He Freed Us From Sin

He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, 

and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.

Titus 2:14

From time to time we all struggle with parenting and can be hard on ourselves for the choices we make. Of course God wants us to do good in everything but he also knows that we are not perfect. Admitting our faults and asking for forgiveness is essential. So at the end of every day, give up your sins to our Heavenly Father as for his redemption and forgiveness. He loves you so much he will forgive you each and every time you ask.

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Tough Kids Teach Tough Lessons

No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening---it's painful!

But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained this way.

Hebrews 12:11

Raise your hand if you enjoy discipline. . . .well of course you don't, I don't think any parent enjoys being the bad guy in the eyes of their child. But just as the our Heavenly Father disciplines us for bad decisions we too must teach our children right from wrong.

If you have more than one child you undoubtedly experience a difference in personalities between those children. Some are mild, some are calm, while others are, oh how shall we say it, tough. Yes, that is a nice term for those kids that have their own path in life.

When I ran head long into motherhood I was first a step-mother. By God's grace I became a step-mother (not really a fan of that term, mind you) to a VERY calm 2 year old and his 4 year old sister. The 2 year old never threw a tantrum, never argued, and always sat still to eat his meals. No kidding, I am not exaggerating! God knew I needed this reprieve from discipline being that I was a new Mom thrown into a tough situation. Still to this day my son is easy going and has a super kind heart. After that walk in the park of raising a 2 year imagine my horror when I realized not all toddlers acted that way. My side of the family, myself included are strong personalities so it comes to no surprise that my 2 youngest are "tough".

Yet again though, my Heavenly Father knew what I could handle and knew the lessons these tough kids would teach me. For Him and my children I am forever grateful! My 2 tough children have thought me more about myself than I could have ever imagined. I shudder to think of the person I might be today without them and their never ending love. However, if you are a Mom of a tough child you know that the road of parenthood is bumpy and sometimes painful.

Through His grace and mercy though, tough kids teach us tough lessons. Lessons that are so important to learn!

From my 2 tough children I have learned the following:

• Putting myself in timeout is effective and necessary
• Closing my eyes and counting to 10 brings my heartrate down a few notches
• Tempers are hereditary and can be traced directly through my familiy
• Watch what you say and do because it will ALL come back to haunt you
• Silence filled with only a hug helps me and my child
• When I feel my patience has reached it's breaking point, there is ALWAYS just a little bit more to get me gracefully through the tough situation
• Stopping to pray aloud for patience, guidance, and strength teaches your children we need to always look to God for help.

My 2 tough children have graciously taught me that I can handle tough discipline situations with ease and effectiveness. I see that they are all growing into kind hearted children. Though I will never be perfect, my tough children are showing me that perfection isn't what they need. Children around the world just need loving and patient parents, the other stuff will all fall in place.

Doubt vs. Trust

O Lord, I give my life to you.

I trust in you, my God!

Do not let me be disgraced,

or let my enemies rejoice in my doubt.

No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced, 

but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.

Psalm 25:1-3

Doubt and trust can come in many different forms in our lives. Be them personal, spiritual, or worldly; doubt and trust play a vital role in who we are how we live our lives.

How is doubt affecting your personal life? In what areas of your life do you doubt yourself? Listen to your self-talk and you will find your answers. I hear too often from my friends "I am not a good cook", "I am so bad at that", or "Oh, I could never try that, I am too old". The list of doubting comments could go on and on. So many times our self-doubt stems from something in our childhood. Whether it was a single comment someone said to us at a vulnerable time in our lives or an overall theme of worthlessness to our childhood, self doubt lives in all of us in one shape, form or fashion.

The problem isn't whether we have doubt in our lives, but rather what we do with that doubt. Does it consume us and limit our lives or do we acknowledge it and move past it? Of course we all need to do the later.

Doubt can permeate your relationship with our Lord Savior. You might question the life path he has set you on or you might falter with unanswered prayers. No matter the situation or circumstance we have all doubted Him one time or another. But why? As I walk the life that He has set before me I am growing in my faith, understanding, and most importantly my trust in Him and His path for my life.

Personally, this year already has some major changes on the horizon. A job change for my husband has been a year in the making and has to happen this year. As a result, the job change is taking the form of moving our family out of state. And if a job change and 1800 mile move wasn't enough in one year, God has laid upon our hearts  growing our family by faith. 

A large family was not always in our hearts, quite the contrary in fact. After the birth of our youngest my husband and I decided we were done. That is it we said, no more, we are done. How foolish we were! Shortly after our decision and steps to make no more kids permanent we began doubting our choice. For two and a half years we struggled with where God was leading us. In essence we were doubting Him. What a mistake on our part! Why didn't we trust Him more freely? Doesn't he provide everything we need? Don't we owe it all to Him? And still, we doubted. Oh Heavenly Father, please forgive us of our doubt.

This post was laid upon my heart this evening because I know many (if not all) of you struggle with doubt, pain, or struggles in life on a daily basis. Have you given your fears to God? I want to encourage you to trust in Him with everything you have. If it is His will, He will provide everything you need.

Sure I could be a nervous wreck thinking about a job change, moving my family of 5 with 2 dogs and a cat 1800 miles from my hometown, and possibly being pregnant all at the same time. You know what though? I am at peace with where my Lord is leading me. He will hold my hand and guide me down the path he set before me even before I was born.

Give Him your doubt and He will give you comfort. Trust in Him because everything is possible with God!

The road to enternal salvation is through Him

The road to salvation is wide open and easy to drive through.  There are 4 turns along the road to salvation.

1st turn: Everyone has sinned. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. Romans 3:23

2nd turn: The penalty of sin is death. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

3rd turn: Jesus Christ died our sin. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Romans 5:8

Last turn: To be forgiven for our sin, we must believe and confess that Jesus is Lord. Salvation comes through Jesus Christ. If  you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.


If you believe in Jesus for your salvation you know that driving this road is one thing. Living and staying on this road is another thing entirely. I want to encourage each of you to continue driving, walking, running, or whatever your hearts leads you to do along this path to salvation.

Everlasting Life

The topic of everlasting life has been on my heart a lot since this weekend. On our way to visit my Mom, my 5 year old asked a lot of questions about good and bad people and even surprised me by remembering the gist of a verse we learned a few weeks ago about Godly people having two lives and wicked people only having one life. This morning I was led to verses on this subject.

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him  from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. Romans 10:9-10

And that is what God has testified; He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God's Son does not have life. 1John 5:11-12

Jesus said, "I tell you the truth anoyone who believes has eternal life" John 6:47

Today I would like to encourage you to believe on the Lord as your Savior. He died for our sins and so that we can have eternal life with our Holy Father, God Almighty. Simply believing is not enough however, scripture tells us that we must also walk in the way of the Lord.

In prayer:
Our Lord in heaven I give you praise on this blessed day you have given me. Thank you Heavenly Father for sending your only Son to die for my sins and wash me clean of all my insecurities. Blessed Lord you gave your life to save mine, through you I have been given eternal life in heaven with my Heavenly Father. Please grant me the strength and wisdom to find my way here on Earth and walk the path you have set before me before I was even born. In your name I pray, Amen.

Seek Him with all your heart

 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

What did you do this week to seek God? Have you spent time in the Word praying and giving thanks? I urge you to give up your struggles to Him. Give Him praise for all of the wonderful blessings in your life. Seek Him everyday day with all of your heart, with all of your words, and with all of your actions. 

Encouragement

"But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In his way, you will keep yourselves safe in God's love. And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives." Jude 20-23

Can you get through one day without complaining? I will be praying for you!!

Blessings!

Doing God Right

Before going to bed last night I prayed for inspiration regarding this blog. I asked God to send me the topic he wanted me to post about because this blog was started from His request. Early this morning I woke from a dream with this title in my head along with a rough outline and a few sentences. After I awoke I made a simple request that He help me wake up early so I could do his work before my family woke up; just before 6am my eyes popped open. God is good!

Doing God right. What does that mean to you? It can be taken in one of two ways. 1.) Being the Christian that our Savior wants us to be, following the Bible and doing our best each day. Or 2.) In addition to all of that you also listen prayerfully with your heart and mind to what God is calling you to do. What do you do when that voice in your head speaks? What do you do when you feel called or experience a sign of what He wants you to do? It is my hearts prayer that you listen each and every time. So often we want to do our own thing, our own will. But friends if you feel called towards something you need to listen. No matter how big or small. It is His will and not our own that matters.

Through Christ, God has given us the privilege* and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name. And you are included among those Gentiles who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ. Romans 1:5-6 (NLT) *or grace

Just as I could not ignore this calling or many others in my life I pray that you too follow your own calling. We are here to do His will and not our own. Without Jesus life here on earth would be bleak and hopeless. But thanks to God he sent his only Son to free us of our sins. He offered it all for us so that we would be free of sin and able to do His will and not our own.

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power or the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power or sin that leads to death. Romans 8:1-2 (NLT) 


So dear friends, what are you feeling called to do? What is His will for you?

Prayerfully,
Alexis

Praying With Your Husband

Plain and simple, DO IT!! The simple act of praying daily with your husband will change your marriage forever. It is so easy to get caught up with our "to do lists" and the hustle of raising a family and managing a house that our marriages often take a backseat to our busyness. But sisters, I implore you please make your marriages a priority from this day forward. Your children will grow and leave the house, all that you will have left (if you are lucky) is your husband. Cultivate your relationship always and forever.

My husband and I at one time were very distant and near separation. We both wholeheartedly believe that it was God who brought us through those dark times because there was no way we could do it on our own. He truly saved us and our family.

One way we grow our marriage is through time spent daily with each other. After talking about our day and spending time with one another we always end our time with prayer. It is our promise to each other and nothing else in our marriage is more powerful than our time in prayer together. We pray for our children, our family, those on our prayer lists, and most of all each other. It is amazing to hear your spouse pray for you so openly and honestly. Through daily prayer my husband and I have grown closer than I could have ever imagined. If you don't already pray with your husband please start today!!

For the Christian wife brings holiness to her marriage, and the Christian husband brings holiness to his marriage. Otherwise, your children would not be holy, but now they are holy. 1Cor 7:14 (NLT)

Prayer Baskets

As 2009 comes to an end I find myself reflecting upon this year and planning for next. One area of my life that I'd like to improve is my daily devotions and prayer time with the Lord. To improve my time I plan on creating a prayer basket. A prayer basket can be as simple or complex as you want it to be. Essentially though the basket is used to hold all the essential items you need during your time of prayer and devotion. Not only are these baskets functional they can also be decorative.

Prayer baskets should include the following items:

• Study Bible
• Pens, pencils, and highlighters
• Personal journal
• Daily Devotional
• Box of tissues
• Note cards

Optional personal items may include:

• Your favorite coffee/tea and a coffee mug
• Scented candle and a lighter
• Vase with fresh flowers
• Throw blanket

The key is to make the basket your own, adding your favorite things to it so that your time in prayer is peaceful, productive, and comfortable.

As an aside, prayer journals can be something as simple as a spiral notebook or as complex as a decorative hardbound book. Again, the key is to make it your own. Whatever you are most comfortable with and can afford will function just fine. In your prayer journal you might want to include sections for prayer requests, answered prayers, and praises. Also, be sure and leave space for your thoughts, devotions, and scripture references. Some journals also include prayer partner lists and contact information.

Do you already use a prayer basket? Please let me know what is in your basket.

Blessings for the New Year!!

Off And Running

Shepherding a kind child's heart is a daily challenge parents face. Discipline, the words we choose, how we act, our moods; they all affect a child's kind heart each and every day. I have gained the inspiration for this blog from my wonderful children, my loving husband, and also the wonderful homeschool support network that the good Lord has provided for me. He knew my needs and provided.


It is my goal within this little corner of the web to provide inspiration to all of the wonderful families that homeschool their children everyday. I will include not only what I do with my 3 blessings everyday but also ideas for how we as parents can shepherd kind hearts in our children and families. Even if you do not homeschool it is my hearts hope that you will find ideas and inspiration for things that you can do with your children at home; as parents we are ALWAYS teaching our children.


Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe. Proverbs 2:9-11



Kind hearts are the gardens,
Kind thoughts are the roots,
Kind words are the flowers,
Kind deeds are the fruits,
Take care of your garden And keep out the weeds,
Fill it with sunshine Kind words and kind deeds. 

By: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow