Monday, September 19, 2011

Warrior Prayers - Day 15

Today's prayers for goodness lead to a much bigger issue.  As we seek to mold and correct our young boys, we absolutely must keep in mind that it is not the outward behavior that we are to focus on.  While it is important that they do not hit their brother (a big one in our home), or talk back to their parents (another challenge), and listen to instructions rather than ignore us, we will be doing them a huge disservice if we do not seek to change their hearts.  But what I have learned through praying these prayers this summer is that it is not up to us as parents to change our children's hearts.  That's God's job.  He wants their hearts more than we as their parents want them to have hearts for Him.  The last week of our praying for our sons' challenge has a day of "heart change" prayers.  So in disciplining them we must remember that we are after a change in their wanting to do good, not just the momentary behavior change.  They have to want to do the right thing every time, for the right reasons.  Brooke says, "Ask yourself these questions: 

What parenting tools have I been using that only focus on changing behavior and not the heart? Am I
willing to lay them down even if they produce what looks like a good child?
Reaching a child's heart takes time. Behavior modification is much faster! Am I willing to change things
about my life so that I have the time to invest in the hearts of my children?
Most importantly: Am I willing to submit my own heart to God and allow Him to mold me from the
inside out?
Shepherding our boys is not for the faint of heart friends! Once a week or more I'm tempted to just throw it all
out the window (including the boys … ) and take the easier path. So what keeps me going?"

Friday, September 16, 2011

Warrior Prayers Day 12

Today Brooke shares some insights given by author Laura Lee Groves, "I'm Outnumbered! One Mom's Lessons in the Lively Art of Raising Boys".  Sounds like she and I could be great friends.  I am also outnumbered in my home.  I always thought I would have both boys and girls.  Funny how my sister has three girls and I have the boys.  I had no idea what to do with my first son.  In fact I remember a conversation with my cousin when I was pregnant that I did not have any idea of how to raise a boy.  Well, now I have two and am so thankful for both of them.  They are funny, energetic, and full of craziness!  I have been constantly seeking a peaceful home for some time now.  


Laura mentioned something that struck home with me.  Spend time with our sons doing the things that they enjoy, even if we don't prefer to do those things.  For years I have stayed away from my husband's football and basketball games.  I don't like them and have no interest in them.  My grandmother used to tell me to learn to enjoy them.  Now that I have two sons who will no doubt follow in their father's steps I am seeing a huge benefit in learning to enjoy those things that I have disliked.  Bonding takes place in sharing those moments and I don't want to miss out on that.  As they get older, I will definitely want a relationship that is built on trust to be developed.  I want my sons to come to me as someone that they can talk to, not see me as someone who just did the necessary house work and disciplined them.  


She also mentioned how important it is as boy moms to find other boy moms to connect with.  Having a life-line really helps when the craziness seems too much.


Pray for our sons to have peace in their lives, peace in our homes, and peace in our raising them.  God says that we will find peace if we seek it wholeheartedly.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Warrior Prayers Day 10

Today's prayers really sum up all that we are praying for our sons.  Love.  Without love, God's love, we miss the mark on everything else.  Without God's love our sons will not experience all that God has planned for them.  I personally have struggled with loving others for years.  The pain from past relationships has placed a barrier between me and the world.  It is hard for me to let others in, especially new friends.  I definitely do not want my sons to struggle with this.  Learning how to love God's way at an early age will hopefully help them cope with difficult situations that are sure to come up over the years.  I want them to be prepared to handle disappointments God's way.  And I most especially want them to grow up loving each other.  Right now this is hard to see with the daily fights over this and that.  Prayer.  It is our only hope.  Pray that they will love when it seems impossible.  Pray that they will experience love in their marriages.  Pray most especially that they will really know how much God loves them. 

Brooke brought up another very important point.  The word love is used carelessly too often.  "I love this food", "I love that song", etc...  Real love only comes from God.  Brooke says "God and love are one and the same. There is no real love apart from God, and God is behind all real and genuine acts of love".

For me today's prayers are at the top of my list.

Warrior Prayers Day 9

I've been thinking of ways to teach our sons to honor others.  They will be presented with many opportunities in their lives, such as holding a door open, giving up their seat, or letting someone else go before them.  Simple acts of kindness.  Then there is the command to "honor his father and mother".  For some reason this is a huge problem in our house.  Currently a favorite toy has been in time-out and will remain there until a certain someone learns to show respect to his mother.  For three days in a row there must not be any trouble.  So far that is not happening.  Even just now, as I am writing this, I have had to stop to "remind" him that he is to get dressed for school.  His interpretation of that is to stand in the hall and bark at the dog.  "Honoring his mother"?  Not yet.  So we have lots of work to do.  Boy, as I pray through these I am being shown area after area of character traits that are severely lacking. 

Monday, September 12, 2011

Warrior Prayers Day 8

Today we will pray for our sons to have servant's hearts.  I have always loved giving.  Often I round up clothes and house things that we are no longer using and give to Good Will.  This week I was asked if I could help out the fire victims around Austin.  I told my 7 year old about this and asked if he would like to help by donating some of his toys.  This was his cue to place importance on everything he owed.  I would never ask him to give away his most favorite toys, but rather some that he no longer uses.  For some reason he could not part with anything and was most upset that I had asked.  As I rounded up my kitchen things to donate I was saddened that he had this attitude.  Had I created this in him somehow?  Or have I just not trained him enough in the joy of giving?  I ended up showing him the boxes I collected, but that still made no difference to him. 

On another note, his servant's heart is not developed at home.  Whenever I ask him to help me clean, most importantly his toys and clothes, his response is always something like "I didn't make that mess", "I don't know where anything goes", "I don't know how", or my favorite "I'm too tired,  you have to help me".  So today's prayers are another uphill battle for me.  Another exhausting challenge to overcome.  Another area where my sons really need God's hand guiding them to become more like Him.

Warrior Prayers Day 7

Today's topic, purity, may seem a little premature for my little ones, however with access to the internet and cable, it is even more important that we start as early as possible not only shielding their eyes and ears, but training them to steer away from such temptations.  "Be careful little eyes what you see".  It is things like this that make me want to remove the TV and computer from our home, along with any movies and music that are working against what I want to teach my sons.  Everyone has their own opinion of the Duggars, but I really like the way their children behave and are focused on pleasing God and their parents.  Everyone gets along (and I don't think it is just for the camera).  They have no outside influences that can steal their hearts and turn them away from what their parents have tried so hard to teach them.  With that said, I realize not all of us can live in isolation with a house full of kids to play with and both parents at home all day.  Not everyone has the opportunity to home school and even home church.  My sons are being put out into the world at such young ages.  So my job as mom is to train them now to recognize evil and run from it. 

I pray that as we pray through today's prayers for purity, we will see a definite change in our sons' hearts toward serving God and recognizing things right away that are not pleasing to Him.

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Warrior Prayers Day Five

Today's prayers are for avoiding foolishness.  This seems an uphill battle to me.  My kids are constantly expressing themselves foolishly.  The choices they make and the words they choose are mostly self-centered.  Brooke says "There is no consideration in life more profound than, 'What will please me?'Children don't say those words, but such foolish thoughts are the underlying justifications for hundred of impulses every day. It is expressed in all the acts of disobedience, selfishness, willful temper, and compulsive self-love."  She explains how important it is to train our children to recognize the difference between the wise man and the foolish man.  So many examples of each are given in God's word.  By training our little boys now we have hope that they will stand on their own one day and make the right choice to be wise.  

Let's pray today with their future in mind, not just for today.  Let's pray that they will not only make wise decisions with their daily life now, but be so solid in this that they will not move from God's wisdom.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Warrior Prayers Day Four

Today's prayers are for integrity.  Brooke stresses that we can best train our sons in this area by the lives they see us lead.  This is one of those character traits that can best be taught by behaving in a Christ-like way in situations that most people would choose to act selfishly.  Some simple examples may include letting someone go ahead of you in a grocery line, a school car line, or just though a door.  Some more involved examples may be to give to someone in need such as our recent fire victims, or helping out our elderly neighbors. 

"Integrity can be defined as firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values or the quality or state of being complete or undivided."

This week I think we have all been looking at our own lives and desiring to change our examples we are giving to our children.  Short tempers, lack of patience, unkind words spoken to our husbands perhaps.  Our integrity or lack of is shown most clearly in the hardest times.  When we are tired, overworked, or just stressed by all that we have to be concerned with as moms, we must remain close to God and His Word.  Only then will our own lives be changed to reveal Jesus living in us.  And that is the example we need for our children.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Warrior Prayers Day Three

As I read Brooke's instructions for today I was convicted of something that is lacking in my parenting.  How often, way too often, I am quick to point out what my boys are doing wrong.  "You hit your brother AGAIN!"  "I thought you were supposed to be picking up your toys."  And the list goes on.  How much more effective I may be if I spend even half the time praising.  Little boys are not much different from grown men in that they thrive on praise.  Why do you think they want to be superheros so badly?  They love to come to the rescue, but are highly motivated by encouragement from us.  My husband is constantly reminding me of this.  And I am constantly forgetting it. 

Our sons obedience will be reinforced by our praise and encouragement much more than constantly nagging them or shaming them.  Sounds simple and obvious.  And I know how easy it is to get into the mode of being frustrated by the negative things they do over and over and over again.  As parents, Godly parents especially, we have the role of setting the example of holding our tongue, stepping back, and looking for the good that our children are doing.  Focus on that and I bet the rewards will come. 

As I am writing this I am most definitely reminding myself to do this.  Hopefully through praying for our sons' obedience we will see not only a change in their hearts, but a change in ours.

Let's remember to pray for their submission to their teachers as well as future bosses.  The groundwork we lay down now will pay off in later years.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Warrior Prayers: Day 2

Today we will pray for our sons to be obedient.  Not just to our leading, but to God and His ways.  Brooke explains that it is not enough for us to have our sons obey our every command.  We don't need little robots.  What we are after is a child who willingly obeys, out of a heart's desire to please God first and us second.

Brooke says "Obeying God is intimately linked to loving Him. If we focus too much on forcing our boys to change their outward behavior, and forget to hold out the great depth of love that sent a Savior to the cross, we’re running the risk of raising little Pharisees."

We need to instill a desire to obey coming from a deep love for our Savior. 
"Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be
loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him." ~John 14:21

Join me in praying for our sons throughout the day.  I will be posting on our Facebook group the Warrior Prayers.  

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Warrior Prayers Day One

Day one's prayers for our sons will be combined with day two.  The first element we are encouraged to pray for for our sons is their Heart Change.  What I have learned from praying through these prayers this summer is that it is not up to us as moms (or dads) to change our children's hearts for God.  We can try as hard as we can, but our efforts will not produce the desired result without an intervention from Our Father.  Only He can turn our sons' hearts toward Him.  And that is our most fervent prayer, isn't it?  That our sons will be faithful followers of Christ all their days on this earth, and to meet us in Heaven some day.

Brooke gives a wonderful explanation of a glass of water and it spilling out everywhere if it is bumped.  She explains that the same glass would not spill over if it was empty.  The same way our actions and words reflect what is in our hearts.  If only evil, bad thoughts, bad words, and ungodly actions are buried in our hearts, then we can't expect anything else to come out, especially at the most trying of times.  How necessary it is to plant God's Word in our hearts so that our responses will be in line with His ways. 


"The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure
produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." ~Luke 6:45

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Answer to Prayer

Yesterday I received an answer to one of my prayers.  I have been sewing at our kitchen island and using a bar stool.  It was working out ok, but not the best situation given the amount of sewing I do for my business.  A few months ago it was brought up that I might receive my grandma's sewing table.  But as it turned out, my parents didn't have room in their SUV with all of the other things they were bringing back from CA that were hers.  So I continued to offer this up in prayer. 

One of my mom's club friends offered an old desk for free and I jumped when I received the email.  It took some fixing, but my husband is very handy.  He had to attach brackets so that it would not collapse on me.  And he even cut out a space in the back so I can reach the outlet easily.  How thoughtful!




I love my new work space and am looking forward to spending lots of hours sewing.  I am now able to teach my oldest to sew and hopefully will be able to add teaching to my business.

So thankful!

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Taming Our Tongue

Confession:  I really messed up this weekend.  It is not an easy thing to admit.  But when I consider that I have walked away from God and His plans for me, I really have no choice.  The peace I was living in was removed.  I no longer felt His guidance (He didn't leave, He is always with us).  I just had made a very wrong choice and was suffering the consequences of my sin. 

What happened?   I had not really been living in peace like I thought.  I had been holding onto negative thoughts and feelings.  When they could not be contained any more, they were let loose.  And my husband was right there in the line of fire.  He was gentle and loving, as he should be, as understanding as possible.  But he was also there to quickly point out that I had sinned and was no longer walking in a right relationship with him or God. 

So, I of course felt bad and quickly confessed what I had done as sin.  But the consequences of my mistake still came.  That night, by no coincidence,  I developed symptoms of strep throat.  Sinning in my words had opened a doorway for Satan to enter and inflict his pain into my life.  In this case, as a direct result of words not used correctly, I was given a sickness in my throat. 

Today, three days later, I have received medical attention, am on medicine, and am feeling better.  But more importantly the peace has been restored.  I am back in a right relationship with my husband and with God.  Hopefully this lesson will be the last time I go around this mountain.  

I you feel like things are not quite right, check all areas.  Are you holding onto bitterness, resentment, anger, or jealously?  Better get rid of them fast!  They only grow and will develop bad attitudes, words, and will most likely lead you into sin.  BUT, He is always faithful.  He provided me a way out, I just didn't take it.  In fact, He provided two ways out, which I choose to ignore both times.  Trust in God to always lead and guide your thoughts and words.  Give Him your thoughts that are not pleasing to Him.  We have His power to not think on things that are not "lovely, honorable, just, right, and good".  Pray for a watch to be placed over your mind and mouth.  It really is necessary to having a right relationship with Him. 

Friday, July 8, 2011

Today's Challenge

I am going through 31 Days to Clean; Having a Martha House the Mary Way by Sarah Mae.  The challenges are easy to keep up with and really do have lasting results.  Not only will the reader have a "company-ready" house, but Sarah also encourages us as women and home-makers to re-evaluate our position in our homes to create a home filled with life and love. 

Today's challenge suggests we make a list of priorities to keep our homes, and lives in order.  At the top of my list is my time with God.  If I am not making this number one, I really feel the effects.  I rely on His strength and guidance throughout my day.  By beginning my mornings reading His Word and in prayer, I am connecting to my source of strength and wisdom. 

My number two priority is my husband.  I have been trying to create a home of peace for him and that is not an easy task.  It is important that our home is a safe place for our family to rest and relax.  If there is constant bickering with the children, or if the house is messy, there is tension all around.  However, by keeping peace with our boys, training them to handle their problems under God's direction, and by maintaining a clean house, there is a sense of calmness and order.

This leads me to my number three priority.  My children.  I am trying to follow God's Word to "train my children in the way of the Lord, and when they are old they will not depart from it".  So many bad habits have already formed, so I have a lot of untraining to do as well.  But I am confident that through much prayer for them (I am also going through Warrior Prayers - Praying the Word for Boys) and leading by example, they will learn to follow Jesus. 

My number four priority is my home.  For me this includes house cleaning and grocery shopping.  These are my two main jobs and I try my best to do them well.  I have adopted the Bible verse to work for the Lord instead of man as my motto.  When I worked outside of the home, I wasn't happy with my employers.  But I discovered this verse and it made my work experience much better.  I focused on working for Jesus instead of my earthly bosses.  Not that my "job" now is horrible, I actually love it.  But I am keeping my focus on Him so that when I am discouraged by the daily dishes, laundry, or bathrooms to clean ... again, I remain in a positive frame of mind.  The Bible says to not complain about anything, so I do not complain about the work that I have been given.  It is actually a joy to take care of my family in every way that I can.

And lastly number five is myself.  I have (again) started a workout schedule that I am hoping will stick.  My goal is to be "beach ready by 2012".  Not that we have a trip planned, but that is my goal.  I am by no means overweight.  The opposite in fact.  But I am not the most healthy eater.  So I am starting to eat better, cutting down on caffeine, adding fresh fruits and veggies, adding oats (Steel Cut Oatmeal is really good), and exercise a little every day.  So far this week has been a success.  Little changes at a time and I am able to stick with my commitments.

I look forward to updating my progress weekly.  I hope you will come back to see how we are doing with our life changes. 
May God Bless you in all you do,

Kerry

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Duggar Book Give-away!

Enter to win the Duggar's new book over at "Her Noble Character".  I have added her blog button on my sidebar for easy access.  Just 4 simple steps to enter.  Love Love Love the Duggars!

Friday, May 27, 2011

Prayer Chain

I am requesting prayer for a family member. He is in his 20's, newly married, and has a 4 month old son. He has a brain tumor, had surgery last week, and has been given a diagnosis of stage 3 cancer.

I want to form a prayer chain to lift him up before our Father's throne. Prayer changes things and our words are very powerful when we speak words of faith.

Please join me in praying for him often. Believe with me for his complete healing.

2 Timothy 1:7 
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

1 Peter 2:24 
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.


His name is Josh.

Romans 10:8
"The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,"

Romans 10:17
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
 
In the midst of adversity, when the pressure is on, say only what God says.

Man has the spiritual capacity to contain every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.  

Thank you
  

Monday, May 23, 2011

Doorpost's Giveaway

Be sure to stop by Far Above Rubies blog for your chance to win Doorpost's book For Instruction in Righteousness.  This is a wonderful teaching tool for your little ones.  I am looking forward to using Plants Grown Up this summer with my son.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Doorposts

I had a very sucessful yard sale this morning. My goal was to make enough to purchase a Bible study from Doorposts for my boys. I will be able to start right after school ends. I am so excited!

Anyone else using Doorposts study materials? I would love to hear how you and your children have been blessed through their material.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

31 Days to Clean

I wanted to let you know of an e-book that I just purchased for $1.  31 Days to Clean by Sarah Mae.  I have read through a few days and already see the potential of making positive changes in my home.  Not just in how clean it is, but in the atmosphere.  As women we are the heart and soul of our family.  We set the tone for our husband and children.  I love the scripture that says to "walk in your house with a clean heart".  I have a feeling this book will be an encouragement to do just that.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Praying for our children

I have been reading about praying God's Word over my children and have really made an effort to do this several times a day.  I read Warrior Prayers - Praying the Word for Boys and loved it!  There are tons of Scriptures for us to pray over our children in the areas they need prayer the most.  If you get a chance to stop by her site, I hightly recommend purchasing her e-book ($5.95). 

I am also considering purchasing some study material from Doorposts on raising Godly men.  (Hopefully my garage sale this weekend will provide me with enough money for this.)  From what I have read, this looks to be a very comprehensive study which will take my little ones all the way through their teen years. 

What has impressed me the most is something I read yesterday on one of my blogging buddies' posts:

We are "raising a head of the house".  Future leaders in their own homes.  Spiritual leaders.  Husbands, fathers, bread-winners.  A little scary, but I am up for the challenge.  So, I have stepped up to the plate, and have made some definite changes in my daily routine.  Lots more time spent in prayer and the Word.  Praying specifically for each of my children, mentioning them by name, inserting their names into Scriptures.  Also, being ever so mindful of what they see (not just what is being said to them).  "Be careful little eyes what you see."  My example of a Christ-centered life is so important.  They copy what they hear and see, the good and the bad.  Some bad is picked up outside the home, and I don't have as much control over that.  But I do have control over what they see and hear from me.  How strong my faith is.  What words I am using.  Defeat?  or Victory?  How calm I remain in a stressful situation.  Our children are in "training".  (I heard Michelle Duggar say this and agree 100 percent.) 

I am making every effort to "train up my children in the Lord".  Are you?

Friday, May 13, 2011

You are a blessing

I have been blessed recently to have found so many wonderful blogs and facebook sites about raising boys to be Godly men.  I have become serious about my responsibility to correctly train my children to follow His teachings.  We are continuing our nightly Bible time, using different materials that I have on hand.  I really like God's Mighty Warriors, a devotional book for young boys which has Bible readings and a way to make Godly choices explained in similar situations that my children may face.  (ex:  what to do when your little brother takes your favorite toy, how do you respond when your friend at school hits you, obeying mom and dad.)  Hopefully soon I will be able to afford to purchase some of the materials from Doorposts.  I have really liked reading through their blogs and would like to try their Bible teaching material.  I am also continuing to stay in prayer over chosing to Home School or keep our children in public school.  Right now I am defering to my husband's wishes for public school.  However, this is weighing heavily on my heart.  How do I train my children at home to be followers of Christ, and then send them out into an ungodly environment?  I already see words and behaviors being picked up from his "friends" at school.  My heart's desire is to keep them separate from worldly influences.  Even at home it is a challenge with all the TV, superhero movies, video games, etc.  How does a mom compete?  I am turing this whole thing over to God and trusting Him to bring about His will.  "Cast the whole lot unto the Lord"  "Thou wilt keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast"

Friday, May 6, 2011

Home Bible Study

I found these two Bible study workbooks for my 6 year old.  I plan on spending time every day with him (my home school compromise with my husband.  I would love to home school our children, but I have to defer to his wishes to keep them in public school.)  Each book contains lots of activities, Bible verses to study and memorize, and character building exercises.  I am really looking forward to this time with him.  I think I will use this blog as a way of documenting our progress.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Praying for Wisdom

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. – Habakkuk 3:17-18

Matthew 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

James 1
 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

Friday, April 15, 2011

Time with my son

For the past month my 6 year old and I have shared a nightly Bible study time together. He is so eager to learn. I love his teachable spirit. He has even bookmarked several Bible verses on my husband's IPOD so he can follow along while I read to him from mine. This time with him is a direct answer to prayer. We spend over an hour reading, memorizing, and talking about how God's Word applies to our lives.

I pray that the seeds that are being planted today will grow up to produce an abundant harvest in his life.

Friday, April 1, 2011

Blog Hop Weekend!

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Code for Grab Box Below Button:


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It's time for Finding New Friends Weekend Blog Hop hosted by Shelly from My Grocery Game and Jeannette fromThe Adventures of J-Man and MillerBug! This is our first week so please help up make thisBIG! We do have a few simple rules for you - nothing too tough though. So here we go:




1. Please follow your hostesses My Grocery Game and The Adventures of J-Man and MillerBug. Leave us a comment and we will follow you back!
2. Please follow our guest co-host who this week is Kerry from Pizazz88.
3. You don't have to post our button but we sure would like it if you did. Not only does it help our hop grow so we can all get new followers, but each week we will choose a guest co-host and to be considered you must have our button somewhere on your site!
4. You can link up blogs, facebook and twitter accounts - just be sure to specify what each link is.
5. Hop around and find blogs that you enjoy. Be sure to tell them you are following them from Find New Friends Weekend Blog Hop so they can follow you back!
6. Have fun!


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Saturday, March 26, 2011

Psalm 139

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.
 1 You have searched me, LORD,
   and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
   you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
   you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
   you, LORD, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before,
   and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
   too lofty for me to attain.

 7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
   Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
   if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
   if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
   your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
   and the light become night around me,”
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
   the night will shine like the day,
   for darkness is as light to you.

 13 For you created my inmost being;
   you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
   your works are wonderful,
   I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
   when I was made in the secret place,
   when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
   all the days ordained for me were written in your book
   before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts,[a] God!
   How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
   they would outnumber the grains of sand—
   when I awake, I am still with you.

 19 If only you, God, would slay the wicked!
   Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!
20 They speak of you with evil intent;
   your adversaries misuse your name.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, LORD,
   and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?
22 I have nothing but hatred for them;
   I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
   test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
   and lead me in the way everlasting.

This is one of my favorite passages in the Bible. Tonight I was sharing with my son how he was "knit together" in mommy's tummy. His sweet response was to ask if God used knitting needles and yarn. I quickly pulled up these verses and read to him, explaining as I read. I emphasized how important he is to God, how each part of him was carefully made.

God made each of us exactly how He wanted us to be. My prayer is that our lives are a reflection of His love and care for us.

In Christ,

Kerry

Friday, March 25, 2011

I am hoping to share our journey of raising two little boys to be Godly men.  Our boys are 6 & 2.  The older is in kindergarten and the younger is in Mommy's school.  I have been blessed to be able to stay home with them these past two years.  I now have an online store and a wonderful sewing career.  I love what I do! 

I am going to try to implement a few changes in our home and am seeking advice and counsel as I do this.  More structure and less freedom seems to be needed.  These little boys need guidance and boundaries.  They really are great kids.  Very loving and kind.  But boys will be boys and, well, I grew up with a sister, so this is really new to me.  Of course she was blessed with three girls and has her hands very full.  So I guess all children really are the same.

Join me in the ups and downs and share with me and others who are following me your experiences.

Love in Christ,

Kerry