When we read to them...

Matthew chose a Superman book from the library so when we got home I read it to my eager listeners.  The book was appropriately titled Superman Versus Bizarro by Chris Strathearn.  It certainly was “bizarre” alright!  Everything was switched around making me think, “This is ridiculous! It’s obvious a tree wouldn’t be hurting a cat!”  The author was contrasting Earth verses Bizarro World.

The next day I read the following excerpt from the devotional booklet Our Daily Bread and I believe God was developing a message in me to share with our kids. “In our world today – when good is often considered bad and bad is seen as good, when truth and error are switched around – people are looking for direction in life.”  (Our Daily Bread August 16, 2016 C.P. Hia).  How true!

I got the opportunity to share a message of hope with our kids as we read Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll.  About half-way through the book, Matthew and I didn’t really want to continue anymore because it was such "nonsense" but then the Holy Spirit nudged me with His message.  I told Matthew and Jordan, “Just as Alice is walking around in this nonsense wonderland, we are walking around in this kind of world too.” I gave them current examples and they understood so I continued, “We have the TRUTH of the gospel!  That’s the only thing that isn’t nonsense!  Our job is to share God’s truth with people…”  It was such a moment of wisdom from the Lord! 

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength....You shall teach them diligently to your children, ..." Deuteronomy 6:5-7

Teach your kids truth from the Bible.  Expose lies for lies so they are not swept away in it all never differentiating truth from lies.

Come to Me!

For I am the LORD your God 

who takes hold of your right hand 

and says to you, Do not fear; 

I will help you.

- Isaiah 41:13

I was sitting here listening to worship and the verse above was singing truth out over my home. So refreshing. 

HE is MY God

WHO takes HOLD of my HAND

and 

SAYS DO NOT FEAR.

He is all we need. He is our everything. Don't look to the right or the left. Keep your eyes on Him. You will not be shaken. You will not be moved. He is the truth. The Way. And the Life. Come to Him. HE is all you need.

Do you need that reminder today, Moms? 

Hold His hand. Let go of fear. He is all you need. 

Take a listen, and be reminded of where your hope is found today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sY0Vz8fvIhE 

Let Heaven Fill Your Thoughts

This morning I was spending time with the Lord and began perusing through my Bible looking at sections I had underlined throughout. I came across this verse....

Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth. - Colossians 3:2

1. Don't get so worked up over the little things.
    Sometimes I find myself so focused on there here-and-now that I feel overwhelmed.
    I want to let go of my frustration and start afresh daily...not holding onto any bitterness
    over sins that my kids don't yet have victory over...realizing it's only
    through prayer that true change can happen. They are a work in progress...just like me.
    Life is short. Enjoy your kids because the time passes quickly.

2. Remember where I am going.
    Daily I want to ponder over where I am headed. I need to
    remember this isn't my home and that while on earth the Lord is giving me tons of
    stretching opportunities to better reflect His image. I want to let heaven fill my thoughts.
    Memorizing scripture and spending time with my Heavenly Father, throughout
    the day, will keep my focus on the things He cares about.

3. Make deposits for the future.
    As I teach my kids and love them through the struggles I make heavenly deposits with
    eternal value. Allowing His Word to speak life over my little ones and it reminds me of Truth too.
    Looking for teaching opportunities to direct their focus on eternity. I have come to recognize that
    as I seek to invest spiritually the Lord does a work in my own heart as well. Making me more
    compassionate while reminding me of His unconditional love.

Do you get worked up over the little things?

Is your focus on where you are headed or where you are now?

Are you continuing to invest and make deposits that will have a great return value as your kids grow?

Can We Get Coffee??

I was at a coffee shop with some ladies last night when one shared the above verse and the importance of it in our lives. As a mom, sometimes we can feel alone, insecure, and hopeless. It is in those times we need to make sure we are plugged in. 

Many many times I was overwhelmed as a mom and just needed a word of encouragement. I can't tell you how many times the Holy Spirit uplifted me...through the mouth of another believer. Truth being shared and used to lift us up out of the miry clay. 

Friend, make sure you are meeting together with other believers. In church, in small group, in prayer, in emails, in texts, in life. 

Life can be hard...cling to Jesus and remember to share your struggles. Be vulnerable. Be transparent. Allow the body of believers hold up your arms when you are too weak to do it on your own. The Lord has given us a beautiful support system in the body of Christ. 

Are you involved in a small Bible study group?

Pray and consider joining one and allowing the Lord to use the congregation to remind you of Truth. 

New Year...New ME!

Tonight, on Apple TV, I watched as Anthony Evans lead worship live. Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale counted down with him leading into the New Year. I was refreshed singing familiar worship songs, but his message resonated most with my heart. 

In between sets, he gave his testimony -sharing how he, being the son of well-known pastor - Tony Evans, would condemn himself and be gilt ridden over the sins he struggled with. His dad's congregation put pressures on him which lead him to write an awesome song about his freedom in Christ. Where there is no condemnation.

The song was beautiful. It was refreshing. It was holy. It is my anthem I plan to download and play loudly. Those times when satan wants to make me feel worthless for a foolish decision I have made. Or for those many "Mommy Moments" I wish I could erase. For freedom from those habits I haven't kicked and need release from.

Tonight I am reminded of Truth. That my Heavenly Father doesn't condemn me but loves me unconditionally through the ugly I am struggling with. Through whatever you have struggled with in 2013. It's a NEW YEAR! Full of HOPE! Repent and start over! His mercies are new. Let your burden of last year be lifted! Let Go!

Be reminded that HE has thrown your sin far into the depths of the ocean & thinks of them no more.

It's a NEW YEAR! HE has compassion, runs toward me, and celebrates as I repent and start anew!

 Luke 15:18-24 
  ¹⁸ I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. ¹⁹ I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ ²⁰ So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
²¹ “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
²² “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. ²³ Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. ²⁴ For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

Pray that HE would reveal truth in your life today & throughout 2014 too!

It's a new year. Ask for forgiveness and let go of the past. Run into His arms with excitement as it's a new year & a new you!  

A Secret Revealed

“Let me tell you a secret.”  This is a regular phrase whispered rather loudly in our kid’s ears always resulting in much time spent in giggle-land.  My husband started this when our daughter was just a tiny baby.  He would whisper things like, “Remember the time I gave you a Cheeto.…”  He would get a smile out of baby Jordan, a rolling giggle out of toddler Matthew and a cross look out of me as I would have been very upset if he had actually given her anything close to Cheetos.  This is why it has been a funny family joke for about 2 years now. 

Just the other day I read a wonderful bit of Scripture that made me think of our little family tradition.  I read in Psalm 25:14-15 that David had his own line about secrets, but instead of being about something silly to make us laugh, it’s a wonderful truth; it’s something to help us grow in our knowledge and relationship with our God.

Psalm 25:14-15 “The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him.  And He will show them His covenant.  My eyes are ever toward the LORD.  For He shall pluck my feet out of the net.”

Let’s listen in and be delighted in our God today.  He wants to show US His covenant.  He wants to pluck our feet out of the net (net= worry, fear of man, distractions, self-centeredness…).  Let’s keep our eyes toward the LORD.  Let’s be awed by our holy Creator today.  The secret of the MOST HIGH is out!  Fear Him – be in awe of Him.  Let’s tell the world this wonderful and glorious secret!  And instead of whispering it, let’s show it in how we live and when appropriate, share with those who surround us.

Don't Sheild but Educate

My son recently watched an episode, on Nickelodeon for Kids, called "Mike the Knight." At first I was thrilled my son was excited to watch a show about being brave and knightly. Then as I paused the other day to watch it the more weary I became. One character on the show, Evie, who cast spells on objects, is in training to become a witch.


My first gut reaction was to turn it off and shield my kids from Satan's subtle way of weaving witchcraft into cartoons. I brought my concerns to my husband and asked if he preferred they stop watching the show... knowing he would give me sound Biblical advice. James, my husband, reminded me of the opportunity placed before me. To sit down, view it with my children alongside me and allow it to be a learning experience.  So I did just that!


The next time they asked to watch "Mike" I plopped down to watch it with them. We pushed pause numerous times throughout the video to share who witches worship (Satan) and how Satan feels about us. How he wants to steal, kill and destroy us. What God's word says about witchcraft (and witches). How much God loves us and how Satan does not. I reminded them of just how much OUR God loves them and how he wants us to worship Him alone.  Simple in words but deep rooted in truth.


I shared this "sitting and sharing" concept recently with a friend struggling with a family member who has been making some hurtful comments to her while in front of her kids. I reminded her that even in that hurtful situation there is lessons learned and taught to our little ones. What God's word says about our words, and the type of words that should come out of our mouth (Eph. 4:29). We can love and pray for those (enemies) who are hurtful to us (Matt. 5:44).  Truth shared in times of trial! Turning what Satan meant for evil into something Christ can use for good!!


You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good - Genesis 50:20


Sometimes I can shelter my kids so much that I forget there is a world out there that they will be exposed to once out of my sight. So rather than shield them, why not sit down and expose them to it with me alongside them to share what HIS word says and allow my counsel to teach them truth instead of allowing others to do that work. 


What lesson can you teach your child today because of something "intended to harm" but you allowed God to use it for good?


Pray that Christ gives you opportunities each day to "sit and share" Truth as you continue to build a firm foundation in your child!