom's are probably saying “Amen”. We have all experienced sleepless nights, whether because we are feeding a newborn, have sick kids, or are worried sick about our older children who are struggling in this world.
But just because something is hard doesn't mean it is a joyless drudgery with very little pay off for all the work it takes.
In fact the Bible is clear that this task is neither joyless nor fruitless. But God knows our frame, He knows we are weak and selfish and easily discouraged, and He gives us Titus 2. Read Titus 2:3-5. Notice that phrase to love our children. That word love means tender affection. It means we enjoy our children, we are passionate about them, and desire to be around them and nurture them. We want their good above our own. You will also notice that it takes training. The older woman described in this passage is someone who is capable and willing to train others to have this kind of love for our children, because we get discouraged and lose this affection on the long, bumpy road called motherhood. That precious baby that you hold so gingerly and protectively at first, so easily becomes this energy sapping, body draining, sometimes heartbreaking burden. Why? Why don't we see motherhood the way we ,or if we do ,why do we find it hard to sustain the joy and passion we are called to? Why don't we “feel” fulfilled?
I am going to give you 4 reasons I think we have less than tender feeling in regards to motherhood. This is by no means extensive.
1. We do not meditate deeply on the love of God.
God loves His children, this is very clear. Eph. 5:1-2 says: Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. God's love acts. Romans 5:8 says that He demonstrates His love in the sending of His own son for His enemies. He sent Him to die, to offer Himself as a sacrifice – a payment for our sins. For the sins of those who did not love Him. And Jesus willingly and lovingly gave Himself up. He knew no sin and was made sin on our behalf so that we who were far from God would be brought near to Him. We sin by disobeying and ignoring our greatest good- God. And yet, He sent Jesus to pay the wages we owe God for our sin so that we can enjoy God – the lover of our souls forever. He is good and those who are His get to experience this love and shepherding. He supplies all that we need according to His riches and glory. He nurtures our souls through His word and teaches through His Spirit. He disciplines us for our good, to bring about the peaceful fruit of righteousness in our lives. We know that if God gave us His only beloved Son he will not withhold any good thing from us. This includes discipline, so that we experience the ability to know more of His tender grace. Because even though His love is a choice, it is not without affection. Jesus wept over Jerusalem longing to protect them and gather them just like a hen would her chicks. This is kind of love we receive from God and the love that we are called to comprehend with all the saints. A love that cannot be measured. And this love that He lavishes on us should overflow to our children. We can tell them God loves them all we want, but we make it harder to understand and accept when we fall short in loving them.. We are the hands and feet of God's love.
2. We allow our culture to give us our view of children rather than the Word of God.
Our culture tells us that children will be a burden that isn't worth it. They hold you back from your full potential and leave you a less than adequate contributor to society. You are considered a large family if you have more than 2 children and a dog. You are expected to do better than raise children. Mothering in a sense is something to do in your spare time. But God paints a different picture about having children.
Psalm 127:3-5: Behold children are a gift from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; they will not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies at the gate.
God says he gave you a child as a GIFT! A child or children are rewards! They are good things and a precious thing to have. They are not burdens and just a load of work that isn't worth it. This is God's good gift and reward for you. Being a mommy isn't something to be ashamed of, it is something to rejoice about and love. Children are something to get excited about and thank God for. And for you guys with kids, let them know it. I love to tell my kids that they are special gift from God to me.
3. We neglect to raise them for God in His way.
If being a parent is such a good thing, why do we see so many parents tired, ashamed and angry especially as their children get older?
Proverbs 23:23-24 say: The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice and he who sires a wise son will be glad in him. Let your mother and father be glad, and let her rejoice who gave birth to you.
You want to rejoice and be glad. Raise a wise son/daughter.
A foolish son is a grief and bitterness to the one who gives birth to him. Pr. 17:25.
So how do you raise a wise child? God says the rod and reproof. Pr. 29:15 says: The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother.
If a child, whether an infant and toddler, and young kid or a teenager is used to getting what he wants when he wants and is never given boundaries or these boundaries are always negotiable you can be certain to raise a fool. If your child lacks consequences to sinful and selfish acts you can be sure that you are raising a fool and worse than that the bible says in doing so you desire his death. And the only thing you can hope for is to be shamed.
So discipline your child while there is still hope. Do it for his good and because you love him. Give him his way and you will teach him that that there is very little consequence for bad decisions and there is little reason to have hope for that child.
Do not stop at discipline; you are also to nurture him in the Lord. Discipline is the first step and a continual companion to declaring the works of God to your child. (Read Psalm 78) Teach them to obey so that they will obey the gospel call. Speak much about Jesus in your home. Teach them the word and surround yourself and your children with the people of God. God's word is sharper than any two-edged sword. The word will lead your child to salvation. Talk about God and what He has done in your family and other's lives and talk about Him in what is going on in the world around you. Take every opportunity to point your children to the hope that does not disappoint. I find with my young children walks outside, sick family and struggling church members give great opportunities to speak about glorious grace and power of God. Discipline is an awesome time to teach about Jesus taking our disciplines that we deserve and teach them about the complete and wonderful forgiveness found in Jesus alone. Pray often for your child's salvation and walk with God. Pray in front of them so they hear your heart for them. God is the only one that can save. So plead with Him for your children and in faith train them, discipline them and talk about God with them because we know that this is the means God uses to lead our children to Him
4. Pride.
We love ourselves. Pride is self love- self worship. Pride says we are better than we are and makes us God's enemies. Pride is destructive and God is the one who destroys us because of it.
As parents or mom's to be, we must keep this in mind. Pride is a real joy killer!
Pride will say “I know”. Either out loud or in your heart.
Pride will cause you to compare yourself to other mom's and say you are better. Anytime you think you are something great, you can rest assure that pride is present in that moment.
Pride looks at Titus 2 where we are called to be trained and it looks around and says, “There is no one here who can offer me anything!”
Pride will make you a terrible student.
If you do not know anyone who you think can help you to be a better mother, you will be robbed of great joy and consistent tender feelings toward your children. Proverbs 13:10 says: Through insolence comes nothing but strife, but wisdom is with those that receive counsel.
Did you get that? Receive counsel! Do you surround yourself with women who can teach you and are you receiving it. Or do you think you know it all or at least more than anyone else around you?
Surround yourself with women that look like the women described in Titus 2. Not perfect women, but women who are concerned with honoring the word of God, women who are learning and working toward and consistently, though not perfectly, living a disciplined life. Find a woman who is willing to open up her life to you – warts and all so she can come alongside you and warn you off of her mistakes and show the wisdom she has gained through experience and the word.
And I would challenge you to work towards becoming one of those women. Pride will keep you from it. So put away pride and listen and learn.
To those who want to be listened to and yet people don't want to, examine why. Is it perhaps because you come off arrogant and critical. Do you feel like it is your job to correct everybody else's children when the parent is standing right there, because you are God's gift to parenting after all? You make it harder for people to receive your counsel even when it's good when you act like that. And it robs you of the joy of helping other women experience the consistent joy of motherhood. You will find that even if your kids aren't perfect and you have flaws you are easier to listen to because you are tender, kind and humble.
Moms, let's love our children. Do not let any one tell you they are a burden, they are a joy. Being a mom is fun, fulfilling, rewarding. But it must be done God's way and we must guard against the things that rob us of that joy!
So, meditate deeply on the love God has lavished upon you and see how God views children and let that control your view of them and this task of mothering. Be a woman of His word, motherhood is no excuse to neglect it, a in neglecting the word you will be weak in your meditation and therefore; your love.
In faith, discipline and train your child God's way, so that you can be a rejoicing mother; rather than ashamed.
And humble yourself enough to surround yourself with women who can teach you and listen!
And then love passionately, deeply and tenderly. Your labor of love will be rewarding!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
School At Our House
I thought I'd just give everyone a glimpse of a typical day at my house. Of course I have no picture of discipline, interruptions, and training session with Gabers! :-)
We do a lot of reading. I get to read e
njoy good books with them, such as Black Beauty, Swiss
Family Robinson, Pilgrim's Progress and Chronicles of Narnia. They also get to read about baseball, history, nature, and report to me what they have read and learned.
Math is always fun.... not! haha! This is always the subject that reveals hearts all the
way around. Many redemptive moments happen in my own life as well as my children's. Thankfully my friend Kendal comes and helps supervise math once a week. That is such a blessing. Of course now my children fight about who Kendal is going to help next time she comes.....
Calvin just loves Phonics! Now he does anyway. He has been the hardest so far to teach to read. But now, he is thriving and I praise God. I just had to keep telling him that he will be able to read God's word all by himself if he reads well.
Noelle working on her verses for the verse marathon coming up this Sunday.
The kids favorite thing since the weather turned nice,
is exploring. They take rulers and pencils and paper and sketch and measure all they observe and then write descriptions . This has really been helping Calvin improve his writing. And they are getting a chance to enjoy God's creation.
I am enjoying watching my kids grow, learn, and play!
We do a lot of reading. I get to read e
njoy good books with them, such as Black Beauty, SwissFamily Robinson, Pilgrim's Progress and Chronicles of Narnia. They also get to read about baseball, history, nature, and report to me what they have read and learned.
Math is always fun.... not! haha! This is always the subject that reveals hearts all the
way around. Many redemptive moments happen in my own life as well as my children's. Thankfully my friend Kendal comes and helps supervise math once a week. That is such a blessing. Of course now my children fight about who Kendal is going to help next time she comes.....Calvin just loves Phonics! Now he does anyway. He has been the hardest so far to teach to read. But now, he is thriving and I praise God. I just had to keep telling him that he will be able to read God's word all by himself if he reads well.
Noelle working on her verses for the verse marathon coming up this Sunday.
The kids favorite thing since the weather turned nice,
is exploring. They take rulers and pencils and paper and sketch and measure all they observe and then write descriptions . This has really been helping Calvin improve his writing. And they are getting a chance to enjoy God's creation.
I am enjoying watching my kids grow, learn, and play!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Bedtime Blessings, Prayer and Singing
Before our 5 children go to bed for the night, we usually, Lord permitting, pray with them, bless them, and sing a song or two.
Desiring God Ministries has blessing cards that use scripture to pray a blessing over your children.
This has become a sweet time for our family. Rick and I do not always do this together. Some times we are both present and other times it depends on who is home when the kids go down to bed. Either way, if you try to put them to bed at our house without reading a blessing card, praying and singing, you will quickly and passionately be reminded. I prayed through a Psalm with the kids and blessed them while my husband was at the Library (Monday night); they were not sleeping when he got home and still asked their dad to bless them! I called them little blessing hogs! :-)
Through this little tradition and short time of worship with the kids, it has given me much to delight in God as I am consistently reminded of God's faithfulness, kindness and sufficiency as I read through these Bible blessings and pray and sing. Most every night I sing from 2 verses right out of Psalm 121. It is my children's favorite, must have song before bed and it one that I frequently go bed myself thinking about. Silas will cry out, "The moon doesn't hurt you Mom! God doesn't let it hurt you! Sing it!" Many years ago two people who used to attend my church wrote music to it. I truly wish I could find the tape with the song. Yes, that is how long ago it was, not a CD, a tape!
Psalm 121:5-6 The Lord watches over you, He is your defender, The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
As I go to bed I thank you Father that you are guarding your people. You never cease from your sovereign care, even in the darkest night. You will never sleep nor slumber.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Raising Gospel Centered Givers
The last few weeks as a church we have been looking at what biblical, gospel-motivated generosity is. This is not something new to my family and me. We have read books, listened to sermons, and made changes and seem to always see a need for growth in this area.
I have tasted the kindness of my God and savior and received His mercy and that motivates me to desire to see His work on earth be done. I know that money is a part of that and that God enriches us in order to be generous. As was pointed out in the sermons; how we spend our money is a good indicator of how we are doing spiritually. I want to store my treasures in heaven, and remembering that what we don't give is what we lose and not the other way around, should be obvious, but it isn't always, at least in practice.
This time around when discussing and evaluating our hearts and how we live in this area, we have realized that in many ways we have neglected putting gospel-giving into practice with our children. By this, I mean, we have desired to train them to store their treasures in heaven and train them to be a generous people and so far have fallen short. Though we speak about it and to a try to exemplify it, we haven't truly given them many opportunities to experience it. We haven't given them much to invest and see what happens when you give to God's work. Sure, when they have a little money we encourage them to give it, but at ages 9, 8, 6 and 3, they rarely have anything to give. In some ways perhaps that is reasonable. But how will they experience the reality that where you put your money, you take great interest. You truly think, love and treasure the things you invest in. We haven't given them the opportunity to "practice" being generous children. Frankly, we have been lazy! My husband has had some good practical ideas how to practically train our children in this area, and we are only now beginning to do so.
We are going to start by showing some financial generosity to our own kids by giving them an allowance. That way they have money (they are enriched), for the purpose of giving back to God and loving God's people with what they are enriched with. Such basic stuff, we just haven't done it yet. This too will give us the opportunity to see their hearts in action as well. We are making banks with 3 separate compartments. One for spending, one for saving, and one for giving. They will get to put a portion into each compartment. This will give them something to give and an opportunity to learn how to handle finances.
My husband and are certainly looking to be more generous in all aspect of our lives: money, time, and possessions. We want to "seek first His Kingdom and righteousness," and we see some lack in our own lives, and we see one thing as a lack in raising gospel givers.
Oh Lord help us to be gospel motivated givers and raise our children up to experience your tender mercies; and as benefactors of Your great generosity, Lord, may we be generous together.
This book may be a helpful resource for some that are looking for practical ways to train your children to handle money God's way.
I have tasted the kindness of my God and savior and received His mercy and that motivates me to desire to see His work on earth be done. I know that money is a part of that and that God enriches us in order to be generous. As was pointed out in the sermons; how we spend our money is a good indicator of how we are doing spiritually. I want to store my treasures in heaven, and remembering that what we don't give is what we lose and not the other way around, should be obvious, but it isn't always, at least in practice.
This time around when discussing and evaluating our hearts and how we live in this area, we have realized that in many ways we have neglected putting gospel-giving into practice with our children. By this, I mean, we have desired to train them to store their treasures in heaven and train them to be a generous people and so far have fallen short. Though we speak about it and to a try to exemplify it, we haven't truly given them many opportunities to experience it. We haven't given them much to invest and see what happens when you give to God's work. Sure, when they have a little money we encourage them to give it, but at ages 9, 8, 6 and 3, they rarely have anything to give. In some ways perhaps that is reasonable. But how will they experience the reality that where you put your money, you take great interest. You truly think, love and treasure the things you invest in. We haven't given them the opportunity to "practice" being generous children. Frankly, we have been lazy! My husband has had some good practical ideas how to practically train our children in this area, and we are only now beginning to do so.
We are going to start by showing some financial generosity to our own kids by giving them an allowance. That way they have money (they are enriched), for the purpose of giving back to God and loving God's people with what they are enriched with. Such basic stuff, we just haven't done it yet. This too will give us the opportunity to see their hearts in action as well. We are making banks with 3 separate compartments. One for spending, one for saving, and one for giving. They will get to put a portion into each compartment. This will give them something to give and an opportunity to learn how to handle finances.
My husband and are certainly looking to be more generous in all aspect of our lives: money, time, and possessions. We want to "seek first His Kingdom and righteousness," and we see some lack in our own lives, and we see one thing as a lack in raising gospel givers.
Oh Lord help us to be gospel motivated givers and raise our children up to experience your tender mercies; and as benefactors of Your great generosity, Lord, may we be generous together.
This book may be a helpful resource for some that are looking for practical ways to train your children to handle money God's way.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Frozen Pipes and Sick Kids
I wrote this last week. What a cold week we have had. The pipes froze again! All is well now. The kids and the pipes have survived the cold thus far. Despite all of the craziness called life, I am looking forward to spending Christmas with my family and have enjoyed this advent season. Have a Merry Christmas and may we actively wait in eager anticipation of our saviors second coming!
This morning we woke up to frozen pipes and sick children. What a way to start the day! We had just come off a rough weekend and now this.....
Life seems to be changing faster than my mind can wrap itself around and react. Then, more of life just happens. How are we suppose to come up with a plan for our life and catch up with the changes and pace, when we can't even unfreeze the frozen pipes or comfort the sick children laying on the couch, or in Silas' case sobbing in his bed?
I guess I could remember that life isn't as bad as it could be or as bad as others have it, but that is very little help in the battle against self-love. I could tell myself, " buck up lady, get over it, life goes on", but again, what good would that do in the long run? The bottom line is, I know that these things are true. Life isn't that hard, or at least not as hard as it could be. We are not promised a bed of roses. But as I bring my sorrow and confusion and struggles before God, I need to remember God. Who He is and what He has done. I need to remember that "God has much more going on in the world than satisfying the desires of any one person (me), or group of people." ( This really stood out to me from Rick's sermon this week) I need to meditate more deeply on Psalm 77. I need to become like Asaph.
1My voice rises to God, and I will cry aloud;
My voice rises to God, and He will hear me.
2In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord;
In the night my hand was stretched out without weariness;
My soul refused to be comforted.
3When I remember God, then I am disturbed;
When I sigh, then my spirit grows faint. Selah.
4You have held my eyelids open;
I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
5I have considered the days of old,
The years of long ago.
6I will remember my song in the night;
I will meditate with my heart,
And my spirit ponders:
7Will the Lord reject forever?
And will He never be favorable again?
8Has His lovingkindness ceased forever?
Has His promise come to an end forever?
9Has God forgotten to be gracious,
Or has He in anger withdrawn His compassion? Selah.
10Then I said, "It is my grief,
That the right hand of the Most High has changed."
11I shall remember the deeds of the LORD;
Surely I will remember Your wonders of old.
12I will meditate on all Your work
And muse on Your deeds.
13Your way, O God, is holy;
What god is great like our God?
14You are the God who works wonders;
You have made known Your strength among the peoples.
15You have by Your power redeemed Your people,
The sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.
16The waters saw You, O God;
The waters saw You, they were in anguish;
The deeps also trembled.
17The clouds poured out water;
The skies gave forth a sound;
Your arrows flashed here and there.
18The sound of Your thunder was in the whirlwind;
The lightnings lit up the world;
The earth trembled and shook.
19Your way was in the sea
And Your paths in the mighty waters,
And Your footprints may not be known.
20You led Your people like a flock
By the hand of Moses and Aaron.
May God be glorified though life is filled with frozen pipes and sick kids.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Potty Trained At Last!!!
I don’t usually buck at hard work, but when it came to potty training my twin boys I was willing to let them wear diapers until they could potty train themselves… But for more than the obvious reasons, it finally became time for these little ones to learn to do their dirty business in the toilet and for me to face the inevitable - lots of laundry, lots of frantic runs to the bathroom, and lots of cleaning up after a trail of pee and sometimes even…well, you know…poop! So armed with a pile of undies and a bag full of candy…yes, that was to bribe them (or like we like to call it “reward" them), I faced my most dreaded task yet. It worked wonders; Nathan (the older of the two) would sit on the potty chair until he produced…to cash in on that candy…until I had to stop that, because the Dentist would be costing me more than the diapers…
Anyway, at last they are both potty trained, so three down and one more to go…
Anyway, at last they are both potty trained, so three down and one more to go…
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Piper Palin Grooms Baby Brother
If this doesn't want to make you vote McCain-Palin, I don't know what will! :)
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
A Summer to Remember
This summer has been filled with change and memories made. For one thing this blog has almost made it through the summer. It started May 5th and has been an interesting and consistent part of my whole summer, I have truly enjoyed sharing thoughts and memories with my fellow bloggers, Esme, Betsy and Nichole, and reading their thoughts and memories.
My kids and I have played lots and lots of baseball after doing school out in the gazebo.
I have had the best time with the Henry girls. I have gotten to know Rebekah and Lydia a little better and spent a great deal of time with Nichole... which is always time well spent.
We have had play dates with cousins and friends.
Silas has shot up and is growing into a little boy and not a baby right before my very eyes.
We have had the pleasure of meeting Sidney Nicole Aldrich and Benjamin Arthur Cady, who have by the way, renewed my children's desire for another sibling.
My sister came to Christ this Summer and has thrived in her small group and is growing as she has been devouring the Word of God; truly a highlight for me.
This Summer has been a time of watching God give grace and strength as we as a family adjust to a new life and schedule. Life has been exhausting this Summer but very, very good! And despite Rick's whacked out schedule he has still found time to fulfill some "duties" around the house, because I just found out I am pregnant! That's right, number 5! Pastor Matt already thinks we have 5 so he won't even notice the family growing, but we sure will. Lord willing, there will be another Aldrich in 9 months- scary!
This truly is a Summer to remember!
My kids and I have played lots and lots of baseball after doing school out in the gazebo.
I have had the best time with the Henry girls. I have gotten to know Rebekah and Lydia a little better and spent a great deal of time with Nichole... which is always time well spent.
We have had play dates with cousins and friends.
Silas has shot up and is growing into a little boy and not a baby right before my very eyes.
We have had the pleasure of meeting Sidney Nicole Aldrich and Benjamin Arthur Cady, who have by the way, renewed my children's desire for another sibling.
My sister came to Christ this Summer and has thrived in her small group and is growing as she has been devouring the Word of God; truly a highlight for me.
This Summer has been a time of watching God give grace and strength as we as a family adjust to a new life and schedule. Life has been exhausting this Summer but very, very good! And despite Rick's whacked out schedule he has still found time to fulfill some "duties" around the house, because I just found out I am pregnant! That's right, number 5! Pastor Matt already thinks we have 5 so he won't even notice the family growing, but we sure will. Lord willing, there will be another Aldrich in 9 months- scary!
This truly is a Summer to remember!
Friday, August 15, 2008
Baptisms: My son Aidan's
Yesterday, I posted my youngest son’s baptism pictures and his testimony. Today I will post my oldest son’s baptism pictures and testimony. My middle son is also a professing believer who was baptized about 2 years ago so if any of you are interested in reading his testimony, you can feel free to email us here at True Women, and I can get that to you. But today’s focus is on Aidan’s testimony because he is the last of the group baptized on Sunday. Aidan is a little mini-me. He is 13 years old and as much as a boy could possibly be like his mother, he is like me. His voice hasn’t started changing yet, so he even sounds like me. When he bosses around his brothers, people have been known to turn around looking for me, since he even has my intonation matched. Sadly he has many of the same struggles I do. For years he has battled with whether he could be saved due to his ongoing struggle with sin, especially pride. He has cried out for salvation many times but was never sure of whether he was saved since he saw how much he still loved his sin. Similar to his brother Austin, I would not give him any assurance of salvation, but would simply point him back to the complete work of salvation and forgiveness that we can have in Christ if we believe the promises of the gospel. Recently we went to a “Do Hard Things” conference and Mr. Harris spoke on the nature of a believer verses an unbeliever. He explained about how as a believer, your desires change and though you may have some (or many) of the old habits, God is still at work in you and it starts with your desires and affections, etc. (This is my quick paraphrase.) This really helped to define Aidan’s struggle to him and gave him a “peace” about his own battle. He had trusted in the finished work of Christ and was battling sin (by the power of the Holy Spirit). As such, God used Mr. Harris’ speech to reveal how He was working in Aidan, namely in his desire for holiness and honoring God in his life, as well as the pursuit thereof. Ryan and I and other people who interact with Aidan had thought that he was a believer for at least a year prior to this, and were thankful to see God move in Aidan to trust in the work of Christ for salvation and assurance of faith, too. Here is his testimony.
Aidan’s Testimony:
Good morning. My name is Aidan Aldrich. I learned about God and the gospel through my parents teaching, Sunday school, and reading the bible, etc. Before I was saved I struggled with pride, anger, lying and cheating. And I still struggle with these things, but now I know and believe that Christ died for my sins and I am covered with His righteousness. I used to not think about “life when I’m an adult”. I just did school and chores and played video games… and that was my average day. But as I got older I started to realize that I’m going to have to “do hard things” and not just be a lazy bum.
When my dad got laid off from work we had a lot of time to just talk about the gospel and things of God like obedience, kindness, self-control, gentleness, etc. while doing some jobs people asked us to do. Our talks helped me to realize that I needed a savior.
I’m glad that Jesus will always be there in my times of trials and struggles. I know that I will never be perfect before I die because God is holy and I’m not. I praise the Lord for my salvation. (Eph 2:8-10) For by grace you have been saved through faith not of yourselves, it is the free gift of God not as a result of works that no man should boast. For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them.
I pray that God would guide me and help me understand His word and I also pray that He would help me strive for Him. I thank God that He would send His only Son to die for me, a wretched sinner in need of a savior, and that Savior is Jesus Christ. I thank God that we have a hope for eternal life in Christ Jesus because He died and rose again on the 3rd day and defeated death. Jesus is my Friend, and God is my spiritual Father.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Baptisms: My son Austin
This week we are sharing the testimonies of some of our loved ones who recently got baptized. On Tuesday Jasmine shared the story of God’s work in her sister Kat. Today and tomorrow, I will be sharing the story of God’s work in my oldest and youngest sons Aidan and Austin. Today I will talk of Austin since he is the youngest. Let me tell you a little about him.
Austin is 9 years old. He is a talker! He is smart as a whip and he knows the gospel back and forth. As such, we’ve always had great conversations about eternal things. But within the last 6-12 months, we watched God change that knowledge into something more in Austin. He gave Austin a certainty that the gospel wasn’t just truth, but rather that it was real. God changed it from Sunday school truth to real life truth… it wasn’t just a story of “grace”; it became salvation to my little guy. God has given Austin a love for Jesus which He is also growing into a passion to live for Jesus. I am excited to see God at work in him and continue to pray daily for him and my other sons that God will use them for His glory and help them to live “all out” for Jesus. He was baptized by my husband Ryan this past Sunday. Here is Austin’s testimony which he read to our congregation at Temple Baptist Church before he was baptized. I hope you will be encouraged by it.
Austin’s testimony:
I learned about God from Mom and Dad, from Pastor Matt at home and at church. I learned that God is Almighty and about Jesus. Without God, we don’t care about Him. That’s bad because we need to care about Him. If we don’t, then we’ll go to Hell. God made us to glorify Him. If we don’t care about Him, then we won’t glorify Him. God sent Christ to die on the cross for our sins because He loved us and so that we could draw near to Him.
At first, I would sometimes obey and sometimes not. I sinned a lot. I didn’t really care about Him. It felt like He wasn’t really there. Whenever I heard that Christ died for me, I thought “No, He didn’t really die for me. He died for my mom and my dad and my brothers, but not for me. Then for awhile I thought maybe He died for me, but I wasn’t sure. Then I was reading my bible each day and it said that Jesus died for my sins. For about a week I was still thinking about it. And I saw those words again and I was just sure that He died for MY sins.
Jesus died for our sins. He rose from the dead. He ascended into Heaven. He’s coming back to earth and He’ll make a new heaven and a new earth. When I believed this, I was glad. Now I try to be more kind and to help people. When I sin, I try to confess it and seek forgiveness from whoever I sinned against.
Sometimes I think that I want to be like Paul. He was a missionary who preached the gospel. Or like Simon Peter. They loved God so much. I want to love God that much. It was possible for them to love God so much because God loved them and because the Holy Spirit helped them. He can help me, too.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Three boys and a box…
Boys are so much fun. This week’s fascination is a box. It is a BIG box, but still a box. My husband bought me a new range/stove and when it was delivered, I asked the delivery man if we could keep the box. I thought back to childhood memories of when my dad had brought some similar big boxes home and we played house in them and various other calm girlish things … as such I was excited to present it to my boys.
It went like this “Check this out boys… It’s a really big box!” They (naturally) responded with “woo-hoo”‘s between the three of them (ages 13, 11, and 9) and the fun commenced. But they don’t do the expected things with the box. They have “cage wrestling matches” inside of the box. (We don’t have TV stations so they’ve never witnessed this. This must be part of boy DNA!) They turn it on its side and do their school in the box: reading, math, etc. (Though only two can fit in it at once, so they have to take turns.) They turn it over so it’s entirely covering one of them and then beat on the outside of the box. (Why? I dunno! I’m a girl, remember!) They weigh too much so none of them can sit on top of the box, or they’d do that too! They lie in the box and roll it around the room like it was a barrel (it’s gotten less box-like and more rounded at the seams). Altogether, they’ve had a lot of fun in that box. But as the saying goes, “This too shall pass.” And it has. The box died today. Along with my three sons, I was taking care of Esme’s four boys: all of which are less than 4 years old. They too, joined in the fun... and that was the "last straw". The box surrendered. It breathed its last. It now is a smashed pile of cardboard remains in my front yard, waiting for garbage day. Oh well. It was fun while it lasted. Once again I am reminded that boys are full of new experiences and I am so blessed to have my three boys, especially! Have a great weekend everybody and enjoy the “boxes of life” while they last!
It went like this “Check this out boys… It’s a really big box!” They (naturally) responded with “woo-hoo”‘s between the three of them (ages 13, 11, and 9) and the fun commenced. But they don’t do the expected things with the box. They have “cage wrestling matches” inside of the box. (We don’t have TV stations so they’ve never witnessed this. This must be part of boy DNA!) They turn it on its side and do their school in the box: reading, math, etc. (Though only two can fit in it at once, so they have to take turns.) They turn it over so it’s entirely covering one of them and then beat on the outside of the box. (Why? I dunno! I’m a girl, remember!) They weigh too much so none of them can sit on top of the box, or they’d do that too! They lie in the box and roll it around the room like it was a barrel (it’s gotten less box-like and more rounded at the seams). Altogether, they’ve had a lot of fun in that box. But as the saying goes, “This too shall pass.” And it has. The box died today. Along with my three sons, I was taking care of Esme’s four boys: all of which are less than 4 years old. They too, joined in the fun... and that was the "last straw". The box surrendered. It breathed its last. It now is a smashed pile of cardboard remains in my front yard, waiting for garbage day. Oh well. It was fun while it lasted. Once again I am reminded that boys are full of new experiences and I am so blessed to have my three boys, especially! Have a great weekend everybody and enjoy the “boxes of life” while they last!
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Children: Joy or Drudgery?
Mothering is a beautiful topic that I find very interesting to read, hear and think about. When it comes to parenting children the world has a lot to say to us. The time and place where we live, our culture, tends to shape the way we think and how we approach motherhood. It is hard to escape this, but we must! Because we must understand and act upon the way God views children and mothering. God's word is clear on the subject; therefore we must become students of the word.
It is clear that God wants us to love our children tenderly and truly enjoy being moms. By loving, or enjoying our children we honor the word of God, we are glorifying Him.
In thinking about this I began to wonder why it seems hard to sustain this joy, this love. This is my feeble attempt at zeroing in on a few of the major joy killers in the life of a mommy and then how to fight for the joy God intended.
It seems to me in my life anyway that there are 4 biggies:
1. We do not meditate deeply on the love of God.
2. We allow our culture to give us our view of children rather than the word of God.
3. We neglect to raise them for God His way.
4. Pride.
For more go here.
Contest reminder
It is clear that God wants us to love our children tenderly and truly enjoy being moms. By loving, or enjoying our children we honor the word of God, we are glorifying Him.
In thinking about this I began to wonder why it seems hard to sustain this joy, this love. This is my feeble attempt at zeroing in on a few of the major joy killers in the life of a mommy and then how to fight for the joy God intended.
It seems to me in my life anyway that there are 4 biggies:
1. We do not meditate deeply on the love of God.
2. We allow our culture to give us our view of children rather than the word of God.
3. We neglect to raise them for God His way.
4. Pride.
For more go here.
Contest reminder
Monday, June 23, 2008
The Myth of Adolescence
1 Corinthians 13:11 "When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things."
Jasmine, Betsy, and I attended the Do Hard Things conference this weekend put on by Alex and Brett Harris, authors of the Rebelution Blog, and their father, Greg Harris. In the one day conference, they discussed the myth of adolescense, that in todays world we tend to add on to 1 Corinthians 13:11, 'When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I was a teenager, I looked like a man, had the abilities of a man, but still spoke, thought, and reasoned like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.'
Their message was simple: teenagers today need to learn how to do hard things. They listed several examples from our nations history of extraordinarily hard working teenagers who went on to become adults that went down in history. My favorite example was of David Farragut, the U.S. Navy's first admiral. When he was twelve, he was made captain of a captured ship and was given the responsibility of seeing it safetly back to America along with its crew and captain - which he did. Alex and Brett argued that these people did not have extraordiary teen years because they were going to be famous later on in life, but that they were famous later on in life because they prepared themselves properly during their 'teen' years.
The brothers spent the majority of their conference defining this 'myth of adolesence' and then encouraging fellow teenagers to do hard things. They gave much practical advice of how teenagers can do this, including reading good (hard) books, stepping out of comfort zones, and working beyond what is expected of you.
Alex and Brett have their own list of 'doing hard things' credentials, which they laid out for us at the beginning of the conference. It was pretty impressive and served to show young and old alike that they were not just full of ideas, but that they acted on their ideas successfully. They also reminded listeners again and again that they were able to accomplish these things because of the work that God did in them, none of it was of themselves. The glory was always given right back to whom it belonged.
The twins also showed that they believed so strongly in what they taught that they not only followed it themselves, but they provided many opportunities for others to do the same. An example of this is their conferences this year. They were put on by teenagers. Every worker we saw working at the conference, be it signing people in, selling t-shirts and books, working the cameras, or helping to lead times of singing, were younger than I am. The brothers assured us that all the work that is done behind the scenes is done by teenagers as well. And let me assure you, the conference was very well done. Everything ran smoothly. The only problem I could find the entire day (and I was looking for problems) was that during times of singing, the power point with the words on it was a little slow in switching from slide to slide.
Greg Harris, the twins father, shared the gosple. I was so glad that they did this! At a conference for young people, it is always wise not to assume that all present are saved. Mr. Harris did a great job preaching the gosple in a way that was beneficial to believers and non-believers alike.
I would encourage everyone to read their book, Do Hard Things. It is not a difficult book to read. But it will encourage young people to take their time as teenagers seriously. It will encourage parents not to have low expectations of their children. It will give families ideas of how they can grow together and raise up strong men and women of the Lord.
I am very glad that I was able to go to the Do Hard Things conference. It backed up a lot of feelings that I have been having for a while and gave me lots of ideas of how to work these feelings out in action. I think that the message preached applies to everyone, not just teenagers, and am excited to see how the Lord uses it to work in the lives of those who went to the conference with me.
Jasmine, Betsy, and I attended the Do Hard Things conference this weekend put on by Alex and Brett Harris, authors of the Rebelution Blog, and their father, Greg Harris. In the one day conference, they discussed the myth of adolescense, that in todays world we tend to add on to 1 Corinthians 13:11, 'When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I was a teenager, I looked like a man, had the abilities of a man, but still spoke, thought, and reasoned like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.'
Their message was simple: teenagers today need to learn how to do hard things. They listed several examples from our nations history of extraordinarily hard working teenagers who went on to become adults that went down in history. My favorite example was of David Farragut, the U.S. Navy's first admiral. When he was twelve, he was made captain of a captured ship and was given the responsibility of seeing it safetly back to America along with its crew and captain - which he did. Alex and Brett argued that these people did not have extraordiary teen years because they were going to be famous later on in life, but that they were famous later on in life because they prepared themselves properly during their 'teen' years.
The brothers spent the majority of their conference defining this 'myth of adolesence' and then encouraging fellow teenagers to do hard things. They gave much practical advice of how teenagers can do this, including reading good (hard) books, stepping out of comfort zones, and working beyond what is expected of you.
Alex and Brett have their own list of 'doing hard things' credentials, which they laid out for us at the beginning of the conference. It was pretty impressive and served to show young and old alike that they were not just full of ideas, but that they acted on their ideas successfully. They also reminded listeners again and again that they were able to accomplish these things because of the work that God did in them, none of it was of themselves. The glory was always given right back to whom it belonged.
The twins also showed that they believed so strongly in what they taught that they not only followed it themselves, but they provided many opportunities for others to do the same. An example of this is their conferences this year. They were put on by teenagers. Every worker we saw working at the conference, be it signing people in, selling t-shirts and books, working the cameras, or helping to lead times of singing, were younger than I am. The brothers assured us that all the work that is done behind the scenes is done by teenagers as well. And let me assure you, the conference was very well done. Everything ran smoothly. The only problem I could find the entire day (and I was looking for problems) was that during times of singing, the power point with the words on it was a little slow in switching from slide to slide.
Greg Harris, the twins father, shared the gosple. I was so glad that they did this! At a conference for young people, it is always wise not to assume that all present are saved. Mr. Harris did a great job preaching the gosple in a way that was beneficial to believers and non-believers alike.
I would encourage everyone to read their book, Do Hard Things. It is not a difficult book to read. But it will encourage young people to take their time as teenagers seriously. It will encourage parents not to have low expectations of their children. It will give families ideas of how they can grow together and raise up strong men and women of the Lord.
I am very glad that I was able to go to the Do Hard Things conference. It backed up a lot of feelings that I have been having for a while and gave me lots of ideas of how to work these feelings out in action. I think that the message preached applies to everyone, not just teenagers, and am excited to see how the Lord uses it to work in the lives of those who went to the conference with me.
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