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Adventures in Odessey 90 day devotional for kids

I had high hopes for this book because I grew up listening to the radio show every week. Though my children are only 2 and 4 years old, I thought they might like it as much as I did.

Though I was not thoroughly disappointed, I was a little saddened to see it was more for older kids. I enjoyed the lessons but I think that had a lot to do with knowing the characters from the show. I loved that they included word games and such to keep them involved.  I will definitely try this again as they get older.

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When a Mother Follows Christ by Katie Hoffman

This book is AMAZING! It not only challenged me but gave me insight that I can use in my every day. It is well written and gets the point across without being mean-spirited or rude.

One of the things I liked most was the acronym she gave in order to remember how BLESSED you really are as a mother. Yes, I did just use it and no I am not yelling at you in all caps. :) Here it is in an excerpt because I don’t think I could write it any better:

B – Behavior : Character is key.

L – Loves : Connect with your children so they desire to obey you from their heart.

E – Encourages : Teaches, Trains

S – Safeguards : Protect your children from influences that would corrupt good morals

S – Sets an

E – Example : Gives her own behavior as a frame of reference for her children

D – Disciplines : The importance of rules; practical tips

As you can imagine, this has more to do with how to change you in order to help them see what they should do. Blessed and biblical mothering means doing just what God says in His word so that our children rise up and call us blessed. I for one am changed and challenged from reading this book. I want what’s best for my kids so why wouldn’t I be a better person to help them.

 

 
3 John 1:4 “I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.”

 

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Imperfect Progress

A few weeks ago as I was driving and listening to the Z, I heard an ad from Proverbs 31 Ministries and Lysa TerKeurst about her new book Unglued. Now I haven’t read her book (yet) but the ad has found it’s way into my mind on more than one occasion since.

While what Lysa was talking about may or may not have applied to my life, I certainly can glean from her and apply what I know as well as what God wants to say to me. It was about making progress in different areas of our lives. Imperfect progress she called it.

Imperfect Progress – Two steps forward and one step back is still one step forward. What kind of progress are you making? In what area of life?

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Choosing to SEE by Mary Beth Chapman

In choosing this book, I really wanted to know how the Chapman’s had been through such a tragedy and still held to their faith. As a nineteen year old, I also had seen death closely as I lived through my dad passing when he was only 41. Now, I know it is completely different losing a child than losing a parent but I wanted to some how see if I could have dealt with my own healing better.

Things I loved about this book were numerous! First, she describes their beginning years and what it took to lead up to having and adopting kids. WOW. It was like she was writing everything from straight out of my head! I have felt those exact emotions and some we dealt with the same and others not so much.

Mary Beth was very real, and at times it was like I was right there next to her feeling the same things. I fell in love with her children as she described them along with how they came into their family. I wept with her and felt my heart break as she described her view of what happened to little Maria. I can not even begin to fathom what went through her mind as she and Steven were trying to help Will through his emotions.
This book really showed how faithful God is in trials and in blessings. It helped me to SEE how He takes what the devil meant for bad and turns it into good for those who love him. How he is with each one of us every step of the way and wants to see us succeed in what his plan is for our lives.

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Thanks Mom

Today is a day to remember, celebrate and honor the moms of this world. I’m not only talking about the one who birthed you but the one who becomes your friend and lifts you up in times of need and rejoices over even the littlest of victories. In your life that may be two or three people or maybe even a whole bunch.
In my life that is only one, thanks mom.

Today I remember, celebrate and honor you. Love you!

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31 Virtues to pray over my Children

Saw this on Another Texas Family and LOVED IT! Helps remind me how to pray for my children (and not just that they obey.) :)

1. Salvation—”Lord, let salvation spring up within my children, that they may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.” (Isa. 45:8; 2 Tim. 2:10)

2. Growth in Grace—”I pray that my children may grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Pet. 3:18)

3. Love—”Grant, Lord, that my children may learn to live a life of love, through the Spirit who dwells in them.” (Gal. 5:25; Eph. 5:2)

4. Honesty and Integrity—”May integrity and honesty be their virtue and their protection.” (Ps. 25:21)

5. Self-Control—”Father, help my children not to be like many others around them, but let them be alert and self-controlled in all they do.” (1 Thess. 5:6)

6. Love for God’s Word—”May my children grow to find Your Word more precious than much pure gold and sweeter than honey from the comb.” (Ps. 19:10)

7. Justice—”God, help my children to love justice as You do and act justly in all they do.” (Ps. 11:7; Mic. 6:8)

8. Mercy—”May my children always be merciful, just as their Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36)

9. Respect (for self, others, and authority)—”Father, grant that my children may show proper respect to everyone, as Your Word commands.” (1 Pet. 2:17)

10. Biblical Self-Esteem—”Help my children develop a strong self-esteem that is rooted in the realization that they are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus.” (Eph. 2:10)

11. Faithfulness—”Let love and faithfulness never leave my children, but bind these twin virtues around their necks and write them on the tablet of their hearts.” (Prov. 3:3)

12. Courage—”May my children always be strong and courageous in their character and in their actions.” (Deut. 31:6)

13. Purity—”Create in them a pure heart, O God, and let that purity of heart be shown in their actions.” (Ps. 51:10)
14. Kindness—”Lord, may my children always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.” (1 Thess. 5:15)

15. Generosity—”Grant that my children may be generous and willing to share, and so lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age.” (1 Tim. 6:18-19)

16. Peace-Loving—”Father, let my children make every effort to do what leads to peace.” (Rom. 14:19)

17. Joy—”May my children be filled with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.” (1 Thess. 1:6)

18. Perseverance—”Lord, teach my children perseverance in all they do, and help them especially to run with perseverance the race marked out for them.” (Heb. 12:1)

19. Humility—”God, please cultivate in my children the ability to show true humility toward all.” (Titus 3:2)

20. Compassion—”Lord, please clothe my children with the virtue of compassion.” (Col. 3:12)

21. Responsibility—”Grant that my children may learn responsibility, for each one should carry his own load.” (Gal. 6:5)

22. Contentment—”Father, teach my children the secret of being content in any and every situation, through Him who gives them strength.” (Phil. 4:12-13)

23. Faith—”I pray that faith will find root and grow in my children’s hearts, that by faith they may gain what has been promised to them.” (Luke 17:5-6; Heb. 11:1-40)

24. A Servant’s Heart—”God, please help my children develop servant’s hearts, that they may serve wholeheartedly, as if they were serving the Lord, not men.” (Eph. 6:7)

25. Hope—”May the God of hope grant that my children may overflow with hope and hopefulness by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Rom. 15:13)
26. Willingness and Ability to Work—”Teach my children, Lord, to value work and to work at it with all their heart, as working for the Lord and not for men.” (Col. 3:23)

27. Passion for God—”Lord, please instill in my children a soul that ‘followeth hard after thee,’ one that clings passionately to You.” (Ps. 63:8)

28. Self-Discipline—”Father, I pray that my children may acquire a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair.” (Prov. 1:3)

29. Prayerfulness—”Grant, Lord, that my children’s lives may be marked by prayerfulness, that they may learn to pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers.” (1 Thess. 5:17)

30. Gratitude—”Help my children to live lives that are always overflowing with thankfulness and always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Eph. 5:20; Col. 2:7)
31. A Heart for Missions—”Lord, please help my children to develop a desire to see Your glory declared among the nations, Your marvelous deeds among the peoples.” (Ps. 96:3)

Thanks to Tiffany at Another Texas Family.com

Tiffany is a wife and mom to two preschoolers, where she is dipping her toe in the water as a first-year homeschooling mom. She lives in Texas where she blogs about all things family and shares her heart about adoption at Another Texas Family.com