Wordy Wednesday!

Praying for Self-Control, Diligence, and Self-Discipline
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.
Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness
and peace for those who have been trained by it.
- Hebrews 12:11

Consider the following warnings from the book of Proverbs:
* "Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control."
* "He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin."
* "The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied."
* "The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast. He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly."

By contrast, the future looks bright for children who learn to exercise self-discipline, diligence, and self-control. Proverbs 10:4 says, "Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth." Hebrews 12:11 promises that discipline will produce "A harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained in it." And 2 Peter 1:5-8 links attributes like self-control and perseverance to effective, productive Christianity.

Which do you want for your kids: Poverty, dissatisfaction and unrest... or wealth, righteousness and peace? Brokenness, ruin and death... or effective, productive living? If you picked the latter traits, then character traits like diligence and self-control are not optional in your childrens lives. They are mandatory assets without which genuine happiness, contentment and satisfaction become impossible to attain.

I am so blessed by the wisdom in this book, "Praying the Scriptures for Your Children" by Jodie Berndt and I so recommend that you buy the book yourselves.
Blessings!

Where was I?

Well, it's been a wild week. My kids and I have, obviously, been working through some stuff and the Lord is really stretching me although I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be learning yet. I know I need more patience. I know I need more wisdom. And I know I need to just let go and let God. But I also know that my husband and family can't wait for me to figure it all out first. So, what's a stressed out, overwhelmed Mama to do? Pray! SO that's where I'm at people. I'm praying. I don't have an answer for everything. (Surprising, I know.)

Meanwhile, I missed Wordy Wednesday. So, here you go:
This is more wisdom from "Praying the Scriptures for Your Children" by Jodie Berndt. Go buy it!

One of the best ways we can foster a love for God's Word is to encourage our kids to memorize Scripture. Young children, especially, have a seemingly limitless capacity for memorization -- a lesson I learned when Hillary, as a three-year-old, recited the entire peamble to the Beauty and the Beast story on video, word for word. For me, that did it: I figured that any child who could recite a Hollywood script could certainly learn a couple of Bible verses!

Let _______ keep Your words and store up Your commands so that he will live. Cause him to guard Your teachings as the apple of his eye, and let them be written on the tablet of his heart.
Proverbs 7:2-3

Buy it here: http://www.christianbook.com/praying-the-scriptures-for-your-children/jodie-berndt/9780310232162/pd/32166?kw=32166&en=froogle&p=1013824&cm_mmc=CBDfeeds-_-froogle-_-books-_-32166

I think I mentioned in my last post that I'd had to print some forms for Autry's enrollment in the charter school. Well, one of them was a physical form that had to be filled out by his pediatrician. That meant that he needed to go in Tuesday to have it filled out and do whatever was necessary to get ready for kindergarten. Well, that included a PPD test (tuberculosis) which requires bringing him back againfor them to "read" it on Friday. Fine, no big deal.
Then yesterday, Milo started showing some symptoms of another ear infection. Cough, sore ear, swollen glands and (gag) green drainage from his tear ducts. Not uncommon for My poor boy. So, that brought us to the dr's office again this morning to confirm it and get the meds. Could they "read" Autry's arm today. NOPE. Has to be a full 48 hours from the test. Thus, we'll be going back again tomorrow morning. Yay....

We were supposed to have a playdate with my best friend, Delane, Jayme, Rachel and a few other Mamas and the SWARM of kids that belong to us, respectively. lol But you know what they say about the best laid plans.... It just sorta fell apart. With my mental health vacation and my other friends just wanting to lay low today we just decided to push it till next Thursday.

What else can I tell you all??? Oh, I've been thinking about starting a cooking feature on here because I simply love to cook and then eat it. And I hear I'm not too shabby at it. The cooking, that is. hahaha
So, just to kick it off, here's what we're having tonight. Barbeque Ribs in the slow cooker with garlic mashed potatoes and cornbread. Here's a not very exciting pic of my homemade bbq sauce for the ribs. My house smells like Heaven, btw.

BBQ Sauce
Unrefined oil
4 cloves garlic, pressed
1 C brown sugar, packed
1 C ketchup
1 tbsp hot pepper sauce, or to taste
2 small red onions, finely chopped
1 lemon, juiced
1/2 C cider vinegar
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp chili powder

In a skillet over medium heat, add oil and cook garlic and onions until softened and lightly browned. Stir in remaining ingredients and simmer gently for 5 minutes and you're done! Easy peasy!
Now this is just enough for us. It won't be long before I'm doubling this. So, if you've got a bigger family or just big eaters, double it. Enjoy!

Wordy Wednesday!

I'm taking a break from my Psalms devo to pray through the book, "Praying the Scriptures for your Children: Discovering How to Pray God's Will for Their Lives" by Jodie Berndt.

I've done this devo before and after an epiphany yesterday about why some animals eat their babies am feeling led to pray through it again.

Today I read Ch 8 which is Praying for Self-Control, Diligence, and Self-Discipline.
I'm only going to cite a few of the verses because I fully want you all to go out and buy this book. It's awesome!

"Help _____ to be self-controlled. Let him show integrity, seriousness, and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose the gospel may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about him." Titus 2:6-8

"May _____'s sin find him out, so that he will be drawn back to You, Lord, for forgiveness and Your gracious blessing of a new beginning." Numbers 32:23

"Cause _____ to make every effort to add to her faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. Let _____ possess these qualities in increasing measure, so that she will be effective and productive in her knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1:5-8

And one of the Prayer Principles says;
"When you pray for your children to learn things like diligence and self-control, you are asking God to give them attributes that are absolutely essential to their future happiness and success."

Get your own copy here:
http://www.zondervan.com/Cultures/en-US/Product/ProductDetail.htm?ProdID=com.zondervan.9780310232162&QueryStringSite=Zondervan

Wordy Wednesday!

Theme Because God is Creator, Lord, Savior and Deliverer, He is worthy of our trust and praise. Because He is faithful and His Word is dependable, we can rejoice and sing, giving thanks and praise.
Author Anonymous
Psalm 33
1 Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous;
it is fitting for the upright to praise Him.
2 Praise the Lord with the harp;
make music to Him on the ten-stringed lyre.
3 Sing to Him a new song;
play skillfully and shout for joy.

4 For the Word of the Lord is right and true;
He is faithful in all He does.
5 The Lord loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of His unfailing love.

6 By the word of the Lord were the heavens made.
their starry host by the breath of His mouth.
7 He gathers the waters of the sea into jars;
He puts the deep into storehouses.
8 Let all the earth fear the Lord;
let all the people of the earth revere Him.
9 For He spoke, and it came to be;
He commanded and it stood firm.
10 The Lord foils the plans of the nations;
He thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
11 But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever,
the purposes of His heart through all generations.

12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
the people He chose for His inheritance.
13 From heaven the Lord looks down
and sees all mankind;
14 from His dwelling place He watches
all who live on earth-
15 He who forms the hearts of all,
who considers everything they do.
16 No king is saved by the size of his army;
no warrior escapes by his great strength.
17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;
despite all it's great strength it cannot save.
18 But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him,
on those whose hope is in His unfailing love,
19 to deliver them from death
and keep them alive in famine.

20 We wait in hope for the Lord;
He is our help and our sheild.
21 In Him our hearts rejoice;
for we trust in His holy name.
22 May Your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord,
even as we put our hope in You.

Wordy Wednesday!

Theme Declaring loyalty to God. If we are genuinely commited to God, we can stand up to the opposition and examination.
Author David, possibly written during the days of Absolom's rebellion

Psalm 26 of David.
1 Vindicate me, O Lord,
for I have led a blameless life;
I have trusted in the Lord
without wavering.
2 Test me, O Lord, and try me,
examine my heart and my mind;
3 for your love is ever before me,
and I walk continually in Your truth.
4 I do not sit with deceitful men,
nor do I consort with hypocrites;
5 I abhor the assembly of evildoers
and refuse to sit with the wicked.
6 I wash my hands in innocence,
and go about your alter, O Lord,
7 proclaiming aloud your praise
and telling of all Your wonderful deeds.
8 I love the house where You live, O Lord,
the place where Your glory dwells.

9 Do not take away my soul along with sinners,
my life with bloodthirsty men,
10 in whose hands are wicked schemes,
whose right hands are full of bribes.
11 But I lead a blameless life;
redeem me and be merciful to me.

12 My feet stand on level ground;
in the great assembly I will praise the Lord.

* Now initially when I read this, I was a little unsure what to think about David claiming to lead a blameless life. Was he being self righteous or even worse trying to decieve the Lord? Because, for real, no one is "blameless." And then the verses about not sitting with hypocrites or deceitful men was troubling because I have friends who are unsaved and I pray that while being their friend and enjoying spending time together they will see Jesus shining through me and that they would know by my actions and heart why I am different and hopefully want it for themselves. But when I looked into the notes at the bottom of the page, I found some excellent insights.
26:1-3 In asking God to declare him "blameless," David was not claiming to be sinless- that is impossible for any human being to achieve. Instead, he was pleading with God to clear his name of the false charges made against him by his enemies. We also can ask God to examine us, trusting Him to forgive our sins and clear our record according to His mercy.
26:4-5 Should we stay away from unbelievers? No.Although Christians should avoid some places, Jesus demonstrated that we must go among unbelievers to help them. There is a difference, however between being with unbelievers and being one of them. Acting like unbelievers harms our witness for God.
Ask about the people you enjoy: If you are with them often, will you become less obedient to God in outlook or action?
If the answer is yes, carefully monitor how you spend your time with these people and their affect on you.
26:12 Too often we complain about our problems to anyone who will listen and praise God only in private. Instead, we ought to complain privately and praise God publicly.

Wordy Wednesday!

I know, I know! The trend is "wordless Wednesday" but I decided that doesn't work for me. This is my blog after all, right? So, every Wednesday I'll be posting the Scripture that I studied during devos that morning. Ok? Ok!

Psalm 12
ThemeThe proud and lying words of people versus the true and pure words of God. A call for protection against those who try to manipulate us.

For the director of music. According to the sheminith. A psalm of David.
1 Help, Lord, for the godly are no more;
the faithful have vanished among men.
2 Everyone lies to his neighbor;
their flattering lips speak with deception.

3 May the Lord cut off all flattering lips
and every boastful tongue
4 that says, "We will triumph with our tongues;
we own our lips - who is our master?"

5 "Because of the oppression of the weak
and the groaning of the needy,
I will now arise," says the Lord.
"I will protect them from those who malign them."
6 And the words of the Lord are flawless,
like silver refined in a furnace of clay,
purified seven times.

7 O Lord, You will keep us safe
and protect us from such people forever.
8 The wicked freely strut about
when what is vile is honored among men.

This is from my NIV Life Application Study Bible that I use on a daily basis if you're wondering what translation this is. Although we study NKJV at worship services at our church which is a Calvary Chapel, I LOVE all of the notes and insights in my NIV. It really explains in depth how to apply the verses to modern life and other scriptures (of course) for further study.

Quiet time...

So, I just began Psalms again and everyday I'll read a chapter or two and a jot down notes or insights along the margins and, of course, pray. Well, the Lord is the Lord and He knew full well that beginning Psalms again was exactly where I needed to be. I cannot tell you how fortifying and encouraging His words are to my heart. And I've been blessed to share the Word fresh in my heart and mind during a time of need.
This week has been such a vivid example of how we are simply vessels made to be filled up so that we can pour into others.
I will just share a few short verses of what has been soo uplifting.

But You are a shield around me, O Lord;
you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.
To the Lord I cry aloud,
and He answers me from His holy hill.
Psalm 3:3,4
I will lie down and sleep in peace,
for You alone, O Lord,
make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8
But let all who take refuge in You be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread Your protection over them,
that those who love Your name may rejoice in You.
For surely,O Lord, You bless the righteous;
You surround them with Your favor as with a shield.
Psalm 5:11,12

God is good all the time and all the time God is good.

TV Free!

And FREE Indeed! We decided to unplug our tvs (and thus anything necessitating one) for lent because the kids tv/computer/video games habit had gotten very out of control during the last few months. I was a little nervous about how they'd react to be completely honest.
However, they have only asked to watch something once and since that one time have only asked every few days or so, "How many more days till Easter?" It's been like heaven. They're playing well together and reading more books and spending oodles of time outside where they belong, climbing and jumping and bug hunting, etc.
I'm ashamed to admit that there have been several times, though, that I have wished they'd just sit and watch a movie! Good grief! They are so fun and I am just a party pooper cause I'm so exhausted still and just can't keep up!
All in all, this has been the most wonderful experience and I'm praying about how to reintegrate small amounts of the activities that they've so readily given up if at all...
TV free.....?