Snowy day and Way of Life Discipleship

Joy running Kelsey in the first snow! (Sorry about your head, Joy!

"He established a testimony in Jacob and a law in Israel, Which he commanded our fathers that they should teach them to their children, that the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born, that they may arise and tell them to their children, that they should put their confidence in God And not forget the works of God and keep His commandments." Psalm 78

We knew it was coming, but this fall was a prolonged splendor of crisp, autumn days perfect for hiking. We so enjoyed our jaunts by the national forest several days a week knowing that they would be gone too soon.  This morning, I opened my eyes and saw swirling, blowing snow rushing about outside my window. (We don't have any curtains on our bedroom windows as we face our backyard which has no one in our sites.)

Now, I knew plan b must go into action. We were going to an outing, but I knew the snow would cancel it. Now I already know that we will not do math--we never do math on Fridays!  We can snuggle up for a longer Bible reading and have a longer talk over breakfast. I think I will read out of the Celtic devotion I have been enjoying.

Now the day holds at least one or two cups of tea and or hot chocolate, the fire burning and reading out-loud for at least an hour. A perfect day for teaching Joy how to make Broccoli soup to go with the bread we made yesterday.

And that blog she was going to start for girls in their 10-15 year old range--maybe I could assign an article and have her work on the design, since her computer class was canceled today.

And I need her to listen to the song Nathan has picked out for her to sing with him at the competition in January. She will have to pick out the one minute segment she thinks will be best. Piano practice and playing a fun card game in between should make a great day of memories and input.

Of course talking, talking, talking--gigging, correcting, a fair bit of eating and nibbling.

I have that peace and assurance that these are the very kind of days that are shaping Joy's heart, soul, mind and filling her emotional tank along the way--giving her appetites for the right things in life, stretching her mind by exposing her to ideas and thoughts from others, giving her a chance to exercise her own skill at creating, writing, performing, putting her imprimatur on all sorts of things in our home. The Lord and people and life drift in and out of our conversations all day long naturally, because these are the things of our real hearts. It's not a formula, but a relationship that starts with Him and ends with her.

How I like these gifts of time, knowing that my window of time into Joy's heart is going to close sooner than I can imagine. Having three siblings before her gives me grace, freedom and peace in the midst of her varied days knowing it will all turn out well.  I don't worry about the result, I just enjoy the time I have, knowing God will be at work.

I love seeing her grow and stretch her wings. She has a little job with MOPS babysitting all the children  for 2 hours during their Bible study--makes $40 a month (got a $1 raise yesterday!)  and it helps her to give to the Lord, save a bit and then have some money all her own to spend on things she enjoys. "Mom, I just wish I could teach some moms how to be Moms!" she said as she hopped in the car yesterday.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Well, you can really tell the children who are nurtured and have had their souls filled with love and training." (wonder who she has been hanging around with or listening to! :) ) Some of them seem happy and are easy to take care of and steer in the right direction and some are always whining, and or fighting or hitting. And you won't believe it but one child was fine until her mom came to pick her up and when she did, the little girl clung to me and started crying. Her mom yelled at her and said, 'I am gong to McDonalds without you and I am going to leave you here!' I can see why she wouldn't want to go with her- she had no clue how to gently reach the heart of her little girl."

"What would you do instead, Joy?"  and so began a 15 minute discussion while munching our sandwiches together.

At thirteen, whether I like it or not, Joy is beginning to strain toward adulthood. I am becoming more and more a guide to build on the foundations she has been given. But I also know that her movement in that direction will provide me with another adult best friend. So even though I hate the thought of her growing up, I love the thought of seeing her flourish and spread her wings to take the messages of her heart and mind--and to build the legacy, hopefully, into the lives of her children, that the baton of righteousness may be passed on and on faithfully to my children and grandchildren. (Please, Lord, bring my children godly spouses in your time! and give me a grandchild to fret over before Joy leaves! )

And to think this is what God designed me to do--to enjoy my days with the ones I love, talk and have fun, create life and enjoy my day and in this to be building His kingdom. What a privilege! What fulfillment. What fun.

Colorado Springs and Raleigh, NC Mom's conference coming!

Dear Friends, We have heard from so many of you in the past few days. It means so much to us to know we have kindred spirits in so many areas. We have women who travel to our conferences literally from all over the world, so we know that your emails and announcements might just reach that mom who is feeling alone or discouraged. We pray the Holy Spirit will make lots of ways to help sweet moms be able to attend.

We  have had so many letters from those of you who attended the Colorado Springs conference last year to have another one here in my home area. There will be a weekend conference here after all! We will post the details of this conference later this week. For now, it will be the weekend of January 16th-17th at New Life Church. The conference will be Friday night and all day Saturday, with a possible Mom Heart afternoon tea for those interested in becoming leaders. We have made arrangements with the Residence Inn across the street to reserve one and two bedroom suites so that you can make it a retreat with your friends. At least two speakers will be joining me and possibly three, so it will be a very wonderful time of fellowship.

We will also be hosted in a similar conference in Raleigh, North Carolina and will be posting more information about that very soon. Since we will not be there until March, we have  a little longer to put the information online.

For you sweet moms who live beyond our conferences, please know that we hope to video tape these very soon or even to host an online conference so that you may enjoy these from your homes. We appreciate hearing from all of you and thank you so much for helping us to reach out to and encourage the moms of this generation to build their children into Godly adults by influencing their children in their homes.

Blessings and abundant thanks for all of your help. Sally Sally@wholeheart.org

WholeHearted Mother Conferences 2009 in NC, CA, and TX

Dear WholeHearted Moms,

    
    There is a wholehearted mother described in Scripture. She has a good husband, a house-full of children who love her, a passion for building her home, a heart for solving problems and being resourceful, and she fears and serves the Lord. I'm sure life wasn't any easier then for this mission-minded mother than it is now for you and me, but this is how she is described:
  
Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future.
 
    I'm sure you recognize the Proverbs 31...mother. If she were here today, I'd ask her to come speak at our 2009 WholeHearted Mother Conferences. As I have prayed and planned what God would have me share with all the wonderful moms who will come to this year's gatherings, this godly woman is on my heart. In these faith-challenging times, when there is a pall of economic uncertainty hanging over all of us, I want to give us all reasons as godly moms to be known as women of strength and dignity. I want every woman to know she can look the future full in the face and smile because she knows God is there. That is my message this year:
 
Smiling at the Future with Faith ~ Building Your Heart
and Home on Solid Foundations
 
    That is a message I believe many moms need to hear. Especially now. That's why I have a big favor to ask of you this year. In order to conserve our modest ministry financial resources (remember the "economic pall"?), we are not printing a full-color brochure and mailing it to our entire list like we have done in the past. Instead, we will be promoting the conferences almost entirely on the internent and through word of mouth. That means we need as many "mouths" to spread the "word" as we can find. Will you help me tell other moms about our conferences?
               

Tell Other Mothers about the WH Mother Conference!

 
   
    If you have a blog, or a newsletter, or a group, would you consider posting, sending, or handing out an announcement about this conference? If the word gets out, and moms get in, that will save us over $10,000 as a ministry! That would be great. We know you don't need an incentive to want to help us, but as our way of saying "Thanks!" we'll do two things:
 
1) Everyone who participates will receive a free Our 24 Family Ways Kids Color-In Book, and
2) Everyone who participates will be entered into a drawing for six $50.00 Gift Certificates.
 
    The Color-In Books can be picked up at the conferences (or mailed if you send us postage). Two Gift Certificates will be given away each month in November, December, and January. If your name is drawn, your certificate may be used like cash at the conference book table, or applied to a new conference registration (not redeemable for refund or cash). You will be entered in the monthly drawing each time you create a new post, send out a newsletter, or distribute a flyer to your group. Reporting will all be on the honor system, so just send us an email with your name, address, phone number, and the date and description of your participation. Send it to Jennice Jones, our wonderful admin assistant, at admin@wholeheart.org. At least one participation email will also make you eligible for your free Kids Color-In Book.

    We're trying to get there soon, but we're not quite tech-savvy enough yet to provide banners and graphic goodies to use. What we can offer to help you will be at the bottom of this newsletter. Use whatever you need, and we'll try to provide more soon. Spread the word! Thanks.

 Help Single Moms Attend a WH Mother Conference!     But there's another way you can help, too. We know that there are many single parent mothers and widowed mothers who would really like to come to the conference. They need the getaway and company of other mothers more than most, but some are unable to attend due to financial constraints. We have always offered hardship scholarships, but we can offer only partial assistance due to fixed costs. This year, we would like to try something new. We will establish a Mom Alone Blessing Fund to be able to provide full registration scholarships to single moms who are unable to attend. This will be a permanent fund of Whole Heart Ministries, so any money remaining in the fund after the conferences will be used only to bless single parenting mothers. Your entire gift will be tax deductible. Be sure to designate it for the "Mom Alone Blessing Fund." You can send a check to Whole Heart, or donate online and send us an email to let us know it is for the fund. If you are able to help financially, you can provide a tremendous blessing to a mom alone. Thank you!

 

Be a Part of Mom Heart to Minister to Mothers Worldwide! 
    Finally, there's one more thing new this year, and you can be a part of it, too. We are humbly launching the Mom Heart Ministry initiative at this year's conferences. Mom Heart, as God has put the burden and vision in my heart, is the next step in my over twenty years of ministering to mothers. Mom Heart is a motherhood small groups movement that, I am praying, will help restore God's heart for motherhood to the next generation. I believe mothers, by God's design at creation, are strategic to the spiritual health of the family and the wholeness of their children. I want to spend the rest of my life championing the cause of biblical motherhood, and encouraging and equipping mothers around the world to become all that God intends them to be.

 

 
     I envision not just another program, but a movement of small groups in the U.S. and around the world in churches, communities, and neighborhoods. When fully implemented, it will include leadership training materials and events, Mom Heart Group Bible studies and discussion guides, an interactive website where moms and groups can network for mutual encouragement, a digital Mom Heart Mom-e-Zine, downloadable and streaming audio and video resources, print resources, and much more. As Habbakuk says, though, "For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay." So, as we wait for it, here's what you can do to become a part of Mom Heart:
 
1) Pray for Mom Heart. We are just beginning to inch forward with the vision. Sandra Maddox, our featured speaker for the Conferences this year, is partnering with me to help shepherd this burden into a ministry. We will be planning, looking for staff, and developing resources together. We need the prayers of mothers who share our burden for biblical motherhood.
 
   
    If you have a blog, or a newsletter, or a group, would you consider posting, sending, or handing out an announcement about this conference? If the word gets out, and moms get in, that will save us over $10,000 as a ministry! That would be great. We know you don't need an incentive to want to help us, but as our way of saying "Thanks!" we'll do two things:
 
1) Everyone who participates will receive a free Our 24 Family Ways Kids Color-In Book, and
2) Everyone who participates will be entered into a drawing for six $50.00 Gift Certificates.
 
    The Color-In Books can be picked up at the conferences (or mailed if you send us postage). Two Gift Certificates will be given away each month in November, December, and January. If your name is drawn, your certificate may be used like cash at the conference book table, or applied to a new conference registration (not redeemable for refund or cash). You will be entered in the monthly drawing each time you create a new post, send out a newsletter, or distribute a flyer to your group. Reporting will all be on the honor system, so just send us an email with your name, address, phone number, and the date and description of your participation. Send it to Jennice Jones, our wonderful admin assistant, at admin@wholeheart.org. At least one participation email will also make you eligible for your free Kids Color-In Book.

    We're trying to get there soon, but we're not quite tech-savvy enough yet to provide banners and graphic goodies to use. What we can offer to help you will be at the bottom of this newsletter. Use whatever you need, and we'll try to provide more soon. Spread the word! Thanks.

 Help Single Moms Attend a WH Mother Conference! 
    But there's another way you can help, too. We know that there are many single parent mothers and widowed mothers who would really like to come to the conference. They need the getaway and company of other mothers more than most, but some are unable to attend due to financial constraints. We have always offered hardship scholarships, but we can offer only partial assistance due to fixed costs. This year, we would like to try something new. We will establish a Mom Alone Blessing Fund to be able to provide full registration scholarships to single moms who are unable to attend. This will be a permanent fund of Whole Heart Ministries, so any money remaining in the fund after the conferences will be used only to bless single parenting mothers. Your entire gift will be tax deductible. Be sure to designate it for the "Mom Alone Blessing Fund." You can send a check to Whole Heart, or donate online and send us an email to let us know it is for the fund. If you are able to help financially, you can provide a tremendous blessing to a mom alone. Thank you!
Be a Part of Mom Heart to Minister to Mothers Worldwide!  Finally, there's one more thing new this year, and you can be a part of it, too. We are humbly launching the Mom Heart Ministry initiative at this year's conferences. Mom Heart, as God has put the burden and vision in my heart, is the next step in my over twenty years of ministering to mothers. Mom Heart is a motherhood small groups movement that, I am praying, will help restore God's heart for motherhood to the next generation. I believe mothers, by God's design at creation, are strategic to the spiritual health of the family and the wholeness of their children. I want to spend the rest of my life championing the cause of biblical motherhood, and encouraging and equipping mothers around the world to become all that God intends them to be.
 
     I envision not just another program, but a movement of small groups in the U.S. and around the world in churches, communities, and neighborhoods. When fully implemented, it will include leadership training materials and events, Mom Heart Group Bible studies and discussion guides, an interactive website where moms and groups can network for mutual encouragement, a digital Mom Heart Mom-e-Zine, downloadable and streaming audio and video resources, print resources, and much more. As Habbakuk says, though, "For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay." So, as we wait for it, here's what you can do to become a part of Mom Heart:
 
1) Pray for Mom Heart. We are just beginning to inch forward with the vision. Sandra Maddox, our featured speaker for the Conferences this year, is partnering with me to help shepherd this burden into a ministry. We will be planning, looking for staff, and developing resources together. We need the prayers of mothers who share our burden for biblical motherhood.
2) Be a Mom Heart Leader. If you share my heart for biblical motherhood, please consider becoming a Mom Heart Group leader. If you are interested, you will have an opportunity to respond at the conference, or you can send an email to Jennice in our office at admin@wholeheart.org.
 
3) Attend a Mom Heartbeat Brunch. Watch for more information about this special brunch on Friday morning of the Conferences. If we are able to work out the arrangements at each of the hotels, it will be a time for you to hear in more detail about the vision and plans for Mom Heart Ministry. There will be a small cost to attend, which will include a light, mid-morning brunch.
 Links & Info to Promote the WH Mother Conference 
 NORTH CAROLINA January 23-24, Charlotte, NC (Church at Charlotte) Conference Early Registration Deadline: Friday, DECEMBER 26 (Save $10) 

 Hotel: The Marriott Charlotte SouthPark
 

 

Room Rate: $109/night (guaranteed through December 26)
Reservations:       704-364-8220   704-364-8220       704-364-8220   704-364-8220
Click Here for a PDF Information Sheet about the NC Conference. Click Here for a PDF Registration Flyer for NC (full page, one side, flyer with registration form).
Click Here for a PDF Registration Handout for NC (half page x2, landscape) CALIFORNIA
February 6-7, Irvine, CA (Crowne Plaza Irvine Hotel) SPECIAL Early Registration Deadline: Friday, NOVEMBER 14 (Save $20!)
 

 

Early Deadline: January 9 (Save $10) Hotel: The Crowne Plaza Irvine Room Rate: $85/night (guaranteed through January 23)
Reservations:     949-863-1999   949-863-1999      949-863-1999   949-863-1999
Click Here for a PDF Information Sheet about the CA Conference. Click Here for a PDF Registration Flyer for CA (full page, one side, flyer with registration form).
Click Here for a PDF Registration Handout for CA (half page x2, landscape) 

Click Here for a PDF Registration Handout for TX (half page x2, landscape)Register by Phone:
Thank You!     It will be so good to be with you again for our 11th year. I'm praying all the moms who come this year will be refreshed and renewed in the Spirit of the Lord so they, too, with strength and dignity can smile at the future. Thank you for helping me spread the word virtually. I look forward to sharing my mom heart with you. Grace and peace. 

 

 

TEXAS February 20-21, Irving-DFW, TX (Dallas Marriott Las Colinas) SPECIAL Early Registration Deadline: Friday, NOVEMBER 28 (Save $20!) Early Deadline: January 23 (Save $10) Hotel: Dallas Marriott Las Colinas Room Rate: $83/night (guaranteed through February 6) Reservations:     972-831-0000   972-831-0000    972-831-0000  972-831-0000 Click Here for a PDF Information Sheet about the TX Conference. Click Here for a PDF Registration Flyer for TX (full page, one side, flyer with registration form).

 
  888-488-4466  888-488-4466    888-488-4466  888-488-4466 or   719-488-4466  719-488-4466    719-488-4466  719-488-4466 . Jennice will take your registration M-Th 9:00-3:30, or leave a message and she we will return your call as soon as possible. Register by Fax: 888-FAX-2WHM (329-2946). Use a downloadable PDF Registration Flyers (links above), fill out the form, and mail in or fax in the registration.

 

 

   
    If you have a blog, or a newsletter, or a group, would you consider posting, sending, or handing out an announcement about this conference? If the word gets out, and moms get in, that will save us over $10,000 as a ministry! That would be great. We know you don't need an incentive to want to help us, but as our way of saying "Thanks!" we'll do two things:
 
1) Everyone who participates will receive a free Our 24 Family Ways Kids Color-In Book, and
2) Everyone who participates will be entered into a drawing for six $50.00 Gift Certificates.
 
    The Color-In Books can be picked up at the conferences (or mailed if you send us postage). Two Gift Certificates will be given away each month in November, December, and January. If your name is drawn, your certificate may be used like cash at the conference book table, or applied to a new conference registration (not redeemable for refund or cash). You will be entered in the monthly drawing each time you create a new post, send out a newsletter, or distribute a flyer to your group. Reporting will all be on the honor system, so just send us an email with your name, address, phone number, and the date and description of your participation. Send it to Jennice Jones, our wonderful admin assistant, at admin@wholeheart.org. At least one participation email will also make you eligible for your free Kids Color-In Book.

    We're trying to get there soon, but we're not quite tech-savvy enough yet to provide banners and graphic goodies to use. What we can offer to help you will be at the bottom of this newsletter. Use whatever you need, and we'll try to provide more soon. Spread the word! Thanks.

 Help Single Moms Attend a WH Mother Conference! 
    But there's another way you can help, too. We know that there are many single parent mothers and widowed mothers who would really like to come to the conference. They need the getaway and company of other mothers more than most, but some are unable to attend due to financial constraints. We have always offered hardship scholarships, but we can offer only partial assistance due to fixed costs. This year, we would like to try something new. We will establish a Mom Alone Blessing Fund to be able to provide full registration scholarships to single moms who are unable to attend. This will be a permanent fund of Whole Heart Ministries, so any money remaining in the fund after the conferences will be used only to bless single parenting mothers. Your entire gift will be tax deductible. Be sure to designate it for the "Mom Alone Blessing Fund." You can send a check to Whole Heart, or donate online and send us an email to let us know it is for the fund. If you are able to help financially, you can provide a tremendous blessing to a mom alone. Thank you!
Be a Part of Mom Heart to Minister to Mothers Worldwide!  Finally, there's one more thing new this year, and you can be a part of it, too. We are humbly launching the Mom Heart Ministry initiative at this year's conferences. Mom Heart, as God has put the burden and vision in my heart, is the next step in my over twenty years of ministering to mothers. Mom Heart is a motherhood small groups movement that, I am praying, will help restore God's heart for motherhood to the next generation. I believe mothers, by God's design at creation, are strategic to the spiritual health of the family and the wholeness of their children. I want to spend the rest of my life championing the cause of biblical motherhood, and encouraging and equipping mothers around the world to become all that God intends them to be.
 
     I envision not just another program, but a movement of small groups in the U.S. and around the world in churches, communities, and neighborhoods. When fully implemented, it will include leadership training materials and events, Mom Heart Group Bible studies and discussion guides, an interactive website where moms and groups can network for mutual encouragement, a digital Mom Heart Mom-e-Zine, downloadable and streaming audio and video resources, print resources, and much more. As Habbakuk says, though, "For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay." So, as we wait for it, here's what you can do to become a part of Mom Heart:
 
1) Pray for Mom Heart. We are just beginning to inch forward with the vision. Sandra Maddox, our featured speaker for the Conferences this year, is partnering with me to help shepherd this burden into a ministry. We will be planning, looking for staff, and developing resources together. We need the prayers of mothers who share our burden for biblical motherhood.
2) Be a Mom Heart Leader. If you share my heart for biblical motherhood, please consider becoming a Mom Heart Group leader. If you are interested, you will have an opportunity to respond at the conference, or you can send an email to Jennice in our office at admin@wholeheart.org.
 
3) Attend a Mom Heartbeat Brunch. Watch for more information about this special brunch on Friday morning of the Conferences. If we are able to work out the arrangements at each of the hotels, it will be a time for you to hear in more detail about the vision and plans for Mom Heart Ministry. There will be a small cost to attend, which will include a light, mid-morning brunch.
 Links & Info to Promote the WH Mother Conference 
 NORTH CAROLINA January 23-24, Charlotte, NC (Church at Charlotte) Conference Early Registration Deadline: Friday, DECEMBER 26 (Save $10) 

 Hotel: The Marriott Charlotte SouthPark
 

 

Room Rate: $109/night (guaranteed through December 26)
Reservations:       704-364-8220   704-364-8220       704-364-8220   704-364-8220
Click Here for a PDF Information Sheet about the NC Conference. Click Here for a PDF Registration Flyer for NC (full page, one side, flyer with registration form).
Click Here for a PDF Registration Handout for NC (half page x2, landscape) CALIFORNIA
February 6-7, Irvine, CA (Crowne Plaza Irvine Hotel) SPECIAL Early Registration Deadline: Friday, NOVEMBER 14 (Save $20!)
 

 

Early Deadline: January 9 (Save $10) Hotel: The Crowne Plaza Irvine Room Rate: $85/night (guaranteed through January 23)
Reservations:     949-863-1999   949-863-1999      949-863-1999   949-863-1999
Click Here for a PDF Information Sheet about the CA Conference. Click Here for a PDF Registration Flyer for CA (full page, one side, flyer with registration form).
Click Here for a PDF Registration Handout for CA (half page x2, landscape) 

Click Here for a PDF Registration Handout for TX (half page x2, landscape)Register by Phone:
Thank You!     It will be so good to be with you again for our 11th year. I'm praying all the moms who come this year will be refreshed and renewed in the Spirit of the Lord so they, too, with strength and dignity can smile at the future. Thank you for helping me spread the word virtually. I look forward to sharing my mom heart with you. Grace and peace. 

 

 

TEXAS February 20-21, Irving-DFW, TX (Dallas Marriott Las Colinas) SPECIAL Early Registration Deadline: Friday, NOVEMBER 28 (Save $20!) Early Deadline: January 23 (Save $10) Hotel: Dallas Marriott Las Colinas Room Rate: $83/night (guaranteed through February 6) Reservations:     972-831-0000   972-831-0000    972-831-0000  972-831-0000 Click Here for a PDF Information Sheet about the TX Conference. Click Here for a PDF Registration Flyer for TX (full page, one side, flyer with registration form).

 
  888-488-4466  888-488-4466    888-488-4466  888-488-4466 or   719-488-4466  719-488-4466    719-488-4466  719-488-4466 . Jennice will take your registration M-Th 9:00-3:30, or leave a message and she we will return your call as soon as possible. Register by Fax: 888-FAX-2WHM (329-2946). Use a downloadable PDF Registration Flyers (links above), fill out the form, and mail in or fax in the registration.

 

 

 

Whole Heart Ministries / P.O. Box 3445 / Monument, CO 80132 /  719-488-4466  719-488-4466
Sally Clarkson
 
 
 

 

To reach me personally, send an email to sally[at]wholeheart.org.

To reach the office for more information, send an email to whm[at]wholeheart.org. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Building on Solid Foundations that can't be moved!

"God is our refuge and strength, a very  present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change, And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.

The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Cease striving and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Psalm 46 : 1-3; 7; 10-11

"The Lord looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men; From His dwelling place He looks out On all the inhabitants of the earth. He who fashions the hearts of them all. He who understands all their works. A King is not saved by a mighty army; A warrior is not delivered by great strength, A horse is a false victory; Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength. Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, On those who hope for His lovingkindness, To deliver their soul from death, And to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. For our heart rejoices in Him, Because we trust in His holy name. Let the lovingkindness of the Lord be upon us according as we have hoped in thee." Psalm 33: 13-22

The past few days have been filled with twitterings, muses, ponderings, projections and all sorts of opinions on blogs and newsletters. It seems that many are pleased about Obama being elected president and many are very disappointed and fearful. It is so very difficult for us in this age to not look at life from the short term perspective--the temporal and now. We want our lives to be happy and secure and stable.  We want there to be a leader to meet our needs now and to provide for our well-being and of course there is discourse and differing of opinion about who that man would be!

Yet, no matter which man you are for, or what country you live in, a man will never be our fulfillment. Only God is designed to take that place. We should all know that there are great difficulties ahead no matter who had won--financial crisis with the huge governmental debts and failures. Moral devastation of families and children (We personally have 3 friends in our lives who are pregnant or had babies out of wedlock in the past 3 months! How many children are going to be born without a family to surround them? How many more precious single moms will end up in homeless situation without the support or help of a father or family)

Turbulence in the Middle East with rumblings of attacks on Israel or Israel preempting an attack by attacking first. Or the fall of the European market. Or the North Koreans escalating pressure. Or the Russians developing more missiles and becoming a hostile nation. Or rights being taken away from Christians. None of us would ever ask to be born during a time of great war or disaster, yet, Jesus said that in this world we will have tribulation--tribulation has been the norm for all people in all generations.He did not deceive us about the reality of living in a fallen world--but culture did. Culture promised happiness and wellness and a beautiful body and and and all of this now--if you just found the right formula!

It is just such times, when the glory of God is most evident. When the mountains are about to fall into the sea--when the giant is attacking, when the Red Sea needs to open. It is also during these times, and God knew we would be born in these times, when those who love God may stand in faith, boldly share His  love and compassion and give their lives generously--that the reality of Christ shines forth.Times like these  produce opportunities for us to restore and redeem a fallen culture to the God who created it! But the key in it all is what Jesus also said about living in a world of tribulation--take courage--a choice of our will--a choice of a warrior--Take Courage--why? Because He has overcome the world!

When the Jews felt most forlorn, lost in Roman oppression and under so many burdensome taxes, Jesus came in the "fullness of time" to redeem a world that seemed forgotten and lost. His light shined so brightly of hope-amidst  the darkness. When Babylon had demolished Jerusalem and the army dragged a few "royal" Jews to live in the courts of the wicked king, it provided a perfect platform in which Daniel could live a life of integrity--a platform in which the God of Daniel would bring great glory to himself and to a pagan nation.  God always brings His light into the dark places of history--that is when heroes are made.

We need to stand back and look at this time in history from God's point of view--history is always about Him--are people coming to know Him and serve Him? What place must our country and our nations have in history to thrust us forward toward the last times? How does what is happening in history fit into His plans? When we ask Him these questions and pray, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven," we gain a whole different perspective. What is your will for this time, Lord? How can I best live  boldly for you? How do I best need to prepare myself, my children, my priorities in order to stay faithful and minister to the lost and bring your light to bear? How can I finish faithfully? Perhaps when we are forced to look at the troubles of life square in the face, we come face to face with the fact that this isn't home! This is not the place we will live forever--we were made for a better place!

History can be a helpful tool for us! We see so many times in scripture when a nation would depend on a person or their own ways and methods to provide for themselves or to seek for a man to champion their cause and the substitution of a man or king for the place of God always wreaks havoc. When the Israelites rejected God as being king over them, and asked for a king just like the other nations, God warned them that when they turned away from His leadership and got what they asked for, it would come at great cost. (I Samuel 8:16-22)  He forewarned them there would be great calamity--They could indeed get what they asked for--but there would be other consequences for their choices---the king would provide for himself and His palace, by taking their sons and daughters as servants for his kingdom; he would tax them a tenth of their seed and wine and produce, he would take their children for his army and so on (a whole list of verses of the consequences of getting their own way.)

Whenever man tries to provide for his needs in some way other than by following God's ways and serving Him by living by faith, the consequences are devastating. We have lived in a time when everyone wanted everything for free--a house and car and things without money to pay for it, sex without marriage and without the burden of having a baby; stability and security without fighting a war against enemies of their own stability and freedom;  children without the responsibility of spending personal time to discipline and train them and so on. In the times in history of great freedom or prosperity always came with a high price. Even as we were given the grace of  salvation we must always recognize that it came with a great price.

Yet, there is an interesting parallel--when parents lack character, their children and the next generations always pay a great price. When Germany sold their soul to a tyrant, and refused to love the Jews, the young and infirm and the aged, they ended up with the death of hundreds of thousands of people. When Rome turned to sensual pleasure and violence and the abuse of Christians, they fell and the whole nation was devastated. When Russia turned to a godless dictator, millions of lives were devastated, faith was lost , families became broken and oppression of every kind overwhelmed the country.

There is also an opposite principle of the cost of decisions. Always before, when there were parents who sacrificed and worked hard so that their children could have more, great freedoms came. When the heart of a family is great and spiritually disciplined and moral and hard working, the nation becomes a place of freedom and productivity and also develops a great soul. The status of the homes always determines the status and character of a nation.  Blessing and harvest come after much labor and perseverance, faith and duty.

Yet, it seems as though this time in history, people have borrowed from their children's future so that they could selfishly have all of their needs met now--and their children will be paying for it for generations to come. The debt we have accrued in America has been building and building for many years--there had to be a day of reckoning. Evolution, the sexual revolution, the destruction of moral values and the tearing down of family will have its consequences. Foolishness will always have consequences. Christians have wanted freedom and blessing without working for God's ways in the world and against the warfare of Satan. Is it pessimistic to write about such things? No. If someone had cancer, it would be wrong of a physician not to tell the patient the state of his health so that he could look for ways to be healed of his disease. We cannot close our ears and our minds and pretend away the issues like Scarlett O'Hara did when she said, "I will not think about this now. I will worry about it tomorrow!"

These issues will not go away by ignoring them. Yet, we are are true believers in Christ, when we spend time with Him in His word and with other believers, will find a renewal of our passion for things of His kingdom-we will have the resolve in our hearts to spend and invest ourselves to be a part of His solution. Perhaps he will bring about great revival of which we have the honor and privilege of being a part. It has been my children who have had a part in keeping me focussed. I am definitely in the passing of the baton to the next generation stage. It is worth it --worth all the work and sweat and tears--to see the spirits of my children emerging with passion and understanding and willingness to seek to serve. There have been bumps and I don't share this to make anyone feel like my children are perfect, because they are not, but in their hearts, they "got it" and love the Lord within their young and growing and maturing hearts--they don't see life as a picture of getting a job and just existing until they go to heaven--they see their time on earth as a time to invest in His kingdom--somehow, some way.

Nathan and I talked for 45 minutes this week about what he is learning in New York and how God is putting a burning in his soul to be godly in front of people--that his life will have integrity and that he will have more love and heart for the lost. He asked me to pray for his friends to become believers and for God to open doors. (any prayers for him or my other children are always appreciated!) Joel put up on his face book:

Joel Clarkson

sees a future with a hope, because there is only one person who will unfailingly bring true hope and change, and His name isn't Obama or McCain.

He is being stretched in thinking how he can reach his generation. It was in being with some believers who have sadness and depression about what is ahead, that he was energized to stand up for His wonderful God. it has spurned him on to wanting to really hold on to the Lord and to find how to live by faith. (eucharisto.wordpress.com  his blog--musings on his work at a Bakery and on the beauty of life)

Sarah and I meet most Saturday mornings for breakfast and walking. She is on fire with ideas and light and thoughts and a desire to reach her generation. The depth I see mulling around in her soul makes me wonder about what God has ahead for her. (itinerantidealist.wordpress.com ) Joy and I and also our history group have been discussing the need for believers not just to be knowledgeable, but also winsome and gracious. How do we get into the mind of this generation? What messages will make sense to them? How to take our ideals and still find a way to exercise them in a culture who desperately need to have foundations of truth and life.

In each generation, it is the children who give us hope. This has been after many, many years of talking, sowing, correcting, praying, affirming and waiting for the seeds to take root and produce. Yet, now, seeing them look at the future with hope, courage, desire and a knowledge that things are pretty bad, but they want to be used to bring about redemption and light has been such an encouragement to me in the last few days. I see that God knew this is the time my family would be born into--even if I don't think I would have chosen this time--maybe He has a special work for us to do--maybe we can burn brightly now--Oh Lord, I keep praying, use me, use us, help us to be energetic and faithful and courageous. Thank you for letting us be born for such a time as this.

A sweet friend asked me yesterday, "How do you know the balance between exposing your children to the lost and immoral and to seeing them as a part of God's light in this world?"

I don't think there is a formula and I have been pondering this, but I believe it is building on the right foundations--building your own life on the knowledge of God's word every day and every day; loving Him and cherishing Him and worshiping Him from the heart and not living from a heart of law or moralistic obedience; living in integrity; learning the faith way, living every day to exercise believing prayer, cultivating fellowship with believers so that there is support and life-giving fellowship, choosing to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, confessing sin and a few more essentials.

It is understanding the importance of building our homes on Biblical foundations and establishing our homes on the rock of His reality that will help us build homes that will have a living legacy for many generations to come.

This is why Clay and I decided that this will be the theme of our mom's conferences this year! We want moms to feel the joy of knowing that they can indeed build surely and soundly--that God is on their side, that there is important work to do, but that even the doing of God's will is what builds our souls and invigorates our health. We also hope to uplift and affirm all who are tired, weary and feeling inadequate! There is something wonderful about being a room full of like-minded moms who are all committed to similar ideals--makes you feel that you are a part of the movement of the hand of God. And of course our conferences are for all moms--young and old, every kind of educational philosophy, but all committed to wanting to be a godly mom right where they are!

But this year, we decided to experiment and see if we could reach a much wider group of moms by connecting on the internet to moms that we may not ordinarily reach--it could be fun to see how far the Holy Spirit could go to reach moms--but you will be an essential part to helping us make this happen. Our ministry has always been so much a part of so many families who work with us, help us, pray for us and befriend us to help us get the messages out. So thanks ahead of time for being a part of our experiment!

Because of some of the financial issues, we decided not to send out brochures by mail  for our conferences this year--as it will save our ministry more than $10,000. (When we send brochures to thousands and have them printed, it is a great cost and we have to register so many just to pay for our printing bills!) But we are stepping out in faith with this and need to enlist our cyber space friends for help. You can help us! If you have a similar heart for Biblical encouragement for Moms, you can help us reach more people by putting announcements on your websites, blogs, newsletters and giving the information to your support groups.

My friend, Brenda, from coffeeteabooksandme gave me a good idea for a fun contest. She offered my books to those in her blog by telling them they could enter a drawing for receiving them if they left her a comment. It was a lot of fun.

So Clay and I decided to offer 6  $50 gifts to be drawn from a list of women who can enter this contest by putting out announcements to their own audience--this $50 gift certificate can be used toward a conference registration or to apply to books or cd sets. (You can also apply this to an already registered mom-we will refund the money up to $50 if you register early and then win!) We will pick two December 1, two in January, and 2 in February. Of course this is an honor system issue. We want to offer this to women who have a mailing list or blog list that is sizable and we do hope that if you enter you will really help us to reach lots of moms.

I am so excited about our conferences this year. It feels timely for women to group together and to focus on the foundations together and to see us corporately really build a godly heritage in our homes, and countries and to truly change history for the glory of God!

It is also our hope that we will be able to start an international ministry of small groups where moms can be encouraged, inspired, have accountability, get help. We will be meeting with women in our conferences who would want to be a part of this. We are working on a new website for moms, looking for people to come along side of us in this as writers, a web developer who has a heart for our messages and the skill to manage a very interactive website; group leaders and who can help us reach more moms, and more. We will be talking about some of these issues at our conferences this year and know that it will again be a place where the Holy Spirit will renew and refresh hopefully hundreds and hundreds of moms. The Lord has brought a team of 4 other women who will be speaking along with me at most of the larger conferences (Charlotte, Irvine and Dallas/Ft. Worth) and a number of great messages at the Colorado Springs, Raleigh, Baltimore conferences) and I will also be speaking at the Heart and Home conferences in Illinois. We want moms to feel empowered to stay the course, feel confident, find grace and practical ways of raising godly children. The team of women who are working with us on this and who are speaking at our conferences are passionate about encouraging moms.

I will put a new blog up early next week if you want to wait for more information for all of this--but we are gearing up and trying to get all the information online. Clay, Sarah and I are all in the midst of book contracts as well as so much more, so if we seem inefficient, it is only because we are! But we are moving ahead every day to try to get all the information you need to know what to expect about the conferences ahead. We do not have all the details of the Colorado conference yet. We just added it because we got so many emails from moms who wanted to come here again--so we are waiting on the church where we will be speaking for final details. Stay tuned and know we are working every day to make this a special time for so many of you. We also hope to record the conferences and make available cd's of our messages to those of you who can't attend.

Meanwhile, take courage today, know that the Lord loves you and has a wonderful plan. He will be faithful and bless us--it is His nature! Must on to other things!

Sally Sally@wholeheart.org

P.S. Stay tuned as the first of next week, we will have the details of all of this. If you are interested in sending out an announcement, we will have email flyers and brochures that you can download for your group. We will also set up a way for you to enter our contest--by sending your name and address and the group you announced the conference to, to our wonderful secretary Jennice@wholeheart.org. You may also enter once a month for three months--each time you send out an announcement. Moms tend to be overwhelmed with Christmas and sometimes don't register until after Christmas is over, so that is why we have to send multiple announcements. However, Clay has set an incentive for those of you who do register early--you can save $20 dollars if you sign up before December 1! and another $10 before January 1--though you must  read online to see what applies to the conference you will attend as there are different deadlines for each one. Go to www.wholeheart.org for information. Also, from that point, you may go to events and click on that to find out about the specifics of the conferences.  The Information option will give you the details and resources option  will take you to the printable handouts. Or just write your own enthusiastic announcement and send your friends to the website. (I was so blessed by a friend who did that the other day--made me want to go to a conference! :) )

I will also be sending out an email newsletter to those on our mailing list about Mom Heart, so if you want to be included in that letter, go to www.wholeheart.org to sign up for my newsletters and you will get our ministry newsletters where I also write some articles.

Praying and Seeking the Lord

Righteousness exalts a nation And sin is a disgrace to any people." Proverbs 14: 34

Dear Friends,

I do hope, in my heart, that my blog posts encourage and point you, my friends, to the Lord as so often you, through your letters and comments, encourage me and fill my own emotional and spiritual cup. I want to walk with the Lord in integrity until I see Him face to face and yet my feet are made of clay and I so often fail and I do not write perfectly or live perfectly. So if in any way my imperfect writing offends, please forgive me. But my heart is to serve Him and to be light and encouragement to all I know.

But that is why I am so very grateful to be able to live in His grace and to come into His presence with no guilt and no shame. He gently restores all of us when we sin or fail Him. He encourages us with wisdom and insight from His word and He lets us come to Him with all our worries and fears and issues. So, coming to Him in prayer, we come into His goodness, power, grace and blessing.

I love this verse: "But when the kindness of God our savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus  Christ our savior, that being justified by His grace, we might be heirs to eternal life." Titus 3:4-7

So, just a few words and scriptures for those who will be praying today. I have been so blessed to travel and live in many parts of the world. It has helped me to understand that God is not American. When I have interacted with so many wonderful people from nations all over the world, my values have been broadened, my convictions expanded and my soul enriched. Though this election for us Americans is going to take place in the next 36 hours, God's eye is on the whole world today and over all the issues in all the nations. Therefore, our prayers and interaction before His throne, must be in light of His transcending purposes in history beyond our own borders. And yet still he listens to us with all of us in our concerns right where we live. It is why I love coming to Him in the spirit of His prayer, "Our Father who art in heaven, Holy is your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." His will encompasses history and all that must happen to accomplish His purposes. So in the spirit of humility, we come to Him in our prayers and seek His will and His grace, knowing that somehow, mysteriously, He allows our prayers to influence issues that take place in the heavenlies. He does listen and He does respond, but thankfully, He is our high priest who prays with us and and alongside us to do His will.

For many years, Clay has used this acronym to guide our family in prayer. We call it the acts of prayer.

A--Adore Him--Coming before Him to put us in the right frame of mind--acknowledging his greatness and power as we come into His presence with our requests. A good place to start is Psalm 145, especially verses 8-21. We take time to praise Him for some of the attributes mentioned here.

C--confess our sin--in this today, our family is coming to Him to humble ourselves before Him asking Him forgiveness for our own sins as well as for those of the church of Christ and also as a nation. The verse I John 1:9 If we confess our sin, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Also, Daniel confessing for his whole nation is our model.

T--thanksgiving--This is where we remember what He has done personally to lead us, provide for us, answer our prayers and to be humbly recognizing His great care. Psalm 95:1-3 gives us the pattern.

S--supplication--asking God to hear our requests and to answer what is on our hearts, according to His will. "Ask and it shall be given, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you."

When we come to Him asking for Him to work in our nations, let us ask for Him to bring righteousness--knowing that righteousness exalts a nation--meaning we need to be more careful to live our own lives righteously. When any crisis brings us to fear or when catastrophes happen or when national needs arise, as I see that these issues always put us in the place we should have been all along--before Him. Times of crisis when we cry out to God helps us to understand that we are not in control of our lives and it forces us to cry out to Him. He always wants us to seek Him and to ask for His will--but times like these require it and it puts us in proper perspective. May all of us who believe in all the nations humbly seek his power and grace for our nations and for His power and glory to be more clearly seen.

Finally, may we behave in love and graciousness to all whom we encounter. There are many different opinions held and cherished  by Christians all over the world that differ with those of our own. Yet, it is by our love for one another that we will be known. I fear that many allow their differences to be played out in accusations, ungracious name calling, hateful attitudes. Yet, Jesus would have us practice graciousness, humility and compassion.

We have had rousing discussions this weekend in our home  with many friends who are in our lives, who differ about all the issues, about how to reach a post-modern culture, about what is really important to the Lord and what is the balance between ideals and grace, passion and redemption. It has been good for me to enter the world of the younger generation and see how they think and to ask what my part is in offering truth in a way that can be understood. I see all of the input I receive from differing points of view as ways that God prepares me to be a better thinker and more insightful into the souls and ways of people and ultimately as a steward of His messages. May He help us all to wield his sword of truth with grace and winsomeness in order to reach all people with His mercy, grace and redemption.

God bless you all today! Sally

Sally@wholeheart.org

PS I have not had time this week to answer my comments, but I have been so blessed to hear from so many of you! I appreciate all who respond. Grace and peace!

A Time For Action and for Prayer!

"But the people who know their God will display strength and take action." Daniel 11:32 Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven and said, "Let the name of God be blessed for ever and ever. For wisdom and power belong to Him, and it is he who changes time and epochs, He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men." Daniel 4: 34-35

Dear Sweet Moms, I rarely address political issues as I know that many of you who read my blog are going to vote for different people. Yet, this season, I have felt that I cannot stay silent on at least a couple of issues. My daughter, Joy, is  participating in a class that a colleague of mine is teaching. They are reading the book, "The Hiding Place" about the life of Corrie Ten Boom during World War II. In the midst of reading the book and giving reports on the times and context of the war, Joy was sharing with me what they were learning about Hitler.

During the time of his rise as a star in Germany, the country was having great financial crisis during the 1930's. Hitler promised to take them out of their financial troubles and to restore a steady economy. This seemed very appealing to the people who, like us, have to figure out how to pay bills, buy food and provide for their families. He was already committed to the reality of  killing those who had downs syndrome  and sterilizing those who had any defects of any kind (even those who were left-handed!!!?)--especially for those babies who were not perfect. He also believed in Euthanasia--the mercy killing of older people who were ill and ready to die and of no evident value to culture. Yet, those issues were not at the forefront of his promises--the saving of the economy was.

History repeats itself. From the Bible to  cultures in all times, people who do not bow their knees before the one true God, will end up failing in life and manifesting great wickedness. We have also, as a nation, turned away from God and consequently the devastating consequences have come upon us. We are no different than those people who were living in Germany in the times of Hitler. We need, though, to see that as God's people, the stewardship of the messages of God and the redemption of Christ needs to be an  active part of our lives to bring  His ways to bear in every area of our lives. We cannot sit back and be passive and live our lives for our own pleasure.  Evil is never passive and never takes a vacation. The future our our children's lives depends on us being strong and active in life today.

Even when I was in London, the headlines the first day we were there, decried the success of a woman who had been very ill, and had successfully died at the hands of a doctor who aided her in mercy killing--to help her commit suicide so that she wouldn't have to keep on living in pain. Then the article told of 300 such cases recently completed. I missed some of the details of the story, but saw it repeatedly in the headlines in subways where we traveled and on a news show as I was eating breakfast in a hotel, trying to keep Joy away from the article, which was very upsetting.

Such philosophy is also taught at Harvard University in our own country. The killing of human beings, be they babies or the aged, is Biblically wrong--no matter how civilized a people we pretend to be. We are no better than the cultures who sacrificed their children to gods in the Old Testament or than Hitler who chose who should live or who should die. Yet, it seems we are much like those who in the pre-war times of World War II, whose concerns were just for themselves and not for the concerns of the whole body of people.

We are a nation in great rebellion to God, who is always an advocate of life and protecting life, nurturing life and caring for the lives of people who are infirm. But let us also consider this. When we are living in a time where  a person can casually say, "If one of my daughters got pregnant, I wouldn't want to have  her to have to accept the burden of having a baby," and our hearts are so deceived that we can think this is acceptable and not feel deeply grieved about this, then we are in trouble.

I want to make a point that I have many friends and women who I have counseled who have had many scars in their lives from having the sadness of having abortions, or other very difficult issues and I love them and the Lord loves them. There is a grace for all women and men who come into a  relationship with the Lord and give their lives to Him there is forgiveness and grace for all of us, whatever our past. Yet,  when I read scripture and know how very seriously the Lord looks at the value of children and the abuse of children--even unborn babies, I have to take a serious stand and say that  it is an evil in out time about which we cannot be neutral. For the sake of the Lord, we must take a stand.

Getting to this point in history where homosexuality, immorality of every kind, divorce, materialism of every kind which we can indeed equate to idolatry, child abuse, the lack of commitment of mothers and fathers to take responsibility of their children's futures, greediness, self-serving, lack of love and compassion for the poor and so many other obvious sins, is, in my thinking, to a great degree, because Christians have not lived in a holy way.

I have to ponder what the role of motherhood has had in these issues. When mothers are the gatekeepers, making their homes a place of excellence, cultivating love for each other, a reverence and worship of God, spending personal time teaching and discipling their children, keeping their children from worshiping the idol of television and instead serving her children with training and nurture, and giving up of her own time, there will be hope.  Then a civilization will be born where the whole culture will be populated with adults who have great souls, a call to the Kingdom of God, a passion to do what is right, a desire to protect the weak, an honest moral character that is the foundation of decisions made in politics, medicine, government, media and the arts.

Yes, it requires great personal sacrifice--but in the battle between evil and good, the allegiance between our commitment to our God or our bowing to Satan has always required sacrifice. Evil is never passive and never takes a break--and neither can God's chosen ones cease to work tirelessly to be about His business.

When mothers have abandoned this great and important responsibility, then children have grown into the kind of adults --a generation of adults--who can be self-centered and self-serving and can overlook unrighteousness without any pang of conscience because it has not been developed. The kind of adults who can passively let others take responsibility for our government and country-to accept and validate those who would promise the moon even though the moon isn't available in reality. When a person has no convictions he cannot operate his life in God's strength. It is moms who help to develop foundations of righteousness in their children's souls. Fathers, of course, are an amazing part of God's plan, but my ministry is to the precious moms who are indeed making a difference every day. I continue to pile up testimonies of great men and women who say that it was the training and prayers and relationship with godly moms who helped them to  become great people who accomplished great tasks in their generation. (Hudson Taylor, Napoleon, Augustine, Thomas Edison,  and so many more.)

Moms, today, the way you invest your life will indeed have great impact on history. We need to buck up, strengthen the areas that are weak, decide to accept the work load of small children with joy as would please our heavenly Father. The cultivating and raising of great souls is of the utmost importance.  Your life is making a difference. Take time in the word, take time to read those books which call you to excellence, spend time praying with friends of like mind--but don't give up!

I have been reading about the Kings of Israel as well as in Isaiah and Jeremiah. When leader after leader compromised the standards of God, the kingdom was thrown into corruption and spiritual disarray and wickedness.

I have also been reading Daniel. He was indeed a godly, righteous leader. He stood for God in a godless culture in Babylon. But he was also an incredible model for prayer. In Daniel 9: 3-19, he shows such an understanding of leaders taking responsibility for their people. Daniel cries out to God with a humble heart, confessing the sins of his people, even though he had not sinned, and asks for God's mercy on behalf of all the people.

He ends with this, "So now, our God, listen to the prayer of Thy servant and to his supplications, and for thy sake, let thy face shine on this desolate sanctuary. O my God, incline Thine ear and hear! Open Thine eyes and see our desolations,..., for we are not presenting our supplications before Thee on account of any merits of our own, but on account of thy great compassion. Oh Lord, hear. Oh, Lord forgive! Oh Lord, listen and take action! For thy sake, O my God, do not delay , ..., because of thy people who are called by thy name."

If God has allowed us to be alive during this time, then he will equip us with the strength to bear up under these times. Our hope has never been in men but in God. Yet the decisions and behavior of men do have consequences. We need to understand that we have lived in a time when our leaders have rejected the reality and supremacy of God. (I believe there are godly people and wicked people in each party, but God intends for believers to be those who would take responsibility to see that righteousness is in the land and that we actively seek how we might promote His kingdom, His salvation and His life every day. May He restore the church to a passion and love for Him.)

We need to, as Daniel did, acknowledge that God is our help. God is our deliverer. He will be faithful to us, his  believers, even if we have to bear the consequences of being led by ungodly people. We need to bow our knees before God and acknowledge our need for him as individuals, families and as a nation.

Next Monday morning, we are inviting friends to come to our home to pray with us as Daniel prayed.  We will, of course be praying for the election. But more than that, we will be praying for God's forgiveness, for his mercy, for His direction and for His provision. It would be great if there could be families all over the  world who will join us in prayer. If we could ask Him, corporately, so to speak for His renewal of our hearts, for repentance in our lands, for strength to do his will, for a spiritual revival sweeping the nations, and for it to start with our own hearts. It will be Monday morning at different times all over the world, so we will be a chorus before the throne of heaven. And of course if that is an inconvenient time, then do it any time on Monday.

May God give each of you strength today and vision to know that even in the small details of your life today, the kingdom of righteousness is growing or diminishing. May you be strong in His grace and spirit to manifest His reality in your home. God bless.

Sally

PS I will have Clay help me put together some scripture and prayer suggestions if that would help you! We will also be praying for you!

London!

What fun we had in London! I love traveling with my children for many reasons and I will write a post about it later, but I could see their minds growing and taking in. It is easy for us to think of God as an American but traveling and getting into other people's arenas up close broadens our souls. We just happened on the parliament as we were walking to Westminster Abbey. It is like the congress of the US. Joy had so much fun sneaking quick snapshots of the men in their wigs and high heeled shoes and purple neck rings and black robes. Why do they still wear those, Mom? Can you imagine McCain or Obama wearing those? 

  And here we are at the Thames river where so many mysteries and stories have been told about the River--even many of Dicken's stories! (with the Parliament in the background--a little older and grander than our own Congressional Hall!)

 

 

 

 

And how about Trafalgar Square--right in the center of downtown London with a very wonderful monument built to celebrate Lord Nelson who led the English navy to defeat Napoleon--lots of historical stories to relate! The same day we saw 10 Downing Street where the Prime minister was housed--where there was a demonstration against the war--with several wearing George Bush masks with signs that said, "GB--the supreme terrorist." Also saw Covent Gardens, the market area where wares were sold and bought and vegetables, fruit and flowers could be purchased--where Eliza Doolittle was selling her flowers in My Fair Lady. Well, I am off to teach a class and must off.

Have a great day!

Sally

Stories that touch your heart!

 On my banner is a picture of the great home of William Wordsworth, who was a favorite poet, and Joel had taken this picture when he and Sarah were working at Cambridge in England a couple of summers ago. A friend said, "Since you use it on your blog, you should take a picture of you in front of it while you are on your trip to England. So this is me, with my Itakejoy stance--the choice I want to make every day of the rest of my life.Several people thought it was my house--no but maybe in another life!" *********************

All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful, yet , to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness." Hebrews 12:11

Yesterday morning found Joy and me cuddled up in our jammies sipping tea on our living room couches  and crying together as we read a very touching chapter in our book "Rilla of Ingleside" by Lucy Maude Montgomery.

Now neither of us cries very easily, but sometimes when you sink your  heart into a book and you feel like the characters in the story are your personal friends, then when life leads them into grief, you are right there with them. I had already read this to my older kids when they were studying World History, but it had been long enough that I enjoyed the story all over again and remembered as we were in the throes of the last third of the book why I liked it before. It is just one of several we are reading right now, but the most fun fiction of our books. Perhaps it is also relevant because Joy, at 13 is so much like the heroine who starts out the book at 15, so there are a lot of parallels. 

(I think I have mentioned before that I have a history group that meets every couple of weeks and that we are doing history from 1900 through World War II this year. Every time I read a new book and have the kids do reports, I remember all over again why I so love the literature-discipleship based approach to education. I fairly see the brains of the kids growing. I see understanding of ideas, philosophy, world view, life choices, choices always having consequences, the importance of integrity, the meaning of relationships in every aspect of work and life; the love of God determining the foundations of a person's overall life--and so much more.)

But I just had to share a paragraph with you from the book because the author, one of my favorite, Lucy Maude Montgomery, put her finger on my very feelings about hardship. Just to give you background to this paragraph, I will give you enough details to understand this paragraph without giving away the book.

Rilla was the youngest child of the famed Anne of Green Gables. She was fifteen when the book began and had a carefree, fun, dreamy, romantic life. The book starts out with her first dance she attended with her brothers and sisters. The very night of the dance, the beginning of what grows into World War I was announced at the dance by someone who heard that war had erupted in Europe.

Over the next two years, Rilla's whole life must change. She has to take in an abandoned war baby and raise it as her own, her brothers and most of her childhood friends enlist in the army and go off to fight in France and Italy, and she is confronted with life and worry and joys and the waiting that always accompanies families who have loved ones engaged in war. The story shows the progress of a young, inexperienced girl growing into a lovely, strong, dependable, deep and patient young woman.

At this point of the story, she is reflecting that it was just two years ago that she attended the dance and what hard years they have been. A friend then engages her and asks her if she would go back and change the years if she could. This is the context of this quotation.

"Two years ago this morning, I woke wondering what delightful gift the day would give me. These are the two years I thought would be filled with fun."

"Would you exchange them-now- for two years filled with fun?" her friend asked.

"No," Rilla said slowly, "I wouldn't. It's strange, isn't it? They have been two terrible years, and yet I have a queer feeling of thankfulness for them--as if they had brought me something precious with all their pain. I wouldn't want to go back and be the girl I was two years ago, not even if I could--but I'm not quite the selfish, frivolous little doll I was then. I suppose I had a soul then, but I didn't know it. I know it now and that is worth a great deal--worth two years of suffering. And still, now, I find that I don't want to suffer any more--not even for the sake of more soul growth--even though at the end of two years, I would probably look back and be thankful again for what they would have brought me, but I don't want it now."

"We never do want difficulty," said her friend, "That is why we are not left to choose our own means and measure of development, I suppose. No matter how much we value the lessons we have been taught, we don't want to go on with the bitter schooling."

This put the finger on my heart. I feel validated when I see that others share some of the feelings of my heart as in this story. We can still be spiritual and godly  even if we find in our heart a feeling of dread of having to face difficulties. We were made for rejoicing and joy. If we rightly understand that trials cause us to suffer and we find that we don't want to suffer, we are also feeling what Jesus felt. "who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame."

It helped me so much to realize that Jesus despised the shame, but because he knew he would redeem mankind and he would be seated with the Father, he went to the cross. Feelings are neutral--they are God given. However, what we do with our feelings will determine our obedience and faith. We can acknowledge feelings of sadness or dread or anger. But then we have to give our feelings into His hands and say, "You know what is best. I will trust you with whatever you do."

I am so thankful for the ways our wonderful Lord has chosen to deepen my love for Him, my more eternal perspective on life, my understanding of sacrifice and being a servant leader,  the rarity of integrity and righteousness in this world, but the need to pursue it with all my heart ;the loneliness that comes from holding to ideals in a compromising world, giving unconditional love to those who would not love me back, staying true when it seems prayers go unanswered, -- and yet almost all these lessons came through trials. I wouldn't exchange the years in which he gave me eternal gifts, but I don't necessarily want to ask for more hard years. I still find my little girl heart enjoying the easier, happier times. And yet, I have learned that He is my father who is responsible for my personal development and character and heart, so I can leave the days and years ahead in His hand. Peace today!

Do not fear, for I am with you!

In front of Wordsworth's house

"You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, And called from the remotest parts, And said to you, "You are my servant, I have chosen you and not rejected you, Do not fear for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." For I am the Lord you God who upholds your right hand, who says to you, Do not fear, I will help you." Isaiah 41: 9-10, 13

Hi, My friends,

I am back from my trip to England and had such a wonderful time of making memories with my girls. I didn't take a computer or do anything except just dote on them. This is unusual for me as our ministry keeps us quite busy all the time. But I am especially thankful we had the opportunity to do this as life seems to swirling into changes so much with the bad economy that I may be grounded for a while.

As we were riding the subways, we noted the headlines on all of the newspapers--"France requests 300 billion dollar rescue fund for Europe." "English Market falls 15%" "Land prices rushing downward." so we knew that things continued to happen as we traveled. It made us all the more careful to enjoy each other and each moment.

As I have been praying about all of this trouble, I know from experience that my first reaction could be fear or panic. A close friend called and said her husband lost his job. Joel, our wonderful 22 year old, finally received a letter from the Berklee School of music, (which he had auditioned for last April--thanks for all of you who prayed for him) and to his great joy, he was accepted as a student. But now, we found out there will not be scholarships and there is question as to whether he will be able to get a student loan. (If any of you have an knowledge or ideas in these areas, I would appreciate it!) With 3 in college at this time, we wonder how it will all turn out. And then there are our conferences. Our whole staff and ministry depends on having women attend our mom's conferences as we have to make pretty significant commitments to the hotels which could put us under  as a ministry if we don't reach our quotas. So, we have our own issues and so do so many of you. And so, after hearing from so many, I know there are countless ways to be affected by the economy failures.

Yet, in all generations, when human beings turn their heart away from God and do not build godly character and act with integrity,  when foundations are corrupted to begin with and leaders are materialistic and grasping, there have always been chaotic consequences for nations and in regards to the history of the whole world.  We have had a string of godless leaders and authorities who have authority to make decisions that will affect us. We could and probably should have all known that it was coming. Joy and I have been reading Rilla of Ingleside about World War I and it is so interesting to see the sequence of events from the beginning of the book where the heroine, Rilla, has a youthful, immature, carefree life and through the progression of the war, must grow up, accept difficulties and choose mature and responsible character in order to play her part in the War and in her family. It is a sweet story, reflective of difficult times and how it effects families.

As I was praying about all of this, I remembered one of the first times I felt "panic" about the difficult circumstances of my life. I was a young missionary living in Poland illegally and there had been lots of tension between the Polish workers and the Russians who controlled the country. People had begun to riot and rebel and the Russian tanks began to roll into Warsaw where we lived. Many of the streets were lined with soldiers and the threat of war was in the paper and on the news every day. My colleagues and I gathered around a small radio attempting to get the Voice of America which if we were careful to turn the knob just right, would bring us news from the free countries so that we could find out if war was immanent or not, as all we could get on our tv's and radio was propaganda.

I remembered thinking, "What am I doing over here in a time of war? I am not sure if I am ready to die in this conflict just now." We had been ministering in Hungry and touched the bullet holes in apartment buildings of people we had worked with where a similar revolt had caused the loss of hundreds of lives.

It was one of the first times, I remember coming across this passage in Isaiah. "You are my servant, do not fear for I am with you. Do not be anxious for I am your God. Surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." I camped on that verse. I pondered it. I prayed it. I resolved that I would stand on it emotionally and spiritually. And the Lord was faithful and we came through the conflict with Him holding our hand.

There have been so many other times and seasons. Yet, I have a pattern of remembrance now. He has been faithful through all the seasons and hard times. Some of our best memories as a family were made during the hard times. It built our character. We learned not to depend as much on circumstances and things to bring security and happiness. Our children learned the value of work and prayer.

God is still with us. He still loves us. He will still be abundantly faithful. Yet, there is more. I think that women are especially designed and equipped by God to dig down deep and bring beauty, faith, peace and hope to nations. A woman is at her best when she is creating life from the richness of her soul. I think that Moms will be the true heroes who will be the lighters of light when shadows threaten to overtake. They weave peace and love in homes where burdens are weighing on the shoulders of our husbands. They sing songs of faith in the midst of life's calamity. They can model a child-like faith and rest in God when they live in the Sabbath rest of His provision even when physical provision is scant.

I was talking with a friend who was experiencing a great deal of difficulty. Her 4th of 5 children was experiencing severe health issues that required travel to another state for consultation. Her mother was struggling with her Father's new onset Alzheimer's, and her husband had not been able to make payroll for his employees for his small company. I asked her how she was holding up. Her reply stuck with me. "I have realized that I am the determining factor in how we go through these trials. I am the anchor to keep our ship from drifting. I understand my role as a mom so clearly now--that how I walk with God and how I respond and how I choose to live will to a great degree determine everyone else's ability to cope well. So, I am choosing to be strong."

It was a beautiful picture of the role of a woman-- a helpmeet, a civilizer, a life-giver, a lover, a teacher.

As the girls and I drove from Nashville home a couple of days ago, I decided to make some resolutions for this time. For me a resolution is a determined commitment as an act of my will to decide how I will behave and how I will obey the Lord. It doesn't mean that my resolve won't be tested, but it does give me a plan for how I will live and it helps me to address, ahead of time, those areas that could be problematic. It also helps me fight against Satan's desire to tempt me to despair or to not believe in God's goodness.

I resolved that I would not allow my heart or mind to go down the road of fear--that I would reject any thoughts of fear by choosing to worship and focus on God's wonderful faithfulness and trustworthy character.

I resolved that I would be a strong pillar of faith for Clay in the midst of so much that he has to hold together. Not to whine or complain or falter unnecessarily in the midst of his hard work and his commitment to figure out how to keep supporting our family. He needs me to "smile at the future--because of who is in control of my future."

I resolved that I would make this time a blessed time of great memories---warm soups, candlelight, great stories of other heroes in other times, cards of encouragement to friends who needed it; phone calls and phone prayers with my boys who need support and encouragement in the midst of their financial difficulties; email Bible studies and life-giving words to all who the Lord brings to mind; simple times spent in eternal areas that will minister to the hearts or my precious family and friends.

I resolved to think of new ways that Sarah and Joy and I may serve others in the midst of these days. As we plan to be God's hands and voice and words, it gives us a way to be about God's business and to perceive the strategic role Christians can play in the lives of others during this time.

By allowing God to define my vision for the trials ahead, I have a road-map to walk with to guide my steps, to guard my attitudes and to inform my decision of will--as I walk in the power of His Spirit and investing in the word and seeking to make time to pray, I have been energized  and excited to know that I have something I can do to help. I have ways to give hope and opportunities to bring life. The Lord has renewed me in my heart and made me excited to start living according to some of my plans. I already know that these years will be my opportunity to show what my heart is really like--that I really do love and believe that God will hold my hand and show me His ways. That I have this day to invest in eternity by living it for Him.

May He grant each of you grace in the midst of it all. I will be praying for you.

I think that you sweet moms can also be the determining factor in our country, to bring courage to bear as we wait on God and follow His ways. Many blessings and lots of love coming from His heart to all of you sweet women!

Sally@wholeheart.org

Last year I studied the first part of Isaiah. The nation found themselves in the midst of chaos after a string of bad and ungodly kings and as a result were being humbled as they were attacked by Babylon. In Isaiah 40-45, I found very encouraging words which so underlined God's presence, redemption, goodness, love, strength and so on. Maybe it will encourage you. The nougat is that we who wait on Him will be blessed.

Seasons of a Mother's Heart

  Hi,Just getting ready to get in the car for the Texas wedding. Many of you have asked about the Season's dvd's. This is just a beginning, but here is the first chapter on Youtube--had to be broken up into two segments. My desire is to due videos of our conferences and of Bible studies with all of our books so that moms all over the world can have access if they can't come live! This is a part of Mom Heart that we are hoping to create. Please pray with us about all of this as we pursue more venues of getting the messages out!     1. Pray for God's direction     2. Pray for the publisher we are working with to get a ministry vision.     3. Pray for the right, skillful staff who can help us with the web stuff but who has a real Biblical heart for moms.     4. Pray for financial support for the projects.     5. Please pray for health and safety for our trip.

So blessed by your comments and prayers. Have a great weekend in this beautiful fall weather! Blessings! Sally@wholeheart.org PS If you want to be on our Mom Heart mailings, please send your emails to Jennice@wholeheart.org