Training Up Your Children In Godliness

Your child can learn about Jesus at any age. Just be developmentally appropriate and fun in explaining the concepts of our faith. Here are a few techniques that worked for me in the past and continual to work on baby number two.


1. Present God in a way they can understand. James 1:17 would confuse my three-year old, but he clearly understands the concepts of light and dark. I explained that sunlight is Jesus’ light. Ironically, just this morning he asked “Mommy, can I have some of Jesus’ light in my room?”


2. All little people love music. Science has confirmed the power of the subconscious mind time and time again. While my children slept, I always played the gentlest, most anointed praise music on a very low volume. I’m no scientist, but I recognize that meditating on the Word of God shapes and forms their little spirits in very real and positive ways.


3. Worship is a powerful tool. Don’t be ashamed to worship in the company of your children. It teaches them the majesty and reality of God. Exciting still, they can see the environment changes as you worship Him. My tears used to frighten my now eighteen year old, but He soon discerned the tears were happy tears.


4. Let them see you pray. I used to wait until nap time and close my door during my prayer time. But no more. I allow my little one to see me pray and read my Bible openly. It’s hilarious. He lines up His little toys around me and does His thing while I study and pray. While I’m learning spiritual truths, he’s learning something too. Not long ago, he took my Bible and began to thumb through it. He was sitting exactly where I normally sit during my prayer time; he was even in the same position I take on the floor! They’re watching!


5. Explain Christian traditions. As I write this, it is Christmas Eve. At three, my little one fully understands the worldly concepts of Christmas – GIFTS. This is all well and good, but I have taken deliberate steps to explain the reason we celebrate this special day with gifts. I ask “Why do we give gifts for Christmas?” His response is beautiful in it’s simplicity: “Because it’s Jesus’ birthday”. We’ll work on the theology later.


Also, since I’ve remarried, I have initiated a purposeful devotional to center us before we begin our Christmas day activities. This keeps us all focused on the Jesus and His presence in our lives. Further, it’s one of the few times we’re all together in one place.


These practices work for me. I hope they bless you in some way.

Likewise, please email or post your proven tips and help us other GodsyMoms out!

Oh, To Know Him...

Today I started reading "Drawing Near" by John Bevere.

The first chapter begins "There is a call-no, a cry - coming from the heart of God and with each passing day it's intensity increases: "Why are you satisfied without my presences; why do you remain distant when you could have intimacy with Me?"

Compelling.

Whether we spend six minutes a day in prayer or six hours, we all long for deeper communion and fellowship with the Holy Spirit. I personally believe that when we become too "comfortable" with our Christian walk, complacency may soon follow. Remember Psalm 43:1 and 2?

Like Paul, I long to know Him - in the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings. My prayer today is: "Lord, give me the strength to know that even when I suffer, I'm can experience your fellowship, guardianship and companionship."

In the end that's all that matters. Amen?

Don't Worry About... PEOPLE!

"The fear of man brings a snare,

But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe. "

Prov. 29:25

One of the most valuable life lessons I have learned to date is simple: don’t my ambitions on the opinions of others. Giving too much power to the people’s opinions is “people pleasing” in it’s most simple element. A “people pleaser” puts God in a substandard, or secondary, position in our lives. He doesn’t deserve to be there.

Now get me straight: I’m not advocating treating people badly or not caring about their feelings. I do, however, encourage you to take the “meat” and leave the “bones” of what others say. Create a mental (and spiritual) “filter” for the information you receive and reject about yourself.

For me, getting here has been a journey of self-awareness and spiritual growth. As a young girl, I cared incessantly about what people thought of me and I longed for their illusive approval. It all culminated with extreme teenage rebellion. Wearied of trying to be “perfect”, I broke all the rules and called it doing my “own thing”.

As I grew into my twenties – a young Christian – I found myself again entangled in the people pleasing roller coaster. I struggled to please everyone at church--the older women, my pastor’s wife and the ladies in my social circle. It was exhausting! Now that I’m much older, I love the liberty of walking my own path and following Jesus’ direction for my life.

Tongue-waggers, criticizers and copy-cats will always be around to weigh in. Just love them and pray for them. But do not allow their foolish conversations and personal opinions to weigh you down. If you do, your Godly ambitions may be hindered and nothing is worth that! Few experiences hurt me more than to see a talented, Spirit-Filled woman impeded because of the opinions of people who are "stuck" in their own doubt and insecurity. Break free.

Be you, Godsy Girl. Try new things, dream big dreams. After all, people who take the time to unproductively criticize you are usually stranded in the dark, still waters of mediocrity themselves. The truly spiritually mature are usually too busy with their own life’s mission to be condemning yours.

Trust, obey and keep moving in Jesus name - that works for me. How do you stay free in Jesus?

The Changing Power of Jesus

Today my loving, compassionate three-year old son jammed my finger between two rapidly swinging doors at church.

All I can say is praise God for the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit!

If that had happened about 20 years ago, I might have shouted out a few "choice" words that would have had me thrown out of the church...and off the block...and out of the denomination!

Praise God for changing a raggedly life into His image!

Maybe Not Punishment, Maybe Protection

“Mommy, did God put Noah in timeout?”

My three-year-old asked this peculiar question during his bedtime story tonight. While reading, we happened upon a page where the big-eyed cartoon Noah looked nervous and scared because he hadn’t heard from God. The children’s book depicted Noah horrified by the torrential rains flooding the earth. To make matters worse, God was silent.

Have you ever felt that way? You served God with your whole heart while the storms of life continually thrash against your faith. The trials seem relentless and you begin to wonder if you are in some sort of “timeout” or chastisement?

Regardless of your struggle, hold on and keep walking in the obedience of His Word. Whatever you’re going through God is close and He still loves you. Whether you have more month than money; or you're dealing with an agonizing broken heart or even experiencing a loneliness that renders you emotionally numb – just stay on task. He sees you; He hasn’t “dropped” you and He’s sending you everything you need.

At times it may feel like you’re in a spiritual “timeout”, but more often than not, God isn’t disciplining you. In fact, He may be rescuing you from pain and difficulty – just as He did Noah. Trust Him, obey Him, and you’ll be just fine, Godsy Girl.

Dreaming Big for Jesus

I am so proud of my husband for trying the impossible for the cause of Christ!
Because he is stepping out on faith, our children's children will be blessed.

Read more here:
KC church hopes to make impact with new urban core building - KansasCity.com

What will you attempt for God today? A book? A new business? A new ministry? A new degree? Advanced spiritual growth? Walking in renewed humility?

What will you do?