Parenting Through the Knots and Stitches

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are my ways your ways, “ declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than earth, so are my ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9) Do you crochet, or do you know anyone who can? I mean, really REALLY crochet, not the one line of cockeyed links that I create that wouldn’t even pass as a friendship bracelet. I recently tried to take up crocheting…again… and, again, found that I seem to be crochet-challenged. But that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate the skill, knowledge, and time it takes to …

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Understanding the Gospel

“Mom, what does it mean to be saved?” asked Peter as his family left the crowded church building. His mom gazed back into his questioning eyes with her own uncertainty. All at once she realized how unprepared she was to answer this seemingly simple question about the gospel.  What does it mean to be saved from our own sin?  How can we understand our need for a Savior and the wonderful news of the gospel in order to teach our children and grandchildren? “One cannot become a Christian without understanding and embracing the basic message of the gospel.” –Dr. Mike Fabarez Today …

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Prayer Help For Busy Moms

1 Timothy 2:1 “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men…” Over and over again prayer is mentioned in the Bible as a crucial part of the Christian life. Paul in writing to his spiritual son, Timothy, reminded him of the necessity of prayer. He did not just suggest that he pray, he urged him to do so. If we are to pray earnestly for all men, then certainly we are to spend much time in prayer for our own children. But how does a busy mom find …

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A Mother’s Persistent Prayer

Desperation can lead to unusual actions. Many were the days that I locked myself in the bathroom or closet after a crazy day just to have a few much needed minutes of peace and quiet. Other times, I unashamedly made a special trip to our town’s grocery store to grab a bag of spicy gumdrops thinking they would relieve the mom-stress I was dealing with. (That doesn’t work, by the way!) But, nothing leads me to more frantic and determined action than seeing one of my children in deep trouble. I’ve had my moments of sheer panic for my children. …

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Top Qualities of a Successful Wife

Tension fills the room each time Mary and her husband Andy come around. Mary’s non-stop disdain of her husband makes everyone uncomfortable. Inwardly, all around silently cringe with embarrassment and sadness for him.  Even when away from his wife he isn’t protected. Mary’s mouth drips cutting remarks which harm her husband as well as his reputation to anyone who will listen. Who can find a capable wife? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will not lack anything good. She rewards him with good, not evil, all the days of …

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Trusting God With Your Children’s Future

Do you ever worry about your children’s future? The world is so unsettled right now. There is so much violence occurring on a daily basis. People are angry and confused. Everyone feels they have the right to believe whatever fits their fancy. No one has the right to tell someone else he is wrong. Children are indoctrinated with views that are contrary to God’s word. Many are falling away from the Biblical model that their parents provided for them. What will happen in fifty years when we are gone and they are left to fend for themselves? What will they …

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Dream The Biggest Dreams

What dreams do you have for your children? Proud moms like us can see all the potential stored up in in our offspring. Even before others discover their talents and gifts, we have inklings of what each of these precious ones can become. From their youngest years, it is easy to begin dreaming about what their future holds. My daughter was singing beautifully at age two. My son threw a football across the nursery when he was nine months of age. Each of my little ones displayed qualities for which I knew they had talent. I wondered how they would …

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How to Be More Than a Conqueror

Romans 8:37 is one of my favorite Bible verses: “We are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” I love this verse because it makes me feel like I’m stepping into a boxing ring and guaranteed to win. (Totally a pipe dream, by the way, because I could never box. And if I did, I definitely wouldn’t win.) Nonetheless, I love the verse because it pumps me up and makes me want to walk around with both arms up in the air like a champion. The truth is, though, it’s not always easy to live out this verse. Being “more …

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Perfectionism is Overrated!

Micah 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God? Hi, my name is Sandy, and I’m a closet perfectionist. And I know that perfectionism is overrated! No one would know my secret if they looked at my house, my hair, or my clothes, but somewhere down deep there is a desire for perfection. My heart races and my nerves shake when things are not in order. I used to tell my children I could not make …

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The Most Important Thing the Bible Says About Pain

The Most Important Thing the Bible Says About Pain

In 2008, I was blissfully naïve about miscarriages, infant loss, and infertility. I was pregnant with my first child at the time, and I was that pregnant woman. You know the one. She posts “belly pics” every month of her pregnancy. She can’t contain her excitement. That was me then…before loss. Now, four miscarriages, hundreds of tests, and thousands of dollars later, I’m not so naïve. I know a lot more about pregnancy loss and the battle of infertility that thousands of couples face each day. After scouring websites, books, and pamphlets for months on end, I learned way more …

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