So today is Chandler's(my 12 year son)spiritual "birthday". We sang to him and ate cupcakes together. Chandler read the Action Bible this year, and he really enjoyed it. I've tried to encourage Chandler to read the Bible, and I've made a big deal of his accomplishment. Reading God's Word truly gives us answers for life.
As I read the Bible and write in my journal this year, I've been looking for wisdom on how to talk. I have been writing down verses as I read. Proverbs 9:12 says, "Hatred stirs-up quarrels, but love covers all offenses." Quarreling...can be easy to fall into when we disagree, but we are to let love cover the stuff that bugs us. This is a great principle to live by, but it's hard to actually do it. "Don't talk too much, for it fosters sin. Be sensible and turn off the flow!" Proverbs 10:19. Sometimes we may just say too much. Be quiet and listen even if we don't agree.
These are just two verses, but I have really noticed how much these simple principles have made me stop and think especially when I am dealing with my kids. Reading God's Word is huge for all of us at any age. Getting God's wisdom stuck in my head truly helps me!
moms...
This Sunday is Mother's Day. I've been hinting to my children, and they just laugh. I always get the promises of I'll be perfect on Mother's Day and none of us will fight at all. One year they told me that the night before, and then they got into an argument on the stairs bringing me breakfast in bed. Sometimes it's best just to laugh.
So what does God say to mothers? I was looking through my Bible for some Mother's Day verses, and I found a great one. "All day long I opened my arms to them, but they kept disobeying me and arguing with me." (Romans 10:21) Perfect verse. Funny, but so true...I guess, God really does understand what I feel like. Honestly, there aren't really many verses that just focus on mothers. But God's Word applies to our lives as mothers.
I Corinthians 15:58, "...be strong and steady, always enthusiastic about the Lord's work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless." I love this verse because sometimes I feel like I do some pretty useless things that are just my job as mom. I have to do lots of little things though to keep life moving and somewhat organized and happy.
2 Corinthians 9:15, "Thank God for his Son-a gift too wonderful for words!" Having a truly thankful heart for my salvation...God's great love for me truly changes life. Stopping everyday to say thank-you helps my perspective as a mom.
Galatians 4:7,"...And since you are his child, everything he has belongs to you." I am so rich! As a mom, when I live rich in Christ it keeps my hands open. I can give and help. My children will see generosity.
God's principles throughout Scripture apply to moms. We can't read just a chapter to get all the wisdom we need. We need to daily be in God's Word finding wisdom.
So what does God say to mothers? I was looking through my Bible for some Mother's Day verses, and I found a great one. "All day long I opened my arms to them, but they kept disobeying me and arguing with me." (Romans 10:21) Perfect verse. Funny, but so true...I guess, God really does understand what I feel like. Honestly, there aren't really many verses that just focus on mothers. But God's Word applies to our lives as mothers.
I Corinthians 15:58, "...be strong and steady, always enthusiastic about the Lord's work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless." I love this verse because sometimes I feel like I do some pretty useless things that are just my job as mom. I have to do lots of little things though to keep life moving and somewhat organized and happy.
2 Corinthians 9:15, "Thank God for his Son-a gift too wonderful for words!" Having a truly thankful heart for my salvation...God's great love for me truly changes life. Stopping everyday to say thank-you helps my perspective as a mom.
Galatians 4:7,"...And since you are his child, everything he has belongs to you." I am so rich! As a mom, when I live rich in Christ it keeps my hands open. I can give and help. My children will see generosity.
God's principles throughout Scripture apply to moms. We can't read just a chapter to get all the wisdom we need. We need to daily be in God's Word finding wisdom.
Encouraging...
In the morning at breakfast we read the quiet time sheets my kids get from KidPoint. I love the verses and thoughts. They are simple but challenging. Yesterday we read Hebrews 10:25, "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching." This verse helps us really understand the importance of church.
I love ValleyPoint Church! It's so great to be at church. Watching people coming and connecting is so encouraging. Sometimes it's just good to stop and observe people. Many people look so happy when they find a friend and, of course, a cup of coffee. Some search for a familiar face, and they don't find it. There are others who are just hurrying in because they are running late, and then they are in a hurry to leave so they can get to the next event of the day. Those who are truly at home wander about looking for someone to talk to so they can encourage and be encouraged.
A couple weeks ago as I was saying good-bye to people as they were leaving church, I was overwhelmed by some news. I had been praying for someone, and when they shared their up date with me...I was so sad. As I stood there crying, I struggled getting my composure back. The line of people leaving continued, and I received many encouraging hugs and words as I cried. I tried to explain that I was fine, but I wasn't too convincing. ValleyPoint is an encouraging place of Christ's love.
How do you view Sunday morning? Is there someone you look to encourage every Sunday morning? Keep encouraging and loving!
I love ValleyPoint Church! It's so great to be at church. Watching people coming and connecting is so encouraging. Sometimes it's just good to stop and observe people. Many people look so happy when they find a friend and, of course, a cup of coffee. Some search for a familiar face, and they don't find it. There are others who are just hurrying in because they are running late, and then they are in a hurry to leave so they can get to the next event of the day. Those who are truly at home wander about looking for someone to talk to so they can encourage and be encouraged.
A couple weeks ago as I was saying good-bye to people as they were leaving church, I was overwhelmed by some news. I had been praying for someone, and when they shared their up date with me...I was so sad. As I stood there crying, I struggled getting my composure back. The line of people leaving continued, and I received many encouraging hugs and words as I cried. I tried to explain that I was fine, but I wasn't too convincing. ValleyPoint is an encouraging place of Christ's love.
How do you view Sunday morning? Is there someone you look to encourage every Sunday morning? Keep encouraging and loving!
Patience...
When I think of the word patience, I think of a glass full of water. Each morning the glass is filled to the top, but throughout the day the water in the glass is used. A sip here and there. Sometimes the glass is bumped and water spills. By dinner time the glass is almost empty, and if I don't take the time to fill it back up again my cup is empty. It's hard to make it through the rest of the evening and bed time with an empty cup. Patience is a key in life.
All relationships need patience. Every situation we encounter could try our patience. How do we keep a cup of patience filled? The first hard fact about patience is that we are simply commanded to "be patient". It's not an option, and it isn't just sprinkled on us like fairy dust. The example we are given in James 5:7-12 is the farmer. He is patient as he waits for harvest, but he is still hard at work while he waits. Patience doesn't mean doing nothing in a situation, but it does mean we have to do the right thing. When our patience is being tried, do what is right. Each situation is different, but the rules are the same. We have to say and do what God wants. Be kind. Be loving. Be generous.
We are also told in this paragraph in James to not grumble against each other. Interesting to me...grumbling and patience. So the idea of grumbling is partially blaming someone else for the stuff we mess up. That doesn't really sound like patience...does it? So the second hard fact about patience is that we have to take responsibility for our mess. When we see our part of the mess, we are more patient with others.
So this week...be patient and be honest by taking responsibility for your mess.
All relationships need patience. Every situation we encounter could try our patience. How do we keep a cup of patience filled? The first hard fact about patience is that we are simply commanded to "be patient". It's not an option, and it isn't just sprinkled on us like fairy dust. The example we are given in James 5:7-12 is the farmer. He is patient as he waits for harvest, but he is still hard at work while he waits. Patience doesn't mean doing nothing in a situation, but it does mean we have to do the right thing. When our patience is being tried, do what is right. Each situation is different, but the rules are the same. We have to say and do what God wants. Be kind. Be loving. Be generous.
We are also told in this paragraph in James to not grumble against each other. Interesting to me...grumbling and patience. So the idea of grumbling is partially blaming someone else for the stuff we mess up. That doesn't really sound like patience...does it? So the second hard fact about patience is that we have to take responsibility for our mess. When we see our part of the mess, we are more patient with others.
So this week...be patient and be honest by taking responsibility for your mess.
Rich?
Dresses,shoes,necklace,shirt,shorts,hats,jeans...we love to look good! Clothes are a big deal. What we wear is important. How we look has been something people have focused on for a long time. As I was reading James 5,it hit me that looking good truly isn't something new. James warns against getting too focused on money. It sounds simple enough, but money and what we can do with it can be addicting. "Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you." "Rich people"...yes, that's us! Rich is having food, water and shelter. So what we do with what we have is key to life. Are we driven by what we have, or are we driven by doing life changing activities with what we have been given.
Everyday we see "stuff", and we want "stuff". "Stuff" is fine as long as we don't let it control us. This week let's be thankful for all the blessings we have. Write a list. Be amazed. Then choose not to spend money on the extra "stuff" this week.
Everyday we see "stuff", and we want "stuff". "Stuff" is fine as long as we don't let it control us. This week let's be thankful for all the blessings we have. Write a list. Be amazed. Then choose not to spend money on the extra "stuff" this week.
Different...
We are all so different! Some are organized; some are scattered. Some are healthy; some are in love with junk food. Some are quiet; some are loud. Some are busy; some are slow. Some are stressed out; some are calm. Some share all they think; some don't share at all. Some love to read; some love to do. Some love creativity; some love basic. Some are detailed; some are simple. Some are neat; some are messy. The list is endless! At times we are tempted to think that we do things the right way...and everyone else just doesn't.
James 4:11-12 says, "Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it..." God wants us to be respectful to everyone. We aren't to judge each other. When we judge others, we speak against the law which is referring to God's law of love. God says to love our neighbor as yourself. (Even if they don't think the way we do.) Love accepts others even when we don't agree.
So first remember that it's ok if we don't all think and live the same. Next, enjoy the differences in others...even your children. And last...love others.
James 4:11-12 says, "Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it..." God wants us to be respectful to everyone. We aren't to judge each other. When we judge others, we speak against the law which is referring to God's law of love. God says to love our neighbor as yourself. (Even if they don't think the way we do.) Love accepts others even when we don't agree.
So first remember that it's ok if we don't all think and live the same. Next, enjoy the differences in others...even your children. And last...love others.
Confess...
The Easter season is a wonderful time of year. I love the attention on Christ. A few of my children have made Jesus their leader during the spring. With all the focus on Christ this time of year, it's a great opportunity to check our relationship with God. We've beeen asked to pray, fast, and think about all Christ has done for us. But as the Easter candy is eaten and the baskets are put away, it's still important to keep Christ at the center.
James 4:8 says, "Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you." During the Easter season, I think, it's easier to feel close to God. It's the time of year when many talk about Christ and going to church. It's fun. But how do I draw close to God? The verse goes on to say that we should wash our hands and purify our hearts. Confess our sin. Sometimes we don't take the time to actually deal with our sin. It's easier to just try to sweep it under the rug. When we confess our sin, we can be closer to God; otherwise, our sin blocks our relationship.
Confess...
James 4:8 says, "Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you." During the Easter season, I think, it's easier to feel close to God. It's the time of year when many talk about Christ and going to church. It's fun. But how do I draw close to God? The verse goes on to say that we should wash our hands and purify our hearts. Confess our sin. Sometimes we don't take the time to actually deal with our sin. It's easier to just try to sweep it under the rug. When we confess our sin, we can be closer to God; otherwise, our sin blocks our relationship.
Confess...
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