Creatively Correcting My Children

I’m at a whole different stage of my parenting now.  This is just one of those seasons where I am just really into the throes of motherhood to the point that sometimes I keep attempting to peek beyond this season into the next.  It’s like bobbing up and down in a pool for a breath of fresh air.

And, you know, that may not be the best analogy for parenting.

I want to reiterate the fact that all mothers know: parenting is hard work.

Yet, I want to also note: parenting can be a beautiful process.  It all depends on which choices we make.

It’s imperative for me in my life right now, to take the reigns on my kids and drive.  While they are young and impressionable, this is the time allotted, the window of opportunity, for us (my husband and I) to speak into their lives and teach them those timeless truths they won’t learn any easier than right now.

And that, my friend, is the hardest part in the younger years.  (If you have teenagers, please don’t remind me that it gets harder as time goes by!)  I am really doing my best to think positively and believe that there is a good chance all of this teaching and training we are doing today will sink in and take root before they are teens!  But we all know- kids have a mind of their own.  My prayer is that my daughters will adopt the mind of God- thinking Godly thoughts and acting in Godly ways.

Hence, the work laid out for me today is crucial.

In our home, (and as you know, we are homeschooling), we have been doing a lot more character development studies recently.

If I see a problem in heart or attitude that needs correcting, the first thing I want to do is go to the Word of God.  God’s Word literally is an anecdote to all problems, and there is a solution to every dilemma under the sun right in the Bible.  That’s why we have the Holy Spirit with us- He is living, He is breathing, He is working, He is real, and best of all, He is IN us who believe!

So, I simply take the Scripture and apply it to their situation (for my 8 year old, mostly).  If we keep having a character problem or a particular issue that constant verbal correction doesn’t solve, we are now tackling it from the angle of, “What does the Lord have to say about that?  Go bring your Bible, and look up the Scripture, read it to me, write it down in your notebook, and then let’s talk.”

Let me tell you, this is bringing about massive changes (and I haven’t even touched on the consequences chart yet!)

I have been getting some of my ideas from Lisa Welchel’s Creative Correction:

Here’s a video by Lisa about this book:

Right now, for my 2 year old, discipline is as basic, primitive and rudimentary as it comes.  But that doesn’t mean she can’t understand when God is happy.  She will often tell me (after doing something fabulous like picking up the toys from the living room floor), “Mommy, you happy?  God is happy?” and she will skip cheerily away, just knowing that she’s done a good thing.

Kids know, even at the very tender ages of 1 and 2.  So, it’s never too young or too early to start them on the Truth of God’s Word for instruction.

And the biggest thing is- correcting and instructing in a spirit of Love (the way our Heavenly Father so patiently loves us).  I know, it takes a LOT of time to discipline that way.  To have children look up scripture pertaining to their heart attitude and then have a heart to heart with them, pray over them…that takes a lot of time.  It is oftentimes far easier to send them to time out, spank them, or take away a privilege.  But with those methods (none of which I criticize and some of which I use depending on the situation), there is real no connection that lets my kids know WHY what they did is wrong, and how our Heavenly Father FEELS about what they did.

So…

here I am printing out, cutting up, and creating little “correction cards” for our home school and parenting life, knowing that yet another new idea God has given me to help me out with my little ones will take some work and planning…

But in the end, I pray and I believe- it will all be worth it.

Is it okay to have an abundance?

Lately the Lord has really been stirring my heart towards a simple matter:

Trust.

He just wants me to trust Him.

No matter what I desire (based on either needs or wants), and no matter how little or great my desires are, he wants me to know that in Him alone are my requests granted.

And, boy, do I have a lot of requests!

For the sake of my family privacy, I won’t list them here on my blog- but let’s just say our family is looking forward to the days ahead and APPRECIATING the moments today.  Even the struggles can be appreciated when we realize that the joy is in the journey.

The key is, trusting God to get to the other side.  If we give up or lose faith along the way, we won’t be able to enjoy the journey, much less persevere to see the solutions that God has in store.  And I am thrilled just sitting here thinking about much He has already taken care of us, and how much more I know that He will.

No matter your desires- be it physical or spiritual, even material– if they equal to needs (or even some rightful desires)- God has promised that He will give us abundantly and above all that we can ask or think.

Some people say that He has only agreed to give us our needs.  Well, if that is the case, praise God for the food on our tables and the clothing that we wear each day.  Praise God for the roof over our heads!  The so-called “prosperity message” has actually turned people in a complete 365, and when it comes to the idea of wealth building and becoming prosperous.  Is it wrong?  What does God say about wealth?  What about the abundance of “stuff” we’ve already accumulated in our lives?  What does God think about that?

If you know God has done abundantly ABOVE basic needs for you– (how about that SUV you might driving, or the extra spacious home, or even just the abundance of clothing that might be spilling out of your closet)- then think about it.  Really think about it.  Does God hate our abundance?

Really think about that.

Did God hate Abraham’s abundance? Was it not Elohim the Creator who caused Abraham to be abundantly blessed- he and his entire household?

There are too many more instances in the Bible to prove that not only is God not against abundance but He is the source of it.  (After all, Heaven is definitely not a chintzy place.  I would hope that when Jesus said that He went away to prepare a mansion for us that He didn’t mean a shack…)  Remember when Jesus told His disciples not to worry?  He proved His point of His love for us even then when He said this (Matthew 7:9-11- NIV)

⁹“Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? ¹¹If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Yeah…like if my daughter asked for a glass of milk, would I by any chance figure she meant fuel?  Gross right?  No loving parent in their right mind would give a child something so horrid when she or he has asked for something special and important to them.

Some things we need.  Some things we just want.  I am at a place in my life where I am beginning to understand that it is not a sin to desire something  that registers above the “needs” meter.  In fact, I have to believe that my Heavenly Father delights in showing His love for me in extraordinary ways- and that includes showering me with blessings I don’t necessarily NEED to survive.

But what’s next is this: it’s a heart issue.

Not a prosperity issue.  Not a “name it, claim it, blab it, grab it” issue.

(In fact, this is usually how spoiled brats behave– little children who either know no better or are just purely ignorant).  Don’t mean to sound rude.

Can you imagine God bending to every notion of one of His immature kids who has incredibly ludicrous requests and a bad attitude?  I don’t think our Lord will be responsible for making that person a million overnight and issuing twenty sports vehicles and thirty-something mansions…that would not be happening.

But do you think a mature child, who understands the heart of her parent, would ask for ludicrous things?  Do you think the desires of her heart would be too challenging for God?

A job?  An extra income?  Ability to pay your bills?  Enough money to not only pay your bills but help others?  More clothing for your children?    So much clothing you can help others and give some of your clothes away? A safe neighborhood?  A bigger house?  A house big enough to not only fit your family, but other families, so now you can help take care of others?  Another car?  A car with more room so now you can give others a ride who need one?

God knows your heart.  His children know HIM. His children know His voice.  His children know His heart.  His children ask for things according to God’s will.

His children can rest assure that NOTHING is too hard for God.  AND…God is not displeased when we ask Him for things, with a grateful attitude, and a willing heart to continue loving Him, serving Him, and doing good to others as we wait patiently upon our answers from Him.

Prosperity as a result of impatience is a really bad mix.  Prosperity and patience go hand in hand.

Ultimately, it’s up to you and I to figure out what prosperity means to each of us.  Honestly, there are some things I can go without.  We live in a an “abundance is everything ” society, but we don’t often see the appreciation for the things God has blessed us with.  Additionally, we see misuse of what God has given us.

May it not be that way with us as Believers.  We can use God’s blessings to help others and bless the world around us.  How can the world know who we are if we are unable to help?

It’s all a heart issue.  If your heart is right, it’s okay to ask God for it!  Just don’t bank your salvation or your happiness on it.

And as you ask for these things…remember they are only things. Temporal.  Soon to pass.  But seeing as you’re still sticking around Planet Earth, you could probably use those things…and share with others who might like to enjoy it as well.

So.  That’s what I’m learning.  I’m not afraid to ask God for what I need…OR what I want!  And while I am waiting on my answers, I learn to relax and enjoy the journey.

Hungry

Tonight at church, the evangelist asked an interesting question:

“Are you hungry for Him?” he asked.

I began to wonder about the Scripture that  says in the last days there would be a famine of His Word.

You know…I began to really think.  Who is my Jesus to me?

I call him my Jesus.  He is mine. I think of Him that way.  And I have to continue to remind myself daily…

“Did I partake of my Savior?”

“Did I drink from His fountain of Living Waters?”

” Did I consume Him as my daily Bread, my Living Bread in as much earnest as He wishes to consume me?”

I want to be hungry for Jesus.  I want to be thirsty for Yeshua’s Living waters so that I will never thirst again.

Nothing, and I do mean NOTHING can ever satisfy the way He does.

He just makes that itch go away.  He replaces that horrific sadness with a joy so deep.  That deep yearning – He fills it.   The void- He consumes it with His presence until it is full.

Any and everything I have been wanting in life, I found that He alone is the answer.

I can turn right or left– but He is always surrounding me, beckoning me to look to Him.  He is never too far away- an “ever present help”.  He has never, ever left me alone, and never, ever will.

So, am I hungry? Do I long to hear His words, sit in His presence at His feet and enjoy His company?  Do I long to hear Him speak the Words of Life that sustain my soul?  Do I long to partake of His presence here and now…and also at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb in the days to come?

Hungry.

I want to be hungry. Hungry for more of my Lord.

Where have I GONE?

Okay, so I haven’t been blogging here QUITE as often…

There is a good reason.

First of all, I wanted this blog to serve as a reservoir of bits and pieces of my spiritual life.  For lack of a better analogy, I will use a “neighborhood”.  In it, there are a lot of little “houses” waiting to be discovered.

For example, I love to sing, right?  I write music from time to time whenever I am inspired.  So…I plan to blog about those things here, maybe record and post a song.

I also am on a bit of a spiritual awakening – a journey into a new and different level in my walk with the Lord.  As I blog here I can look back and see where God has  brought me from and be encouraged about where he is taking me.  Any interviews I’ve conducted in the past with songwriters, artists, business owners, authors…it’s all here – recorded, and tucked away for a time when I will, once again, hopefully, use these as inspirations and encouragement for my own life – and meanwhile, I hope they serve to encourage you too.

I also have my own podcasts recorded- words of encouragement that God led me to write and record for others, which are now serving to help me in my OWN life.  Whoa!  You think I have it all together?  Think again.  I am growing, and S-T-R-E-T-C-H-I-N-G like anyone else.

All of these podcasts and recordings (which this blog comprises mostly of, in addition to a quick stint at an online magazine), are only a FRACTION of my life.  Less than a fraction.  It’s only the DOING part of me…but there’s a whole lot of figuring out underneath all of this that has to be done.  All the while I was podcasting back in ’05-”08, hosting online seminars and chats, etc….guess what?  I still had some major FIGURING OUT to do about my life, my own purpose, and the direction God had in my life.

And He is not done with me yet.  Still revealing, but ever faithful to reveal to me day by day, I am growing into a  restful settling.

But I am not settling into the background to fade away.

I am settling into my Lord…(may He increase that I may decrease).  As this happens, though (and it is a process), He is bringing me new ideas, plans, and purposes to help our family…

…which brings me to the purpose of this post.

So I have been in hiatus for a while, or so it seems.

I am still here.  Trust me.  I am here- thinking and pondering.  But I am also busy.

Not too busy to blog or to update.  But busy working my hands in a few different fields God is preparing for our family.  You know when one season in your life has ended and God opens the doors to new opportunities.  When it’s a new season, you should harvest where He sent you to reap your harvest.  Don’t be trying to stick with the same old field.  The harvest is plentiful (the laborers few)…and sometimes He sends us to a different spot in the fields to work.  And that’s okay.

I have had a difficult time accepting this – that this field I’ve been working in may now be for someone else. He is moving me on to a different part of the field.  I am running smack dab into it, full force, as new ideas, opportunities, and energy for different projects have arisen…

And I can’t do a single thing but accept it with a smile…because I really am HAPPY He did it this way.

My new season began since 2007 – the birth of my newest baby and second child.  Christian Ladies Connect (my online chat/support group for Christian women) took a few different spins since then.  We went from weekly teleseminars and chats to once a quarter…and now…NOTHING.  As much as I have time to blog and produce other media…I cannot churn out one single podcast for Christian Ladies Talk Radio.  Should I take that to mean this season is over?

So I say all that to explain what’s new in my life:

1. As much as I have a heart for God’s women online – I have found fulfillment in befriending and ministering to women in my own community.  It is coming closer to home.  I still LOVE our online relationships, though, and wouldn’t trade them for anything.  I have met some AWESOME people online, and have made friends with quite a few.  You ladies are wonderful!  Thank you for your friendship and your support.  But I have a feeling this season is leading me into…
2. Reaching out to our wonderful children. As I’ve been homeschooling for a few years now, my heart is now plugged into shaping the future of my dear children God has blessed me with.  I am spending more time developing resources for them and helping other families who want to start homeschooling.  I have devotionals, and children’s activity kits to create – all pent up inside of me, waiting to explode!!!  So I gotta get about my Father’s business

God has it all together for us.  When we don’t know the direction of our lives, just be still and know that He is God. That’s all you need to know.

I will be back from time to time – mostly posting updates about teaching my children, and maybe a song, or an encouraging Word the Lord has laid on my heart.  If time permits, I’ll even add more to this blog than I anticipate.  Again, it’s all in God’s perfect timing and direction for me.

Until then…

More Gardening…

Lately our family has come to enjoy gardening.

Okay, I admit…i don’t know a single thing about it — except that you plant seeds in good soil, water it, and the plants should grow.  I also figure you have to keep the weeds out as they grow.

My Dad’s been a big help to us in that department.

See what we’ve been up to in our home school – enriching our children’s learning experience with hands-on gardening.

It’s hard work but fun!

Gardening for homeschool

Honestly, I have never been a gardener, nor have I had some innate desire to work with dirt for any length of time…

It just suddenly dawned on me a few years ago, though, that my parents (who garden all their veggies each year) are not only saving loads of money but are eating healthy.  I am amazed at how God could create a plant- which creates seeds- which create more plants- which produce fruit and vegetables for our nourishment.

How awesome is that!

So…I have imagined myself to be a potential gardener, and with the help of my father’s expertise, and my children’s excitement, I am trying my hands at this gardening thing.

Hello summer science!

View some pictures and see what we did in our garden:take a look at my homeschooling science post.

Another birthday, another year…

I had a birthday this week.  I realized that looking at 33 is much like looking at 23, but with more wisdom.  I imagine that hitting 43 and 53 will be higher benchmarks in the wisdom department.  I wouldn’t hope for anything less.

My prayer: “Lord, may I glorify you in all that I do this year.  May each birthday that rolls around every year remind me to celebrate Your wisdom, as You graciously give me a piece of it.  Lord, I long for You, Your ways, and Your Truth.  Direct my path.  Help me to make wiser choices this year than I did the last, and help me to always seek You out in every corner of my life.  Sweep clean every cobweb hanging around from yesteryear that doesn’t bring glory to You, and may I seek YOUR face, YOUR will, YOUR ways, and YOUR wisdom in my 33rd year of life.  In the name of Jesus, Yeshua, my Messiah.  Amen.”

Jewish Ugandan Children sing “Oseh Shalom “

Beautiful clip of a group of Ugandan Jewish children singing with life, passion, and fun!

Listening to God for Direction

I am finding that the more I sit quietly for a moment…even just one little moment…I can hear the voice of my Lord telling me:

1. What to do

2. Which direction to take

3. When to go

It just takes a little practice and a lot of patience – listening for His voice.

But it is worth slowing down in order that I might really, truly hear Him, and only Him.

I have a few decisions coming in my life that require that I completely and totally hear Him. I am such an infopreneur at heart and I love blogging and podcasting and all that equals being online and making a difference, but in order to move forward with new plans, visions, and projects, I have to learn to let other things go.  And that has been the hardest for me these past few years.  Letting go of familiarity is always hard.

But knowing that as I let go, the Lord exchanges what is in my hand for something new, fresh, and anointed for the hour, is always a positive outcome that I look forward to reaching for.

My prayer to Him has always been, “Lord, I just want to be in your will – your PERFECT will”.

My prayer will always remain.

So, I look forward to the new project that is brimming and about to push me over in a soulful explosion.  I am so excited I can hardly contain myself!  And although starting this new project (a huge one at that) will mean letting something else go, I am excited.

And as always, I will keep updated here at this blog about new projects, etc.

Off to go pray, relax, clean my house, and enjoy a nice beautiful day with my children.

Discover Your Destiny Series/ Gift and Talent Workshop

I was honored to be asked by Lori Arriaga of Christian Womens Resources in 2006, to speak to her listeners about Gifts and Talents during her online conference.

When Lori asked me to speak about Gifts and Talents, I realized the only way to present this was through an in depth look at our solid foundation in Christ.

Listen in by clicking the play button below, and enjoy!

(Basic Outline)

1.)  Knowing  Christ as Your Savior

2.)  Defeating Your Identity Crisis

3.)  Discovering God’s Plan For You

Also, you can follow along with the audio below by viewing the power point slide right beneath:

 

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