“For the law was given through Moses,
grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
John 1:17
______________________________
I want to start this blog today by asking you what the word “grace” means to you. Think about that for a minute, before you answer. When you stop and think about that word, what pictures run through your mind?
When I think of the word “grace”, it reminds me of someone who has much poise. A soft demeanor. A soft approach. A soft voice. A soft touch.
It means a soft spoken word. Or a gentle word of encouragement.
There are a lot of meanings for the word “grace”. But this week, we are focusing on what “living with grace” means for our homes. For me, living with grace means my home is a place of safety; a place of encouragement; a place that allows you to drop your troubles at the door; a safe haven. It means a place where my husband can come home to, and not only feel peace, but see it, as well.
For me, it means being a gracious host when friends come over. For me, I want everyone to come into my home and feel a surrounding of peace they don’t feel elsewhere. So it’s important to me and my husband that we keep all obstacles out of our home, including people, who will not respect our peace.
When we first married, there was no such thing as peace in our home. I walked into a home with two teenage boys who knew no discipline whatsoever. They were allowed to do pretty much anything they wanted. Needless to say, that changed when I moved in. That did not set will with either one of them. We had a lot of struggles, disagreements, and some yelling and screaming fights! It was not pretty, at all!! Needless to say, there was no such thing as peace in our home!
But soon, that changed for the better. It took my husband and I agreeing that we would never allow that kind of strife in our home again! No matter what it took! It took both of us praying, A LOT!!! It took us both coming to the conclusion that we did not, and would not allow satan to destroy our home environment!
Grace in my home now means we forgive quickly. We move forward. We respect each others privacy. We respect each other…period!! We take care of our home, instead of allowing things to get so out of hand, it’s complete chaos trying to get over all the mounds of “STUFF” that got left undone!! We strive to do whatever it takes to make others feel comfortable in our home. We WANT others to enjoy being in our home, not having to get out quickly because the strife was so thick you could cut it with a knife!
It took a lot of work, but over time, we made it happen.
Grace, by definition, is “favor or kindness expressed to the undeserving. There were times in my home, I did NOT want to extend grace to those undeserving. I was mad. I was bitter. I was hurt! Today, there are still times I struggle with things that happened when we first got together under one roof. But overall, I know I have to show God’s grace to others, because of the grace He showed me when I was so undeserving of it.
Offering complete grace to the undeserving in our own ability, is not possible. But, 2 Corinthians 12:9 says,
‘My grace is sufficient for you,
for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’“
It’s during those times, when we struggle to offer grace to those undeserving, when we are weak and don’t have the ability to do it on our own, that Jesus’ grace flows through us!! Praise God!!! We CAN offer grace because He says we can through Him!!! AMEN!!!
Priscilla says, “Dispensers of grace are women who resolve to put candles on the table instead of sulking in the dark.” I love that!!! It means letting go of past hurts, and choosing to move forward and offering grace to those who don’t deserve it. That my dear Sister in Christ, is going to offer you peace like you’ve never experienced before! It’s revolutionary, as Priscilla says!
Showing true grace to others means making others feel accepted; no longer holding onto offenses; being grateful; no longer being critical; allowing others to walk freely around you instead of on egg shells; showing them Christ in all your ways.
“Give them a break.
I know they don’t deserve it.
But neither did you.
Grace came anyway.”
_________________________________
Let’s Pray:
Father, we ask You to check our hearts today and see if grace lives there. If not Lord, instruct us on what we need to do to let go of whatever it is that is keeping us from walking freely in the grace that Christ showed us, and help us to offer it freely to others, even those undeserving. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!
Your Assignment:
Think about a home that you have entered where grace was prevalent. How did the home feel? How were you treated? If you could do one thing in your own home to extend Christ’ grace to others, what it would be? Please leave your comment below.
__________________
Reminder… on October 1st, we will begin our brand new Online Bible Study, entitled “Winning Him Without Words” by Lynn Donovan and Dineen Miller. If you are in an unequally spiritual marriage, you won’t want to miss this study!!
To sign up for this study, please send an email to: Womens@GirlfriendsCoffeeHour.com and we will send you all the details you need to get started!
Now jump on over to our Facebook Group for the daily activity!! If you do not yet belong to this group, and would like to, send us an email at GirlfriendsCoffeeHour@gmail.com with FB GROUP in the subject line, and we’ll be glad to add you!
Living Intentionally to Offer His Grace,
Resolution for Women: Living With Grace
Resolution for Women: Chapter 12 – Living With Grace
“For the law was given through Moses,
grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
John 1:17
_________________________
(Girlfriends Coffee Hour is not affiliated in any way with Crossroads CA)
Is your home a welcome place for all that enter?
Let’s study this week how we can make our homes a resting place, not only for our families, but for all who enter. One thing others have always told me, and it has given me much joy to hear, is “I love coming to your home Christi. I always feel like I’m at ‘Home.'” There could be no sweeter compliment to me! I work hard at making sure people feel comfortable in my home, and want to come back! Not only does to speak to others as to what kind of people we are, but it also shows them Christ. And that, is the most important thing to us, for them to see.
_____________________________
Your Reading Assignment
Monday: Read pages 228-233 – “Grace” – Then come back to our blog to see what Christi has to say about this chapter.
Tuesday: Read pages 234-236 – “OK” – Then come back to our blog to see what Megan has to say about this chapter.
Wednesday: Read pages 237-239 “Off Broadway” – Then come back to our blog to see what Kelley has to say about this chapter.
Thursday: Read pages 240-246 – “Sabbath Spaces” – Then come back to our blog to see what our what our brand new Blogger, Donna Day, has to say about this chapter. Donna will be filling in for Beverly this week.
Friday: Come on back to our blog for our Weekly Review with Christi.
____________________
Reminder… on October 1st, we will begin our brand new Online Bible Study, entitled “Winning Him Without Words” by Lynn Donovan and Dineen Miller. If you are in an unequally spiritual marriage, you won’t want to miss this study!!
To sign up for this study, please send an email to: Womens@GirlfriendsCoffeeHour.com and we will send you all the details you need to get started!
Now jump on over to our Facebook Group for the daily activity!! If you do not yet belong to this group, and would like to, send us an email at GirlfriendsCoffeeHour@gmail.com with FB GROUP in the subject line, and we’ll be glad to add you!
See you tomorrow!!
Resolution for Women: Chapter 11 Review
1 John 3:18
“We must not love with word or speech, but with truth and action.”
___________________________
Loving our children through action is not something that I have been the best at doing! I have to admit that right here, and right now, that I have not always been the best at showing my love to my children, or my grandchildren. I haven’t been the best at sharing the joy they all give me when I am with them, or when I think of them. I know I have a lot of things to work on….and this chapter was a reminder of that…loud and clear.
My children are grown and gone. I am the mother to two beautiful daughters, and two amazing step-sons. I LOVE these kids with all my heart and soul, but to be honest, I have a hard time showing them how I feel about them. I KNOW I need to work on this!
I am the grandmother to ten of the most amazing grandchildren, ranging in age from 15 yrs old to 10 months. I have to admit that it hurts when I hear “Nonnie, I don’t like coming to your house because it’s boring.” And you know what? They are right! It is boring here! I AM BORING!
I have had to sit back this week and really look at who I am to my kids and grandkids. Do they really know how much I love them? Do they really know how much they mean to me? Do they really know how BLESSED I feel to be their mom, step-mom, and grandmother? I’m not sure of that answer.
As I’ve read this chapter and prayed about what I was going to share today, I really felt that I needed to remind all of us who are mothers and grandmothers, what an awesome privilege we’ve been given by God to have these amazing little people in our lives.
We need to realize what a huge honor it is to have been trusted by God to rear these beautiful creatures that He created.
We need to realize what an honor it is to be called Mother and Grandmother.
For those of you don’t have children yet, you need to realize what a huge impact you can have on your nieces and nephews, or your neighbors kids, or friends kids! What an honor it is to be able to share the love of Christ with them. Don’t let an empty womb stop you from reaching out to others kids and being the Light in their worlds!
We need to realize what a joy it can be to rear these amazing little creatures into responsible, amazing, God-honoring, adults, who in turn, give the same to others in their lives.
We also need to realize that it’s never too late to start. THAT is where I am today, at this very moment.
I RESOLVE, FROM THIS MOMENT ON TO BE THE BEST MOM, STEP-MOM, AND NONNIE THAT I CAN BE. I resolve to teach my kids even more who Christ is. I resolve to continue to teach my grandkids who Jesus is, and why He is important to them. I resolve to become a better step-mother. I resolve to become a better mom. I resolve to stop being boring!! (this is a big one, by the way!! LOL)
I want God to bless my children and grandchildren, and what better way than to start being a blessing to them.
Granted, I haven’t been a horrible mother and grandmother. But, I have much room for improvement! And that is what I am going to focus on.
I want to encourage you to find something that your child, young or old, loves doing and then make a promise to yourself that you are going to step out on a limb, out of your comfort zone, and actually DO that thing, whatever it is, with them! Maybe your son loves football. Go to a football with him. Maybe your daughter loves designer clothes, or funky clothes. Go find a funky clothing store and go shopping with her. Maybe your grandson loves playing in the sand. Go find a place that you and he can go to build sand castles together! Maybe your granddaughter loves being a princess. Find a place that will allow her to try on princess gowns, and take pictures. Whatever it is, DO SOMETHING with them!! REACH OUT TO THEM!! I’m preaching to the choir here, too, Ladies.
As I write, I am becoming more and more excited to step out of my normal boring “mom/Nonnie” mode, into the world that allows me to create precious memories together with my kids, and grandkids. It all starts with me.
It ALL starts with ME. I have a choice to be the kind of person I want to be in the lives of these precious souls in my life. I have a choice to be a part of their lives, or not be a part. I have a choice what part I want to play in their lives. A significant part, or nothing at all. It IS MY CHOICE!
I have the choice to sit down with my kids and tell them just how much I love them, and then SHOW them!! I was speaking to my Life Coach today about this very topic today. She gave me some amazing ideas on how to love on them in action, not just in word. Sending little care packages to them, far or near. Sending cards in the mail. Sending coupons that allows them to pick a special place that they want to go on their birthday, with YOU!! Sending them their favorite candy. Sending them a magazine, for the older kids, of their favorite sport, dreams, or hobbies. Thinking outside the box on how to better love on them! Pinterest has some amazing ideas on FUN activities for kids.
Granted, life is not all about having fun with our kids….but it IS about creating memories. Good memories. Memories that your kids/grandkids will look back on and smile. Attending my stepfathers’ funeral this week helped me realize the many wonderful memories that I have of him. I want my kids / grandkids to look back on my life, when that day comes, and say “I will miss the amazing times we had together!” What a beautiful legacy to leave behind!
Loving My Children
I will demonstrate to my children how to love God with all their hearts, minds, and strength, and will train them to respect authority and live responsibly.
I will also resolve to make time for each of my children to spend quality time with them, and get to know them and who God created them to be.
I will also resolve to put aside the “stuff” of the day once a week to do something FUN with my kids!
(Okay, so the last two lines are mine!!)
If you are ready to sign your name to this weeks resolution,
please join me.
Christi Wilson
September 14, 2012
_________________________
Your Assignment:
Today, I challenge YOU. What will YOU do this weekend to show your love to your child? Tell us about it, and how you approach your child or grandchild with this idea. If you need ideas, go to Pinterest or call a friend and brainstorm together. Whatever you do, DO SOMETHING!! 🙂 Pray and ask God to give you ideas….He will answer those prayers!!
___________________________
Let’s Pray:
Oh Father God, I admit that being a mom can sometimes be one of the hardest jobs You have ever given me. There are times where I just want to give up, and say I quit! There are times where I feel so very inadequate. And times, where I wouldn’t trade my job for anything in the world! Lord, I need You every single day to help me be the BEST Mom/Grandmother I can be. I pray that You will guide each one of us Lord and give us the wisdom, courage, boldness, and JOY, that it takes to be a Mom / Grandmother.
Lord, for those women who do not have children, I pray that You will give them ideas on how they can reach out to the children in their family, neighborhood, church, or community. Lord, help them be the Light that You have created them to be in the lives of kids who need it. Help them to see that they have a very important role in the lives of children all around them, and then help them do what You have called them to do.
Lord, I give You all praise, glory, and honor for all that You are, all that You have been, and all that You will be in our lives, and in our kids/grandkids lives. In Jesus’ precious Name, AMEN!
___________________________
I’ll be back on Sunday to post your reading assignment for next week!
Living Intentionally to Be the BEST Mom and Nonnie that I Can Be Through Him,
Resolution for Women: the Discipline Dealer
Priscilla states that “we” are to be the one who establishes goals in our children “right from the start”, to put a specific plan of action in place, so they are aware of and know their boundaries and ground rules. OK, so how many of us made this plan when our first child was born? How many of us had this plan in our household when we were growing up?
As I studied in God’s Word this week in preparation for this lesson and asked Him to guide me with what to share with you here are some of the things He gave me.
Parents should refuse to leave their children at the mercy of their own foolishness. Instead we should take every effort to prepare and teach our children the skills of self-control, respect for authority, consideration for others, and submission to God.
This training involves teaching, leading, correcting.
In one word “discipline”.
Here are some things that discipline should be:
- Discipline should be consistent. Personal feelings should not sway our efforts to be consistent. A parents “no you cannot” has meaning only if that parent is consistent, never permitting the child to ignore it. (I have some friends that have been “the discipline dealer” parents since their daughter was born and now at 1 yr old when they were at the hospital when my daughter was having surgery this past June, I experienced the statement that Priscilla made on Pg. 224 how one year olds are able to respond to expectations and discipline-Kinsley did just that and I was truly honored to see at such a young age that she “knew” what was right and wrong for her). If we aren’t consistent in our teaching how will they know when we are serious in our instructions today vs. tomorrow – we can’t be wishy washy, one day do it this way tomorrow something else.
- Discipline should be positive. Discipline is not all negative. The steady patience of a positive parent can shape strong character in a child.
- Discipline should be effective. Discipline demands example. God gave a perfect example and a high compliment to Abraham when he said of him, “I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord”, Genesis 18:19. This good father led by character and example. Joshua admonished Israel, “Choose you this day whom you will serve,” then he added the strong words, “but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord,” Joshua 24:15. He was a successful disciplinarian because he was successful in self-discipline. When we plant biblical principles in the hearts of our children we know they will be further away from disobedience and rebellion.
If we will instill an awareness of God’s presence in the first several years of our child’s life they will develop a sense of right and wrong, and they will be less vulnerable to the undesirable influences in the world. In order for our child to be a responsible person, we must train them to be responsible with chores, homework and personal duties. Learning to be a responsible, productive member of the family and the home is important as it helps prepare our child for the responsibilities of their adult life.
- Discipline should be individualized. Wise parents should not compare one child to another. Children are individuals, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Each child finds security in being loved and accepted. Even when the child is punished, he must sense that it is because he is loved. (Hebrews 12:5-6 says; And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.)
- Discipline should be rewarding. Seeing our children grow into Christ-like living productive adults is a reward of carefully patterned discipline. The Bible says that children are a heritage of the Lord, like arrows in the hand of a warrior, are the sons of one’s youth; Happy is the man who has a quiver full of them, he has not been put to shame, Psalms 127:3-5. Solomon said, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” Proverbs 22:6.
Discipline consists not only of words and acts of correction, but also it involves instruction and exhortation to good deeds and thought. Parents who give to their children the security and joy of a home where love surrounds them, and whose words of teaching and guidance are demonstrated daily and fully in righteous, patient, unselfish service both in and out of the home, are those who truly discipline their children!
Being a discipline dealer takes much time and effort and being one yields children who are responsible, respectful, compassionate, considerate, humble, selfless, generous, gracious – out and out children who are a joy to be around when they are young and when they are grown and gone from our nest. **and remember ladies even when our children do leave the nest they still need our guidance and we still must live the examples in front of them when they are adults so they can see it was not just something we did while they were young but something they will carry on to every generation to come**
Something Priscilla stated in this lesson for us is “don’t feel burdened to be perfect” in order to sign this resolution.
We all have room to grow and learn; and praise God we are learning together and teaching each other.
We haven’t done things perfectly but lets resolve to do them purposefully!
Let’s Pray:
God I pray that each one of us will fully demonstrate to our children how to love YOU and that we will train them to respect authority and live responsibly. In your name I pray Amen!
Your Assignment:
If you have yet to make a specific plan of action in training your children in the way of the Lord make an appointment on your calendar and do so, and then put that action into place. If you already have a specific plan in training your child/ren please share with all of us so we can learn from the wisdom God has shown you.
Reminder… on October 1st, we will begin our brand new Online Bible Study, entitled “Winning Him Without Words” by Lynn Donovan and Dineen Miller. If you are in an unequally spiritual marriage, you won’t want to miss this study!!
To sign up for this study, please send an email to: Womens@GirlfriendsCoffeeHour.com and we will send you all the details you need to get started!
Don’t forget to stop by Craig’s blog to see what the guys are up to with The Resolution for Men.
www.adversusmundi.wordpress.com
Now jump on over to our Facebook Group for the daily activity!! If you do not yet belong to this group, and would like to, send us an email at GirlfriendsCoffeeHour@gmail.com with FB GROUP in the subject line, and we’ll be glad to add you!
Love ya’ll, Beverly
Resolution for Women- The Encourager
1 John 3:18
“We must not love with word or speech, but with truth and action.”
_____________________________________
The Intentional Encourager
In our chapter, Priscilla was amazed that a very young 22-year-old Solomon – when given the opportunity to gain health, wealth, prosperity, and prestige – asked God simply for WISDOM to lead the people he was made king over. This amazed me as well. I have 4 children ranging in age from 17-26 and if given the opportunity to gain health, wealth, and prosperity OR wisdom – my crowd would certainly choose health, wealth, and prosperity. What child this age today wouldn’t? Once again, like Priscilla, my initial thoughts were the same – King David certainly must have raised his child the right way ~ a way different from what I raised my own. Do you see the similarities of this situation with times today? They really aren’t any different. We all have character defects or deficiencies, we all make errors in judgement and King David did as well. Priscilla says, ‘He made some colossal mistakes in both his personal life and his parenting’; as we all have done and continue to do.
‘My son Solomon – God has chosen him alone – is young and inexperienced. The task is great, because this palatial structure is not for man but for the Lord God.’ Chronicles 29:1-2
Solomon has been instructed to build God’s temple – did you get that? God’s temple! That is HUGE! …..and although he recognizes that his son is “young and inexperienced”, he also realizes that he is the chosen one. That God chose Solomon to be king, to lead his people, to get His temple built. Now it is his job to support, encourage, and most of all BELIEVE and have faith in his son to accomplish this undertaking. David does just that.
Like most parents, I have high expectations for my son and daughters. I want them to have wisdom, health, wealth, prestige and all the blessings God promises in His word. Unfortunately there have been many choices made by my children that were not in their best interest, that go against God’s instruction – that have caused me to lose faith in them, that have caused me to stop believing in them in many areas. Shame on me. I certainly was not perfect growing up and only in the last 4-5 years have built a relationship with Jesus Christ that has given me the desire and conviction to make my life’s decisions based on my Heavenly Father’s desires, the desires found in His word. God didn’t give up on me. God believed in me. However, it remains very hard difficult to give my children that same gift (virtually impossible! – although we know with God all things are possible!)
As God’s child, He was with me every step of the way growing up. I know this because I should have been a ‘street kid’. As a teenager my brother and I were being raised by my father. He left our house to move in with his girlfriend and we had free reign. Our dad wasn’t there giving us parental guidance, he wasn’t cooking for us or taking care of us. I remember living in that mobile home (our home), just me and my brother (who was only 18 months younger than me) wanting to take care of him. There was no desire to ‘party’ as many teenagers do today. There was no desire to stay out until all hours or to do drugs or drink. God delivered us from what could have been a disastrous young adulthood. He gave us wisdom.
The lesson being taught to us today is that we MUST be INTENTIONAL (and we have heard this word throughout many chapters n our study) with our children. We must INTENTIONALLY encourage them, we must INTENTIONALLY provide them support (and I’m not talking about financial support or treasures), we must INTENTIONALLY believe in them. We have to trust that our Heavenly Father has them – after all, they are His children. We are simply here to give them earthly guidance and support until such day that they are reunited with their Father in heaven. They are on loan to us. We must never give up providing them with the spiritual food they need to get to know their daddy. We must believe that they are going to do GREAT things in the course of their lives, that they too will build a relationship with God that will allow them to give their children what David did to Solomon. This is a hard task ladies – a tough, tough task. It is for me anyway – maybe it’s easier for you guys. Perhaps you are in a different place in your life than I am in mine. However, the lesson remains the same. BE INTENTIONAL with your children. As we have read in the past chapters, our jobs as parents don’t end when our children become adults. Even with our grown children we must be INTENTIONAL in our actions towards them and continue to ‘train them up’ in the ways of the Lord. We must believe in them, encourage them, and support them – Intentionally. What incredible life gifts for them!
Let’s Pray:
Father, work in our lives. Work in my heart Lord and in the heart of every reader here. Allow us to become convicted and determined to be INTENTIONAL with our children AND the children of this world – those in our churches, in our communities, in other cities and countries we visit. Especially those father that do not have a parental figure in their lives. You know every situation Father – for every parent and every child. Provide us with the wisdom, guidance, and gentle nudges OR large pushes necessary to give our children the gift of belief in them, of encouragement, and the desire to continue spiritually feeding them regardless of where they are today in their personal lives. May we be more like David in our daily walk with our children.
Your Assignment:
List some of the immature actions and temperaments in your children that may discourage you. Keep this list in a place where you can always be reminded to pray regarding them, and consider who you can enlist to encourage your child in these areas (along side of you). Carefully consider how you can make the overarching tone of your relationship with your child one of encouragement. Please comment and let us know how we can pray for you in your walk, attempting to be more like David with Solomon. or God with us.
[My note: It is very difficult for me personally, psychologically, to see the roses over the thorns many times with my children. This prohibits me from giving them the encouragement that I need to. Especially with my son, who is covered in thorns. This lesson has challenged me. I will be praying for each of you in your own lives and request you cover my family in yours. Thank you for this.]__________________
Don’t forget, on October 1st, we will begin our brand new Online Bible Study, right here, entitled “Winning Him Without Words” by Lynn Donovan and Dineen Miller. If you are in an unequally spiritual marriage, you won’t want to miss this study!! It is AMAZING! (as a personal note, I have read this book – I have communicated with these authors over the past year and they are amazing. Their personal stories changed my life. Their words confirmed what my own pastor said when he counseled me in my own marriage. I pray that you will join us for this study as well!)
To sign up for this study, please send an email to: Womens@GirlfriendsCoffeeHour.com and we will send you all the details you need to get started!
Don’t forget to stop by Craig’s blog to see what the guys are up to with The Resolution for Men.
www.adversusmundi.wordpress.com
Be sure to jump on over to our Facebook Group for the daily activity!! If you do not yet belong to this group, and would like to, send us an email at GirlfriendsCoffeeHour@gmail.com with FB GROUP in the subject line, and we’ll be glad to add you!
With the greatest love ever and many hugs,
<3 Kelley
Resolution for Women- The Soul Shaper
1 John 3:18
“We must not love with word or speech, but with truth and action.”
___________________________
In today’s lesson, Priscilla talks about 3 roles a mother must take on if they are going to love their children well….
The Soul Shaper
The Intentional Encourager
The Discipline Dealer
Mama and dear friend…. I need you to understand right now that YOU are a soul shaper for your children.
It is so vitally important that we pray for our children. These prayers need to start forming in our spirit before we even have them and they must continue to grace our hearts and lips even after they leave our nest and have their own homes and children.
A Soul shaper must….
- beware that her prayers for her child are significant
- understand that once her child has received salvation, she is God’s primary tool to work alongside the Holy Spirit to see that the transforming process occurs effectively in her child’s soul.
- know that she cannot accomplish this without involving her church and relatives to assist in the effort.
- know along with her spouse that the main responsibility of this soul shaping is theirs.
- not allow anyone else to take her or her spouse’s place as the primary influencers in the child’s life
- help the child to become sensitive to God’s conviction
- teach the child how to recognize God’s way of directing them through their conscience
- continue to walk this out along with the Holy Spirit as the child grows and matures.
- continue to seek the Lord for guidance for how she can be used to guide her children in their adult lives.
Dear friends, I hope with all my heart that you see what an intentionally BOLD role you play as your child’s soul shaper! You cannot be lazy about it or turn a blind eye. You must intentionally, every single day make this deliberate choice to invite the Holy Spirit to help you in your actions and speech in order to mold your child’s soul. What an honor and privilege!!!
Please…. if you haven’t already been walking out this bold task, start today. Don’t look back but look straight ahead at what the Lord is asking of you on behalf of His children that He has entrusted you with on this earth. HE deserves no less and neither do they. You will not be perfect… I hope you know that and are okay with that. Being human, we are flawed…. but what is so important is that you believe with your whole heart that your parenting is KINGDOM BUSINESS!!!!
You also must come at this call from a proactive stance and not one of defense. Don’t wait until your child is in trouble to cover them in scripture… we must each live each day being creative and consistent in how we clothe our children in the Word of God. What does this look like?
- diligently and deliberately read the Bible to your kids
- post scripture throughout the house
- play worship music
- be in fellowship with other believers
- write scripture on the napkin in their lunch for school
- send them scriptures in txt messages and emails
- do devotional together as a family
- ___________________________. (you fill in the blank)
we all know that if WE as women and mothers love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, that we can only then be able to fill this role to its potential and be our best for our children. If you are not regularly in the Word and being fed spiritually…. make it happen today. If you’re not going to church regularly, start this weekend. Your children, wether unborn, non-biological or adult NEED you to! As Priscilla so eloquently puts it….
“A transformed child start with a transformed mom”
________________________
Let’s Pray:
Lord, we ask that you give us bold revelation into this area of our lives today. We don’t want to be the same, Father…. we yearn to be THIS deliberate for our children, who are your’s first. Renew our hearts, minds and spirits to be able to give each of them all we have everyday to work alongside the Holy Spirit in shaping their souls. Thank you for this provision, Lord, and we thank you in advance for all you will do. Amen <3
Your Assignment:
Please leave a comment below telling us how you can creatively live your Christian life openly before your children… in REAL LIFE…. be realistic here, friends and tell us what you are already doing or what you are going to do. If you don;t have children of your own, tell us how you can do this with other children in your life. If your kids are grown, how can you begin to think outside the box to do this? If your children are very young, how can you creatively do this now?
___________________
Don’t forget, on October 1st, we will begin our brand new Online Bible Study, right here, entitled “Winning Him Without Words” by Lynn Donovan and Dineen Miller. If you are in an unequally spiritual marriage, you won’t want to miss this study!! It is AMAZING!
To sign up for this study, please send an email to: Womens@GirlfriendsCoffeeHour.com and we will send you all the details you need to get started!
Don’t forget to stop by Craig’s blog to see what the guys are up to with The Resolution for Men.
www.adversusmundi.wordpress.com
Be sure to jump on over to our Facebook Group for the daily activity!! If you do not yet belong to this group, and would like to, send us an email at GirlfriendsCoffeeHour@gmail.com with FB GROUP in the subject line, and we’ll be glad to add you!
Be a Blessing today and everyday,
Megan 🙂
Resolution for Women – True Love
1 John 3:18
“We must not love with word or speech, but with truth and action.”
___________________________
Are you a “loving” mom, or a mom who is “in-love” with your child?
Is it important to you to be your child’s best friend, or to be one that shows them true love?
I’ve been both. I’ve been the one that shows love discipline and teaching; and I’ve been the one who just wants to be their best friend! Let’s fact it, parenting is not for the faint-hearted, is it??
Priscilla makes some very good points in this chapter:
- Our primary goal as mothers is teaching our children God’s truth.
- Love doesn’t always come in the form of words.
- Love is an action.
- Parenting is not an easy job!
- Parenting is a rewarding job!
- A fair share of your actions toward your children will not always translate love.
- Sometimes kids see our love action as being too strict, or overbearing.
I remember times when my kids were little when they used to think that I was over-protective, to the point that they told all their friends that I wouldn’t let them play out in the street for fear that a plane would crash into them! 🙂 Yes, it was a joke, but in their eyes, they really did see me as too protective. In my eyes, I was loving them. Huge difference.
We used to laugh about the plane crashing into them, but today they are both mothers, and the one daughter who used to joke about the plane the most, is the mom who is the strictest with her children! Ha! I just want to look at her one day and say “When will the plane crash??” 🙂
I’ve seen parents who think their only responsibility is to be “friends” with their kids. Friends to the point that it was unheard of to say “no” to their kids. I saw this in my own home when my husband and I moved under one roof. He had two teenage boys still at home, and his only goal was to be their friend. All I saw was two boys who were headed for a serious crash when the reality of True Life hit them! They had much to learn that life wasn’t all about getting whatever they wanted, when they wanted it. This type of “friendship” with his boys caused us, and the boys, a lot of heartache for the first few years as a family. But, my husband began to see how important it was to change that relationship with his boys and start teaching them to be responsible adults, who would be ready for real life when they left home. It wasn’t an easy change-over, that’s for sure. But we all made it out alive, Praise God!
Really, the only advice I can give new parents, or parents with fairly young children at home, please stop worrying about being their best friend! As Priscilla said in this chapter, True Love is serious business! We have the responsibility of training this human life in the way he/she should go, so that when they are old, they will not depart from it. Your children need YOU to be a parent….not their friend. There’s always time to be their best friend later in years, when they really need it!
As my youngest said to me one day, “Mom, you were always the hardest on us; but because you were, I always knew that you loved us.” You will never know what music that was to my ears!
________________________
Let’s Pray:
Father, we lift our children to You today and we thank You for the awesome responsibility You have given us. We thank You Lord for loaning these children to us for a short period of time, to train them in the way they should go. We thank You Lord for the patience we will need during this time of actually demonstrating our love through action, and not just through words. Help us Lord to be the parent that YOU need us to be for each child in our life.
Father, for struggling families out there, Lord, I ask for Your help in repairing damage that has already been done. Help restore the relationships that have gone sour. Help restore forgiveness, as well, Lord.
In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!!
Your Assignment:
Please leave a comment below telling us in what way you struggle the most in demonstrating love to your child, in action. How can we pray for you today to have a better relationship with your child(ren)?
___________________
Don’t forget, on October 1st, we will begin our brand new Online Bible Study, right here, entitled “Winning Him Without Words” by Lynn Donovan and Dineen Miller. If you are in an unequally spiritual marriage, you won’t want to miss this study!! It is AMAZING!
To sign up for this study, please send an email to: Womens@GirlfriendsCoffeeHour.com and we will send you all the details you need to get started!
Don’t forget to stop by Craig’s blog to see what the guys are up to with The Resolution for Men.
www.adversusmundi.wordpress.com
Be sure to jump on over to our Facebook Group for the daily activity!! If you do not yet belong to this group, and would like to, send us an email at GirlfriendsCoffeeHour@gmail.com with FB GROUP in the subject line, and we’ll be glad to add you!
That’s it for today! Megan will be here tomorrow blogging about the next chapter, “The Soul Shaper”. I hope you will join us!
Living Intentionally to Be a Blessing to My Children,
Resolution for Women – Chapter 11 – Loving My Children
“We must not love with word or speech,
but with truth and action.”
1 John 3:18
____________________________________________________
This week we dive into Chapter 11 full force and learn how to resolve to train our kids in righteousness. How to demonstrate to our children how to really love God with all their hearts, minds, and strength, and to train them to respect authority and live responsibly. This is going to be yet another amazing Chapter!!
Your Reading Assignment for this Week:
Monday: Read pages 206 thru 210: True Love
Tuesday: Read pages 211 thru 216: The Soul Shaper
Wednesday: Read pages 217 thru 221: The Intentional Encourager
Thursday: Read pages 222 thru 226: The Discipline Dealer
Friday: Come back here for our Weekly Overview
Be sure to come back here each day of this week to read our blog posts about this awesome chapter from The Resolution for Women by Priscilla Shirer. We have just 2 more sections to complete before we end this current bible study! Wow! Where did the time go!!
_________________________________
I would like to take this opportunity to ask for your prayers for my family. We lost a very dear loved one this weekend, to cancer. He was my step-father for many years. He and my mother were divorced many years ago, but he always remained my step-father in my heart; and always remained the PawPaw to my children, and their children.
Delvis Glenn Chandler
you will be missed by many.
We love you!
Rest In Peace
________________________________
On October 1st, right here on the Featured section of our blog, we will begin this 13-week bible study
“Winning Him Without Words…
10 Keys to Thriving in your Spiritually Mismatched Marriage”
by Lynn Donovan and Dineen Miller.
We will cover topics such as: Staying Connected to Your Man, Discovering the Essentials to Love; Trading perfection for authenticity; Cherishing each new season, and so much more!! This book is amazing ladies, and I can’t wait to get started studying it with you!! You will need to purchase this book for this study. This book, a journal, and your bible is all you will need to participate.
If you haven’t already signed up for this particular study, please email us at
Womens@GirlfriendsCoffeeHour.com
and we will send you all the details you need to get signed up!!
Enjoy the rest of your Weekend!
In His Love,
Resolution for Women – Weekly Overview “Fulfilling My Husband”
Happy Friday!!! 🙂
Here is this weeks video blog!! 😉
—————————–
—————————-
Have a GREAT Weekend Everyone!
See you on Sunday!
Resolution for Women: Need a Little Peace and Quiet
What does honoring and loving our husbands look like?
We were given some wonderful scriptures to read to help us “get the picture” of what it looks like in 1 Peter 3:1-5.
The main part of these verses this lesson focused on for us is verse 4. “Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
I think of it as “my recipe” for my marriage.
To be “gentle” means to be (humble, considerate or meek). Priscilla says simply put “we are being asked to be kind to our husbands”.
So how about it? Can we resolve to be kind? What are some ways we can proactively show kindness to our husband? Here are just a few that have been part of my list for a while that I thought I would share with you today
- Leave him alone while he is doing his business in the bathroom
- Don’t cut him down, especially in front of others
- Encourage his hobbies
- Do things with him that he likes, even when you don’t
- Don’t get upset when he wants to take a trip with just the guys
- Don’t move his belongings around without discussing with him first
- Leave electronic devices at home or in your purse when you go out for dinner
- Make a date night with him at least once a week, even if its just popcorn and movie after the kids are in bed
- Honor him in front of the children and others
- Treat him as if God stamped on His forehead “handle with care”
Do we truly go “out of our way” to find out what our husband likes. Don’t wait for him to tell us, look for it, he will love that we took the time to truly find out without him having to tell us.
To be “quiet” does not mean you are supposed to be silent, instead we are to be a living, breathing expression of the Word of God. Quietness has more to do with the state of our hearts than the quality and volume of our words.
Our lesson taught us we are to try and lighten the load for our husbands. This means for us to figure out how we can make or help our husbands day “just a little bit easier”, as this will help him to feel more confident because he knows we’re not here to tear him down but to build him up.
When we say “I do” that means we are becoming a team “together” and that means we are to be his “helpmeet”. When we show our man that we want to “serve” him then he is much more likely to reciprocate the same back to us and our family.
Many times its “our words” in much of our day that speaks in our relationships….when sometimes we just need the power that is reflected in the two words “gentleness and quietness” to take the lead.
Earlier in the week as I began this weeks study of fulfilling my husband I had decided to ask my husband a question…I wanted to find out what he thought about how I fulfill him? Am I doing a good job at it? Are there some ways I can do better or fulfill him more than I do today after 33 years of marriage?
And ladies this is what he told me…are you ready for this…
He said “everything you do for me or with me is just perfect the way I like it so I don’t think there is anything you need to do better or different”
That made me know at least I know I am on the right track with fulfilling my man…..but I know all the outward stuff he sees or hears is probably supplying/fulfilling him but what about my inward thoughts….do I do the same on the inside or am I yelling at him when he doesn’t do what I think is the right thing, if I am, then I am not fully fulfilling him and I need to work on my thoughts too.
Let’s resolve to honor and love our man like God has taught us to in His Word!
Let’s Pray:
Father, teach us what each of us need to do or change in our lives/marriages to ensure we are fulfilling our husband and help us to accomplish it Lord, for when we honor him we are honoring You.
In Your name I pray Amen!
Your Assignment:
Think of one thing you can do to be proactively kind to your man and DO IT!!!
____________
After you have commented below, go back to our Online Bible Study Group on Facebook to see what our Daily Activity is. If you do not yet belong to our OBS Facebook group, and would like to, please send an email to: GirlfriendsCoffeeHour@gmail.com
We’ll send you the details needed to get you into this group!
Don’t forget to stop by Craig’s blog to see what the guys are up to with The Resolution for Men.
