Great books inspire Great Lives--2 Boy books that Girls should read!

Thomas Pollack Anshutz

"I am a part of everything that I have read."

Theodore Roosevelt

God made us people of words- Jesus calls himself "The Word." Words have power to give life, to inspire, to make wise, to teach, to transform and to redeem. How important it is that you become the conductor of godly influence in your children's lives by exposing them to the best people who have ever lived. Reading hundreds of biographies to my children established a foundation of understanding leadership and greatness because their souls were bathed in spiritual and character richness. I agree with Teddy Roosevelt, my children are indeed a part of everything that they read.

To have read them hundreds of books automatically meant I couldn't do other things--I used very little traditional "school" curriculum. It was a choice of faith. Everything I read about all studies of what created intelligence in children, what built vocabulary, what created great thinking, pointed to reading great books, insightful authors and capturing imaginations with  great literature.

Because I wanted to expose my children to the best writers, stories and thinkers, I built their education on these principles. If I was going to homeschool, I wanted to capture the imaginations and interests of my children. But I also wanted to seek to cultivate what was best spiritually, morally, and mentally for my children. And so I took a step of faith and used read books instead of age-graded books.

Of course each year, each child would accomplish one grade of math according to their age, but apart from that and hand-writing appropriate materials, and simple short grammar lessons, all of the rest of our formal schooling was accomplished through reading outloud, discussing and writing about great books. I looked for boy books and girl books that all of my children could read and become inspired by living with the words of these stories. Today, I know you will love hearing about 2 newish books that my friend recently shared with me.

Have you ever wished there was a book that could inspire your "young man"  with real live heroes?  Eric Metaxas's new book, Seven Men, and the Secret of Their Greatness,  is historical, inspiring and riveting.  The perfect book to read as a family, little by little, to discuss each man and his decisions, attributes and decisions that influenced the outcome of his life..  (Or to give to a graduate, or read to your young son.) In  this day and age, all of us  need to hear biographies of really great men who finished well.

 Young adults these days are facing a culture that is constantly changing it's moral compass and lacks models of integrity and courage.  Eric Metaxas, New York Times best selling Author of Bonhoeffer, has just come out with this incredible book our whole family loved and I wholeheartedly endorse.  7 Men and The Secret of their Greatness, will not disappoint you!

It is a collection of short biographies of George Washington, William Wilberforce, Eric Liddell, Deitrich Bonhoeffer, Jackie Robinson, Pope John Paul II, and Charles Colson. You will find in it's pages seven  Godly men who followed God's destiny for their lives and how each man's choices impacted history.  I know you will enjoy it as much as we did. This is a book you'll want to add to your home library.

This Father's Day I gave my husband a book that has been long over due for Father's to share with their sons.  As a mom, one of my roles is to scout out helps for my busy husband to use as a jumping off point for conversations.

 I hit a gold mine when I came across a new book by best selling author Tommy Newberry and Curt Beavers, I Call Shotgun. This is a compilation of 64 letters written by 3 godly men to their sons. Just a few of the titles are... Value your time, Appreciate What You Have, Seek God First Everyday, Celebrate Other People's Success,

If you want to raise young men with godly character, intentionally influencing them is a must and this is a great way to start.  This is a fabulous book for teenage sons and Dad's. (I am even sending it to Nathan and Joel to read!) I love the biblical principles laid out in such a personal way.  It  shares a father 's caring heart to mentor his son without being preachy.  Moms, this is a great handbook for fathers who want to pass on wisdom to their sons and aren't sure how to go about it.

There are giants in the Land, and there will be more tomorrow.....

Guillaime Courtois

As long as I can remember, there have been giants in my life and in my land. Some are uglier and bigger than others, but all of them stand before me, threatening the stability and security of my life and seem greater than my ability to conquer them. A giant is a picture of those obstacles or issues that come into our lives that tempt us to live in fear, or that cause us to wonder where God has gone or that seem insurmountable. Those threatening issues that are gigantic to our heart, and  cause us to worry and lose heart.

My giants are of different sizes and different threats:

Financial; fears of how a child will turn out or if my children will indeed end up loving the Lord;  marriage stresses and pressures or misunderstandings;  deep loneliness for me or another family member; medical problems that don't go away; relationship issues with family; sad and devastating circumstances in loved ones' lives; weariness; and often fear of the future.

There were also many instances of giants in scripture. In Numbers 13, we read the story of Moses sending out the heads of the families, twelve leaders, to spy out the land that God had promised to give to them. Even though these men indeed found the land to be a place of milk and honey as God had promised, these leaders of their families gave a bad report to their people and said, "The land was a land of milk and honey, but there were people who were very strong and very large. ,..., We were as grasshoppers in our own sight and so we became in their sight."their sight" (the sight of the giants). Consequently, because of the bad report, these men swayed the people to disbelieve in God's ability to provide for them, and so the result was 40 years wandering in the desert wilderness.

Grasshoppers, tiny insignificant bugs in comparison to the giants.

This is such a picture of me of what happens when we see giants and don't face them with God's strength. We become as grasshoppers in our hearts. We become small minded, fearful, ineffective. Then, God gives us over to our faithlessness and we end up "wandering in the wilderness." Faithlessness always leads to a wilderness of soul.

As I see it, in scripture, giants gave people a great opportunity to glorify God--to see His faithfulness, to believe in His goodness, to conquer. We really can't walk with God and have fear and disbelief at the same time. Our heart has only enough room for one of the other. I often think people say to me, "I feel like God is far off from me and doesn't even hear my prayers", when often, we have left His presence and companionship by disbelieving Him in the midst of our fears and being overwhelmed.

Caleb and Joshua had different eyes in their hearts--they saw the giants, but they saw God and His strength more clearly. They believed He could conquer and lead them in victory. Because of their faith, they were the only men who were allowed to go into the promised land after the 40 years of discipline were completed.

God's response to the disbelieving Israelites was this:

"Surely all the en who have seen my glory and y signs, which I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness, yet have put me to the test these ten times and have not listened to my voice."

Yikes--how often have I seen God's faithfulness in my own life and then looked at the next giant with fear and faithlessness as though God had never worked in my life! Sometimes I just get tired of giants and want to coast in my life. Am I testing and grumbling against Him when the giants come, or resting and waiting patiently for His solutions because I see Him in His glory and faithfulness and lovingkindness?

Here God says that disbelief is evil! He is the one who also told us, "Now, faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.,..., Without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for He who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him." Hebrews 11: 1, 6

We all know the story of David, too. Around 40, 000 soldiers, strong men, faced Goliath, the giant, and with their eyes, they saw someone who could not be defeated. Yet, David saw him and in the eyes of his heart, he immediately saw something different. His response to Goliath was, "For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that He should taunt the armies of the living God?" ( I Samuel 17: 26; 45-46) He saw Goliath as an opportunity to show His faith in the one true God and in His strength. When he was killing Goliath, he said, "You come to me with a sword and a spear and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. This day, God will deliver you in my hands."

So that is how I am supposed to face my giants, see them as taunting God's realities in my life, but facing them in the name of the Lord of Hosts--the Lord who leads armies of angels, the strong and mighty God who is able to conquer all the giants in my life. 

I am learning that God is stronger than all of my giants. That it is a waste of time to live by fear. That when I give my giants into His hands I can find rest for my soul as Jesus found rest in the boat in the middle of the storm.

But where does this battle take place? In my heart.

When I am alone in my bedroom pondering my issues, feeling darkness, but knowing that God sees me and sees the battle--that He knows when I choose to say, "I will believe--even though I don't feel faith, I will choose today to praise you--to put one foot in front of the other, to be grateful, by faith, for your presence, for this child, this circumstance--you see my heart--you alone--today I will believe in the Lord of hosts working amongst my giants to slay them.

Old giants will be defeated. New ones will come. But, this life, these giants, are the best way I have to live a story of faith and to show God's glory--this is the way I will model faith in my home, so that my children can learn how to face their giants.

Today, I will look my giants in the face and see God's shadow towering over them, the Lord of Hosts fighting for me--see God's purposes in the midst, learn to grow stronger and see them conquered as He has conquered so many in the past.

What are your giants? How are you facing them?

Developing a Self-Image of a Servant leader in your Children Mentoring Monday #15

Livestrong

Working together with our children models the truth we are trying to teach them.

What a whirlwind week I have had with so many wonderful well-wishes, gifts, flowers and celebration of my 60th birthday. All of your letters, comments and cards have truly encouraged my heart and made me feel quite loved.

Saturday night, we gathered with some close friends and my sweet children and Clay. According to our tradition, everyone tells the birthday person why they appreciate them or how they have been blessed and then the birthday person gets prayed for and blessed by all who are at the celebration. We have practiced this for many years and we have seen our children's souls practically burst with the goodness of life-giving words and prayers just for them.

All of my children communicated the most wonderful blessings to me. Nathan said, "Mom, as I look back on my life, I am beginning to realize just how much time you invested in our lives. From daily devotions, manners, learning to do chores, educating us, correcting us, providing lessons and leadership opportunities and counseling us on every possible subject. I just want to thank you for investing so much time and giving up yourself to make my life strong. Everywhere I go, I hear your voice wisely telling me what to do."

As I have been pondering all of these wonderful words of life given to me this weekend, I have realized that investing in a child's life, mind, soul, heart, habits, education, takes lots and lots of time and training. But the daily training--NO not this, but this; no not this, but this, ........(a thousand and thousand times)! This is what it takes to shape a strong soul.

Self-actualization is a term  that has come up in conversation a lot this week. All of my children have talked about how they grew into thinking they could bring light to their dark world because of the way we trained them and talked to them, over and over again. .This idea means giving your children a real sense, inside, of who they are, what they were created to do, understanding their amazing capacity to live life with redemption and influence by living in to God's will and owning His design for their lives.

We work with a cooperative spirit, freely giving and receiving help.

Way 15

"This week's Way, number 15, is all about giving your child a sense of being a servant leader. Part of perceiving oneself as a leader is thinking inside that God has made them to serve and that it is a glory of a person to serve well. But another aspect of this perception is building a strong family sense of community.

Each morning, after breakfast, I would put on lively music and have all of the kids do the same chore to restore our house to order before we began the day. We would all rock out together on the same songs while one put the dishes in the dishwasher, another swept, another straightened the room where we would be reading, etc. I would, as often as possible--(we all have grumpy, discombobulated days!)--but mostly, I would thank them.

Before we had guests, each of us would have an area of picking up, setting the table, putting up a personal welcome sign, (welcome, Joel!--or whatever),  lighting candles. And I would tell them how much I appreciated them making our home so beautiful.

 

Our ministry conferences, each had tasks. Little ones would welcome moms with a basket of chocolate they would pass out. Older kids would run the book tables. Each year, all of them had to give a short talk, greeting, song or prayer at the conferences. "You all are the best book people will ever read. The Clarksons together, are used by God, to help mamas all over the world, to see how important it is to raise their children for God's glory and to build a strong generation.

As a matter of fact, having our children serve together for many, many years is one of the key components to the reason they all have a perception that God has also called them to impact their worlds for God's kingdom.They heard these messages in our devotionals, they heard us speak them to adults at conferences and they practiced right beside us, doing what we were teaching them.

Teaching the passages of Jesus when he laid down his life and served others, (feeding the 5 thousand and seeing how God used even a little boy to serve in a miraculous way, holding the children, healing lepers and those who were weak, etc.) and then I  would often say to my children, "God is making you so strong inside. You are such a help to your little sister or you have worked so hard.  Just like Jesus!" or "I couldn't do without your help." or "I know that God made you to be so strong inside--you are such a help and you have been so cooperative today. I couldn't have such a wonderful house without your help. Thanks so much."

A big part of our perception of serving when we are older and humbly helping others comes from practicing helping others and hearing about the importance of serving others when they are young.

Memory verse:

"Two are better than one, because they have good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion.But woe to the one who falls when there was not another to pick him up." Ecc. 4:9-10

As you learn the truth of this way, have a grid to encourage your children that family is always to help each other, and that they are so very precious to be willing to serve others. Giving your child a self-image of perceiving that God wants to use them in their world, will shape their work and service the rest of their lives. Giving them practice to serve each other will build strong relationships between siblings when they grow up.

But here!

This week, ...........60!!!!!!!!

Celebrating my birthday week with all of my wonderful friends and family. All of my precious children are home and we are celebrating each day together--and all of the history we have made as a family.

There will be eating and talking and chocolate cake and hiking with a picnic in the mountains with fried chicken and pictures and movies and prayers and blessings--

And I am practicing expanding my lungs so I can blow out about a zillion candles.

Actually, this is a landmark year, my 60th, so I thought we should all celebrate us being a clan of Clarksons. And thanking God for the amazing ways He has been faithful and blessed our family.

Having time just to be with all of my peeps is the best thing in the world.

So, I will be absent a few days, but I am feeling quite blessed and enjoying each moment.

What spills out of the depths of your heart? Mentoring Monday

Charles de Bruyères

When you are taxed by your children, your friends, your husband, what flows out from the depths of your heart? Whatever you have cherished inside is what will flow out. When you are squeezed you will spill out what is in your heart. So it is essential to understand, what you are pouring in will surely spill out in your words, your eyes, your attitudes, your actions. Filling the inside of our souls with beauty, goodness, humility, faith and love of Christ must be intentional so that there will be substance of his life to spill over to others.

Proverbs warns us to guard our heart. "Above all else, guard your heart, for from it flow the well spring of life." Proverbs 4: 23

Jesus said that it is not the outside--the performance for others, the attempt to do righteous works, that determines what a man or woman is like. It is possible to fool others because of our behavior. But it is never possible to fool God. He sees what we are like on the inside,

"Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

Heart cleaning leaves us empty for heart-filling. Pouring in is something I must do on a regular basis, so that my heart is light, pure, filled with joy and love. This does not just happen accidentally. And of course, eventually, all of our children sniff hypocrisy pretty quickly--and by the time they are teens, they are fully aware of what our heart is revealing through time.

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness." Matt. 23: 27

I have had a number of sweet women in my home the past 7 weeks. Usually, the questions flow, "What did you do to cultivate godliness in your children? Exactly what did your daily schedule look like? What books did you read to them? How did you deal with their bad attitudes?"

But the beginning point of a mama spreading inspiration and faith starts with her cultivating her own heart. If she is reading scripture, pondering the heart of Christ, worshipping him and following His ways, then her children will draw the love and sweetness of Christ from her every day.

If a mama is engaging her mind in great books and growing and learning new ideas and stretching her own intellect, then her children will also be drawing from the interesting thoughts in which she has invested her mind.

If a mama is developing her character and taking small steps to become more self-disciplined, more of a servant leader, more patient, more generous with life-giving words, because of her obedience to Christ, then her children's souls will be sprinkled with the strength of her obedience.

If she engages herself in meeting the needs of others and reaches out with the redeeming message of Christ, her children will learn not just to hear words of the gospel, but to learn what it looks like to live the gospel.

A mom is a mentor--a coach in all things excellent in life. If she is not growing in excellence, she cannot pass on to her children what she herself has.

Don't worry so much about the right rules, the best formula, what are the right books to buy. Be concerned instead, for your soul--what are you planting there? What are you watering in the depths of your heart attitudes? Whatever you water will grow. Nothing in your heart will be long hidden--as all things hidden eventually will come to the fore.

So the starting point of your influence is the state of your own heart, mind and soul. If there is purity, wisdom, strength, faith, love and righteousness there, then when you pour out your life, those around you will be blessed indeed.

No money, things, training and activities can replace the importance of Children finding the very essence of Christ spilling out in our lives, from what we have carefully taken the time to place there inside.

I am leaving off of the 24 Family Ways right now, as I have taken so long to complete this series due to life and busyness and commitments. If you still want me to keep teaching these, let me know, as it seems interest has wained. I will keep making Mondays a mentoring time.

I would love to hear what you think! Be blessed and fill your heart this week with the eternal, the personal, the sweet and the strong!

How To Read Aloud To Your Children

Some of our most beautiful memories of homeschooling  are snowy Colorado days complete with a cozy fire, a cup of hot chocolate or tea, a great read-aloud,  and my pajama-clad children. What a wonderful thing it is to have stories that you can all share together, the delights of which are not too soon forgotten. My family still recalls stories from books we have read during our school days, listened to in the car on long road trips to Mammo and Pappaw's house, and even the ones we listened to in the car just driving to and fro in town. Robinson Crusoe narrated by Jim Weiss is our all-time time favorite audio book. Since this particular edition was unabridged, we were able to hear the salvation message weaved in throughout the entire book. We love the unabridged stories which thoughtfully leave the heart of the author intact throughout the whole narrative.  Reading aloud to children is as natural as mothering itself. It is meant to be a delightful, bonding time together and a fantastic way to disciple your children through stories. In out home, we never made our children  just sit and listen, rather they always had some sort of an activity to do during reading time. At the beginning of each school day, I would give my children a few moments to gather their assorted activities and get ready to read. We had two cabinets in our kitchen dedicated to read-aloud activities. These cabinets were filled with Play-Dough, water paints, markers, puzzles, beads, jewelry kits, etc.. (The messy activities were done at the kitchen table on a place mat.) In our reading area, which was also our living room/kitchen area, were bins with Lego's and other toys. (Note- when we started to read, the children would have their stack of Lego's ready, then have to wait until I got to a stopping point to gather more. They are super loud when they shuffle through the box.) As my children got older, we graduated to hot glue guns, sewing machines, soldering irons for metal work, and my daughter even went through a time of using  a small blow torch to make glass jewelry. Christie was quite a sight to see in her pajamas, safety glasses with blow torch in hand.

After each reading session, I would ask my children to narrate back to me what was read to them, and they always could tell me. Sometimes, they were a bit distracted, but overall they retained what they learned at the time.These days, it's just my 16 year old Jack and me at the cozy recliners, drinking our tea while he programs his computer games or some other kind of high-tech craft. Because of the nature of how active our reading time has been, my children have never fussed about not wanting to have read-aloud time. They are each highly creative and educated individuals that love to learn.

Studies have shown over and over that a child who is read to has a higher IQ than children that were not read to. If you do nothing else in your homeschool, please read to your children. Every school day, we did some form of math, reading lesson, a small bit of  handwriting (only when they were ready and only a small bit) and read aloud. The read-aloud portion of our homeschooling day took an average of 1-2 hours each day. Often my children would beg me to read more because they loved the books so  much. If you don't like the book, or if it is boring, chances are your children will not like the book. Don't feel bad not finishing a book if it is not working for your family and particular interests.

The most important part of my school day was my time with the Lord each day where I would ask Him for wisdom about which books to read,  for us to have time to read, and be able to enjoy the books. Follow the Holy Spirit and read what He gives you. Pray each time you go to the library or book store. God knows the books he wants you to read to your children. Follow God, not man. Don't compare your homeschool with anyone else's. You follow your God and His wisdom for your family. With that in mind, here are a few of our most beloved books that we used in our home. Remember, pray and ask God for the particular books for your family.

Discipleship is easier when you have a beautiful book in hand to assist you in teaching your children. We have loved Leading Little Ones to God by Marian M. Schoolland, which explains spiritual truths to children in a way that they, and you can understand. 

The Childs' Story Bible by Catherine Voss is a beautiful and accurate account of the scriptures. It makes the Bible stories come alive in an easy to understand way.

One of the best Bible's to cuddle up with your kids and read to them in bed is hands down The Picture Bible by Iva Hoth. It's filled with word-for-word  scripture and helps everyone, young and old, to be able to understand God's word. My kids favorite words to me and my husband after we finished reading it for the day was "Please, please one more story!!"

Our all-time favorite story book, which I still read to my children as teens, is The Complete Tales of Beatrix Potter. By the grace of God we were able to travel to the Lake District in England and see her beautiful country home. What a delight it was to see my teenage children so excited to see all of the things associated with Beatrix Potters' stories and characters.

When my children were teens, we read Sir Knight of the Splendid Way by W.E.Cule, which is available through Lamplighter Books. It is a dear old book written long ago that portrays the Christian life through allegory. This beautiful book has a chapter in which a character dies and goes to heaven. It describes Christian death in the most lovely an encouraging way I have ever seen. The story brought joyful tears to our eyes each time we re-read the book. 

In the later high school years, we read The Hiding Place, by Corrie Ten Boom. Words can't express how difficult it was to read her story, but how inspiring it was for our family to see how she showed the love of Christ everywhere she went, even in the concentration camps.

Stay tuned for next time where I will be discussing how to help your children to be creative through all sorts of easy crafts and mediums. May the Lord  bless you as you endeavor to educate your children with gentleness and grace in the power of the Holy Spirit.

We were meant to live for so much more, Have we lost ourselves???

We were meant to live for so much more  Have we lost ourselves?  Somewhere we live inside

Switchfoot

"but the people who know their God will display strength and take action." Dan. 11:32b

It's God's fault! I have been passionate and hungry for meaning since I was born. But I think all of us long for more--for bigger, better, a home that we will never have in this world.

Bubbling up in my heart from an early age was a desire to know the greatness of God. Extraverted and involved in so many activities, I was surrounded by people of all ages and many differing backgrounds. Yet there was a hunger inside to meet people who had a desire for greatness, excellence, vision in and through their own personal life. I always believed that if someone really knew the God who created this exquisite universe, that there would be an exceptional sense of  "life", beauty, power, love or purpose in the life of such a one.

And so I searched and searched for the hunger inside to be satisfied. Idealist is a name I have been called for most of my life.

When I came across this verse, my deep desire was validated and gratified. If one knows the eternal, compassionate, merciful, servant king God and if He indwells them, shouldn't they be different? Would the power of God in a person not cause them to reflect His reality--the incarnation of His spirit in all aspects of life.

The Holy Spirit, Galatians tells us, exhibits through the life of one yielded to him love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control. And so, can we assume that when we are focussing our eyes on Him, praising and worshipping Him in all the moments of our lives, our very being, fallen as it is, will encompass such a light and be so salty, that those who have been in our presence will be uplifted, inspired themselves to love Him more.

What does it mean to display strength? Many of us live in constant challenges in life where we could become victims, or become discouraged or possibly bitter. A victim mentality suggests that one is limited by his difficult circumstances. However, does this verse not suggest that in every circumstance, when one is walking with God, strength will be available.

We see Daniel, who penned these words praying publicly when it was outlawed because he was not going to compromise His conviction that God wanted him to remain faithful. Thrown into the lion's den--quite a dilemma indeed--we see Daniel saying, whether I live or die, I still believe in God. Strength of faith, self-control in the midst of feat, peace in the face of chaos. Next was a firey furnace. Again, Daniel was persecuted for his testimony and faith. Yet, it was to God's glory that he was not even slightly burned.

Strength displayed in the midst of life-battles originates from someone who knows--ponders, worships, seeks, understands their God. When God is present, strength is given generously.

(Rembrandt)

Queen Esther, risking her life before Hamon and her husband, to save her people.

Taking Action--initiative, doing something, pursuing the harvest field of the lost, working diligently, engaging resources for kingdom work that is needed. Even as the spirit of Christ always compelled Him to provide, to instruct, to take on the problems of His children, and ultimately to redeem us by yielding his very life, so His spirit inside of us should compel us to action. Passivity and laziness is never reflected through the character of God.

Consequently, when we are in the presence of God and in His word daily, we see that He has compassion on the poor, that His holiness exacts moral excellence in our own lives, that His forgiveness covers multitude of sin in the lives of those so undeserving of His grace. Christ's spirit constrained Him to enter our fallen arena, to become the servant leader, to give all that He had and was for the sake of those who needed Him.

Where is action needed? Where would Jesus look and say, there is a place where my righteousness must prevail. There is the place unconditional love must be extended. We are the hands, feet and voice of God. We are the picture of God that the world will see.

Will they see Life, Goodness, Love, Compassion, excellence of character and generosity of spirit because they are in our presence? If we truly know our God, we will be genuinely different--the Spirit of the living God resides in us and we shall be a supernatural reflection of Him.

Yet, in our present day culture, mediocrity and compromise is evident in every arena--and especially amongst those who call themselves Christians, Christ-ones. Studies suggest that most people do not even use more than 10-12 percent of their brain capacity.

Is it possible that we do not use more than 10-12 percent of our spiritual capacity? One of my favorite life verses is:

"For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is completely His." II Chronicles 16:9

The strength does not come from our own effort--an exception attempt to gut out some kind of works. God promises that He will support us--give us that strength and help us to know how to take action.

And then Jesus tells us the same,  that when we abide in Him--live in Him, stay in Him, get our strength and wisdom from Him--that He will be the supernatural source of our strength.

Now is the time for believers to so stand in the presence of their God, that the aura of God shines from their heart, words, strength and actions.

Esther, Daniel, David, Moses, Abraham, Ruth, Mary the mother of Jesus, Peter and so many more, because of their love and knowledge of God, displayed strength and took action in their own times. These are our models who give us hope to think even all of us who are normal, when filled with the spirit of God, might also be those who display strength and take action.

And so I come to God this summer asking, "Lord, what would you have me do with the next decade of my life? How would your spirit move through me to display strength? Where do I need to muscle up and become stronger? Is there sin that is weakening me? Where would you compel me, within the limitations of my own puzzle of life, my own responsibilities, --where do you want me to obey you and take action?

What about you? In the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, where has God called you to display strength and to take action?

These few focusses have helped me to keep moving in this direction:

1. Find those who, when you are with them, cause you to want to be better, more faithful, who inspire you to walk with God. Whether in books, or in person, do what you can to be with them. I have sought out godly people and put myself in their path so that I can understand how to love God more and serve Him with strength and action. Their very lives motivate me to live more into the power of my God.

2. Read biographies of those  faith-oriented people that God has used. Corrie Ten Boom, Brother Andrew, Amy Carmichael, Hudson Taylor, Chinese saints, Mueller, Ben Carson, Andrew Carnegie, Mother Theresa, Jim Elliot, even Ghandi--one who had so much compassion. These were some of my favorites. We can be inspired by those who have sacrificed their lives bravely and boldly, because they were moved to take action in their generation.

3. Obviously, to know God, we must invest in His word and prayer often and at times at length.  You could not know deeply someone with whom you never invested time or communicated. So, the more we are with God, the more we will reflect His influence. His word is alive, His spirit is alive and so we seek to read and memorize it and pray it back to Him. God speaks to us through His word and his ultimate Word, Jesus become flesh.

4. Regularly, at least every 6 months, go away by yourself and observe the details of your life. What is draining you? Where have you ceased to believe God? It there any sin habit that is building an invisible wall between you and God? What activities are necessary? What are important?

Cut back on the minimal issues of your life. Ask God, "Where do you want me to take action? What should I plan in order to move ahead in this your work?

The reason the harvest is plentiful and the workers few is because believers have not displayed strength and taken action. it is our tendency to sit back and wait for someone more qualified to lead.

And yet, He has qualified us--it is the knowledge of Him that equips and provides.

Where does God want you to display strength and take action? I am praying His spirit will inspire and encourage you today!

A Bag of Tricks dazzles the wiggliest of kids

I was sitting behind a young mom at church the other day who was holding a large 2 1/2 year old in her lap for an hour and a half. The little girl in her lap seemed sweet natured but wiggly, giggly, active and talkative--in a normal tone of voice. I admired the mom holding her, but know that she was worn out after the service.

When my children were various ages, we often found ourselves in places--not just church, where they needed to be quiet or sit still--in the car when I was talking to friends, at doctor's offices and church and concerts and restaurants. I found that if I prepared them ahead of time and told them what to expect and how long it would take it helped them immensely to be able to be quieter.

I wanted them to learn that church was a holy place--where out of honor to God, we would use a quiet voice, very gentle actions and that they were such "big" girls and "boys" for being able to sit still to show God honor. Training, training, training all the time before they were in a place where I had expectations of them.

I also traveled with a bag of tricks, to so speak, that was never used for any other occasion. Depending on the age of the child, there would be a boxed juice and little container of cheerios or gold fish or small fruit leather--only to be used at the later part of their patience. Colored pencils when they were older, puzzle books, I spy books, finger toys for babies, as well as soft blankies to comfort. Joel was my car man and he loved, loved drawing and or just holding toy cars. He drew a million jeeps in his growing up years. I had a sketch pad for each one. All were quiet toys to be used when they needed to be quiet or sit still. The food and drink were only used in appropriate places and appropriate times. But I always kept this bag loaded in the car and looked at the dollar store for new stickers or little quiet things to add so there would always be something new.

At Christmas, Clay once ordered each of the kids a Land's end travel bag with their name on it--in different colors for each child. The he spent a couple of months filling each bag with paper airplane books, books on tape with a small cd player, challenges, mysteries, little toys, coloring books and quiz books and all sorts of treasures.

We kept each child's brief case in the car and it gave them hours and hours of pleasure over the years when we were on trips and when they were waiting on us. We never used dvds in the car as we didn't want media to become a habit when there were so many creative things to do. When the family culture is to listen to long books on tape in the car, all learn to improve their listening skills and it feeds their brains with great literature and exciting stories. You can accomplish a lot when you keep books on tape or other creative entertainment for the cd player. Teaching children to listen is all a part of shaping their appetites. If they are used to too much tv or movie entertainment, they will complain when they have to listen to a book or draw or stare out the window and imagine life. It is the moms and dads who build the habits for their children. All kids can learn to give up media if they are provided alternatives and if you hold to your decision. Never in the history of mankind did children have movies in the car till now.

I do not want to create guilt for anyone. We are all free to make the best decisions for our family.  ( a strategic Winnie the Pooh saved us through many ear infections at home), In the car, there are so many things to see that offer food for thought and creativity and it is a great place to disciple your children with great conversation and great music. Especially during the junior high and high school ages. We reserve the right to say all ipods off when we want to talk or listen to something as a family. Because it is an expectation, our kids never questioned it.

It also taught our children that there were places to be quiet and to sit still and exercise self-control. We had lots of fun and to this day, they all travel with fun stuff to use on long trips and places where they will have to wait. (on the plane or a long car trip, my older children all download books on tape on their ipods, bring books, journals to write in and snacks.) Fun to see the habit stuck in their own adult lives.

Touch and back scratching can soothe a child that is ready to blow. My mom also taught me a trick when I was a little girl--she would take one of my hands and pull slowly on each finger until she had covered all ten and then she might do it again if needed.

Even when my kids were older, when we traveled, I would have a stash of their favorite magazine, a new cd of music of a favorite artist, a short mystery or book on tape--and always the snacks of the hour. It used to be gold fish for special. (You can even get them at Whole Foods!) But now my kids like dark chocolate almonds to munch at the 1000 mile marker.

The happiest children are those who are kept engaged by planning on the part of the parent and it trains children to learn to entertain themselves and to listen.

So, as long as a mama plans, she can always pull out her bag of tricks and all will be well! :)

What do you keep in your bag to entertain  your family when they need distraction?

Mentoring Monday Initiative builds servant leaders

As young children, my little ones were facinated with nature. Living on 200 acres of wildness in the middle of Texas provided many opportunities to catch and classify butterflies, catch bugs, put snakes into large jars to observe, (I found one on the kitchen cabinet!) and to see how God had built lessons of life into the very warp and woof of his world.

One evening about sunset, Nathan and Joel were running ahead as we sauntered on our traditional walk after dinner. With the summer hours at night, we still had full light. Joel was captivated by a tiny any that was carrying a leaf almost 5 times its size. l

"Mama, if a tiny little bug like that can work so hard for his family aunts, maybe we could do a lot more than we think."

Three days later, we received a shipment of a printing of one of our books. Boxes were stacked high and would take quite some work to empty them onto our shelves. Late in the afternoon, however, Clay came out of our little office and found Joel, sweating profusely in the Texas summer heat, but he had emptied 30 boxes of books neatly onto the shelves with only 2 more to go. It was quite a task, and we were amazed.

"Joel, this is amazing! What made you decide to do this?"

"Well, when I was thinking about the ant and how he carried so much more than we could ever imagine possible, I thought, I want to be like that ant! I want to be strong and dependable. Something came into my head and told me to empty the books." (Yes, he really said that--9 years old. Maybe the Holy Spirit came into his head! :))

Romans 5: 8 tells us that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. He saw our failures, our sin, our heartbreaks; He heard our cries; He, out of the driving force of His own nature that always causes Him to redeem, He took initiative to serve us an then die for us.

When we learn to take initiative, we reflect the out-reaching character of Christ. LIttle by little, as we train our children patiently and teach them to take initiative to be responsible, we are giving them a strong character and familiarity to take initiative when they are strong adults. There will always be work to do and so the one who takes initiative will always be in action. Initiative teaches believers to be responsible with the work of God.

Jesus says that the harvest is plentiful and the workers few. Why? Because many people wait to be asked to help. Those with the character of Christ are out in the world with eyes looking for people to help, work for the kingdom to be accomplished.

Initiative causes us to start a small group Bible study for women in our own home because we see a need--not because someone asked us. Initiative causes us to reach out to strangers to show them the love of Christ. A spirit of initiative says, "I am God's and I will live my life for His glory. I will be His eyes to look out for places I might help, love or redeem, in the spirit of His initiation to me."

From early years, we always told our children that God had created them with a personality and skills and drives in order to bring light and His truth into their worlds. Teaching them to be responsible for themselves and for others, made them familiar, when they were adults, with the need to reach out to others and to invest their lives, even if it took a risk, to bring His truth into their own worlds.

When we talk to our children throughout the moments of their days and create the vocabulary and train them to learn how to think of themselves as responsible, we are preparing them to live a story of servant leadership. And when they see us taking initiative to help, to reach out to and to teach others, they will develop a self-image of one who is especially called by God to take initiative to bring light to their own dark worlds--all for the love of God's design in their own lives and for their own love of their heavenly Father.

"We take initiative to do all of our own work without being told."

24 Family Way # 13

Go to the ant, O sluggard, Observe her ways and be wise, 7 Which, having no chief, Officer or ruler, 8 Prepares her food in the summer And gathers her provision in the harvest.

Memory Verse Proverbs 6:6-8

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