Song Of The Stone

Speak, for your servant is listening.

1 Samuel 3:10

Simon Verity is a master stone carver who honed his craft restoring thirteenth-century cathedrals in Great Britian. With each careful blow of his chisel, Verity listened closely to the song of the stone. A solid strike indicated that all was well. But a higher-pitched ping meant that a chunk of rock might be ready to break off. He constantly adjusted the angle of his blows and the force of his mallet to the pitch, pausing frequently to run his hand over the freshly carved surface. Verity knew that one wrong move could cause irreparable damage to his work of art. His success depended on his ability to read the signals being sung by his stones.

In a similar way, parents need to listen to the "music" of their children, especially during times of confrontation and correction. It takes patience and sensitivity to discern how your child is responding. If you listen carefully, your boys and girls will tell you what they're thinking and feeling. 

Scripture says, "Let the wise listen and add to their learning" (proverbs 1:5). By listening and honing your craft, you too can become a master carver who creates a beautiful work of art in your children.

...How well do you and I listen to the "music" of our little one's?

...Do we actually know what they are thinking and feeling?

...What more can we do to create a beautiful work of art in our kids?

(Night Light for Parents: James Dobson)

Laughter does good!

Thought you guys would enjoy a funny video today!

Tim Hawkins is so funny.... Annnddd, he loves Jesus!

Things you don't say to your wife

(for some reason the blog isn't working properly today, just click on the link, not the picture)

Enjoy!!!

Love Dance

Our world is changing by the minute, and it seems it is very rarely for the better. 

Kids in today's world have must deal with dangers that were somewhat unheard-of during my childhood: school shootings, gang wars, drugs, molestation, kid nappers, and terrorists! Yet, I am convinced one of the greatest threats to a child's sense of security and well-being has nothing to do with these outside forces. It is, instead, the fear that Mommy and Daddy might one day break up the family.

I remember, as an adolescent, listening through closed doors to my mom and dad in very heated discussions. My fear each time I heard this, was that we would be a broken family! Little did I know, then, that couples do have disagreements, and yes, they do argue! 

My parents just celebrated 34 years of marriage... a very good marriage!

Kids just like adolescent me, need stability. A secure environment, to grow and learn. It's what God wants for your family and mine.

This environment all starts with a commitment between husband and wife to nurture the marriage relationship.

The wonderful and challenging 

Dance of Love. 

Our family receives so much comfort from scripture, written especially for us. "A father to the fatherless, and defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling" (Psalm 68:5) 

Maybe the best news for you and your family is simply knowing, you are never alone! 

"Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:20) 

I am so thankful Jesus is standing right beside us as we journey through these things called, love, marriage, parenthood, and.....life.....

A Hunger for Christ

When I see the news about young people stealing, killing, destroying property, or being sexually promiscuous, I know I can be sure that those individuals do not have a healthy fear of the Lord, nor a good understanding of His ways... and not even a hunger for the things of God!!! 

This breaks my heart, and saddens me.

Sometimes these young people mentioned may even be from Christian families and have received Jesus, but because they haven't been taught to fear God and desire His presence they are controlled by their flesh.

There is SO MUCH in this world to take our children away from the things of God, and the evil one will come to each one of our children with his own agenda to see if they will buy into it. 

When do we do our part to teach, instruct, discipline, and train our children in the ways of God......?

When we read them accounts from God's Word.

When we teach them how to pray and have faith that God is who He says He is and will do what He says He'll do.

When we help them get plugged in with godly friends.

When we show them that walking with God brings joy and fulfillment, not boredom and restrictions. 

When we pray with and for them about EVERYTHING... then our children will develop a hunger for the things of God.

They will know that the things of God are top priority. 

They will become God-controlled and not flesh controlled.

They will long for His ways, His Word, and His presence.

They will fear God and live a long and better life....

"The fear of the Lord prolongs days, but the years of the wicked will be shortened" (proverbs 10:27)

Having a reverent fear of God isn't really something we should tell people we have, it's something we should show other's... including our children! 

My prayer is for our children to have that fear! To love the things of God and hate what this world has to offer. I want and pray that each of our children will grow and develop a heart that seeks after Him. 

Start now, while your children are small, praying for these things mentioned! 

God will honor your prayers!

Rocking, Worship, and Prayer

Most every night my husband gets to put our baby girl (1 year old) to sleep! Rocking her, giving her a bottle and cherishing each moment of that time....But......

Last night, I got to do all of that. 

When I am able to put her to sleep I rock, give her a bottle, and talk to her quietly about her dreams, and how special she is. But, my most favorite time is when she drifts off to sleep, limp in my arms. It's then that I sing sweet old hymns, and pray over this precious little girl. 

Last night I mostly sang a beautiful hymn that I love so so much. Do you know this one???

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus... there's just something about that name. 

Master, Saviour, Jesus... like the fragrance after the rain.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus... let all heaven and earth proclaim.

Kings and kingdom's will all pass away, but there's just something about that Name!!

Tears rolled down my face as I sang this song to this little miracle I was holding. Thanking our Lord above for sending us this little girl. I couldn't help but think of Jesus' love, and how there is something about that Name. If I love our little one's so much that it literally hurts me sometimes, how much more does the Father love them??? How much more does He watch over them??? 

Sometimes I forget. Sometimes I seek the power and control be lord over them. But I am reminded quickly.... of how much He wants to be Lord over their little lives even now.... I remember that I am not the boss, I am just simply a vessel leading to the King of Kings...I seek so much wisdom and pray that the very Name I sing about is the Name I am showing these babies every day. 

I am so in love with my Saviour, and thank God daily for these blessings He has chosen to give. 

Today, my heart (and my lips) sing  

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus... there's just something about that Name.

Beauty: In His Image

Sometimes I struggle with poor self-image. Am I alone???

I would venture to say that  women struggle with this often. 

I have made a conscience effort lately to speak only life... letting good, holy, things flow from my mouth. That means, if I have a temptation to speak badly of myself (especially in front of our children) I bite my tongue.

I have learned that the "poor self-image" thoughts  in my heart, and the "I can't do anything right" thoughts that swim around in my head, are often held back. I pray for strength and power to overcome the voice in my head telling me I am worth nothing, because I know the truth. I am a

  CHILD OF THE KING!!!!! 

But, sometimes the above thoughts overwhelm me, take over and pour out in everyday life, like a poison, flooding over everyone/everything in my path.. This flood could be strong enough to carry me along with people in my life away, if I allow it to! 

God says our first steps our to be toward Him: Seeking His face, following His laws, putting Him first, and self-centered pursuits last. When we line up with Him, He leads the way and all we have to do is Follow. As we look to Him, the glory of His image gets imprinted upon us. When our self-image gets so wrapped up in God that we lose ourselves in the process, we become free.

I want that freedom. 

I know that I will never see who I really am until I see who God really is. 

My prayer for you (and for me) is that we find our true identity in Christ. Raising our children, and loving our husbands in the sound knowledge that we are Daughters of the King!

 That we have been created in His image.