I spent the last Sunday of the year at Global Vision Bible Church in Mt. Juliet, TN. As every visit has been to GVBC, this one was just as great. I gained some perspective on what 2013 should look like and thought I'd share them with you.
Most people spend time thinking about New Year's Resolutions. They try and pick something that's really going to change their life for the better but sadly, most fail within 2 weeks. I think, however, that we should have New Year's Repentance. How much did we do, or didn't do, for God?
So, from Philipians, Paul gave us some great pointers on how to have joy...true joy. What an incredible passage from Philipians 3! I have a list of not Resolutions, but a list of things I am not going to take with me into 2013. And as vast as this list can be for each of us, here's a list from Phil 3.
In 2013 I will not...
1. Live Life Without Purpose.
I have a purpose in life and I need to find out what that is. Every Christian has a God-given calling and purpose...and I don't want to die without accomplishing that purpose. I want to love my kids more, to be a better Mother ins 2013. I want to be a better wife. I want to be a better friend, neighbor and Christian to all I come in contact with. I want to smile more, to laugh more, to give more. To do things with my boys for God that matter. I want to live a life with purpose!!
2. Be Unwilling to Grow.
I want to read my Bible more, to learn more about God, to grow grow grow in my relationship with Christ. I don't want to miss out on life with Him in every area of my life. If there's an area in my life that I don't let God in, I want it gone. I want God to reveal to me where I need to change so that I can be all He wants me to be.
3. Have Faith Without Focus.
Some people have a list of 100 things they want to do in life. I probably have a list of 200! I want to do so many things that sometimes I don't do any of the things I want because I have no clue what to do first. And when you do 200 things at a time, not one of them is done perfectly. God calls you to do few things in life, but may burden you to do more. I need to find out what I am called to do and what I am burdened to do. And do one thing at a time so that I can do it well! Please God, help me to focus in 2013!!
4. Have a Spirit of Regret.
What's done is done. What's in the past is in the past. Learn form it, grow from it but don't dwell on it. Press toward the mark...there's so much more God wants to do with you this week, this month, this year...Don't spend your time worrying about something you can't change!
5. Worry About Things that Have NO Eternal Value.
I want to teach my boys about giving, loving, serving...those things can't be measured. Instead of my boys remembering how many Christmas presents they got, how many things they got to do or how many great vacations we took, they're going to remember the things we did together as a family, for God. They'll remember serving with their Mother and Father and what a joy it was ti give rather than receive. These are treasures I want to store up in heaven...not here on earth.
When I look back on 2013 I want to say, "I lived every day to the fullest! I loved deeper, I laughed harder, I wept with those who wept, I had more passion for my children and I loved my husband all I could. I served God with all my heart, I prayed more, I read my Bible more...With all my might I lived...and I have no regrets...
Here's to 2013...may you have a blessed year with no regrets!
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Faithful
I cried this morning during the cool down part of my workout.
No, I wasn't in pain.
No, they weren't happy tears because it was over...(although it was a good sweaty one!)
I cried because I was so thankful.
I know, you're thinking, "You were thankful you worked out?! Weird!"
But it wasn't that either. Good guess though.
During my workout, which is called Faithful Workouts, I was telling the boys how we should be so thankful that we can move our legs and arms, that we have a good heart that pumps and good lungs that can breathe lots of air. I began talking to myself- "Wow...how very easy it is to take good health for granted."
Then I got lost in the heart pumping, stomach crunching, leg squatting, child-birth-like pains (no just kidding on that part!) that I didn't think about it again until the cool down.
Michelle was talking about a book she read that was really convicting and that it was basically a call to move...and she talked about living the John 10:10 life.
Are we clutching on to things and missing the blessings God has for us?
I can't help but think of all the times I tried holding onto what I thought was the only thing I had left...and missed out on the real blessing that God had in store.
God is amazing. He created us. He loves us. He died for us.
He wants us to love Him and love others and take care of the people he put in our lives as well as care for our bodies.
I want to encourage you to visit http://www.faithfulworkouts.com/ or watch it 9:30am on the NRB channel. She's so encouraging and has me pumped to live the rest of the day focusing on God alone!!!
Let's praise God for good health and for our husband's good health, for healthy babies, for good food to eat and a Savior who has redeemed us!
Have a great day in the Lord!
No, I wasn't in pain.
No, they weren't happy tears because it was over...(although it was a good sweaty one!)
I cried because I was so thankful.
I know, you're thinking, "You were thankful you worked out?! Weird!"
But it wasn't that either. Good guess though.
During my workout, which is called Faithful Workouts, I was telling the boys how we should be so thankful that we can move our legs and arms, that we have a good heart that pumps and good lungs that can breathe lots of air. I began talking to myself- "Wow...how very easy it is to take good health for granted."
Then I got lost in the heart pumping, stomach crunching, leg squatting, child-birth-like pains (no just kidding on that part!) that I didn't think about it again until the cool down.
Michelle was talking about a book she read that was really convicting and that it was basically a call to move...and she talked about living the John 10:10 life.
Are we clutching on to things and missing the blessings God has for us?
I can't help but think of all the times I tried holding onto what I thought was the only thing I had left...and missed out on the real blessing that God had in store.
God is amazing. He created us. He loves us. He died for us.
He wants us to love Him and love others and take care of the people he put in our lives as well as care for our bodies.
I want to encourage you to visit http://www.faithfulworkouts.com/ or watch it 9:30am on the NRB channel. She's so encouraging and has me pumped to live the rest of the day focusing on God alone!!!
Let's praise God for good health and for our husband's good health, for healthy babies, for good food to eat and a Savior who has redeemed us!
Have a great day in the Lord!
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Dirty Little Secret...
Yes, it's a dirty little secret that playing in dirt and mud
is actually good for your kids...
Studies show that kids who played out doors and in dirt were less likely to suffer from Vitamin D deficiency, ADHD and obesity and had better immune systems and less allergies!
Besides, playing in mud is fun!
 |
| Isn't today BEAUTIFUL?! |
I asked Charlie if he wanted to play in dirt and his response shocked me.
He said, "All kids want to play in dirt."
It was a "Duh!" moment for me, but such a grown up answer for a 3.5 year old!
Anyway, so in Tot School today we spent an hour studying dirt and mud.
We learned that it is called "soil" and there are multiple layers including topsoil, subsoil and bedrock.
We also learned that some dirt is dry, some is moist, and some is very hard, called clay. Worms, bugs, rocks, animal poop, dead grass and leaves, water and air are all found in dirt.
When you mix water and dirt you make mud.
I would love to have had a BIG muddy area to paint with mud, make mud bricks and really get creative but our limited space and time today only allowed for mud cupcakes.
We learn something each day in our Fun Study Time. Then we do a craft with it and set it in the center of the table for our centerpiece for dinner. Then we can all talk about what we learned (remembering and retaining) and can share it with Daddy!
Tonight will be super fun to see Jeff's face when we put 6 "mud cupcakes" on the table!
 |
| HUNTING FOR DECORATIONS! :) |
Hey, you gotta have some fun and show your kids that learning is exciting and what they create matters!
We had a great time...I just wish we would have found some big long worms!
Saturday, August 25, 2012
4 Tips for Cooking With Your Kids!
Hey guys!
Since we made home made pizza today, it inspired me to do a post about cooking with your kids. As I was thinking about what I would say, I thought it would be great to tell you some simple things that I have learned while cooking with Charlie. Here are my 4 Simple Tips for Cooking with Kids!
Strategy!
Plan what you're going to make, go shopping and when you get home organize the ingredients. Going through the store I have Charlie memorize three or four ingredients and I have him recite them back to me. This helps him with memory and it gets him used to thinking about food, so the actual food is always a part of it, and it's not just about the doing part. This is also great for teaching follow through!
*Remember to wash hands before cooking! :)
Keep it Safe!
Kids love helping, which is great, but make sure they are aware of the dangers of a hot stove/oven and sharp knives. This is an obvious one, but can't go without mentioning. Anything can happen in a split second! I always do the prep work and let Charlie and Wesley do the easy stuff. They get to mix and dump etc. but I always do the cutting and putting things in the oven, stove. I also don't let them stand too close to the oven. Charlie slipped one time and got a second degree burn on his index finger. Took 2 weeks to heal and I was a mess!!! It's NOT worth it!
Keep it Simple!
Simple steps and a simple recipe that doesn't take 3 hours to make is what we go for. Simple gadgets are always great, spoons, bowls, mixers, blenders- hey they can push the buttons- and spatulas all work great for little hands and developing fine and gross motor skills! Also, it builds a child's self esteem to accomplish something- no matter how small it seems to us- it's big stuff to them! So, mixing, pouring, sifting, dumping, whisking, poking, patting, touching, any verb you can think up, they love it! It's easy to make a kid grin from ear to ear when you pat them on the back for an accomplishment- what a great memory it is for you and them- and a good self esteem booster to boot!
Seize the day!
Capture every moment and keep it forever!
~Kelly
Since we made home made pizza today, it inspired me to do a post about cooking with your kids. As I was thinking about what I would say, I thought it would be great to tell you some simple things that I have learned while cooking with Charlie. Here are my 4 Simple Tips for Cooking with Kids!
Strategy!
Plan what you're going to make, go shopping and when you get home organize the ingredients. Going through the store I have Charlie memorize three or four ingredients and I have him recite them back to me. This helps him with memory and it gets him used to thinking about food, so the actual food is always a part of it, and it's not just about the doing part. This is also great for teaching follow through!
*Remember to wash hands before cooking! :)
Keep it Safe!
Kids love helping, which is great, but make sure they are aware of the dangers of a hot stove/oven and sharp knives. This is an obvious one, but can't go without mentioning. Anything can happen in a split second! I always do the prep work and let Charlie and Wesley do the easy stuff. They get to mix and dump etc. but I always do the cutting and putting things in the oven, stove. I also don't let them stand too close to the oven. Charlie slipped one time and got a second degree burn on his index finger. Took 2 weeks to heal and I was a mess!!! It's NOT worth it!
Keep it Simple!
Simple steps and a simple recipe that doesn't take 3 hours to make is what we go for. Simple gadgets are always great, spoons, bowls, mixers, blenders- hey they can push the buttons- and spatulas all work great for little hands and developing fine and gross motor skills! Also, it builds a child's self esteem to accomplish something- no matter how small it seems to us- it's big stuff to them! So, mixing, pouring, sifting, dumping, whisking, poking, patting, touching, any verb you can think up, they love it! It's easy to make a kid grin from ear to ear when you pat them on the back for an accomplishment- what a great memory it is for you and them- and a good self esteem booster to boot!
Keep it Special!
Introduce new ingredients or a family specialty! This teaches them about food that is good for them, that they can make things all by themselves (they don't always need to go out to eat) and that Grandma So-and-so made this for you when you were a kid! And what a palate it helps to develop! Picky eaters? Not in my house! We eat everything except liver...and goat cheese- but hey, I try. My kids don't really turn their noses up to much and that's probably because we make everything sound deeelishes! Kale? Awesome! Broccoli? They steal it off my plate. I make things healthy and fun- and that's all you have to do!
Take the time to spend with your kids because one day they'll grow up and give you
just the same amount of attention you gave to them!
 |
| "I made this one!" |
If a messy kitchen is what it takes
To spend my day with you,
Then I would bake ten thousand cakes
And smile the whole day through
If time with you meant dishes for days
and living in the sink,
Then I would wash and scrub away
And never even blink
If I had to have a dirty floor
from teaching you to cook
Then I would sweep and never care
of how much time it took
If all I ever did with you
was play and run and swing
My heart would be full of joy
And all the good you bring
~Kelly Moore~
8.25.12
Capture every moment and keep it forever!
~Kelly
Monday, August 20, 2012
Butterfly...
A
man found a cocoon of a butterfly. One day a small opening appeared. He
sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to
force its body through that little hole. Then it seemed to stop making
any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could, and it
could go no further.
So the man decided to help the butterfly. He took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon.
The butterfly then emerged easily. But it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings.
The
man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected that, at any
moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the
body, which would contract in time.
Neither
happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling
around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It never was able to
fly.
What
the man, in his kindness and haste, did not understand was that the
restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get
through the tiny opening were God's way of forcing fluid from the body
of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight
once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.
Sometimes
struggles are exactly what we need in our lives. If God allowed us to
go through our lives without any obstacles, it would cripple us.
We would not be as strong as what we could have been.
We could never fly!
Monday, July 16, 2012
Two Poems...
"When It's Rainy Outside"
Written July 14, 2012
Inspired by the rain on Saturday while doing the dishes.
When it's rainy outside
I close my eyes
And listen to the sweet pitter patter.
As the rain comes down
I slowly sigh
And the rest of the world doesn't matter.
A cuddle on the couch
A quiet nap
My heart calmly beats with each tiny drop.
When it's rainy outside
The world goes by
But in here all things come to a stop.
To hear many rain drops
Is luxury
To watch them trickle down the window pane.
When it's rainy outside
A cheeky sigh
To listen and watch little drops of rain...
"I Said Unto Thee, Live"
Written July 16, 2012
Inspiration from Ezekiel 16:6
As the sinner lay there waiting
Expecting naught but wrath
Knowing his life is darkness
And death is all he hath
O, the words of grace and mercy
Came as He drew close by
He stopped, looked...He paused
He spoke these words of life...
Said the Master to the Sinner
"I said unto thee, Live!"
The eternal Lord in glory
With words of life to give
His free, unpurchased, unsought grace
Has quickened who were dead
It took but one death at Calvary
to pay the sinner's debt!
Guilty, ready to be condemned
The Mighty One said, "Live!"
The sinner arises, pardoned-
For the Savior does forgive!
Saved One, show gratitude and live!
Your Savior set you free
And the dawn of Resurrection-
What a day that will be!
Love this last one...to God be the glory!
Saturday, June 23, 2012
The Sweet Life {for real}
Boy have we been busy!! I'm sure it's the same with you, too!
This month is almost over already and soon we'll be into July and holiday festivities...
Then back to school in August and another year full of AWANA craziness in September...
Trunk or Treat and the coolest old car show in October...
Thanksgiving...Christmas...
Ok, ok, ok...I know, it won't be that quick and it sounds like I've got the rest of the year all planned out.
But really, that's how life goes! Before you know it, the day is over, the week is over, the month is over, the year is over...in a blink.
I take lots of pictures, not because they are great, but because my kids are great. My LIFE is great!! Sure, it has it's busy times that are exhausting but then you have times like today- Saturday- when the kids are sleeping and the fan is blowing and you have time to blog about not having any time! :)
I am going through a chapter in my life where I'm making sacrifices to get to a point where we as a family can move forward in life and go, do, see, explore, create, learn, and discover new things. Where me as a mom can learn new things too and make my home a place that reflects my heart, my passion for life and my commitment to my God and my family. Soon- I'll get to embark on all those great things. But for now, it's working and sacrificing and praying for God's blessings and direction, strength and purpose.
So, while I could get all flustered that I don't have an iPhone, or an iPad, or anything that starts with an "i" or has any ounce of coolness to it whatsoever- I'd rather enjoy what I do have and live like nobody else- so that one day I can live like nobody else!
So, if you're in the same boat as we are (saving money, striving to get ahead, or like us, paying off your house) be comforted in the fact that you are not alone and one day it'll pay off big time! The success of financial freedom is more valuable and liberating than any accessory! True dat!
Also, rumor has it that having no mortgage has replaced the BMW as a status symbol and those with no debt are fewer and farther between than ever before.
So, go work hard money bags- and smile while you're at it. You're in the minority- and that's a great thing!
And get ready to live the sweet life- for real!
This month is almost over already and soon we'll be into July and holiday festivities...
Then back to school in August and another year full of AWANA craziness in September...
Trunk or Treat and the coolest old car show in October...
Thanksgiving...Christmas...
Ok, ok, ok...I know, it won't be that quick and it sounds like I've got the rest of the year all planned out.
But really, that's how life goes! Before you know it, the day is over, the week is over, the month is over, the year is over...in a blink.
I take lots of pictures, not because they are great, but because my kids are great. My LIFE is great!! Sure, it has it's busy times that are exhausting but then you have times like today- Saturday- when the kids are sleeping and the fan is blowing and you have time to blog about not having any time! :)
I am going through a chapter in my life where I'm making sacrifices to get to a point where we as a family can move forward in life and go, do, see, explore, create, learn, and discover new things. Where me as a mom can learn new things too and make my home a place that reflects my heart, my passion for life and my commitment to my God and my family. Soon- I'll get to embark on all those great things. But for now, it's working and sacrificing and praying for God's blessings and direction, strength and purpose.
So, while I could get all flustered that I don't have an iPhone, or an iPad, or anything that starts with an "i" or has any ounce of coolness to it whatsoever- I'd rather enjoy what I do have and live like nobody else- so that one day I can live like nobody else!
So, if you're in the same boat as we are (saving money, striving to get ahead, or like us, paying off your house) be comforted in the fact that you are not alone and one day it'll pay off big time! The success of financial freedom is more valuable and liberating than any accessory! True dat!
Also, rumor has it that having no mortgage has replaced the BMW as a status symbol and those with no debt are fewer and farther between than ever before.
So, go work hard money bags- and smile while you're at it. You're in the minority- and that's a great thing!
And get ready to live the sweet life- for real!
Monday, April 16, 2012
just something fun...
I have been behind on printing out and planning tot school activities and projects and learning things for Charlie...so he's just been tracing letters a lot lately! :D Finally I finished what had needed to be done for a looong time!
Just wanted to share what we did today!
We used to verse from 1 Thess 5:18
"In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
This verse has been the only explanation for me in a lot of trials that I have faced. We don't often know why we're going through something difficult and it's in those times that we need to pull on God's strength and know that whatever we're facing is God's will...and that He wants us to grow and become better and better with each passing trial- it's not always "sunshine and bunnies" and sometimes the "rain" is necessary...but this we know, the Creator- the Potter...is watching over us!
So, I explained to Charlie that even though it's sometimes rainy and even though it's sometimes sunny we ought to always give thanks for what we have, where we are, and that we have each other! This was ALL him today (except for Mommy who taped it up!)
This is my {now} organized "workbox" are for Charlie. Everything we do for tot school is in each workbox that he moves down through during the day.
 | ||
| Here are some more things that he uses. Crafts container, Tot books that have numbers, letters, colors and shapes that he looks through. I try to keep it fresh. |
I printed out letters that Charlie can trace and put them in page protectors. He wants to do this daily so it has really gotten some use. I even put numbers and pages of lines and squiggles to get him ready for shapes and such.
Do-A-Dot art makes everything better!
Really I just wanted to share the first picture but went overboard I guess. I have to make the most of the days I'm not working which is actually fun because we spend a lot more time doing things with each other than if we did a little every day. What we also do is our calendar songs: the weather, the days of the week, months of the year and color of the day.
That's all!
Friday, March 30, 2012
31 Days of Prayer for Your Husband, Yourself & Your Children
I recently found a blog that I fell in love with. It's everything I want to read about, look at and learn from. It's the me I want to be! I have found so many inspiring things on the internet and can't wait to incorporate them into my own home and family! I am a crafty girl that does everything by the C.A.S.E method {copy and steal everything}. When I'm being good I call it: "Search and Reapply". :D
Anyway, there was this blog of prayer cards that she posted. 31 days of different prayers~ deep, meaningful prayers~ for our husband and prayers for you as a wife and as a mother as well a prayers for your children.
Just in time for the first of April so get your printers ready and click on the link below to print them out!
I'm going to print them out, cut them out, laminate them, hole punch them and put them on a ring and keep them on my dresser so that every morning I can go through each prayer card and pray God's blessings over my husband as he works hard each day, for protection for him and for salvation for my sons. I want God to do something in me as a wife so that I am a jewel far above rubies...I want my sons to rise up one day and call me me blessed. I am going to be a prayer warrior this year as well as pray for my warriors!
I pray you print this out to make your own prayer ring and bathe your family in prayers as well!
Here's a look at what the prayer cards say...
For Your Husband
Day 1: Pray that he would grow spiritually & consider his accountability before the Lord. That he would guard his heart by developing spiritual disciplines {Bible reading, study & prayer}.
Day 2: His relationship with God & His word would bear fruit in his life. That he would be a man of wisdom & understanding, fearing the Lord.
Day 3: He would be quick and humble to agree with God about his sin...that his heart would be tender towards the voice of the Lord.
Day 4: He would grow in leadership skills providing and protecting us. That he would lead me wisely and love me sacrificially so that God would be glorified in our marriage.
Day 5: He would be faithful to our wedding vows...that he would have a desire to cultivate our relationship as a sign of his loyalty and commitment to me & as a picture of Christ's love for the church.
Day 6: He would love righteousness & hate wickedness, especially the evils of the culture. And recognize & avoid wickedness in his own life & take a clear, strong stand against evil.
Day 7: He would safeguard his heart against inappropriate relationships with the opposite sex. That his heart would be pure and undivided in his commitment to me.
Day 8: That he would work hard for our family...that the character qualities necessary would be a growing part of his character {persistence, decisiveness, strength & determination}.
Day 9: He would handle finances wisely, having discernment concerning budget and investments & will be a good steward of our money and that money will not become a source of discord for us.
Day 10: He would cultivate a strong integrity and not compromise convictions...that his testimony would be genuine, honest in his business and never do anything to hide from anyone.
Day 11: He would have a humble, teachable spirit and a servant's heart before the Lord...that he would listen to God and desire to do his will.
Day 12: That he would yield his needs to the Lord and practice self control...that our intimacy would be fresh, positive, and a reflection of selfless love.
Day 13: He would use practical skills to build our family and make wise decisions for our welfare...that he would serve unselfishly.
Day 14: He would speak words that build me and our family & reflect a heart of love...& that he would not use filthy language.
Day 15: He would choose friends wisely...that God would bring him men who would encourage his accountability before Him, and will not lead him into sin.
Day 16: He would choose healthy, god-honoring activities. That he would not live in bondage to nay questionable habits or hobbies, but will experience freedom in holiness as he yields to the Spirit's control.
Day 17: He would enjoy manliness as he patterns his life after Christ & strong men in the faith. For his mental, physical, emotional, social & spiritual strength.
Day 18: He would have an eternal perspective...that he would reject materialism and temporal values and put God first in His life.
Day 19: He would be patient and a man of peace...that he would not give in to anger but would allow the Holy Spirit to control his response.
Day 20: He would yield his mind and thoughts to the Lord and not entertain immoral and impure thoughts.
Day 21: He would learn how to relax in the Lord and and find joy and peace in his relationship with God, in his greatest times of stress and that he would submit his schedule to the Lord.
Day 22: That he would practice forgiveness in our relationship as well as with others in his life...that he would recognize any roots of bitterness and yield any resentment and unforgiving attitudes to the Lord.
Day 23: He would be a good father to our children, disciplining them and loving them unconditionally.
Day 24: He would have a balanced life...in work and play. That he fears God but also gains respect of those he works with and goes to church with.
Day 25: He would be courageous in his stand against evil and injustice and stand for the truth. Protection against against Satan.
Day 26: He would discover and live his God-given purpose. That he offers his dreams to the Lord.
Day 27: He would understand the importance of taking care of his body- the temple of the Holy Spirit- that he would make wise food choices and exercise to stay healthy.
Day 28: He would be a man of prayer...seeking and pursuing God in quiet, purposeful moments.
Day 29: He would surrender his time and talents to the Lord. That the spiritual gifts he's been given will manifest in his work, home and at church.
Day 30: He would serve others with pure motives...that he will obey the Lord from his heart and glorify God in everything.
Day 31: He would recognize the lies of the Enemy in his life...that his attributes and actions will be guided by the truth as he brings his thoughts into captivity to the word of God.
For Yourself As A Wife
If you would like to print out the prayer cards for yourself click here!
Let's pray for our husbands and children and may we be molded ever more to the image of God and bring Him glory and honor!
*Kelly
Anyway, there was this blog of prayer cards that she posted. 31 days of different prayers~ deep, meaningful prayers~ for our husband and prayers for you as a wife and as a mother as well a prayers for your children.
Just in time for the first of April so get your printers ready and click on the link below to print them out!
I'm going to print them out, cut them out, laminate them, hole punch them and put them on a ring and keep them on my dresser so that every morning I can go through each prayer card and pray God's blessings over my husband as he works hard each day, for protection for him and for salvation for my sons. I want God to do something in me as a wife so that I am a jewel far above rubies...I want my sons to rise up one day and call me me blessed. I am going to be a prayer warrior this year as well as pray for my warriors!
I pray you print this out to make your own prayer ring and bathe your family in prayers as well!
Here's a look at what the prayer cards say...
For Your Husband
Day 1: Pray that he would grow spiritually & consider his accountability before the Lord. That he would guard his heart by developing spiritual disciplines {Bible reading, study & prayer}.
Day 2: His relationship with God & His word would bear fruit in his life. That he would be a man of wisdom & understanding, fearing the Lord.
Day 3: He would be quick and humble to agree with God about his sin...that his heart would be tender towards the voice of the Lord.
Day 4: He would grow in leadership skills providing and protecting us. That he would lead me wisely and love me sacrificially so that God would be glorified in our marriage.
Day 5: He would be faithful to our wedding vows...that he would have a desire to cultivate our relationship as a sign of his loyalty and commitment to me & as a picture of Christ's love for the church.
Day 6: He would love righteousness & hate wickedness, especially the evils of the culture. And recognize & avoid wickedness in his own life & take a clear, strong stand against evil.
Day 7: He would safeguard his heart against inappropriate relationships with the opposite sex. That his heart would be pure and undivided in his commitment to me.
Day 8: That he would work hard for our family...that the character qualities necessary would be a growing part of his character {persistence, decisiveness, strength & determination}.
Day 9: He would handle finances wisely, having discernment concerning budget and investments & will be a good steward of our money and that money will not become a source of discord for us.
Day 10: He would cultivate a strong integrity and not compromise convictions...that his testimony would be genuine, honest in his business and never do anything to hide from anyone.
Day 11: He would have a humble, teachable spirit and a servant's heart before the Lord...that he would listen to God and desire to do his will.
Day 12: That he would yield his needs to the Lord and practice self control...that our intimacy would be fresh, positive, and a reflection of selfless love.
Day 14: He would speak words that build me and our family & reflect a heart of love...& that he would not use filthy language.
Day 15: He would choose friends wisely...that God would bring him men who would encourage his accountability before Him, and will not lead him into sin.
Day 16: He would choose healthy, god-honoring activities. That he would not live in bondage to nay questionable habits or hobbies, but will experience freedom in holiness as he yields to the Spirit's control.
Day 17: He would enjoy manliness as he patterns his life after Christ & strong men in the faith. For his mental, physical, emotional, social & spiritual strength.
Day 18: He would have an eternal perspective...that he would reject materialism and temporal values and put God first in His life.
Day 19: He would be patient and a man of peace...that he would not give in to anger but would allow the Holy Spirit to control his response.
Day 20: He would yield his mind and thoughts to the Lord and not entertain immoral and impure thoughts.
Day 21: He would learn how to relax in the Lord and and find joy and peace in his relationship with God, in his greatest times of stress and that he would submit his schedule to the Lord.
Day 22: That he would practice forgiveness in our relationship as well as with others in his life...that he would recognize any roots of bitterness and yield any resentment and unforgiving attitudes to the Lord.
Day 23: He would be a good father to our children, disciplining them and loving them unconditionally.
Day 24: He would have a balanced life...in work and play. That he fears God but also gains respect of those he works with and goes to church with.
Day 25: He would be courageous in his stand against evil and injustice and stand for the truth. Protection against against Satan.
Day 26: He would discover and live his God-given purpose. That he offers his dreams to the Lord.
Day 27: He would understand the importance of taking care of his body- the temple of the Holy Spirit- that he would make wise food choices and exercise to stay healthy.
Day 28: He would be a man of prayer...seeking and pursuing God in quiet, purposeful moments.
Day 29: He would surrender his time and talents to the Lord. That the spiritual gifts he's been given will manifest in his work, home and at church.
Day 30: He would serve others with pure motives...that he will obey the Lord from his heart and glorify God in everything.
Day 31: He would recognize the lies of the Enemy in his life...that his attributes and actions will be guided by the truth as he brings his thoughts into captivity to the word of God.
For Yourself As A Wife
- Help in my role as a wife to be submissive, loving, attentive, nurturing, respectful.
- Help me to be forgiving and not resentful, to be physically pleasing to my husband {selflessly}.
- Help me to keep myself healthy and together, my home warm, inviting, clean and presentable- a safe haven where my husband can escape from the world.
- Help me to confront sin in kindness and be positive and supportive.
- To be loving and gentle; consistent in discipline. Nurturing, diligent to teach my children the Bible, an example of godliness, to discipline in love {always} and that my children might one day "rise up and call me blessed" {Proverbs 31:28}.
- For their genuine salvation.
- For their future spouse.
- For them to have love & respect for their parents and those in authority over them {with teachable spirits}
- Courage to stand up against temptation and peer pressure.
- Morally and physically pure until marriage.
- Physical protection from harm.
If you would like to print out the prayer cards for yourself click here!
Let's pray for our husbands and children and may we be molded ever more to the image of God and bring Him glory and honor!
*Kelly
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Happy Birthday's Are Overdue!!
It has been over a month since my last post?!
It really feels like three!
So much has gone on in our lives since January 30th I'm not sure if I can even remember it all...
Let's summarize and say we have added 2 members to our household for a short while until my sister can get situated in her life. Divorces are hard on everyone!
Wesley has had three ear infections in the past three months and is going this Thursday to have tubes put in at Children's. We have to be there really early, like 6:15am. That's hard on a 16 month old and two parents who have barely slept a wink in the past three months. Especially the past month!!!
Charlie has also had an ear infection and runny nose. But Wesley was worst. We joke that he has had a runny nose since birth, but truthfully, it started at 2 months old. We had two months of no drool or mucous. So much for not needing bibs.
Wesley doesn't talk. It would help if he could actually hear us. So we are so excited to see him grow and change and learn and achieve many things in life, starting with being able to speak properly.
So, then after the multiple Dr's visits we got to celebrate Jeff's birthday!! And my brother and his wife welcomed their baby boy Elijah Lee into the world the same day!!
I made a chocolate cake and it was delish! I love my husband and I'm so happy we got to spend another year together. However hard our last eighteen months have been (and they have been torturous) I'm so glad I have a friend to lay in bed next to and say, "I love you. Now keep me warm!" And to discuss the days events and upcoming things to do.
Here's Jeff's cake and Elijah!
What a sweetheart!
It really feels like three!
So much has gone on in our lives since January 30th I'm not sure if I can even remember it all...
Let's summarize and say we have added 2 members to our household for a short while until my sister can get situated in her life. Divorces are hard on everyone!
Wesley has had three ear infections in the past three months and is going this Thursday to have tubes put in at Children's. We have to be there really early, like 6:15am. That's hard on a 16 month old and two parents who have barely slept a wink in the past three months. Especially the past month!!!
Charlie has also had an ear infection and runny nose. But Wesley was worst. We joke that he has had a runny nose since birth, but truthfully, it started at 2 months old. We had two months of no drool or mucous. So much for not needing bibs.
Wesley doesn't talk. It would help if he could actually hear us. So we are so excited to see him grow and change and learn and achieve many things in life, starting with being able to speak properly.
So, then after the multiple Dr's visits we got to celebrate Jeff's birthday!! And my brother and his wife welcomed their baby boy Elijah Lee into the world the same day!!
I made a chocolate cake and it was delish! I love my husband and I'm so happy we got to spend another year together. However hard our last eighteen months have been (and they have been torturous) I'm so glad I have a friend to lay in bed next to and say, "I love you. Now keep me warm!" And to discuss the days events and upcoming things to do.
Here's Jeff's cake and Elijah!
Monday, January 30, 2012
Ask. Seek. Knock.
As most of you know, things have been very trying here at the Moore house for the past year and a half. When you begin to go through a fiery furnace, you never know how long it's going to take. You just want it to be over. You don't care why it's happening, you just want to go back to peace. But that's not how God works.
He wants to mold you. To reshape you. To refine you. To teach you. To strengthen you.
And it hurts.
But, that is not to say that you can't go to him and ask Him for strength. To seek His face for comfort and peace. To knock so that He can open the door and rest awhile with you.
I have done this many times. The answers may not have been what I wanted but they were always what was best. As I pleaded with God, it reminded me of my little kids and how they want to go in Dada's Car about 25 times a day. Or when Wesley wants a drink and he whines until I notice he's empty and go and fill his cup again. Or when they reach up to me and say, "I wanna hold you yike a baby!" I know that is how I am to God.
Sometimes I cry until He answers, whatever the answer will be. Sometimes I repeat the prayer several times a day just to make sure God knows it's on my mind and heart. Pouring my burdens on Him. And sometimes I just say, "God! Can you hold me please!? I don't know what to do or how to act and the right path is so foggy I can't decide which way to go..." And He does. Happily. He's there before I have even asked.
A s k. S e e k. K n o c k.
Matthew 7:7-11 tells us that we have the ability to go before God Almighty and ask something of Him. To ask and we shall receive. To seek and we shall find. To knock and it shall be opened unto us. And better yet, when Wesley asks me for more milk I don't give him a stone...so me, being unholy, unrighteous, evil can give a good gift to my son, how much more can God who is holy, righteous and sinless, give to us?! And we act like we need to tell God what we really need!
Everything He allows to happen to us is for our own good. The sooner we learn that lesson the happier we will be, the more free we will be, and the less stress we will endure and inflict on others.
Oftentimes, we don't ask, seek, or knock. We tell everybody and their brother about it and go to God last. Now, during my trials I told anyone who listen and PRAY for me- but I also prayed on my own. But there have been times that, at the end of the day, I think to myself, "Did I even ask God for help in this matter? Why did I tell everyone else or ask them to pray and I haven't even done that yet?!" It's convicting. Humbling. But it's also human nature. We just have to keep that in mind and make sure our prayers and supplications go to God before they go to anyone else. No one else can fix it for us. It's OK to share our concerns and burdens and gives others a chance to pray for us just as long as God is first.
Next time you are going through a valley and you can't seem to take it any more...just remember what Matthew said and Ask, Seek, Knock. There you will find the Answer!
Thank you God for promising to always hear me and provide for all my needs!
Kelly Moore
Photo Credit: Picture on Facebook, "Jesus Christ Son of God"
Monday, January 16, 2012
“With our pitchers we attempt sometimes to water a field, not a
garden.”
-Anne Morrow Lindbergh
To do this week: Determine what your garden is, and water it well.
This year I am going to write a family Mission Statement. My family is my primary ministry and I need to spend some time focusing on what that entails and where I need to be spiritually to do all that God asks of me.
Every day I get up early to read my Bible and pray and sometimes play a song on YouTube and sing along with it. It is a most necessary part of my day and I look forward to it every day!
Here are some tips I found on TheBetterMom website:
1.Find some time to be alone and quiet for a few minutes and pray.
2.Get a piece of paper and write VISION at the top.
3. Write down all the things the Lord brings to mind regarding a vision for your life and home. Look back on your family mission statement.
4. Take an honest look at your commitments, schedule, and time management. How do these things line up with your vision board? What changes do you need to make?
5. Take a minute to jot down your priorities in order of importance. This is how you choose what to say yes to, and what to let go.
6. Now, you have to actually say NO. Armed with these tools, you can easily see what doesn’t line up.
“A mother’s time is precious. Every new responsibility we take on dilutes our effectiveness in our other roles. We must guard our energy, time and family wisely.” -Kat, Inspired to Action
My motto this year is: Do a few things well. Or, put another way, Do fewer things and do them better.
We can’t do it all ladies, so why not focus on doing our top priorities well? Doing things well takes time. Again, don’t underestimate how much time it really does take!
I found this from TheBetterMom blog and made them my own as they are exactly
what I want my priorities to be!
- time alone with the Lord, cultivating my relationship with
Him, time to be still in His presence
- a girlfriend and cheerleader to my husband….one that is nice and kind
- a fun, loving mom and teacher who has TIME.
- exercise, getting out in creation
- simple, beautiful housekeeping and homemaking-clean,
organized, simple, healthy
- caring friend-available for hospitality, meals, watching kids
- reading and blogging
-reaching out and sharing God’s love with others
A quote I want to somehow add to my blog is: “Show me, O LORD, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life.”Psalm 39:4
It goes along with my One Moore Day theme- teach me to number my days that I may apply my heart unto wisdom...show me my lifes end O Lord...my life is fleeting by!
Ordering things according to importance is incredibly freeing.
When I have to choose, the top priorities always come first.
You can easily see what needs to take precedence in your life. To take this a step further, you can create a schedule for your life based around these things. I have heard about the ebook, Tell Your Time. I haven't read it, but it sounds like a very good book full of tips about spending our time wisely.
So don't go throughout life trying to water a field- water your garden! Whatever it is- water it well!
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Broken into Pieces...
It's a difficult thing to be.
Broken.
You look around and see everyone else happy. And you're just empty inside.
You begin to dwell on you circumstances as you "see" everyone else going merrily through life.
But the thing is, we all go through trials. I like to call them fiery furnaces. And Job says that God knows the ways, the paths we take, and when He has tried us we will come forth as gold- gold that has been purified through a fiery furnace. That's us.
We are every changing, growing, being molded into something purer, better, more costly.
And it sometimes really hurts.
It leaves us feeling alone. Helpless. Scared. Deprived. Aggravated. Exhausted. And weary from the trial and tribulation that we don't understand.
God moves in ways we can't comprehend and most often don't want. As soon as turbulence comes our way we want to jump ship- throw our hands in the air and say, "God- why are you doing this?!" We shake our fists in God's Holy, Merciful, Long Suffering, Gentle face...and we demand He fix what He has messed up. We don't deserve this! We have been "good" Christians. Right?! Then we want to take the helm out of His all knowing, infinite hands and trust ourselves.
And God let's us. And when it all gets messed up again, or even worse, destroyed by our own selfish, controlling sleves, we blame Him yet again.
And all the while He sits back and waits patiently.
He doesn't yell. Or scream. Or pound His fists. He doesn't bite His fingernails and hope it all works out.
He is still. Waiting for you to be still with Him. And hear His gentle whisper.
But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
I love this little yet very moving piece of scripture in Philippians Ch 3. It says,
"8Yea
doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the
knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of
all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9And
be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the
law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness
which is of God by faith:
10That
I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship
of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death"
The italicized portion is my emphasis- the part I repeat over and over.
I want to win HIM. My Redeemer. To be pleasing to Him.
Can I really say that no matter what I suffer I count it as gain for Christ? Nay, there are certain things I couldn't dare to imagine losing. Perhaps that it my weakness.
But I do want to be found in Him- in His righteousness. Where else can I be comforted in a fiery furnace? Where else is there to go, but to Him?
I want to know the power of His Resurrection...to know Him.
Then, maybe I will be able to cope with trials and tribulation. Maybe then I can be still and listen for His most excellent voice softly saying, "It's OK...I am that I am is with you always...fear not for I am with thee..."
I have the most power from God when I have the most pressure from men.
Life is valleys and mountain tops. The view may change, but the journey is still the same. The destination is perfection, not in ourselves but in Him. In trusting in the One who spun the planets into orbit. The One who is Just. Loving. The Corner Stone.
When my life gets too emotional, too unbearable, too scary, spinning out of control- as it has very swiftly and destructively lately- I have to cry for my Daddy..."Abba Father"...and I don't shake my fists and I don't accuse and yell and beat my chest to get my way...I have to submit, listen, and then I begin to heal...
I know as I type this I have some friends and family members out there who are going through fiery furnaces of their own. I pray for you- even in the midst of my own conflicts- in hopes that you, too, are praying for me.
I know if I keep pressing on toward the mark that God will move in due time. The due time part is always a struggle because how long is that?! What more is going to come my way in the mean while? But I can't, we can't, let that be our focus. Of course the enemy would love that!
Our focus has to be on God and what we need to learn from this particular situation, whether we want to learn or not, we will eventually learn. It just depends on how long you want to kick and scream.
I think sometimes we Christians like to use the Bible verse about God coming that we might have life more abundantly. And we use it like it's some ticket we won by choosing to be on God's "side". You know? We made the choice to pick the right team, now where's that life of luxury that I deserve? I'm a child of God now, right?! And we demand something we are not even willing to be thankful for when we get it! And who ever said it was life on this sinful, wicked, and cruel earth?
Life is one storm after the other. So, if you believe in God, grab your umbrella and sing a few hymns while you're bailing the water out of your boat! Don't make everyone's life around you suffer because you don't get your way. Go God's way! His always leads to something better...
So, that was me preaching to myself and for later reference when I'm kicking and screaming and want to know when this is going to end...
Right now I feel completely broken into pieces. I don't know what it going to happen in the next day, week, month, year...and I'm so scared that it going to get worse and I'm so scared that it's going to stay the same and I'm so scared that it's not going to end...
But I have to get my whits about me again, be a Mother to 2 crazy awesome kids, a wife to a man in his own fiery furnace, and work, do household chores and still put a smile on my very tired face every night for a bunch of crazy girls and put something great in their day and life and make them feel as if I have waited all week just to see them! It's a hard job...but, what else would I do if everything was perfect? I'd get real comfortable and forget who's in charge. I'd forget what matters. I'd be in worse condition than I am now- because at least now I am leaning on the everlasting arms, I am safe and secure from all alarms...Under His wings my soul doth abide, I need Him every hour... it's now that I am at His feet needing Him...
And pretty soon He'll swoop down to pick up the pieces and put them back together in a more beautiful fashion. And after that, I just might be wise enough to go out and glorify Him and come forth as gold...
Photo: mebbonline.com
Friday, January 6, 2012
The Abiding Mom...
All of us Mommy's have been there, right?
We want to do it all.
We want to take our kids to every museum, craft center, aquarium, theme park, vacation, every park in town...
We want to share life with our babies. To teach them. To play with them. To watch them grow, learn, explore, and have fun!
I say it hasn't been a good day unless someone has laughed, used their imagination, danced, and sang at least 14 songs!
In our house we love play. We love fun. We love.
I put so much pressure on myself to make every day count that sometimes I don't even do any of the things listed above. Kind of defeats the purpose, right? But life gets in the way and I can only be so good of a playmate. I have my grown up chores to do...and I know I'm spending too much time on them and not on my boys when Charlie, who never likes to be cuddled, says for days on end, "Mommy, I wanna hold you yike a baby..." with his arms reaching up for me to hold him like a baby.
I found this Abiding Mom vs Super Mom on a blog I really love called "Confessions of a Homeschooler" and thought I'd share these ideas with you Abiding Mom's and talk about what they mean to me. Beware, you may cry...just sayin'. ;)
Super Mom vs Abiding Mom
The Super Mom does.
The Abiding Mom is.
Psalm 46:10 reminds us to be still and know that He is God.
The Super Mom is controlled by an agenda.
The Abiding Mom is controlled by the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-26 tells us of the fruits of the Spirit.
The Super Mom's self worth is found in her accomplishments.
The Abiding Mom's self worth is found in an accurate view of who she is in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:10 reminds us that we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works. Don't forget that we are God's child and that He is enough! Having a perfectly clean house, perfectly pressed clothes, perfectly in style, perfect kids...that's all vanity. What really matters is are we abiding in the Lord? Are our tasks more important than training our children? Is wanting a perfect appearance to others more important than how we appear to God?
The Super Mom's peace is found with a perfect environment. The Abiding Mom finds peace in Jesus in the midst of any storm. Isaiah 26:3.
The Super Mom is discouraged by failure and when things don't go the way she wants them to. When the Abiding Mom fails she is reminded that God's strength is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. We can't do everything perfectly all the time. When we fail at something, we need to realize that our efforts still matter. Whatever the outcome, just keep abiding in the Lord!
The Super Mom expects perfection from herself.
The Abiding Mom practices grace with herself and with others.
Ephesians 4:32.
The Super Mom teaches her children to be good.
The Abiding Mom teaches her children to be godly.
Proverbs 22:6 tells us about training our children in the ways of the Lord.
The Super Mom is frustrated with her lack of spiritual fruit.
The Abiding Mom abides in Christ and bears much fruit.
John 15:5 says, "I am the vine, ye are the
branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth
much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." Be reminded daily that we can't do it without Him; make Him apart of your every day!
The Super Mom does things with her children.
The Abiding Mom builds a relationship with her children.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 says to teach the things of God diligently to your children. When you walk in the way, when you sit down, when you lie down and when you rise up...constantly talking of God, His way, His word...hiding His word in their hearts.
The Super Mom's perspective is based on what is seen.
The Abiding Mom's perspective is based on what is unseen.
Colossians 3:2 tells us to set our affections on the things above not the things of earth. Remember, things will disappear but your children's souls will last forever.
The Super Mom chooses quantity of activities.
The Abiding Mom chooses the most excellent way.
1 Corinthians 13.
I learned a lot about what is expected of me by God when it comes to raising my boys. I am reminded that they aren't mine, but His. They are a gift to me; a most precious gift.
I try to do things with them to spend time with them.
My house isn't always 100% clean and oh well! Who really cares, anyway? You don't care if someone else's house is a wreck, so why am I worried that you do!? Besides, you're my friend. You're a Mommy, too- you, if anyone, has got my back! And I got yours! We know it's tough!! I don't judge! If your house is immaculate then something, somewhere has been left undone. What that usually is, is the kids. As I type this, Wesley is poking the keyboard. I should be playing with him and he's letting me know that, so I'll end this. (It's too long anyway.)
Abide in Him.
Sit on the floor and play with your kids.
You'll blink and they'll be grown...
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