Duggar's New Book! A Love That Multiplies

I know that many of you just love the Duggar family just as much as we do 

and that is why I know you will be DELIGHTED to know that they have a brand spankin' new book that is available for preorder now entitled 

A Love That Multiplies:
An Up-Close View of How They Make It Work

Here is are the publishers comments:

In this second book from the Duggars, they focus on the principles that equip them to face life's challenges—drawing from their most recent challenge with the 3-month premature birth of their newest child, Josie. They also share the new challenges their older children are facing as they prepare for adult life. Central to the book is a section on the principles that the Duggar's have consistently taught their children. These simply worded principles are basic to the Duggar family and are shared in a way that other parents can incorporate in their own homes. A special chapter on homeschooling gives valuable information to parents who are considering this route or are already invested in it. The world continues to be amazed by their nineteen well-groomed, well-behaved, well-schooled children and their home life, which focuses on family, financial responsibility, fun—and must importantly, faith. The Duggar's show how parents can succeed whether they’re rearing a single child or several.

Table of Contents

Preface: Our Biggest Test Begins

Part 1: Little Baby, Big Challenges 
 1. Little Eyes Watching
 2. More Babies on the Way!
 3. A Surprising Test Begins
 4. Praying without Ceasing
 5. Miracles and Milestones
 6. Difficult Priorities
Part 2: Shaping Hearts and Minds
 7. Living under the Microscope
 8. Opportunities to Reach Out to Others
 9. Developing a Servant Heart
10. Making Faith Fun
Part 3: Big Hope for Our Children’s Future
 11. Homeschool, Duggar Style
 12. Vocations, Goals, and Roles
 13. Daily Training, Tips, and Practicalities
 14. Life Is a Classroom
Part 4: Big Hearts, Full of Love
 15. Protecting and Cherishing Our Relationships
 16. Michelle’s Heart for Children and Moms
 17. Jim Bob’s Lifelong Hobby
 18. Do the Duggars Date?

 P.S. Answering the Big Question




What an encouragement it is to have a mom of 19 children take time in her day to minister to women!
It is wonderful to see Titus 2 women rise up and bless those around them even with busy schedules like Michelle's and especially be a testimony to the lost.

Be sure to get your copy and

preorder new the book here!

(they have it in hardcover, Kindle and audio)


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Wise Woman Tip:

Family movie nights are a great learning experience and kept wholesome when watching the Duggar family in action in their hit TV show 19 Children and Counting.

 You can get their movies here 
starting from ONLY  $4.49!

Using Praise to Build Up Your Home

Today I would like to share with you some wisdom gleaned from here.

At the tea, Mrs. Duggar was asked if she had any advice to give to parents, the advice she gave was:

"Be sure to praise your children and praise them alot because whoever praises them will win their hearts."

And when asked;

"What do you do with the lazy child?"

Her answer again was to praise them, of course she meant in honesty when they were doing good things (not to be confused with flattery which might puff up pride in a child).

This is valuable wisdom since the flesh is prone to do the opposite. I see a remarkable change in my children when I praise them for the things that they have done right. It is so easy to overlook the ten good things they did in the day and see only the multitude of mistakes and criticize. Children are children and are still learning and we as parents need to be patient and practice long suffering with them.. Grace and mercy needs to be factored in abundantly--we cannot run our home like a drill sergeant spewing forth commands and be merciless to the weak. Our children are still learning when and how to obey and we cannot expect perfection. 

Think about ourselves----how many times in a day do you sin against God? Even in small ways sin is sin and therefore: disobedience. God is graceful and patient towards us--we must apply this to our children as well. 

The Bible reminds us that:

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21

When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. Proverbs 10:19

Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise bring healing. Proverbs 12:18

He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity. Proverbs 21:23

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. Proverbs 25:11

So today, mothers, I challenge you to put into place-
The Praise Project!
I have heard it  said that for every negative thing you say to a person it takes ten positive things to make up the difference. Vow from this day on to purposefully praise your children and to hold your tongue when you are tempted to lash out, yell or complain.  Give it a whirl and see how it transforms your home. Praise empowers souls to holy heights. It arms them with confidence and can point them towards honorable nobleness, while the opposite--tearing them down, utterly incapacitates.

If you are prone to criticizing and grumbling towards your children make a promise to change today
--it is not too late. 






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Fathers, Daughters, Butterflies and High Tea

Daughters

need time

with their fathers...

I've heard it's wonderful. 

If you are able to attend, definitely do!

You can sign up here.

****************** 


If you are looking for a set of beautiful heirloom teacups to buy for your daughter or her hope chest
look no further! Click here for the perfect set.


 

Invest In Your Family This Christmas

Every year when we buy gifts we try to make sure we include gifts that will sharpen the character of our children, teach them something new or grow in their spiritual walk with the Lord. I love Vision Forum because their products are family centered and help me to accomplish many of my goals in strengthening my marriage, family, and homeschool. I love what they have out this year for our daughters:

Heroines of Christ's Kingdom Paper Doll Set (Set of 6) now 50% off
 That is the ENTIRE set that is regularly priced at $78

--is NOW ONLY $39!!!!

 We own these and my daughter's absolutely love them!

“Daughters of His Story” is a new series of beautiful, full-color paper dolls that will entertain your girls and strengthen them in biblical femininity, character, and love for history. The women of God featured in these collections were dedicated to serving the Lord through their missions as wives and mothers. Each set comes with two women from history, along with a short biography and three outfits, two dolls inside a keepsake folder, two stands, and six dresses.

The Sewing Answer Book 
just marked down to $10.50!
A great way for our daughter's (or ourselves) to learn the domestic skills they will need one day for their future homes.They also have books for baking, knitting, crocheting and beading that you may find here.

What Our Father Taught Us About Boys
just marked down to $7!!

How can young ladies keep their hearts pure? What responsibilities do they have toward young men? Is it possible to be “just friends?” Listen to practical advice on navigating the tricky waters of relationships with boys, and how these relationships—properly conducted—can be edifying and strengthening to a civilization that honors marriage and family life.

My daughter really enjoyed this one and so did I! Believe me, I am very picky about teaching regarding the opposite sex, and this was worth the investment! Listen to a sample here.

The Godly Woman's Adornment Collection-50% off-
 now only $22!!
This accessible and hard hitting series addresses four Biblical fruits which are not some fleeting ideal, but a reality that God enables women to live out daily. Perfect to meditate upon throughout the day, each short devotional looks to Scripture for words of encouragement, correction, wisdom, and guidance to help direct women toward a true, enduring satisfaction in Christ. Books include the virtuous topics of Joy, Contentment, Trust and Purity.

For the dads:

Fathers and Daughters: Why Every Father is Leaving a Legacy-$10
now marked down to $5!!!
Every father leaves a legacy for his daughter whether good or bad, whether by design or by default. Daughters watch carefully what dads prioritize as well as what they neglect, and then form their own ideals—including the kind of man they look for in a mate—in response to this. Dr. Voddie Baucham explains this powerful influence that fathers have on their girls as well as the destructiveness of male abdication. His charge: Dads must set aside selfish pursuits and lovingly lead their daughters. Listen to a sample here.

Feminine by Design- only $9
just marked down to $6.30!

Feminine by Design - The Twelve Pillars of Biblical Womanhood, is written for teenage girls to help them understand biblical femininity. Here, Scott Brown explores some of the major passages of Scripture that explain it. You will find the biblical texts that he used to teach his own daughters as he sought to “bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).

Oh, I couldn't help but throw this cutie-pie in! Isn't she adorable?

Lady Jocelyn Leigh Dress now 19% off

and we can't forget the lace parasol:

and I will throw this one in here for me---I mean for the moms! :)

Building a Winning Curriculum-only $10
was just marked down to $4!!!

Written by a homeschool mom with twenty years of experience teaching her three children, this handy guide combines the majority of Vision Forum’s resources into a single, easy-to-use handbook. Each product is placed into overarching categories, such as Creationism and Science, the History of Christianity, Western Civilization, etc., and recommendations are provided on how you can use Vision Forum’s resources to develop and enhance your own unit studies. Also included are tips on ways to use these materials to encourage your children's growth in the Lord.

They are currently offering a flat shipping rate of $5 only!
With many of their products at 60% off! 
And get a free gift for your $150 purchase-a $95 value

Put gifts under the tree that will help strengthen your family this year and have a wonderful day searching out wise investments for building up your home!


(What are you waiting for??? Go there now and see what other goodies they have!)



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Note: Dear readers,  I am affiliate for Vision Forum--if you decide to make a purchase from them please consider making them through this site through any of the links above or the catalog in the sidebar.  It would greatly bless our family and we would truly appreciate it! I love Vision Forum and am happy and honored to be able to introduce you to their fabulous resources! They also have sales everyday until Christmas!

Where Is My Treasure?

Good morning, ladies!

It is a new week and a new month!
WELCOME in beautiful November!

I want you to take some time to think about where you treasure is. If your true treasure in:

1.The Lord.

2.Your Family

Then I want you to think about:

1. How have I been investing my time?

2. Do I spend my time investing in the things that matter?

3. Do I spend adequate time on both?

4. What things can I plan this month that will change and powerfully impact the two most important things I have listed above?

5. Do I find myself investing alot of time in things that do NOT matter for eternity--whether they are considered good things or not?

We only have one shot in this lifetime. I recently had friends who lost their oldest daughter in a terrible accident--they were horrified,devasted and shocked beyond belief. If they had known they would have so little time with her, I know they probably would have lived life very differently. 

If you sense that your children's hearts have drifted from you, do all that you can to win them back! Don't just tell others that it is happening--with every fiber of your being go after them and don't let their souls be lost. Invest in the eternal, in Christ and in His work and you will live a rich life serving our King.

I challenge you to live your lives differently today! Live it like it is your last because we know that our days our numbered!

"Lay not up for yourselves treasure upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt an dwhere thieves do not breath through nor steal: for where you treasure is, there will you heart be also."

Matthew 6:19-21

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It Is Your Business

"You cannot control your children, you say.

Then the Lord have mercy on you!
It is your business to do it,
and you must do it,
or else you will soon find they will control you.
No one knows what judgment
will come from God
upon those who allow
sin in children
to go
unrebuked."




~ C.H. Spurgeon




(Hat tip to Megan Anderson)

Discipling Children

“God has designed your family

—not the youth group,

not the children’s ministry,

not the Christian [or Government] school,

but your family

—as the principle discipling agent

in your children’s lives.”

- Voddie Baucham

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Idle Time is the Devil's Playground

(This article is not for young readers.)





It's been said that idle time is the devil's playground or similarly that idle hands is the devils workshop.



I could not agree more. With 8 children I find that keeping them busy goes quite a long way to keeping them out of trouble. While I do believe that it is beneficial to have a time of rest from work and to enjoy some free unscheduled time in one's schedule, I also believe that God has given us time, that it is a gift, and that we should be wise stewards of it. Below is a verse characterizing what can happen when someone (in this case, widows) have too much idle time:



Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to. 1 Timothy 5:13



One of the things that our generation did not grow up with were cell phones. We did not have the opportunities to text our friends about every little detail or gossip that came our way. Today's children know how to text as fast as they can speak. Many news reports have been exposing stories all across America regarding children and teens who have taken to the new rage of 'sexting' their friends on their cell phones during their free time and in the school classrooms. It is alarming to realize that something that seems so harmless as a phone could create so much trouble. Our children become victims and casualties of visual and sexual assault while so many around them--the teachers and parents, did not have a clue. In todays world, our children could be sent offensive images while they are sitting in a church service!!! (And the sad part is, most parents would not even know.)



The use of leisure time should be carefully prayed over and planned out by the parents. Too much leisure time can only lead to trouble. It is wise to make sure children have something to put their hand to throughout the day and a schedule of planned activities carefully prayed over and thought through by mom and dad is priceless-especially for those who find children with too much free time on their hands. Nothing is more irksome to see than a child or teenager whining "I'm bored."







Teach your child to work. So many teens do not even know how to clean their rooms, let alone other areas of the home. Teach them these things and you will be teaching them life skills, good character and responsibility. I can't tell you how many mothers have written me, lamenting how they wished their parents had taught them the basics of caring for a home/cooking, etc. so they would not have to struggle so much now. Parents are often afraid of teaching their children to work around the house because they do not want to 'rob' them of their childhood. This could not be more false! If we are training our children to care for themselves and a family one day, the time spend in their childhood learning these things are priceless. I believe if they are not taught they are being 'robbed' of proper training.





If a childs time is unsupervised the child will find ways to fill it himself. Maybe hanging out at the mall wasting money that could be saved, or too much time on themselves such as spending hours on how they look (fixing their hair, picking out clothes, reading teen magazines that promote such behavior). They might dwindle away hours watching tv, movies or playing video games of which have no eternal value. They can also be drawn to premature relationships with the opposite sex and further enticed by other worldly influences.



Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger. Proverbs 19:15



Children who contribute at home feel an inward sense of worth as they contribute to the family unit. Teaching your child the value of time, how it is a gift of God and not to be wasted frivolously. We are managers of the short time we are here on earth. The question we should be asking is: How can we use this time to advance God's kingdom on earth and bring glory to Him while we are here?



If we find our children has extra time after school and housework, set your sights on teaching them life skills. Can they prepare meals, sew, garden, mow, do laundry repair broken items, car maintenance etc? In their spare time they could always be reading through the Bible and through good books that inspire or teach them. I love the idea of having them involved in ministry, or what I like to call Kingdom Work. Whether it is within your home, neighborhood or church, through letter writing or prayer--there is always a need for something. There are widows who would love a phone call or lonely neighbors who could use a visit. There are new moms who could use a meal or new neighbors that would love some welcoming cookies. Have your children be outward focused, and not inward, and see the blessings they will reap by doing so!



My last thought is this....PRAY. Ask the Lord exactly what you should be doing as a family and to guide and direct you in these matters for not every family will look the same. Ask Him to show you and your husband what needs to be changed in your child's life so that you can permanently close the door on the devil's playground and use their time wisely as a platform for serving our King.

















(She Looketh Well Series, Part 4)

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Walking with the Wise

Something was different about Johnny.

All through the years he just loved playing baseball, and spending time with his family. He always got A's on his school work and he kept to himself pretty much...until he started to hang out with that new crowd of boys.

These boys were different. They dressed in black, wore spiked collars and black nail polish. But mom and dad didn't say a word, they shrugged it off as a phase and promised they wouldn't interfere. Johnny had a good head on his shoulders and could make his own decisions. After all, they sowed some wild oats when they were teens and didn't they come out alright?

Well Johnny didn't come out alright. This was the wrong crowd. A crowd he should have not gotten anywhere near. What seemed to be harmless turned into a lifetime of addiction, shame, guilt and regret that changed the course of his life. He could not believe the damage he had done. Where were his parents, he wondered bitterly...why didn't they warn me?

"Do not be mislead. Bad company corrupts good character. Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God--I say this to your shame." 1 Corinthians 15:33-34

Johnny's parents were tragically mislead. They thought that Johnny's new friends were harmless, even though there were many red flags. They thought they should not interfere and it resulted in years of rebellious recovery for Johnny. It nearly cost him his life. They neglected their responsibility as parents and paid the high price for it.

I wonder how many times parents have turned a blind eye to their children's friends for other reasons. Perhaps to gain their child's approval, or to help them to become popular. They might have trouble with saying no. Or maybe they assumed the 'I am your friend, not your parent' position. Some just honestly did not notice until it was too late. When the above happens heavy consequences can lie in the future, many grieving parents who have lost their child can attest to this.

He who walks with the wise become wise, but a companion of fools suffer harm. -Proverbs 13:20

Who are your children's friends? Are those relationships bringing them closer to God? If not, is that lining up with the biblical goals for your family? We need to ask ourselves these hard question as we carefully assess their friends.

Our children need to walk with the wise. They need to spend time with the Lord and in His word to develop a strong, faithful walk with him. They also need to spend time with mom and dad. Parents need to actively put time into their children by shepherding their hearts and discipling. Do not leave this for another. Do not assume that when they get older they will make wise choices. Other wise friends can also include grandparents, elders, family members, godly men and women, boys and girls whom have a strong personal relationship with God (all screened by you and your husband, of course, and never to replace you). Many parents find they can do this more effectively by getting together with other families and watching over their children in a supervised setting rather than have them go out/spend time by themselves alone.

Folly is bound up in the heart of a child. Proverbs 22:15



Children do not know how to discern danger and many are actually drawn to it. If foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, then we need to be even more attentive, alert and purposeful in our parenting. The luring away of our children can happen subtly and quickly, I have even heard of stories of children being negatively influenced in what would be considered as 'safe places' such a youth groups, etc. by the other youth there whose parents who did not care or watch over what the children did. Many parents chose to homeschool to protect their children but stopped short there, the other activities the children were involved in surrounded them with the same influences they would have found as if they were going to school. These didn't understand what happened since they felt they were protecting them by homeschooling. And so we go on to this verse:

The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it. Proverbs 27:12

We were appointed by God to be in authority over our children. Not the culture, not the village, not Dr. Phil, not parenting magazines or psychologists. There are many voices that will pull us away from doing what we know is right with our children--do not listen to them, they are lies! (Colossians 2:8) Such as to let them wear that revealing outfit you don't approve of, or go to that party where you know there will only be trouble. Follow your instincts and say no! Have courage and be bold--these are our children that are at stake. God put you in charge. No one will love and protect them the way you and your husband do. The people who will want to influence your children and lure them away will not be around for them when they fall.

Stand your ground, Christian parents!

Protect your children

and help them to walk with the wise!









Note: Teaching our children to protect themselves is a must-- of course they will be in contact with non-Christians so it is important to teach them to respond in Christian love, sharing the good news of the gospel.

(She Looketh Well Series--Part 3)

She Does Not Eat the Bread of Idleness

We are beginning this series because I believe there is a great need to have discernment in today's morally decaying culture to protect the family. The Proverbs 31 woman "looked well to the ways of her household and did not eat the bread of idleness" as we see in verse 27 and we should do likewise. Other translations include:

She carefully watches everything in her household...

She gives attention to the ways of her family...

She keeps a close eye on the conduct of her family...

We need to be ever so careful to not "eat the bread of idleness" by turning a blind eye to the affairs of our family or household, being too busy to notice, or too lazy to care. Instead, we need to be busy faithfully managing the household and watching over the affairs of our family. We need to learn to do it well and practice discernment.

Here is the definition:

dis·cern

1.to perceive by the sight or some other sense or by the intellect; see, recognize, or apprehend.

2.to distinguish mentally; recognize as distinct or different; discriminate: He is capable of discerning right from wrong.

Noah Websters Dictionary of 1828 also adds:

To see or understand the difference, as to make distinction, as to discern between evil and good, truth and falsehood.

Not only will it take wisdom and discernment to really look well to the ways of our household, but it will take a sacrifice on our behalf.

It will mean we have to take seriously what scripture says.

It means we will have to take a close look at what we have been mindlessly allowing in our homes.

It means we will have to free up time to turn our homes around .

It means purposefully living a holy life yourself.

It also means that we do not follow the world's mold or philosophy of raising children. We look to the Bible as our main source of parental wisdom and we start from there. We pray, study and set biblical goals for our children. Whatever does not line up with these goals needs to be reassessed.

Mothers, we need to be diligent in this area. This is a treacherously, wicked culture that is quickly subduing, discipling and drawing our children faster away from the Lord than ever before. But there is something we can do about it...we can say no to the evil and stand strong on the battle frontlines for their hearts and futures.

I am prepared to do that.

I am prepared to fight the war that has been waged against our children.

Now my question is....

Are you?

*************************

(She Looketh Well Series--Part 2)

She Looketh Well to the Ways of Her Household

"Do not be mislead. Bad company corrupts good character. Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God--I say this to your shame." 1 Corinthians 15:33-34

Negative influences can have a profound effect upon our childrens lives if we are not careful. The Bible warns us not to be mislead, and we need this warning more than ever in the 21st century. The onslaught of wickedness is prevalent in our culture and we need to be a discerning people. Being able to wisely choose what is right and wrong in our culture and not succumbing to every whim that seems temporarily pleasurable. We could be doing considerable damage to our children and future generations by not being careful of the influences that we allow into their lives.

We want to have the hearts of our children in order to direct our children toward God and righteousness. We cannot do that well if we do not have their hearts (Malachi 4:6). Temptation towards worldliness can be a powerful force tugging their hearts away from God. We are told to be in the world and not of it and we need to take this warning seriously.

The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it. Proverbs 27:12

In the next few posts I will be examining a few areas of interest:

Friends/Peers
Entertainment
Music
Role Models
Leisure Time
Clothing/Outward Attire
Hypocrisy of Parents: A Stumbling Block

I hope you will join me...








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(She Looketh Well Series--Part 1)

Top Ten Things Ungodly Cultures Hate That the Bible Tells Men

1. Men protect women
2. Men are leaders
3. Men are responsible as heads of their families
4. Men are to teach their children 24/7
5. Men are to love their wives as Christ loved the church and be willing to die for them
6. Men are to be fruitful and multiply
7. Men do not own their bodies, their wives do
8. Men must bring up their children in the training and admonition of the Lord
9. Men must insure that their whole families and everyone else around them should celebrate the Sabbath
10. Mens hearts should be turned toward their children

--Scott Brown, National Center for Family Integrated Churches

Dear Mothers,

are we helping our husband raise sons like this?

We know that this is our husbands role to teach our sons in that special way that only a way a father could and should.

However, the reality is that many mothers are home with their sons for the majority of the time.

Are we reinforcing what Dad is teaching throughout the week?


And...


What kind of sons do we see being raised in culture today?







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The Battle for Hearts and Minds

"There is a battle for the hearts and minds of our children." warns Glenn Beck.

Watch The Indoctrination of Our Children to find out why:



(To blow up this box, click the little box with arrows on the bottom right hand side and don't forget to turn off the music in the sidebar!)

You may watch the rest here.


And have you seen this in the news?






***********************

A Careful Woman

A careful woman I ought to be:
A little girl follows me;
I do not dare to go a stray
For fear she’ll go the self-same way.
I cannot once escape her eyes;
What’re she sees me do,
she tries
Like me, she says,
she ’s going to be,
The little girl who follows me.
She thinks that I am good and fine,
Believes in every word of mine;
The bad in me she must not see,
The little girl who follows me.
I must remember as I go,
Through summer’s sun and winter’s snow,
I am building for the years to be,
For a little girl follows me.

-Author Unknown








Thank you, Megan Van Vuren, for sharing this!



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A Lovely Father and Daughter Event

There is nothing more important than a daughter knowing the love her father has for her. A wonderful way for fathers to spend time with their daughters is to attend a special father daughter event. My husband will be escorting our three daughters to this wonderful Father Daughter Dinner with speaker Norm Wakefield. If you are in the Illinois/Indiana area you might want to check this out:



(Dinolfo's Banquet Hall)

***Christian Heritage Church is hosting a “Father and Daughter Dinner” at DiNolfo’s Banquet Hall, located at 14447 West 159th Street in Homer Glen, Illinois.

Godly womanhood is under attack in our culture. International Bible teacher, conference speaker and author Norm Wakefield will address this issue in a message titled: “A Father and Daughter: Affirming Godly Womanhood.” Norm will offer some practical ways a father can affirm his daughter in her womanhood and prepare her to be a godly wife and mother.

Our prayer is that God would use this evening to unite the hearts of fathers and daughters and lay a foundation for future generations of faithfulness to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Fathers, you will enjoy a delicious gourmet dinner together, followed by father and daughter games, Norm’s message, dessert, and an optional slow dance with your daughter. As you leave, a picture portrait and a surprise gift to remember this special night await you.

Event Itinerary:
5:00 - 6:00 pm ~ Registration and Photos
6:00 pm ~ Begin Seating and Soda Bar
6:30 pm ~ Dinner is Served
7:30 pm ~ Father and Daughter Games
8:15 pm ~ Opening Comments
8:30 pm ~ Norm Wakefield
9:30 pm ~ Optional Father/Daughter Slow Dance
10:00 pm ~ Farewell and don’t forget your photo

~The Cost is $20 per person, which includes your photo~

To Register, visit the church website at www.chcop.org***

Be sure to register soon the date is right around the corner!

March 15, 2010


***Update: Registration has just closed for this event***

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A Mother's Priorities

"I am sadly concerned that thousands of mothers are so over-burdened that the actual demands of life from day to day consume all their time and strength. But of two evils, choose the lesser: which would you call the lesser--an unpolished stove or an untaught boy? Dirty windows, or a child whose confidence you have failed to gain? Cobwebs in the corner, or a son over whose soul a crust has formed, so strong that you despair of melting it with your hot tears and fervent prayers?

I have seen a woman who was absolutely ignorant of her children's habits of thought, who never felt that she could spare a half-hour to read or talk with them--I have seen this woman spend ten minutes in ironing a sheet, or forty minutes icing a cake for tea, because company was expected.

When the mother, a good orthodox Christian, shall appear before the Great White Throne to be judged for the "deeds done in the body," and to give her report of the master's treasures placed in her care, there will be questions and answers like these:

"Where are the boys and girls I gave thee?"

"Lord, I was busy keeping my house clean and in order, and my children wandered away."

"Where wert thou while thy sons and thy daughters were learning lessons of dishonesty, malice and impurity?"

"Lord, I was polishing furniture and making beautiful rugs."

"What hast thou to show for thy life's work?"

"The tidiest house, Lord, and the best starching and ironing in all our neighborhood!"

Oh these children, these children! The restless eager boys and girls whom we love more than our lives! Shall we devote our time and strength to that which perishes while the rich garden of our child's soul lies neglected, with foul weeds choking out all worthy and beautiful growths? Fleeting indeed, O mother, are the days of childhood, and speckless windows, snowy linen, the consciousness that everything about the house is faultlessly bright and clean will be poor comfort in that day wherein we shall discover that our poor boy's feet have chosen the path that shall take him out of the way to all eternity."





--Author Unknown

(Elisabeth Elliot shared the following essay written many years ago by an unknown mother in one of her newsletters ( Elisabeth Elliot Newsletter, P.O. Box 7711, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48107-7711 -$7 yr.) She says while not too many women iron sheets these days, it is still possible to let many other things take precedence over the primary task.)




Thank you Brenda @ The Family Revised for sharing this!









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Training In Righteousness

What would a Christian Mothers Series be without practical teaching on training children?

"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." Ephesians 6:4

"Correct your son, and he shall give you rest; yes, he shall give delight to your soul." Proverbs 29:17. Notice that this is the opposite of the lament "My kids are driving me crazy!"

It is imperative that we correct, train, teach, exhort and discipline or children as needed. It is commanded in scripture. It is not optional. It is not on a 'feel like doing it' basis. We have something to look forward to--the promise that if we are to correct our children they will bring us rest.We cannot neglect this all important duty:

"Train a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old he will not turn away from it." Proverbs 22:6

Consistency is the key. We cannot grow lazy. We cannot overlook sin when we notice it and excuse it or ignore it. It must be addressed. We must get off the couch, stop what we are doing, get off the internet, etc. If not, there will be consequences. It will be harder the second time around.

It takes alot of work to train children, so it is important to start young. Often times you will think that you are getting nowhere and that it is all in vain, but remember that is a lie and not to give up. Stay focused. Know that your children are going to sin today and be mentally prepared for it. How will you respond? They are sinners in need of a savior--just like you. If we are still struggling with sin in our lives then they will too.

Not all children are the same and do not need the same kind of punishment. Some will be crushed by just a simple rebuke from you. Others will need firmer discipline.Be prayerful about what would need to be done. Be sure not just to REACT to the situation and use thought to handle it. A hot-tempered mama is not what you want to model. The fruit of the spirit is what you want to exemplify.

There is much I have shared on my blog already about parenting. Here are a few links to learn from...

Do you have a child centered home or God centered home? Find out here:

What Kind of Home Do You Have?

Children out of control and ruling the roost? Click here:

The Child-Centered Home

Want to know what you might be doing wrong? Read this:

Provoking Children to Anger

Have small children? Click here:

Moms With Small Blessings

Do you have your children's hearts? Find out:

Who Has Their Heart?

How To Chase After A Child's Heart

How to help our children and not tempt them:

Cleaning House

Good and Bad Appetites

(The Christian Mother Series, Part 17)

A Time for Work and A Time for Play

Today I am taking the day to spend time with the children. Although a mom can be a home 24 hours a day with her children that doesn't mean she is actively entering their world. So many things can vie for her attention that by the time she actually sits down she can be too exhausted for any merriment. So today, I am purposefully planning a big block of time to spend with each child. This is so important in keeping their hearts. It is also important when shepherding them. We are not just managers of our children, merely keeping them clean and feeding them. We are Nurturers, and these children will become adults one day. Memories of their childhood are imprinted upon them forever and precious childhood will be over in a blink of an eye. Mother, what is that thing you have been longing to do with your children? Don't delay! They will remember the precious time you sacrifice to love them.

So today I will:

1. Read to the twins and frolic with them.

2. Play dinosaurs with my little 4 year old son.

3. Enter the enchanting world of dolls and dollhouses with my 6 year old daughter who loves to squeal and giggle.

4. Engage my older sons in pretend sword fights and 'man-to-mom' talks.

5. Take my second daughter out to a fabric store to look at crafty things and planning projects and plan a tea date (this is her love language)

6. Spend time with the teenager---helping her with some things she has been asking me to do on the computer. And LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN to her, because she has alot on her heart as all teenage girls do and maybe later play a board game together.


They will not stay children forever. One day that small boy they will grow older and walk out that threshold of your home and return a man. You cannot reclaim those days. Do not have any regrets and do what your heart has been nudging you to do with that child.

Choose to ignore your 'to-do' list today.

Time is running out.

Mothers--DON'T delay!

Knighthood for Boys: International Reform

My husband and I were recently inspired as we watched Geoffrey Botkin's 6 part DVD entitled 'Father to Son-Manly Conversations That Can Change Culture', to start a special life-directed journal as Mr. Botkin had done for his own children. With great excitement I add that this is not just any journal---but can definitely be a profound tool in raising boys to be godly men and used in connection with your consistent daily discipling.

This journal is easy to create using a simple composition book, with a table of contents written in by hand--here were some of the challenging entries he included for his young 15 year old son:

Dad's Maxim's (Encouragement)

What I Want for my Wife

What I Want for my Children

What I Will teach my Children

My Messages (that I will teach when I'm older to other young men to help them)

My Sin's and Weaknesses

My International Reform

Who I'm Discipling and How I'm Discipling

Prayers for the Church

Books I Have Studied

Entrepreneurial Ideas

This was just a glimpse of some of the titles Mr. Botkin used in his sons journal. This man is wise, for he knows that he can change the world through his children and he actively disciples them to do just that. These type of topics enforce and absolutely benefit boys as they get their thoughts flowing in the right direction about their futures and Gods will for their lives. It is also delightfully 'father-directed' as Mr. Botkin eventually goes over these subjects together with him after his son fills in the blank pages, so he is gaining invaluable guidance from his father while using the Scriptures to help direct his answers.

Did you notice that one of the topic's were 'My International Reform'---- now how many teens do you know are thinking about how to reform the world let alone just waking up in time for school? Many teens today are distracted and unwittingly focused on themselves much to their demise--they are not thinking about tomorrow, let alone the future. This journal is an exciting tool to help guide the young souls onto right paths and develop and cultivate a strong Biblical worldview.

What's even more exciting is that as they fill in these journals over the years they live in their fathers home they later take them with them when they leave or marry. They are able look over what they had learned, what they resolved and desired as a young man remembering what Dad had taught them in the past. These become even more valuable as Dad passes away and/or when they one day share them with their own sons.

When we created my own son's journal, we added in a few extra personal topics for him to consider and study, tailoring it just for him. Before we presented it, my husband and I both wrote personal notes to him on the front page--here is what my husband wrote:

To My Son, Stephen Josiah:

As you journey through this life I want you to remember one thing above all else, "Guard your heart!" for it is with your heart that you will serve the Lord, protect women and children, and fight the Great Dragon. You are a warrior in the Lord's Army. Fight Well!

May this journal help you to this cause.

Fighting the Dragon for you, Dad (he then drew a symbolic sword next to his name)

Isn't that just beautiful?

My son's eyes welled up as read it.

My prayer is that God would use the power of His Word, our consistent training and discipling, and this humble little journal---to help grow a little boy who is learning about being on mission for the Lord into a man who will one day fully be on mission for the Lord.

I also pray that this was helpful in giving you one more idea of how we can train our sons and prepare them to one day live victorious lives for the God we serve.

Have a blessed day!

Managers of Their Schools

I have been blessed by the Maxwell family's ministry over the years. I have been challenged, inspired and have implemented many of their ideas into my homeschool and life that I use to this very day. We have seen them teach in person and my children also enjoy their music ministry as a family.

Some of their books that have been a great blessing to me are Managers of their Homes, Managers of their Chores, Keeping Our Children's Hearts and as of late I have noticed that they have a new book out..

Managers of Their Schools



If this is anything like their other books, I will have to make some room on my shelves again to accommodate! I still use much of what I've learned in those other books to run my school day smoothly with eight children underfoot--and this is a mighty task! The books are worth the money!

And if anyone is tired of the lack of quality readers out there for their children, I highly recommend Sarah Maxwell's (daughter to Steve and Terri) Moody Family Series. There is scripture to guide the children, strong family relationships and excitement. My daughters loved all four.



Other books of note from this family:

Homeschooling with a Meek & Quiet Spirit
Preparing Sons
Just Around the Corner

You can receive encouraging email newsletters from them by clicking here.