"it begins and ends with You, Jesus" -or- 2015 forecast

I like how my husband prays for a vision for the year ahead to guide us in his ministry.

And I like how the vision-casting from the years before compound into the next year:
2012 was the Year of Fruits of the Spirit-
God showed us that He is the Gardener and that He is responsible for growing the Fruit of the Spirit in our lives- 
how freeing is THAT?  I've always thought that I HAD TO GROW THE FRUIT.  Nope.  Fruit of the SPIRIT.  HIS SPIRIT.  not me.  nothing on me.  
free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty, i'm free at last....

2013 was the Year of Fishes and Loaves-
God taught us to offer Him what was in our hands- to live open-handed- and that He would do the rest.  And, wow, what He did with the little we had!  I still wonder how somethings got accomplished!

2014 was the Year of Faith like a Child- 
for all the tribulations we encountered, the Lord was faithful to be there like the Daddy that He is to me and provide whatever we needed.  The gifts and blessings we received at Christmas this year not only echoed the Fishes and Loaves theme of 2013, but re-iterated the "Come to Me like a child" theme.  
Some highlights of 2014:
-Hank was born in February HEALTHY!  (we went through a TON of tests and monitoring with concerns that he had heart problems- BUT HE DOESN'T!)
-Brick turned 2 in March
-Hero started First Grade and has lost a TON of teeth!
-I discovered doTERRA essential oils
-I was assigned to new locations at work.
-Christ Community Church launched the Phenix City campus in September- which has been amazing to be a part of
-Joseph's Journey 2014:  wow.  Being a part of that production was so amazing- God taught me so much through that production--
      --whatever you do for the Lord in secret may not bear fruit for many many years- but when it's time, it's AH-mazing!
      --the cast and crew SURROUNDED my family with prayer when my participation was threatened due to my boys getting sick.... serious prayers were lifted on our behalf...  that was humbling and blessed me.... and they recovered within HOURS.
      --I realized that Christmas is about CELEBRATING CHRIST- not about the TRADITIONS that we can't get to- I got really sick with a skin issue called reactive erythema- very painful and gross and I just couldn't get everything done that I wanted to get done.  I mean, I cried every time after I changed Hank and Brick because my hands and arms were so damaged.  I was sad that I couldn't get to some traditions until the Lord revealed THIS to me.  
-Christmas this year was probably the best ever- the gift I gave myself was NO STRESS- so we had a laid-back Christmas day and the boys seemed to enjoy every single minute of it.

so looking forward to the New Year....
2015 is the Year of Harvest-
I'm not really sure what "Harvest" means- I mean, I know what I've heard preached on the topic, but I'm not sure what it means for us here at Big Heater Media and for the Williamsons.  But I'm sure that it means work for us.  HARD work.  Thankful we are no strangers to HARD work.  And maybe not physical work, but spiritual work...  I haven't really put this to prayer- we've just gotten the word: "HARVEST."  I hope it means that we get to see God's hand in these offerings that we've made.  But I trust that whatever is happening on the other side of that veil, He has control of.  

And I KNOW that I've made TOO MANY MISTAKES to count in 2014.  I KNOW.  So we'll just have to leave some things in 2014.  And other things, I'll keep working on.
LETTING GO of stress is one thing.
ADVOCATING for my kids and husband (my marriage) is another.
ENJOYING life more- even if I don't have a ton of money to go to the beach or whatever- BLOOM WHERE I'M PLANTED kind of thing.
I will strive for WHOLENESS in HIM...

So here's to ALL that the LORD brought us through in 2014...
And here's to ALL that the LORD has in store for us in 2015...
May 2015 find us faithful to the calling bestowed to us and may Mercy and Grace follow us where the Lord leads us.

Celebration vs. Tradition

So before you want to string me up for the title of this blog, just give me a minute to explain.

This has been a tough year-  not as tough as some have had to endure- but definately a banner year for us.  And honestly, ALL of  the changes have been GOOD for us... but there's been  A LOT OF CHANGE.  Which throws me anyway.  But GOOD CHANGE!

So August hits.  And several major changes hit.  And with those changes, an illness ignited in me that I never knew existed.  I felt like I was in The Happening- like the environment was attacking me.  After several rounds of prednisone and a referral to a dermatologist, I received a diagnosis of reactive erythema.  I know it could be worse.  HOWEVER- it is painful and it GETS IN THE WAY OF ME  LIVING LIFE!  And the TREATEMENT is TERRIBLE TOO!  p.s. I don't think that the changes triggered this illness... just an unfortunate coincidence. So I am still wading through triggers and trying to figure out what a good treatment plan would be outside of steriods- like vitamin E, etc.

So because of this illness, I can't do everything I want to do. The boys have gotten sick this month too... so sometimes, you just have to shut things down- circle the wagons- take care of the chickens until all are well.

I've felt bad about some of the things I can't do for my sons for Christmas this year.  Some of our traditions just aren't going to happen- for several different reasons... And I was lamenting that as well as trying to make sure that I used this opportunity to teach my sons about Christ.

Then this hits me during a church service one December Sunday.

It's NOT about TRADITION

It's about CELEBRATION

Whatever I can't get done or I can get done, 

the focus should be CELEBRATING CHRIST'S BIRTH.

A lot tries to steal my focus this time of year- 

so I'm focusing on HIS BIRTHDAY 

and LOOKING for the STAR that was over the manger when He was born...

the STAR that will lead me to the PRINCE OF PEACE.... 

Luke 2: 7-14

Matthew 2:9

may His LOVE and LIGHT envelope you-

drive out the darkness attacking you-

remind you why HE came as a CHILD

wounded

The Lord is always communicating with us...

bad christian

I am full aware of how my humanity does not reflect my belief system sometimes.  I do not write this for any kind of self-deprecation nor am I fishing for compliments, but more of an apology and acknowlagement.  And maybe some encouragement for others.

When Heath first felt the call to ordination, my first thoughts (of course) were, "how am I supppsed to be a pastor's wife?"  Through that process he was called to evangelism and to this ministry he has now through Heath and the Checker Shoe Band Show.  Also through this process, the Lord's helped me understand what Grace really is and how this dichotomy of being a Christian and a human can exist in one space.  And what being a child of God really means.

So this is what I have come to understand:

1- I am so thankful that the shed blood of Jesus Christ atones for my sins.

2-If I weren't a bad Christian, I would be a terrible human being.  Seriously, my Christianity keeps me from doing what my flesh wants to do.

3- my job is to be a sign post pointing others to Him.  And I'd hate to know that something I said or did keeps someone from running to Him.  And if that's the case, I hope that His Love is so overwhelming that what I've said or done doesn't matter.

So there's a balance to all this.  I'm not doing a great job.  I hope to get better.

But this is my conclusion:  "I may not be a great Christian.... but I serve a great God."

To my sons when they are 18

Dear sons,

At this point, you three are almost 7, 2 and 5 months old.  Our time together is going by fast and I do everything I can do to store up these memories of your childhood.  

I keep thinking of the days when you will transition into manhood.  And I want to make that transition as easy as possible for you.  This isn't typically an easy time.  Moms freak out; dads sull up.

And I've been trying to understand why.  Why is this so hard to let go?  This is supposed to happen.  
I've been praying and thinking and I think I know why this happens:
the world is so scary and there will come a point where I can't defend you anymore.
And what am I supposed to do with that?   I mean the very idea of some girl breaking your heart or some guy trying to bully you just makes me see red.  It makes me want to fight.

But I won't be able to.
And that makes me mad.

As you walk into the school building to first grade to a new teacher... as you run away from me at the zoo... as you crawl and reach for things that will hurt you...

So what am I to do?
What can I do?
Well, I can't stop this process from happening. I can't keep you little.

But I can...

I can teach you to fight for yourself.

I can introduce you to the One who heals all your hurts.

I can pray for you.

I can trust that God will honor my dedicating you at the altar when you were a baby.

The truth is people will make comments about your growing up so fast but that will make you feel guilty for doing so.  But it's really a lament that as you get older, it's more difficult to protect you.  And that makes us sad.  And mad.  And scared.

But now I am not so mad or sad or scared because if we have Jesus on our side, then everything's gonna be alright.  I have to trust that He has His angels protecting you and that the shed blood of Jesus intervenes on your behalf.  I have to trust that God is already in tomorrow ahead of you three.

So I am preparing myself for the day you grow up and move out.  I know I will cry and you will just have to give me that.  Change is hard for me.  You each are so precious to me and I thank God for the privilege to be your mommy.  I don't know what the future holds, but I know Who holds the future.

Love,

Mommy

(Buffy)

windows

A person's behavior is a window to the state of his soul.

This is true for chidlren, adults, male and female.  

I used to think that a person's negative behavior towards me had something to do with me not being worthy enough to be treated well.

But this is not true...

This outward negative expression is a symptom of inner turmoil.

The same is true for someone who is at peace...  His actions and words towards his fellow man is full of manna...

I am fully aware that this is an area of my life that has caution tape wrapped around it.  This is an area that I am really working on: not responding negatively when I get hurt...  Not taking my anger out on someone else... Not feeling worthless when others lash out at me... Life has been super challenging lately and I haven't been great at responding to the stress...

But I am encouraged by the fact that the Lord is strong in my weakness and loving towards discipling me.  And patient.  And kind.  And that He loves me anyway.

creative God

Being a mom is about taking every pre-conceived idea and just tossing it out the window…

Everything you THINK WILL happen- WON’T.

Everything you THINK SHOULD happen- WON’T.

Everything you WANT to happen- WON’T… at least, not the WAY you want it to.

You see, I am learning that when we put ourselves in God’s hands, He gets a kick out of the new material that He gets to mold… so He stretches and pulls and swishes us across the canvas of life until we are perfect for His Kingdom. 

In the same way, we have to become more creative in our approach to life… 

I think that God places situations in our way to force our creative edge…

“Oh, here’s your window busted out… what are you going to do to get it fixed?”  “Oh, there’s a food stain on your shirt that your 3 year old put there and your boss and his wife are at your door for dinner.”  “Oh, there’s Ms. McNasty again to try your nerves, how are you going to show her My love.”  “Oh your 6 year old is back talking for the millionth time today… how are you going to change your approach to him?”  FILL IN THE BLANK

   This is my revelation for today…

That God places circumstances in our way to force our creative edge… 

That's not to say that this is a way to keep from relying on Him... I mean, what's more amazing than to see His creative solutions to our problems... truly, when a circumstance hits, I've lost control.  If I were in control, that wouldn't have happened in the first place!  

But if we stop and don't respond out of a place of our own flesh, we see that the King of Glory has truly given us resources and insights and has better way to do things. Inspired by God, maybe?  Definitely, a creative God who longs for us to see Him as the Artist that He is. 

Which leads me to another point that I think we need more Christian art... The art world used to be driven by religious-themed art, but now the art world has been over-taken by the enemy.  So support Christian artists especially when they go into the world.  It takes a lot of guts and we need more quality Christ-themed art: music, television shows, movies, paintings, sculptures, writings...  I, for one, long for more.  And I long for my children to have more options when it comes to art forms.  

Maybe this makes sense... maybe it doesn't... I've just seen God's creativity come out in the solutions to my circumstances lately... which has changed my response to circumstances....for the better, I hope. 

"you've got to cool it down"

This blog entry is a response to the MOB Society's "No More Angry MOBs" group on Facebook- just trying to get this strategy on paper. My internal checklist has only been worked out in the last few weeks as I have been re-couperating from my third C-section delivery and having a newborn in the house… a new 2 year old… and a 6.5 year old… my husband… a children’s television production… hubby working on the weekends… me working during the week…  But I find that I’m adding more things to stop and think about.  And that the Lord has been great to give me these checks in my spirit to heal this area of my life is awesome.  I am not 100% not yelling yet… but I’m getting there… and I’m praying that the Lord will heal whatever yelling has damaged in my sons.  I didn’t mean to hurt them in this way… I just thought it was a discipline tool to be used as well as moments when my nerves were just shot that I was desperate for it to stop that I… uhm… lost it….

This moment is the first that I’ve put it down on paper.  I’m sure it will get revised several times.

This checklist is an accumulation of revelations, a challenge from the M.O.B. Society and a loving Father God… so here’s what I think about before I yell:

1.  Is the behavior life-or-death/someone will get hurt or not life-or-death?

If the situation is dangerous, make immediate movements to get your child in a safe place.  I hope it goes without saying that if someone is getting hurt, then it's got to stop immediately... this checklist is for those times that my hormones are getting the best of me.

If the situation is not life-or-death, take a deep breath and go to #2.

As my mom would say, “pick yer battles.”

2. Is there something in me that needs attention that is making me angry and making me want to yell?

-Am I hungry? Then eat something

-Am I sleepy? Then make plans to get some rest ASAP or drink some coffee – change the environment to get some exercise or fresh air.

-Am I sick? Then take some medicine and/or ask for help

-Am I overstimulated? – for me, it’s too much noise  I’ve joked about getting ear plugs, but I find myself doing some of these things instead: turn off the t.v., moving to another room, cover my ears, say “shhh!  Let’s whisper!”

-Am I frustrated because the house is a mess? I was complaining to my grandmother that my house was always so messy and I was frustrated that I couldn’t get anything done.  My grandmother told me: “Shug, Southern Livin’ is not comin’ anytime soon!  So shut the doors to the bedrooms and get down on the floor and play with those babies!  They won’t be little much longer and you can have a clean house like mine!”  Needless to say that’s become one of my mottos: “Southern Livin’ ain't comin’ anytime soon… so I’ll leave that mess for another day, Scarlett!” 

-Am I multi-tasking and getting frustrated because everyone else is playing or because my attention is divided into 4 different places?  Then delegate, Buffy!  This also has given me some chances to reward my eldest’s good behavior (and participation and teamwork) with class dojo points which he loves (we are working towards a trip to chucky cheese)!  And he's becoming great at some basic life skills!

-Am I frustrated because I need something but I’m not sure what?  I turn to my husband or friend… “I’m frustrated, but I don’t know why.”

If any of these questions get answered, don’t yell.

3. Is my child trying to tell me something and he doesn’t have the words to tell me?  Try to figure it out and meet his need.   Don’t yell.

4. If I don’t have needs that need to be met and my child doesn’t have needs that need to be met, and he’s just being defiant… then what’s a consequence that will having meaning to deter the behavior?  Time out?  Short verbal warning paired with a sign for my 2 year old (“no touch!” + sign for “no” to engage his visual sense)?  Taking away a privilege?   I’ll figure something out, but don’t yell.

So like I said, I’m not there yet, but I’m getting better… and praying over my boys more when they start to whine and before things dissolve into a bigger issue- at the start of the day and in the heat of the moment: I busted out with "Lord Jesus, help!"  or a random worship song.  Thanks to the M.O.B. Society for addressing this issue and Praise to the Lord who always brings the right thing to me at the right time. 

He is jealous for me

Faith like a child

I found this index card on my kitchen counter tonight.  My eldest had written it.  Not sure why he wrote it but I found it... I was so blessed by the reminder... Literally a postcard from God.

"You're perfect for the part"

My third boy joined our family on February 18.  I had someone ask me today: "how are you handling having 3 kids now?  I mean I can't imagine what kind of stress that must be!  And three boys!  And a 2 year old!  With a newborn!"

I started to panic.  Yeah how was I gonna handle this?   .....

I was watching a movie this afternoon.  The lead told the bully character: "I want you to take a look at this script.  I think you'd be perfect for a part."

The bully's demeanor changed... "Really?"

It made me think:  what if I clearly heard God say to me- you are perfect for this part....

We got this

"Is that blood raining down from the sky now?" -or- parenting with sanity

My brother sent a text message to me last night: "heard there was an earth quake in Athens [GA]... did y'all feel it... are y'all okay?"
"WHAT???"  was my reply.
I got on Facebook... a friend wrote: "Did I just feel my building shake?  Was that a dream?"
Other statuses: "reports of an earthquake on South Carolina/Georgia stateline..."
My eldest was up with a fever so I already had my hands full worrying about him...
Then rain started pounding down on our roof.  "what's next?  The plagues?  Is that blood raining down from the sky?"  I tried to joke.  But what I had been taught about the End Times as a child came rushing back to my head.  

I stopped before I put one foot down THAT rabbit hole... "O Lord," I prayed out loud, "protect us... take care of us...In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen."  

The Holy Spirit reminded me of the Fruits of the Spirit Song: the fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, PEACE, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control. This morning, I woke with the song "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" running through my head:  "Turn your eyes upon Jesus... Look full in His wonderful face... and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His Glory and Grace..." 

And just to set the record straight, I don't share this with you to boast about anything... With baby 3 on the way, I am having to make sure that I'm straight so that I can parent with intention and sanity.  I do not parent perfect. 

As a child, my dad worked off-shore so my mom, brother and I were left alone a lot.  I remember nights that my mom would take us from our beds to be plopped down in the hallway with a mattress over us because a tornado was barreling by.  I know now that she was scared, but in those moments, she parented with such sanity... She made decisions to protect us ... then sang worship songs to calm us (and now I know, to calm herself).  She remained calm.  

But don't we serve to assure us of His protection! And to provide PEACE to us in the midst of the storms of our lives?  He never promised us an easy ride, but He promised that He would be with us!  

What a wonderful truth to teach our children today!

Simply Sunday

Listen...

I've never been good at math but...

I do like the trend from pious self-righteous Christian, but some of the "hot" Christian bloggers tend to just get down on themselves... I mean, it's pithy and funny and oh, so relate-able... but goodness, I just want to turn away from the battle royale sometimes.  When my hubby and I were first talking, I made some self-depreciating comment and he said, "are you fishin' for a compliment?  Well, I won't take the bait."  LOL... and I think about that with every self-depreciating comment... 

Well, I say all that to say this:  going too far with the self-depreciation gets to a point where... well... couldn't you be kind of telling God what a crappy job He did of creating you?  

I mean, we're a piece of artwork to God...  and if we stop and saw the wonder in each other... well, maybe we'd treat each other nice... and wouldn't that be nice?

2014 forecast -or- "Come to me like a child"

Matthew 18: 1-10

The Message (MSG)

At about the same time, the disciples came to Jesus asking, “Who gets the highest rank in God’s kingdom?”For an answer Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, and said, “I’m telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you’re not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in. Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God’s kingdom. What’s more, when you receive the childlike on my account, it’s the same as receiving me. “But if you give them a hard time, bullying or taking advantage of their simple trust, you’ll soon wish you hadn’t. You’d be better off dropped in the middle of the lake with a millstone around your neck. Doom to the world for giving these God-believing children a hard time! Hard times are inevitable, but you don’t have to make it worse—and it’s doomsday to you if you do. “If your hand or your foot gets in the way of God, chop it off and throw it away. You’re better off maimed or lame and alive than the proud owners of two hands and two feet, godless in a furnace of eternal fire. And if your eye distracts you from God, pull it out and throw it away. You’re better off one-eyed and alive than exercising your twenty-twenty vision from inside the fire of hell. “Watch that you don’t treat a single one of these childlike believers arrogantly. You realize, don’t you, that their personal angels are constantly in touch with my Father in heaven?

I love to read the words of Jesus... He was always so straight-forward and so passionate... He always fought for the "least of these"- for the innocent- for the children- for the widows- for the orphans.

It's been interesting these past few months as I have had to put down my "Martha" hat- giving up several jobs at church.  It's been hard... because I've loved what I was doing at my church- singing on the worship team, hosting community group and yet knowing that I could not ask my body to do so much while it's housing another human being.  And I have always found my identity in work.

As I am being called to lay my jobs down and focus on household, the Lord has reprimanded me on complicating my relationship with Him.  Heath, Avery and Hero filmed a new episode of Heath & the Checker Shoe Band the other night.  During editing, Heath called me over to the computer to watch a segment that Hero does.  There was my little 6 year old on the computer screen shouting, "Do you want Jesus in your heart?  Well, say this with me! 'Jesus come into my heart!!'  Yea!  Welcome to the family!!!"

I teared up, but immediately felt that Heath just add something more to it- to encourage discipleship and reading your Bible... stuff like that.  After thinking about it for a few days, Heath said to me, "I think that just complicates it.  For a kid, it really is that simple to ask Jesus into your heart and He's there.  We make Christianity so complicated."

Well, that'll preach.  Why do we adults need to make things so cerebral and so complicated?  We work so hard at so many church programs that we miss out on just being with Jesus and that He's with us.  All He wants is you.

So while I am being forced into laying down my jobs, I pray that this lesson stays with me after my body allows me to pick those jobs up again... if that's even the Lord's will for me.  In my inability to trust Him, I get busy like an ant trying to store up for winter months... just in case He doesn't pull through.  

And yet He always does.

I find a lot of freedom in this passage of scripture... that all Jesus wants is for me to come to Him like a child... the implications is that He will protect me and provide for me.  2013 was the Year of the Fishes and Loaves.  I think for us, 2014 will be the Year of the Child- learning what true child-like faith and trust is and the freedom in that knowledge. 

I hope that you find that kind of freedom and re-assurance in your relationship with Him. 

Praying for Boys: Book Review

For as long as I can remember, I enjoyed hanging out with boys… they were straight forward and I really appreciated that.  As a speech-language pathologist, my caseload is mostly comprised of boys.  I worked for 7 years in the field before having my own.  All I know is boys.  And I love what God’s designed them to be. 

But raising my own boys is daunting and overwhelming.  Seriously.  I’ve been charged to raise future household spiritual leaders.  I believe that you’ve been charged with the same, Boy Momma.  After I read “Wild at Heart” by John Eldredge, I promised myself and my sons that I would not inflict the mother wound on them willingly… that I would pray for the Lord to help me and to be cognizant of what exactly my role would be in raising warriors for Christ.  It’s scary.  I am scared out of my mind.  That’s where prayer comes in.  Because I know that I have a God who is bigger than my mistakes and my hang ups and my issues.  I know that when I dedicated by boys at the altar of my church, He stepped in. 

Intro “Praying for Boys” by Brooke McGlothlin.  I am honored to be able to write a review of this book and it couldn’t come at a better time.  I am weak and weary in the third trimester of my third pregnancy with my third boy.  But I know what God’s called me to do and that’s changing who I am… in a good way.  My passion for advocating for the “least of these” was honed in graduate school as I earned my master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology… my passion for making sure my boys don’t choke on my apron strings, well, it’s kind of fierce.

By the end of the first chapter, Brooke asks, “ready to fight?”  As straight forward as the first chapter is, it’s got a lot of truth in it: our culture tries to snuff out the essence of manhood.  As scary as the battle might be,  you don’t have to re-invent the wheel!  Brooke’s got it all laid out for us!  I don't know about you, but I'm so sick of the enemy trying to tell me that I am gonna fail at this mothering thing... that I don't have what it takes... that my mistakes will scar my boys forever... 

This book reminds us that God is with us and that prayer changes us… And Brooke provides specific prayers to get us focused on virtues of Christian men.  My religious upbringing balks at prayers provided to me, but the neurons of my brain are often robbed of a cohesive thought process… which makes it hard for me to articulate what I need and to hear from the Lord.  I’ve come to love prayer prompts, as I call them.

Brooke gives us a safe place to be real with ourselves: we are weak and human and we need God to help us through this season of parenting.  Too often religion expects us to have it all together. We don’t, girls.  This book helps us be okay with that reality.

“God hasn’t asked me to win [this battle]… He’s only asked me… asked you… to be faithful in the battle,”  Brooke writes.  “The battle belongs to the Lord…” Scriptures remind us.

Praying for Boys gives us tools and suggestions to get you through these years when your sons demand your full attention… which interferes with your previous precious planned alone time with God!  

We have the influence to set heroes on the path to victory or the power to decapitate our sons with our apron strings... this reality just keeps driving me to my knees in prayer... while my weakness is more and more exposed, His strength is all the more evident.  When we were growing up, my mom used to say all the time, “I gave you two to the Lord when you were first born… His Word does not return void… I trust that you two will be alright…”  She reminded me of this when I shared with her the prayers of this book... "The Lord has those boys," she said.

Praying for Boys:

• Empowers us through the power of Jesus Christ in us
• Encourages us to be transparent and honest with our own needs and weaknesses
• Discussion questions are fantastic!
• The prayer prompts are spot on to training up a child in the way he should go!

Brooke also introduces the concept of fighting FOR our boys and not AGAINST them… let’s face it… Men are not allowed to be men in our society.  I hear comments about how stupid men are and how they don’t listen or don’t contribute or don’t clean up.  It makes me so mad.  There are so many forces fighting AGAINST them… they don’t need to fight us too.  This book gives so many tips and prayers to fight FOR our boys – for their salvation and for their calling.  I am really thankful that this book came to me during this season of my life during I feel my most weak and weary… 

After today's sermon (yeah, I edited this during response time at church) and the events of this morning (loads of obstacles that just makes me mad), I am convicted that I react often before I just stop and pray...  My nature is to get angry first...  My hope for 2014 is to stop and pray before I react...  Handing the situation to God...  Depending on Him to help out.

Praying for Boys: Asking God for What They Need Most will be released on January 7, 2014 -- http://www.amazon.com/Praying-Boys-Asking-Things-They/dp/0764211439/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388700234&sr=8-1&keywords=Praying+for+Boys

Prayers

A newsletter from the MOB Society today encouraged us to blog about a scripture we were praying over our sons.

A few weeks ago I felt like my eldest was just NOT listening to me.  So I wrote a verse out on a sticky note and posted it to the door... I was about to lose it and I didnt want to lose it...  After all a fruit of the Spirit is self control, right? Then I wrote out a verse for me... Ephesians 6:1 for him and John 14:27 for me

Then last night I laminated a piece of notebook paper to write out a prayer focus for the week: Nehemiah 8:10

Its's in a central location...  It can be seen from the living room and the kitchen...  Like Deuteronomy 6: 9 says to write the commandments on our doorframes and to impress them on your children's hearts.  My eldest has already asked me what it says...  I think this going to be encouraging and helpful to all of us.