Father God, give us a spirit of wisdom and revelation to know YOU more deeply and intimately. Flood the eyes of our hearts so that we can truly know our calling, our inheritance - all that belongs to us as children of the King and to know the power that is in and for us (through your Holy Spirit) - the same power that you used when you raised Christ and seated Him at the right hand of God.
Thank you Father - may we all be renewed in You. In Jesus name. Amen.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Renew Me
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Leader of the Day
We have Leader of the week.
Why?
In my home, as the oldest sibling, I had the wonderful (not) privilege of babysitting my sister - looking after her - helping make sure she picked up her things - help her get snacks, etc. As the oldest, I was junior police, a compliance officer (obey or get a fine) and very much a dominate leader!
If you were the younger sibling, I bet you remember getting - bossed by someone like me :)
- maybe you had to follow everything that they did. What are your memories?
Birth order stereotypes are hysterical - especially if you listen to Kevin Leman (author) talk about them! Well, I didn't want my kids to only have their sibling order stereotypes.
We invented Leader of the Day. Why, day you ask? Leader of the week (when the kids are young) doesn't hold their attention enough.
Leader of the Day is "in-charge." Each of our kids get to practice being leaders in our family. And.....my favorite part - the oldest get an opportunity to FOLLOW! This is so good because if you can't follow, you can't really be a good leader.
It is pretty cute to see my 4 year old telling her 9 year old sister that her room is out of order (or whatever it is that day).
You decide the privileges of leader of the day in your home. Try it for 1 week and I bet you will be SOLD.
Warning - this adjustment will be hard, but good for the oldest.
Why?
In my home, as the oldest sibling, I had the wonderful (not) privilege of babysitting my sister - looking after her - helping make sure she picked up her things - help her get snacks, etc. As the oldest, I was junior police, a compliance officer (obey or get a fine) and very much a dominate leader!
If you were the younger sibling, I bet you remember getting - bossed by someone like me :)
- maybe you had to follow everything that they did. What are your memories?
Birth order stereotypes are hysterical - especially if you listen to Kevin Leman (author) talk about them! Well, I didn't want my kids to only have their sibling order stereotypes.
We invented Leader of the Day. Why, day you ask? Leader of the week (when the kids are young) doesn't hold their attention enough.
Leader of the Day is "in-charge." Each of our kids get to practice being leaders in our family. And.....my favorite part - the oldest get an opportunity to FOLLOW! This is so good because if you can't follow, you can't really be a good leader.
It is pretty cute to see my 4 year old telling her 9 year old sister that her room is out of order (or whatever it is that day).
You decide the privileges of leader of the day in your home. Try it for 1 week and I bet you will be SOLD.
Warning - this adjustment will be hard, but good for the oldest.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
They are FINALLY swimming
Thank God, my kids are FINALLY swimming!
Summer is so much more fun when everyone in the pool is swimming and diving! You won't hear much from us because we are parking at the pool! :O)
What is your family doing this summer?
Summer is so much more fun when everyone in the pool is swimming and diving! You won't hear much from us because we are parking at the pool! :O)
What is your family doing this summer?
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Fully Supplied!
I LOVE supplies! I was the supply queen at my work! I had a post-it note stick that would make any paper stick temporarily. I loved the little tabs that go on folders. I had 2-hole punches, 3 whole-punches - a travel stapler...you name it. I love the smell of new folders, markers and crisp new paper!
Yes, I am a Supply Nerd! How about you? What's your favorite supply?
I went to my hometown last weekend and notebooks were on-sale for $.05 (yes, 5 cents!). Amazing! I bought 17 pads of paper (all for less than $1.00).
I love that in Christ, I HAVE all the supply I am EVER going to need! I don't need MORE of God - I don't need MORE of anything. He has made a FULL deposit of Himself in me! I love His supply!
Share your supply passion with me! :)
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
WRR Phonograms Demonstrated by Rita
Today, our own sweet Rita Seldenrust made a video to help us sweet (meaning...tired...confused...baffeled) moms trying to implement Writing Road to Reading with our sweet (restless) children.
On this video, Rita runs through the phonogram and sounds for Writing Road to Reading.
Rita was cooperative (after we begged and pleaded...just kidding) and she is just so precious, makes you want to make a 6 inch sized one of her so that I can set her on the table and say, "ok kids, listen to Rita and practice your phonograms." Well, guess what girls.....Now you can!!! God truly is able to do more than I can ask, think or imagine!!
Rita, seriously, you are a mom and homeschooler that I admire so much! So many of us have benefited from your shepherding of our hearts and training!
Please look for MORE videos (i.e., a simple lesson; the additional phonograms and who knows what else!). Go Rita! Go Rita!
Seriously, if you are struggling with your reading/spelling program, talk to her. She will bless your socks!
Love in Jesus,
Sheri Yates :)
Thank you to Jermaine who designed the set and found the perfect lighting!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Motivational Speech...
Elizabeth, my little sister gave this speech at her high school graduation! I was so proud of her!
Thank you Lord for 2 precious girls that love you!
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Faith like a child
Tonight, I went to a Healing Room meeting...
We heard about the desire to spread healing rooms all over the nation - a place people can come to see intercessory prayer for their health, financial - or whatever needs.
A daughter of one of my friends was there (my children were with the sitter). This little girl (7 years old) went around the entire room asking everyone if she could pray for them. When she prayed for my husband, he was the 18th person she had laid hands on.
Her prayer was amazing - filled with love and faith.
If we always put our kids in childcare so we can do ministry, then how will they learn from us? through what we say? Jesus trained the disciples by saying, "follow me." When need to train our kids saying, "follow me."
What's the One thing you want to teach your children?
We heard about the desire to spread healing rooms all over the nation - a place people can come to see intercessory prayer for their health, financial - or whatever needs.
A daughter of one of my friends was there (my children were with the sitter). This little girl (7 years old) went around the entire room asking everyone if she could pray for them. When she prayed for my husband, he was the 18th person she had laid hands on.
Her prayer was amazing - filled with love and faith.
If we always put our kids in childcare so we can do ministry, then how will they learn from us? through what we say? Jesus trained the disciples by saying, "follow me." When need to train our kids saying, "follow me."
What's the One thing you want to teach your children?
Friday, May 2, 2008
Homeschool Convention
Tomorrow begins 2 full days of homeschool parents coming together to sharpen one another, find supplies for next year and have some fellowship.
The Annual Homeschool Convention
We just wrapped up our first year of homeschooling. Yes we did! I tell most of my public accounting friends, we just drove right into the deep end with our freak flag!
It's amazing how many people think that homeschooling is the most ABSOLUTE Dumbest idea in the world! Seriously - in the world!
Coming from a very worldly background, party life-style (before Jesus), and a career as a CPA (on the partner track), people almost FALL over in shock when I tell them. The look on their face is priceless! I wish you could see it! :)
Tell me how you handle people questioning your sanity in homeschooling?
Share what you got at and from the convention or what treasures did you find?
by the way, hands down - best year I have spent in my life - 2007-2008!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Sweet moments
Sweet midnight hours holding my baby girl
who suddenly isn't a baby anymore.
Sweet spring days of reading in my lap
and afternoons playing and short cat naps.
Sweet cuddling with my oldest
and days it's noon before we dress :)
Sweet memories of seeing my baby learn to swing
But I missed the oldest while I was working
Sweet moments of hearing echoed back at me:
"Mama you are a masterpiece
God loves you and chose you
He will never leave you mama
and I love you and that will never change."
God favors me so much to give me these sweet moments!
who suddenly isn't a baby anymore.
Sweet spring days of reading in my lap
and afternoons playing and short cat naps.
Sweet cuddling with my oldest
and days it's noon before we dress :)
Sweet memories of seeing my baby learn to swing
But I missed the oldest while I was working
Sweet moments of hearing echoed back at me:
"Mama you are a masterpiece
God loves you and chose you
He will never leave you mama
and I love you and that will never change."
God favors me so much to give me these sweet moments!
Thursday, April 24, 2008
March Around it 7 Times!
My husband's birthday is coming up. The girls and I were talking about what to get daddy.
Selfishly, I suggested, "how about a pool?"
The girls cheered and went wild! My 6 year old said she was going to TEAR down the swing set TOMORROW so that the pool would fit!
Then, with a gasp and her finger in the air, she proclaimed with victory in her voice, "NO, I am NOT, I am going to MARCH around that thing 7 times until it FALLS down!"
When we are working the way God asks us, everything is easier!
Selfishly, I suggested, "how about a pool?"
The girls cheered and went wild! My 6 year old said she was going to TEAR down the swing set TOMORROW so that the pool would fit!
Then, with a gasp and her finger in the air, she proclaimed with victory in her voice, "NO, I am NOT, I am going to MARCH around that thing 7 times until it FALLS down!"
When we are working the way God asks us, everything is easier!
Friday, April 18, 2008
Children...have faith like them!
Tonight, my daughter left me a note that said, "Mama, thank you for taking the time to homeschool me!"
Thank you Lord!
Thank you Lord!
Monday, April 14, 2008
Journal Entry
Found a journal entry one of my children wrote, it read this..
"I pray that my family will change the world. In Jesus name, Amen."
"I pray that my family will change the world. In Jesus name, Amen."
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Forgiveness
When my 3 year old did something wrong (even accidentally hurting her sister), she would run to her room and cry. I am running after her telling her to not run away from her family. (I didn't understand why she was running - I obviously assume that she is running away from us because she is embarrassed)... Is any of this grammar correct?
Yesterday, She tells me this:
"I run into my room crying saying, 'God, will you forgive me?' One day, God said (in my head mommy), 'I forgive you every time!'"
WOW! A 3 year old can get the breathe and depth of God's grace and mercy...Have Faith like a child!
Yesterday, She tells me this:
"I run into my room crying saying, 'God, will you forgive me?' One day, God said (in my head mommy), 'I forgive you every time!'"
WOW! A 3 year old can get the breathe and depth of God's grace and mercy...Have Faith like a child!
Monday, April 7, 2008
Pray!!!
Ephesians 1:17 -23 - I have been praying this for 3 years! In 3 years, I cannot believe how God has changed my heart and flooded the eyes of my heart! Too bad someone didn't tell me about this 12 years ago! (more tomorrow)
I found a card that I wrote to my mom (that I never gave her - that stinks when they aren't here to share with!). It said, Mom, I am praying Eph. 1:17-23...God really began to show me how much He just simply loved ME through this! I think my mom got that too!
I pray this over my family, my kids and every believer when they ask for prayer.
That God will grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation to know Him deeply and intimately! That He will flood the eyes of your heart to know your calling, your inheritance, and the power that is in and for you! The same power that He used when He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand! That Jesus name is above EVERY name on earth and in heaven. The the body of Christ is a full measure of Him!
Will you commit to pray this prayer over yourself for 1 year?
I found a card that I wrote to my mom (that I never gave her - that stinks when they aren't here to share with!). It said, Mom, I am praying Eph. 1:17-23...God really began to show me how much He just simply loved ME through this! I think my mom got that too!
I pray this over my family, my kids and every believer when they ask for prayer.
That God will grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation to know Him deeply and intimately! That He will flood the eyes of your heart to know your calling, your inheritance, and the power that is in and for you! The same power that He used when He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand! That Jesus name is above EVERY name on earth and in heaven. The the body of Christ is a full measure of Him!
Will you commit to pray this prayer over yourself for 1 year?
Sunday, April 6, 2008
children..wow they can teach!
tonight i heard my 8 year old asking her daddy what he was busy with at work this week. he told her what he was working on and she said, i bet i can help you with that if you would like."
i was thinking, i am not sure i am that hungry to know about my husband's day and certainly not hungry enough to offer up my time and help!
what a sweet girl - i thank God for teaching me through her.
i was thinking, i am not sure i am that hungry to know about my husband's day and certainly not hungry enough to offer up my time and help!
what a sweet girl - i thank God for teaching me through her.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
This is the Day!
I wanted to share with you one of our family traditions/routines:
When someone leaves our home (dad alone or dad and child, or mom or mom and child, even babysitters, other family), whoever is staying home, SINGS!
We hug, pray and sometimes, do an all hands in the middle and through them out to "Go God's Team!" Then, we stand out front and wave bye while singing:
This is the day, This is the day that the Lord has made that the Lord has made!
We will rejoice, we will rejoice and be glad in it and be glad in it!.
This is the day that the Lord has made
We will rejoice and be glad in it and be glad in it
This is the day, This is the day that the Lord has made (screaming and waving - running down the street!)
It is such a special thing we do together - our hearts are focused for the rest of the day that TODAY is GOD'S DAY - Let's REJOICE!
Try it - what a special way to start your day!
Do you have any special routines that you could share with our family?
When someone leaves our home (dad alone or dad and child, or mom or mom and child, even babysitters, other family), whoever is staying home, SINGS!
We hug, pray and sometimes, do an all hands in the middle and through them out to "Go God's Team!" Then, we stand out front and wave bye while singing:
This is the day, This is the day that the Lord has made that the Lord has made!
We will rejoice, we will rejoice and be glad in it and be glad in it!.
This is the day that the Lord has made
We will rejoice and be glad in it and be glad in it
This is the day, This is the day that the Lord has made (screaming and waving - running down the street!)
It is such a special thing we do together - our hearts are focused for the rest of the day that TODAY is GOD'S DAY - Let's REJOICE!
Try it - what a special way to start your day!
Do you have any special routines that you could share with our family?
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Faithful Reminder....He is!
She set a goal to TRY for Memory Master. I begged her not to because it is HARD work and I thought - this is our first year of homeschooling - let's take it easy :O) (good mom)! But she said, "mom it would be silly not to try. If I make it great, if not, great...at least I have a goal."
Today, Spencer PASSED her memory test today! There are 2 rounds of review before you can even qualify to try the Memory Master test. She had to know 100% on all her memory work for the year! She is the youngest memory master in Classical Conversations! Ty asked, "did you feel God's presence?" Spencer responded, "yes, of course, the Holy Spirit was my Reminder!"
Clearly, God has given this girl a special gift of memory!
What? Who is this child? When I think about the broken road that lead me to the place where I am today with my family - with my kids and mostly walking with Jesus, I am just in AWE of God and His amazing goodness and intimate love for me! He truly restores us as if we were never away from Him! Thank you Jesus. Our family has experienced Him and His faithfulness through this!
Her next goal - to try and memorize the new testament. She said, "mom, I think God gave me this gift to memorize His word." Thank you Jesus!
We just wanted to share Spencer's exciting day and the faithfulness of our sweet Father!
Love,
Sheri
Today, Spencer PASSED her memory test today! There are 2 rounds of review before you can even qualify to try the Memory Master test. She had to know 100% on all her memory work for the year! She is the youngest memory master in Classical Conversations! Ty asked, "did you feel God's presence?" Spencer responded, "yes, of course, the Holy Spirit was my Reminder!"
Clearly, God has given this girl a special gift of memory!
What? Who is this child? When I think about the broken road that lead me to the place where I am today with my family - with my kids and mostly walking with Jesus, I am just in AWE of God and His amazing goodness and intimate love for me! He truly restores us as if we were never away from Him! Thank you Jesus. Our family has experienced Him and His faithfulness through this!
Her next goal - to try and memorize the new testament. She said, "mom, I think God gave me this gift to memorize His word." Thank you Jesus!
We just wanted to share Spencer's exciting day and the faithfulness of our sweet Father!
Love,
Sheri
Can you Come out and Play with Me?
When I was in the 2nd grade, the last day of school we moved to a new town...you know the day - the 1st day of summer...the WORST possible day to move...I knew no one in this town...I didn't have school to meet them at - certainly not church because we didn't go...
Let's see...1st day of summer and already bored. I decide to go to each house in my new neighborhood and knock on doors....
Here's what it looked like, "Hi, I'm your new neighbor, do you have any kids that can play with me?" You certainly wouldn't want your kids doing that today!
I finally made one best friend and we spent our whole summer doing everything together!
Well, this year, the 1st day of summer, we started homeschooling. It felt like moving to a new town - because - homeschooling and no friends...repeat of 2nd grade.
I have to GO knocking to find friends...all over again!
If you want to have a play date, we are IN!
Let's see...1st day of summer and already bored. I decide to go to each house in my new neighborhood and knock on doors....
Here's what it looked like, "Hi, I'm your new neighbor, do you have any kids that can play with me?" You certainly wouldn't want your kids doing that today!
I finally made one best friend and we spent our whole summer doing everything together!
Well, this year, the 1st day of summer, we started homeschooling. It felt like moving to a new town - because - homeschooling and no friends...repeat of 2nd grade.
I have to GO knocking to find friends...all over again!
If you want to have a play date, we are IN!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
I love God
My babysitter came over for a short time today. Tonight, on my driveway, I saw the sweetest chalk drawing of a little girl in my driveway. It said,
"I love God!"
Thank you God for faith of children who show me how to walk and love you!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
So sweet
I love having my girls with me all day long.
- I love watching them play.
- I love watching them read to one another.
- I love seeing them do their memory with their teddy bears in their teddy bear voices.
- I love being there for every boo-boo
- I love reading aloud
- I love taking a cat nap together after a great book
- I love being able to say "no" to school for one day and "yes" to fun!
- I love have the time to stop and help someone because our schedule allows for that!
- I love that we gather around daddy when he leaves for work and shout/singing "This is the day the Lord has made!"
- I love being around to hear all the cute things they come up with!
- I love DOING life with my family!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
WOW
God is so good. I love having my family at home. It is busy, but I know that we are building unity and foundations in these girls that I may not otherwise be able to do!
Thank you to you that encourage me and hold me up in prayer! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Thank you to you that encourage me and hold me up in prayer! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Mixed Emotions
I lost my mom 2 years ago today to ovarian cancer...see http://sheriyates.blogspot.com/2008/02/tribute-to-mom-week.html
Today was my 6 year old's last day of school. We pulled her out of Kindergarten to home school her along with our oldest. We went up the last 45 minutes of class and it was a precious time. The children shared the things they loved or remembered about Chandler Kate...like "she invited me to her birthday party" and "she is a great example" - "she never gets any reminders" - "She is my friend and I will miss her very much" - "she is so nice to me"
But one little boy raised his hand and asked if he could just pray for Chandler! What? My eyes welled with tears - in minutes, I couldn't contain myself! Here's why: 5 of the children got up and prayed over Chandler - that she would be blessed; she would enjoy being home with her family; her little sister and her big sister would also be blessed; God would receive all the glory! And, every one of them thanked God for my little girl!
As we left, behind my blurry teary eyes, I thought - what am I doing? Am I pulling her away from the only community she knows? Is this the right decision for our family? We got in the car and both Chandler and I cried like babies (the other too, very sad for us, waited patiently)...here's the conversation: Mom, "how are you feeling honey? Chan, "that was hard mom. I will miss my friends." Mom "honey, I bet daddy can fix this and you can go back to school tomorrow." Chan "no, mom. That was hard, but I want to be with my family more and #2, I am tired of the routine in the mornings.
I think I am more emotional today because it is my mom's death date. God is so precious in children! Lord, let us all have faith like a child!
I just wanted to share my bittersweet day.
Today was my 6 year old's last day of school. We pulled her out of Kindergarten to home school her along with our oldest. We went up the last 45 minutes of class and it was a precious time. The children shared the things they loved or remembered about Chandler Kate...like "she invited me to her birthday party" and "she is a great example" - "she never gets any reminders" - "She is my friend and I will miss her very much" - "she is so nice to me"
But one little boy raised his hand and asked if he could just pray for Chandler! What? My eyes welled with tears - in minutes, I couldn't contain myself! Here's why: 5 of the children got up and prayed over Chandler - that she would be blessed; she would enjoy being home with her family; her little sister and her big sister would also be blessed; God would receive all the glory! And, every one of them thanked God for my little girl!
As we left, behind my blurry teary eyes, I thought - what am I doing? Am I pulling her away from the only community she knows? Is this the right decision for our family? We got in the car and both Chandler and I cried like babies (the other too, very sad for us, waited patiently)...here's the conversation: Mom, "how are you feeling honey? Chan, "that was hard mom. I will miss my friends." Mom "honey, I bet daddy can fix this and you can go back to school tomorrow." Chan "no, mom. That was hard, but I want to be with my family more and #2, I am tired of the routine in the mornings.
I think I am more emotional today because it is my mom's death date. God is so precious in children! Lord, let us all have faith like a child!
I just wanted to share my bittersweet day.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
It's what we do..they follow
Isn't it funny how children are almost always little clones of their parents? I get so annoyed with one of my girl's picking eating, yet I am SUCH a picky eater! Funny!
I heard something come out of one of my girl's mouths and sadly, it sounded just like me...I did NOT like the way mini-me sounded!
Everywhere those little girls go, they are a reflection of me...because they are mini-me.
Something to think about...
Who then, do I represent? Jesus! I am a Christ-follower, He lives in me. But the question is, do I spend enough time with Him to look and act like Him?
I wonder what He thinks about how I represent Him.....
I heard something come out of one of my girl's mouths and sadly, it sounded just like me...I did NOT like the way mini-me sounded!
Everywhere those little girls go, they are a reflection of me...because they are mini-me.
Something to think about...
Who then, do I represent? Jesus! I am a Christ-follower, He lives in me. But the question is, do I spend enough time with Him to look and act like Him?
I wonder what He thinks about how I represent Him.....
wow...
My 8 year old and I listened and read the Word at the same time... I started to quote something from what we had gone over and my daugther corrected me with the exact words from scripture!
The dual sensory take in of God's Word increased her retention of it by 100%! (and mine!).
Try it with your kids!
The dual sensory take in of God's Word increased her retention of it by 100%! (and mine!).
Try it with your kids!
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Thursday, January 3, 2008
The Way of the Shepherd...by my hubby
My husband wrote this...
Dear Men,
From the fourth grade to the 12th grade I was class president and president of our 4-H club for many of the same years. 4-H is the smallville version of FFA where people like me learned to show pigs, cows, etc. I always had crazy ideas that I wanted to try. It seemed I had to work to get myself in charge so I could try out my ideas. The same thing has been true in college and my career.
One summer I was challenged to be a better husband and wanted to figure out what God said about love. God revealed to me through this study on love that Christ had called me to be a shepherd and not a leader. I am currently in the conversion process! Leadership seems to be about getting things done in this world. Shepherding seems to be about loving people out of this world. Leadership is about today. Shepherding is about today, generations to come and eternity.
There is a particular scripture in 1 Peter 5:2 that challenges me here. It says, “Tend (nurture, guard, guide and fold) the flock of God that is (your responsibility), not by coercion or constraint, but willingly; not dishonorably motivated by the advantages and profits, but eagerly and cheerfully;”.
Wow! God has delegated me to nurture, guard and guide His flock that He has given to me as my responsibility!
Guys, who is your flock? Is it your family? Is it your neighbor? Is it your old friends from high school? Is it your team at the office? Who is it? God is calling you to be a pastor of His flock. NO seminary required!
He is calling you to tender, nurture, guard and guide your flock. He asks us in verse 3 to do this simply by being examples, patterns and models of a Christ follower to the flock. He made you for this stuff! ty
Dear Men,
From the fourth grade to the 12th grade I was class president and president of our 4-H club for many of the same years. 4-H is the smallville version of FFA where people like me learned to show pigs, cows, etc. I always had crazy ideas that I wanted to try. It seemed I had to work to get myself in charge so I could try out my ideas. The same thing has been true in college and my career.
One summer I was challenged to be a better husband and wanted to figure out what God said about love. God revealed to me through this study on love that Christ had called me to be a shepherd and not a leader. I am currently in the conversion process! Leadership seems to be about getting things done in this world. Shepherding seems to be about loving people out of this world. Leadership is about today. Shepherding is about today, generations to come and eternity.
There is a particular scripture in 1 Peter 5:2 that challenges me here. It says, “Tend (nurture, guard, guide and fold) the flock of God that is (your responsibility), not by coercion or constraint, but willingly; not dishonorably motivated by the advantages and profits, but eagerly and cheerfully;”.
Wow! God has delegated me to nurture, guard and guide His flock that He has given to me as my responsibility!
Guys, who is your flock? Is it your family? Is it your neighbor? Is it your old friends from high school? Is it your team at the office? Who is it? God is calling you to be a pastor of His flock. NO seminary required!
He is calling you to tender, nurture, guard and guide your flock. He asks us in verse 3 to do this simply by being examples, patterns and models of a Christ follower to the flock. He made you for this stuff! ty
Book Finds
I am really not a big book reader...I mostly enjoy reading the Word of God. I love to read it like it was a letter written just to me...sorry guys! :O) However, I do have a few books on my shelf!
I have been bullet-pointing what I have learned about parenting (so far) and I will continue (so I don't forget), but really it all boils down to loving God 1st so that I CAN love my children with His love and see them with a single eye - God's eye!
We have to get out of their faces and into their hearts to really lead them anywhere. I love the picture of the shepherd...He leads them to greener pastures....he checks their paws (all 4 of them - on each sheep) to make sure they don't have thorns...
My oldest daughter and I share a journal - we put it under each other's pillow. I ask her questions about her heart, life, etc... I thought it would be fun at first, but I quickly realized that this book would open up a whole new window into her heart for me.
One entry said this, "mommy, I need more encouragement from you." Oh, this broke my heart. But, I praised God that I knew NOW and not after she moved out of the house. Now, I know that she needs much encouragement in her life!
One of my favorite books is The Way of the Shepherd (http://www.amazon.com/Way-Shepherd-Ancient-Managing-Productive/dp/0310250978) - it's a short, easy read. It's also great for leading in business, or anywhere.
My husband always says, "you lead a vision, but you shepherd the people." Profound - not many lead like this.
I have been bullet-pointing what I have learned about parenting (so far) and I will continue (so I don't forget), but really it all boils down to loving God 1st so that I CAN love my children with His love and see them with a single eye - God's eye!
We have to get out of their faces and into their hearts to really lead them anywhere. I love the picture of the shepherd...He leads them to greener pastures....he checks their paws (all 4 of them - on each sheep) to make sure they don't have thorns...
My oldest daughter and I share a journal - we put it under each other's pillow. I ask her questions about her heart, life, etc... I thought it would be fun at first, but I quickly realized that this book would open up a whole new window into her heart for me.
One entry said this, "mommy, I need more encouragement from you." Oh, this broke my heart. But, I praised God that I knew NOW and not after she moved out of the house. Now, I know that she needs much encouragement in her life!
One of my favorite books is The Way of the Shepherd (http://www.amazon.com/Way-Shepherd-Ancient-Managing-Productive/dp/0310250978) - it's a short, easy read. It's also great for leading in business, or anywhere.
My husband always says, "you lead a vision, but you shepherd the people." Profound - not many lead like this.
It's what we DO...
Interrupt this series to say...
It's what we do that our children follow. We can implement all the 'right' parenting tools, but they will follow our example.
Ps. 1 says to meditate on the Word day and night and we will be like trees by streams of water. Then, we will produce fruit in due season....and everything we touch will prosper! What an amazing promise!
Tonight, our 6 year old could not fall asleep. I got her up, held her and prayed over her. She said, "mommy, while my sisters and I were trying to fall asleep, I prayed that God would send a thousand angels to watch over us tonight." This is my same daughter that told her hunger to "go" so she wouldn't whine and complain about being hungry while we ran errands.
Above all, if we just do what Ps. 1 says - teach our children about God - and allow them to follow Him - make Him first in our lives, He will be first in theirs! They WILL produce fruit in due season! What a MIGHTY God we serve!
How and what do you teach your children?
It's what we do that our children follow. We can implement all the 'right' parenting tools, but they will follow our example.
Ps. 1 says to meditate on the Word day and night and we will be like trees by streams of water. Then, we will produce fruit in due season....and everything we touch will prosper! What an amazing promise!
Tonight, our 6 year old could not fall asleep. I got her up, held her and prayed over her. She said, "mommy, while my sisters and I were trying to fall asleep, I prayed that God would send a thousand angels to watch over us tonight." This is my same daughter that told her hunger to "go" so she wouldn't whine and complain about being hungry while we ran errands.
Above all, if we just do what Ps. 1 says - teach our children about God - and allow them to follow Him - make Him first in our lives, He will be first in theirs! They WILL produce fruit in due season! What a MIGHTY God we serve!
How and what do you teach your children?
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Birthday Box
We celebrate new boundaries with our children!
I got this idea from my Pediatrician Kelly Stephens. He and I seriously blogged on this the same time - crazy! http://drkellystephens.blogspot.com/2007/12/birthday-boxes.html Here is his weblink to the office.
Birthday Box
Each year, on our children's birthday, we give them a wrapped box with strips of paper that have new privileges, boundaries, responsibilities, character, etc. that we share with them and celebrate their new boundaries together as a family!
The kids love it and it's fun to purposefully celebrate the widening of boundaries and new privileges together! Try it! :O)
I would love to hear your ideas! Please share your ideas with me!!
Keep the Boundaries
We set boundaries and an expectation of 1st time obedience... How do we teach this?
We start at 18 months...(this is BY FAR the easiest age to teach it - later is harder and harder to reel them in if they don't have a strong foundation).
At 18 months, we mostly use time-out. If I say "come" and they don't, I say "when mommy says come you should obey me the first time." I place them in time-out for 1 minute. Then, we try it again.
As they get older, I have had to use a choice/swat method... "I asked you to "come." Now you can come with NO swats or 1 swat.... If they don't come, I swat once and then say, "you can come with 1 or 2 swats. etc... They are going to do what I asked and I stay with it until they obey the first time.
We did not do this with one child. To teach them 1st time obedience later, we had to "practice" - for example, "wow, you didn't obey me the 1st time, looks like you need to spend 20 minutes practicing listening to mommy and obeying the first time." We also use sentence writing "I will obey mommy the 1st time," and the choice/swat method to help enforce the boundaries we have established. Unfortunately, the later you start, the more reinforcement it takes for them to understand that the boundary is the boundary - no matter what!
We start at 18 months...(this is BY FAR the easiest age to teach it - later is harder and harder to reel them in if they don't have a strong foundation).
At 18 months, we mostly use time-out. If I say "come" and they don't, I say "when mommy says come you should obey me the first time." I place them in time-out for 1 minute. Then, we try it again.
As they get older, I have had to use a choice/swat method... "I asked you to "come." Now you can come with NO swats or 1 swat.... If they don't come, I swat once and then say, "you can come with 1 or 2 swats. etc... They are going to do what I asked and I stay with it until they obey the first time.
We did not do this with one child. To teach them 1st time obedience later, we had to "practice" - for example, "wow, you didn't obey me the 1st time, looks like you need to spend 20 minutes practicing listening to mommy and obeying the first time." We also use sentence writing "I will obey mommy the 1st time," and the choice/swat method to help enforce the boundaries we have established. Unfortunately, the later you start, the more reinforcement it takes for them to understand that the boundary is the boundary - no matter what!
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