Showing posts with label Devotions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Devotions. Show all posts

Friday 6 January 2012

Ten ways to Love

I remember a few years ago reading The 5 Love Languages and being so excited to learn about the ways in which we express love and read expressions of love so we feel loved. ( I highly recommend this book to any couple it will open new avenues and broaden your understanding)
A few days ago on Facebook I came across this list and as I read it again today I realized that I had shifted my focus to expressing love via the love languages and had not used the tools available in the Word to express love more deeply and fully in my day to day activities.

I wanted to share it with you because it is a list of love in ACTION. Love is not a noun it's a verb. I like this list because it is taken from all over the word. 
10 Ways to love
  1. Listen without interrupting (Proverbs 18:13)
  2. Speak without accusing (James1:19)                     
  3. Give without sparing. (Proverbs 21:26)
  4. Pray without ceasing. (Colossians 1:9)
  5. Answer without arguing. (Proverbs 17:1)
  6. Share without pretending. (Ephesians 4:15)
  7. Enjoy without complaint. (Philippians 2:14)
  8. Trust without wavering (1 Corinthians 13:7)
  9. Forgive without punishing. (Colossians 3:13)
  10. Promise without forgetting. (Proverbs 13:12)

1 Corinthians 13 says love expresses itself this way:
  1. Be patient (verse 4)
  2. Be Kind (verse 4)
  3. Not envious (verse 4)
  4. Be modest and quiet. (verse 4)
  5. Is polite and respectful (verse 5)
  6. Forgives and keeps no record of wrongs. (verse 5)
  7. Rejoices in truth (verse 6)
  8. It protects (verse 7)
  9. It Trusts and is ready to believe the best of every person (verse 7)
  10. It perseveres. (verse 7)
Making this list has encouraged and equipped me.  I have been feeling very weary of keeping on keeping on in a situation and I see that love perseveres.  I feel like I have many more tools in my toolbox available to me now.

How do you express love in your day to day living ? What do you use as your plumb line and guide ?

Blessings


Thursday 3 November 2011

Today I was encouraged

some Encouragement to your mail box
I have been feeling really really ill this week.  Somehow I managed to get the flu as well as a gastro bug.  I was sitting here feeling rather sorry for myself and decided to do a little bit of blog hopping. (OK the little bit turned into a few hours BWG, and my favourite part was listening to Paul read Heidi out loud to Sir N and hear Sir N begging for more.  Ah that sound warms my heart.  A living book proclamation!)

I have also decided to import my posts from GEMS 2 TOTS and delete the GEMS blog.  I have spent some time contemplating what to do with this blog and decided I would rather have it all under one roof.  What are your thoughts ??

 I feel really encouraged now and thought I would share a few things I found on line:

Home School Burnout / Encouragement.

Home School Mums Reading List


Family Worship

Marriage

About Blogging - Motives of the heart.....

Children

Source Blogs

Blessings my friends may you be as blessed as I have been by the Titus 2 woman who are out there willing to share their journeys with us.



Sunday 28 August 2011

Tongue and Tone

This past week has been a good one for me.  I have enjoyed being with my family.  As is within families sometimes the way in which we speak to each other is not always the very best.  I decided to dig up this article from May 2007 and re-read it and share it here with you.  I was inspired to write it after reading Silver Boxes - The Gift of Encouragement. May it bless you as it has blessed me.



A little word in kindness spoken,
A motion or a tear,
Has often healed the heart that’s broken,
And made a friend sincere.
Then deem it not an idle thing
A pleasant word to speak;
The face you wear – the thoughts you bring-
The heart may heal or break.

From “A Little Word”         



By Daniel Clement Colesworthy
(14 July 1810 – 1893)

She opens her mouth in skilful and godly Wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness [giving counsel and instruction].  Proverbs 31:26 Amp

Tongue:  discourse, speech, language, dialect, idiom, the power of speech, manner or style of speaking,
Tone: Sound in relation to quality, volume, duration and pitch, characteristic sound, disposition, mood, characteristic style or tendency, expressive of feeling,
Words: A communication, a message, information, command, signal, direction, intention, Language used in anger, rebuke or otherwise emotional.  A term, expression, account, promise

Pro 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it  shall eat  the fruit  thereof.

What are words: 
They convey our desires, fears, and thoughts.  They are easily ambiguous and can be misunderstood.  Their purpose is to transfer ideas, impart knowledge, to break down barriers,
Our words flow one way   from us to others, once spoken they are gone forever, the thought is sown.  We can never retrieve them.  The meaning can get lost so easily so we need to select suitable words, be clear and articulate of the intended message.

Speak too much ? Don’t say enough ?
Are we unfair in our words ?
  •  To him who answers a matter before it is heard to him it is shame.
Are we sarcastic and bitter?
  • Proverbs 12:18  There are those who speak rashly, like the piercing of a sword,
  • Proverbs 15 : 4  but wilful contrariness in it breaks down the spirit.
Are we ungodly in our speech ?
  • Ephesians 5:4  Let there be no filthiness (obscenity, indecency) nor foolish and sinful ( silly and corrupt) talk, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting or becoming; but instead voice your thankfulness (to God).
  • James 3: 8-10  But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
  • Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
  • Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing, My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
Are we defiling ourselves?
  • Matthew 15:11 It is not what goes into the mouth of a man that makes him unclean and defiled, but what comes out of the mouth; this makes a man unclean and defiles him.
  • Matthew 15 : 18  But whatever comes out of the mouth comes from the heart, and this is what makes a man unclean and defiles him.
Defile: to make foul or dirty, to tarnish, corrupt the purity of, to violate the chastity of, to profane, to pollute, unclean, common, shared by all, unholy, to render foul.

Are we using our words to gossip ?

Gossip:  One who runs from house to house, with idle talk, habitually indulges, idle, saying things we ought not to, keeps quarrels alive often with malicious intent, empty worthless talk,
  • Proverbs 13:3 but he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
  • Proverbs 18:8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds and they go down into the inner most parts of the belly.
What should we be doing?

Gates across our lips:
  • Psalm 141.3  Set a guard, O Lord, before my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.
  • Proverbs 21:23  he who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from troubles
  • Proverbs 13:3 he who guards his mouth keeps his life,
Judge not…… 
  • Matthew 7:1-3 Judge not that you be not judged. For with what judgement you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?
We have a responsibility as older women to be discreet in our words,
  • Psalm 19.14  Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, ….
We need to prepare our minds for action, be self controlled, Be positive, focus on the goodness of our God, His loving kindness and pass it on to our children,
  • Psalm 107.21 & 22 Oh, that men would praise and confess to the Lord for His goodness and loving-kindness and His wonderful works to the children of men!
  • And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanks giving and rehearse His deeds with shouts of joy and singing!
  • Hebrews 13.15  Through Him, therefore, let us constantly and at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name.
Be gentle
  • Proverbs 15 : 4  A gentle tongue [with its healing power] is a tree of life, but wilful contrariness in it breaks down the spirit.
  • Proverbs 12:18  but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
How does this appear in our day to day living:
  1. Search out the scriptures Proverbs (Pro = positive   Verbs = actions ) and Deut are a good place to start
  2. Give positive instruction, fill their hearts with what they aught to be doing rather then what they are not to do   i.e. “Please put your feet on the floor” as an alternative to “Don’t put your feet on the couch.”
  3. Never give a command unless you intend for it to be obeyed.  (GKGW 151) Say what you mean and mean what you say or you will be encouraging children that will nag you till you change your mind.  [Double mindedness makes us unstable in all our ways {James}
  4. Be direct, don’t ask their permission …..“Ok” 
  5. “Do you have the freedom to do that?” & “I am sorry I don’t have the freedom to do that”
  6. Give them the moral reason why. (Deut a good place to start to fill your moral warehouse as to the reason why.)
  7. Take time to enter their private world, remember to do more listening here than talking as the adage goes don’t be a bull in a china shop!
  8. Verbalize your love for each child and your spouse in their love language
  9. The interrupt rule – respect and honour to those older
  10. Cultivate best friends in siblings (GKGW 237 – 238)
  11. Respect for property – ask permission (GKGW 137 – 140)
  12. Moral Innocence – guidance on how to answer those big questions.
  13. Obedience – “Yes mommy”  without challenge or complaint
  14. Be assertive don’t become a threatening and complaining parent (GKGW 149 – 150)
  15. Your attitude sets the tone for your family.  So what is the fragrance of your home ? Be the thermostat and not the thermometer.
  16. Pre-activity talks (GKGW 167) – let them know what you expect, draw them to the standard. There is good, better and best.  Talk about the differences.
  17. Exchanging common courtesies “yes please”  “no thank you”, looking at one another.
  18. Couch time – not interrupting the time you and your spouse are together.
  19. Commend them for character not action.  i.e.  not “Thank you for being a good girl” but rather “Well done for waiting patiently”.
  20. Be careful of getting into the habit of bribing (GKGW  149-150) “If you are good in the store today I will buy you a lollie”
  21. Don’t use scare tactics on your children you will undermine their trust in you eg “If you are naughty in the store today I will call the police to come and get you”   These sorts of statements establish a false and improper motivation for obedience.
  22. Keep watch!  Training children to restrain their unkind speech is one of the most overlooked areas in our parenting.
  23. Whining (GKGW 228 - 230) is an unacceptable form of communication.  It is often a subtle challenge of your parental authority.  Persistent and uncorrected whining can wear down the best of mothers. Be firm no whining !  Provide a positive alternative e.g. with a child not speaking yet teach them simple sign language.  In older children firmly but gently say “No whining” then have the child repeat what it is you want them to say.  Once this is established when an older child whines, have them wait a few minutes and ask again with out whining.
  24. As with what we learned in : ‘Red cup Blue cup’ last month beware that you don’t fall into the trap of constantly negotiating every instruction (GKGW 5 : 150/1)
  25. Re-read Chapter 10 in GKGW manual: Discipline with Encouragement. (161-170)
  26. Remember more is caught then taught they will not take on board that which you have not mastered yourself.  Your children will reflect what they see in much the same way that a mirror reflects you.
Ephesians 4:29  Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever ] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God’s favour) to those who hear it.

Some books to read:
1. Proverbs 
2. Deuteronomy 
3. Silver BoxesFlorence Littauer
4. Me and My Big Mouth – Joyce Meyer.

Remember it is the mighty oak which doth from a little acorn grow.  What you do today you will reap the fruit of tomorrow.

What resources have you used in the past to tame your tongue and encourage you ?

Blessings my Friends. May your week ahead be seasoned with His grace and may the meditations of your hearts be acceptable to Him.

This article was written by me originally for a GEMS (Godly Encouragement ofr MotherS) presentation in Christchurch New Zealand. 
It has been published in the GEMS Facets Journal Vol 14 which is still available for purchase.

Others Blogging about their Tongue and Tone

Sunday 17 July 2011

Cultivate your Soul.

Jesus said, “I am come that they might have life, and that more abundantly” ( John 10:10)

Abundantly :  Dictionary Def : Existing in plentiful supply, ample,
Synonym – plentiful, copious, large, ample, overflowing, lavish, luxuriant, liberal, rich
Antonym – rare, scarce, deficient, short, insufficient, sparing, dry, drained, exhausted, impoverished.

How common it is for us to be living dry, drained, exhausted and impoverished lives in this day and age where mother hood is no longer held in high esteem ? 

How is it then that as mothers we reach this place ?  As daughters, sisters, wives, and mothers we often end up in the place of feeling that it is only us who have these problems and that some how we are never quite at the place of success no matter how hard or diligently we work there is always some thing wrong with the picture, we feel that other families are ‘perfect’. Let’s look at what the word has to say about this problem:
  • “but they, measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves among themselves are not wise.” (II Corinthians 10:12)

How often do we seek approval from one another instead of our Heavenly Father who has lovingly made us and chosen each child for us and us for each of our children? We spend our time vainly comparing ourselves and that comparison leads to discontentment which in turn can lead to envy and a root of bitterness and anger taking hold in our lives. As the word says in the above scripture we are not wise when we compare our selves one to another, our situations or homes with each other and yet how often it is that we do so?

How then do we confront this issue in our daily lives?  What can we do to live life in the abundance that Christ has promised us?  We are spirit, mind and body and therefore we need to look after ourselves in these vital areas.

Let us start with our heart:
  • ‘Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life (Proverbs 4:23)  Above all else.  
Why ? Because God knows that our heart is core to who we are.  It is the source of all our creativity, our courage, and our convictions.  It is the fountainhead of our faith, our hope, and of course, our love.  This ‘wellspring of life within us is the very essence of our existence, the center of our being. 

'Your heart as a woman is the most important thing about you.’(Captivating by John & Stasi Eldredge Page 7-8)

Guard  Dictionary Def: To watch over or care for; protect, 
Synonyms – Sentry, sentinel, protector, watch, lookout, safeguard, secure, shield, fortify, defend.
Antonyms – Neglect,

What are you doing to watch over, protect, fortify and care for your heart?
  • For where your treasure is there will your heart be also.Matt 6:21

So what is it that we treasure ?  Is it time, money, beauty, perfect homes, well behaved children, romance, craft, books, fantasy, movies, dinner parties, scrap booking, food, children, our husbands ? 

Relationship with God
  •  Beauty fades but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.Proverbs 31:30-31
  • Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known unto God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 4:6-7)
  • Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105)
  • Love the Lord your God with all your heart with all your mind and with all your soul and love your neighbour as yourself.

How can we be all that we are called to be when we are not looking after ourselves or loving ourselves and others?  We are failing to keep the command of our Lord when we are not looking after ourselves, our relationship with Him or those He has created and put into our care and sphere of influence. It is written somewhere, “A mother is only a woman, but she needs the love of Jacob, the patience of Job, the wisdom of Moses, the foresight of Joseph, and the firmness of Daniel.”  To grow in this way comes from walking daily with our Lord.

Our Thoughts : 
  • See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world, rather then on Christ.Colossians 2:8

Think about it:  What are some of the lies you have bought into that rob you of the joy of living where you are ?  How much advertising (basic principle of the world) do you take into your heart and believe ?  Where are your thoughts ?  Are you longing for the day when your children are grown  and therefore missing out on the precious moments you have now ? What are you meditating on ? What about peer pressure (human traditions) ? Are you living up to the unspoken rules of some group at church or mom’s group ? (hollow and deceptive philosophy)
The word tells us:
  • Take every thought captive into the obedience of Christ Jesus.  2 Corinthians 10:5
  •  When I was in trouble, I called to the LORD, and he answered me.  Save me, LORD, from Liars and deceivers.Psalm 120:1-2

We need to call to our Lord and he will save us.  His word says:  The truth will set us free and whom the Son sets free is free indeed.

David asked the Lord: How can a young man keep his way pure?  By living according to your word.  I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.
  • I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.  Psalm 119: 9 –11 NIV

What did David do ? He filled his heart with the word of the Lord and meditated on it day and night and when he was in trouble he called to the Lord.
  •  Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, -if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things Philippians 4:8
  • .growing in the knowledge of God. Colossians 1:10

What are you doing to grow in your faith ?  Are you in the word ?  Why should we be learning and growing ? This is a question I asked myself one day when I realised I haven’t read a book in over two years or talked about anything other than children, the daily trials of raising and training my children, domestic responsibility and the like. 

I came across this article published in 1892 and realised that this is not unique to our day and age it was a struggle mom’s had over a hundred years ago and it challenged me to grow and keep growing.

There is no sadder sight in life than a mother, who has so used herself up in her children's childhood, that she has nothing to give them in their youth. When babyhood is over and school begins, how often children take to proving that their mother is wrong. Do you as often see a child proving to its father that he is wrong? I think not. For the father is growing far more often than the mother. He is gaining experience year by year, but she is standing still. Then, when her children come to that most difficult time between childhood and full development she is nonplussed; and, though she may do much for her children, she cannot do all she might, if she, as they, were growing!

Is there not some need for "mother culture"? But how is the state of things to be altered? So many mothers say, "I simply have no time for myself!" "I never read a book!" Or else, "I don't think it is right to think of myself!" They not only starve their minds, but they do it deliberately, and with a sense of self-sacrifice which seems to supply ample justification. There are, moreover, unfortunately, only too many people who think that sort of thing so lovely that public opinion appears to justify it. But does public opinion justify anything? It can never justify anything which leads to the "Oh, it's only mother" tone in any young person

The only way to do it is to be so strongly impressed with the necessity for growing herself that she herself makes it a real object in life. She can only rarely be helped from the outside. The resolute planting of Miss Three-years-old in her chair at one end of the table with her toys, of Master Five-years-old at the other with his occupations, and fascinating Master Baby on the rug on the floor with his ring and his ball--the decided announcement, "Now mother is going to be busy"--will do those young people a world of good! Though some of their charms will be missed, they will gain respect from mother's time, and some self-reliance into the bargain, while mother's tired back gets a rest, if only for a short time, either on the sofa or flat upon the floor. Then she can listen to her children, and perhaps do a little thinking--not about frocks and foods, but about characters, and how to deal with them; or she can take a book, and "grow" that way. This would do something, but not enough. Mother must have time to herself. And we must not say "I cannot."
It would seem as if we mothers often simply made for ourselves the difficulties we find in after life by shutting our minds up in the present. What we need is a habit of taking our minds out of what one is tempted to call "the domestic rag-bag" of perplexities, and giving it a good airing in something which keeps it "growing." A brisk walk will help. But, if we would do our best for our children, grow we must; and on our power of growth surely depends, not only our future happiness, but our future usefulness.

The wisest woman I ever knew--the best wife, the best mother, the best mistress, the best friend--told me once, when I asked her how, with her weak health and many calls upon her time, she managed to read so much, "I always keep three books going--a stiff book, a moderately easy book, and a novel, and I always take up the one I feel fit for!" That is the secret; always have something "going" to grow by. If we mothers were all "growing" there would be less going astray among our boys, less separation in mind from our girls.

(Volume III, no. 2 1892-93 of The Parents' Review, pp 92-95)



My friend said to me you can tell a lot about a person by the type of books they read, and the movies they watch.  Remember mother this is a gate into your heart so be sure to screen carefully what you are reading so as to guard your heart and your mind. She also used to say: ‘You can only take your children as far as you yourself have come’ and it is so true as I came to realise the other day. My older two were having some dispute and I honestly wanted to get in the middle of them and sort it out by the rules of the school play ground when it dawned on me hey mom you are the adult here use what you have learned and help them grow. I soon realised as the author above has put it I have stood still and needed to grow.

When we have little ones they take a lot of physical time from us but when they get older they use a lot of mental power and this is one of the main reasons we can not stand still, we need to keep growing, for if we don’t then our children will look else where for wisdom and understanding. We need to know what we believe, and above all why we believe and think for they will challenge you on every point and if you don’t know they will look else where.  Gone are the days where their choices are based on ‘because I say so’ we need to be able to fill their moral warehouse and to do so we need to be constantly filling ours.

Body:
Are you well rested ? Are you going to bed early enough ? Are you run down ? Are you eating properly ? Are you getting enough exercise ? Are you too busy ? Are you making life difficult by having chaos at home ? Are you being a martyr and trying to do it all yourself ? Are you out and about playing taxi driver ? Do you need to simplify your lifestyle and be home more ? Maybe we need to slow down a little and enjoy the season of life we are in as moms instead of always been on the run.

  •  Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
  •  Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:29
  •  … in view of Gods’ mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God Romans 12:1

God – this is your spiritual act of worship
If you don’t take the time to look after yourself or to give yourself ten minutes a day then soon you will be lost and all that will remain is an empty hole where once you so richly dwelt. We need to be up before the children and be ready for them to enter our world not us into theirs.  This helps us as mom’s to cope with the daily requirements of being wife, mother and friend.

You were not created to simply disappear into the oblivion of wife hood and motherhood, while these are excellent in themselves and a huge part of our noble calling, as our Lord calls us to love and care for our husbands and children These are also seasons in our lives.  If we were only created for these things we would have started life in these roles. We need to be looking after ourselves physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

When last did you pursue your passion and your interest ? When last did you have a long hot soak in the bath with your favourite novel ?  When last were you creative ?  When last did you practice magnanimity (generosity of spirit)? When last did you set aside time for the man in your life ? (Couch time and put the baby and children aside for your date night)If you enjoy gardening you could plant a new plant once in a while, check out a book for yourself at the library and not just for the children, getting a UFO (un-finished object) out of the cupboard and work on it.

A word of caution here: We live in a world full of the catch phrase “Because you are worth it”. It’s favourite standard is to elevate self and worship self, and makes this the highest ideal above the preciousness of others. Be careful that you do not swing the pendulum to the opposite extreme where you are spending all your time and resources upon yourself to the neglect, loss and detriment of family, home  and friends.

“ I think it is a definite gain to the whole family when mother is able to take a little time to pursue her own interests, whether they be crafts, painting, sewing, gourmet cooking, a literature group, gardening, nature study, going to plays or ballets with her husband, bicycling, or ice skating”
Karen Andreola ( From A Charlotte Masson Companion)


“Mothers should cultivate their souls, that in turn they may cultivate the souls of their children.”
Billy Graham




Blessings on your journey of cultivating your soul






PS  I have been really sick these past few days and was wondering what I could share with you when I stumbled upon this article I wrote about five years ago when I was teaching at a GEMS (Godly Encouragement for MotherS) group in Christchurch.  It spoke so much to me that I wanted to share it with you all.  Would love to hear your perspective.

PPS I will be back posting as soon as I am better .... Am feeling so loved: Paul came home from work today and made me lunch, my children have been bringing me cuppa's, my mom made us dinner last night, my friend Mrs W made us dinner for tonight and my mom has made me some orange juice.

Sunday 19 June 2011

Week 1 - Intro to The Ministry of Motherhood

I managed this week to read the introduction chapter in The Ministry of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson as well as think over a scripture a day from the S.O.A.P sheet from Good Morning Girls.  I'm glad I did as it gave me something positive to sleep on and wake up and walk around with for the day. 

This caught my attention
They need the authentic strength that comes from the true foundation of a biblical world-view and a proper understanding of the real Christ who is worthy of their worship. They need an unwavering, internal moral and spiritual compass that will help them weather today's storms and tomorrow's and will guide them for the rest of their lives.
- Sally Clarkson (The Ministry of Motherhood)

Not only my children but I need this! I find that as each day passes I long to know Him more authentically. I need this true foundation how else will my children learn it ?  As Sally points out in Luke 6:40

"A pupil is not above his teacher;
but everyone, after he has been fully trained,
will be like his teacher."

That is a weight to carry! I am responsible for the position my children are in once they are fully trained.

Study & Discussion

We were encouraged to look at some verses and one of them was Psalm 127:1-3 (AMP) (I'm a wordy kinda girl and LOVE the Amplified Bible!)

Psalm 127
A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.
 1[a]EXCEPT THE Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; except the Lord keeps the city, the watchman wakes but in vain.
    2It is vain for you to rise up early, to take rest late, to eat the bread of [anxious] toil--for He gives [blessings] to His beloved in sleep.

    3Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.

I enjoyed reading this but felt a little frustrated as I wanted more than the status quo.  My head thought straight away I can't do anything without the Lord but I wanted to dig deeper to know more of what the Lord means in this.

I have been blessed with a jewish friend who I emailed and asked for insight.  Chanah so blessed me, this is what she said (shared with her permission):
You need to remember that generally Jews do not take one specific verse out of scripture for insight-rather we look at the whole context of what was written, when and why.

So, the Jewish perspective on that verse is initially quite clear. If HaShem is not a part of your plans, don't bother cause it will be in vain.

The reality is that scripture is much deaper when you look at the context of 127.. David is instructing his son Solomon on the virtues of proper training for children.

An arrow shot with a strong hand bears within itself the strength of the bowman long after the arrow has left his hand and it follows unswervingly the direction given by the hand of the mighty man. So too, children raised by dedicated parents will remain unwaveringly and unhesitatingly true to the goal set for them by the guiding hands of parents, long after they have left the spehere of parental guidance.

So, if HaShem does not build a house-the hebrew word is home-and what is a home made up of??? children!!!!! So, if HaShem is not a part of building your house-home-if you are not raising your children in his ways, then more then likely you will have futility and do so in vain.

What are cities? They are heaps of homes-so if Hashem is not a part of building your city (or community) then all of the work could be being done in vain.

Bricks and morter are only the physical things used to protect the most spiritual things-children and family-there are beautiful houses and cities that are null and void as they have not been built in the ways of HaShem and there are homes of poverty-people who live in poverty but are protected by the ways of the L-rd....
Chanah gave me a fresh way of looking at the importance of what we are, and the choices we make do have an influence long after our children have left our sphere of influence.
  • I loved her reminder that it's not about things it's about people. 
  • She pointed me back to the eternal perspective. 
  • I've always thought about the quiver part of the scripture and never given much head to the bowman. Of what use is a quiver without the bowman who carries it ? 
In verse two the word anxious jumped at me.  Anxious toil,  I was begining to feel anxious over the role I carry as mother in relation to this verse, but it is followed with,  He gives blessings. I thought about it.....  He gives blessings wow. I do not need to be greatly concerned, for He gives me blessing.

I was going to try keep up with the schedule of one section a week but didn't want to miss the depth of what I could be learning so this coming week I will be looking at some of the other scriptures Sally has on page 19 and thinking about some of the things she asks.  One of them being Proverbs 31 .......


Take courage my friends your daily walk will be echoing for eternity.  It is important

Friday 10 June 2011

Feeling Challenged

I have a few things that I have been feeling rather challenged about lately. 

The first one being that while on camp two weeks ago we were challenged to spend daily time with our Heavenly Father for He cares for us. He is there to sustain us and has sent us a helper who can't help if we are not abiding in Him.  I find it so easy to make these mental choices, but acting upon them is not always as easy as I first think.  I have been pondering on how to make a flexible set time to spend with my Lord, Saviour and Friend. 

The more I ponder the issues surrounding quiet time with my Saviour the more I realize I need to make a commitment and stick to it.  I remember the teaching I received as a young person: your quiet time needs to be in secret. The very next memory is of another homeschool mother who shared at a meeting that her children didn't think she had personal devotions because they never saw her having personal devotions.  This has caused some conflict in me. 

The best time for me would be to rise before the family and the busyness of the day takes over but then my little rose Sir N would not see and know that this is a normal healthy and very important part of a christian's everyday walk with the Lord.

Yesterday I read two wonderful blog posts about this: the first can be found at Confessions of a Homeschooler: Not so quiet time for Mom and the second one is Granola Mom 4 God: What does your closet look like?

I came away really encouraged to set up a special place for me and my Saviour Jesus as well as to look through my wonderful bookshelf and find a bible that Mr N can look through at the same time by himself.   

I have decided I would like to work through The Ministry of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson

I have been having a read through the introduction, and sneaking a few peeks at some of the other chapters and already feel encouraged and challenged.  My goal is to start on Monday and let you know by Friday how it went.




I am not sure yet if I want to do the Good Morning Girls Book ClubPart of me would really really like to but part of me wonders if it will be just another thing to add to an already full day.  I think I might try and if it becomes a burden I will drop it.


Good Morning Girls Book Club: The Ministry of Motherhood



For those of you wanting to know more about the extended bible study you can go to: www.goodmorninggirls.org. or else for those of you who prefer   Facebook

Good Morning Girls have downloadable worksheets available for each weeks study and a forum for discussions on what everyone is learning. 


Writing this has helped me clarify a few issues about my personal Quiet Time in my heart. It has helped me realise that I can have and should have study on my own when it best suits me and the time of life I am at. Seasons come and seasons go and this is my current season.  If that means before the family rises then that is when it needs to be.  I can have a shorter time later in the day with Sir N to illustrate and lead in this area, but my spiritual walk should not revolve around him but rather the needs of my personal relationship with my Saviour.

Blessings of His peace and encouragement to you all