Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and truth.
1 John 3:18
I pray my love is action, not empty words spoken.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
My Goal In Parenting- Steven Furtick
I have a simple goal in parenting.
When you read it you’ll probably yawn. You’ll wonder how it fits with a prayer I included in Sun Stand Still that I pray for Elijah and Graham almost every day:
“God, raise up my sons to be the greatest men of God of their generation.”
But it’s my goal for my children nonetheless. And it’s actually just as bold and audacious as my prayer for them.
My goal in parenting is to raise my kids to have a boring testimony.
In other words, to stay out of trouble and love Jesus all their lives.
Exciting, I know. But actually, it really should be exciting. I know that in the church we usually privilege and promote Christian horror stories where God brings someone back from the edge of doom. They’re compelling. Heart-tugging.
But they’re also heartbreaking. Trust me, the stories that bring an audience to tears brought far more tears to the parents who had to watch their kids live them. You don’t want that pain, for you or your kids. And while God can certainly turn our mistakes into miracles, I think He’d still prefer to turn our obedience into an opportunity. An opportunity to show that He’s not only worth coming back to, but also worth never leaving in the first place.
I still hold to what I said in Sun Stand Still. I don’t want to raise good boys and girls. I want to raise great men and women who will do great things for a great God. I’m not raising my kids to survive the world. I’m raising them to change it.
It’s just that I’d prefer that my kids change the world without having to have the world first change them. A person’s testimony doesn’t have to be spectacularly sinful to be significant.
I hope and pray my kids will have a boring testimony. I hope and pray the same thing for yours too.
We don’t have full control over whether it will happen. They will ultimately make their own choices. But with all of our power as parents, let’s work and live to see our goal realized.
Our kids will thank us. We’ll thank ourselves. And ultimately we’ll all thank God.
When you read it you’ll probably yawn. You’ll wonder how it fits with a prayer I included in Sun Stand Still that I pray for Elijah and Graham almost every day:
“God, raise up my sons to be the greatest men of God of their generation.”
But it’s my goal for my children nonetheless. And it’s actually just as bold and audacious as my prayer for them.
My goal in parenting is to raise my kids to have a boring testimony.
In other words, to stay out of trouble and love Jesus all their lives.
Exciting, I know. But actually, it really should be exciting. I know that in the church we usually privilege and promote Christian horror stories where God brings someone back from the edge of doom. They’re compelling. Heart-tugging.
But they’re also heartbreaking. Trust me, the stories that bring an audience to tears brought far more tears to the parents who had to watch their kids live them. You don’t want that pain, for you or your kids. And while God can certainly turn our mistakes into miracles, I think He’d still prefer to turn our obedience into an opportunity. An opportunity to show that He’s not only worth coming back to, but also worth never leaving in the first place.
I still hold to what I said in Sun Stand Still. I don’t want to raise good boys and girls. I want to raise great men and women who will do great things for a great God. I’m not raising my kids to survive the world. I’m raising them to change it.
It’s just that I’d prefer that my kids change the world without having to have the world first change them. A person’s testimony doesn’t have to be spectacularly sinful to be significant.
I hope and pray my kids will have a boring testimony. I hope and pray the same thing for yours too.
We don’t have full control over whether it will happen. They will ultimately make their own choices. But with all of our power as parents, let’s work and live to see our goal realized.
Our kids will thank us. We’ll thank ourselves. And ultimately we’ll all thank God.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Logan is proof, that God loves me
November 16th, 2009 at 3:15pm, I had living proof.
I was reading a blog this morning; one that I keep up with and enjoy reading because it's full of encouragement and insight on parenting, relationships, marriage, etc. This morning, that blog hit home.
For those of you that know me, know I say often, Logan showed me so many things that I desparately needed to know. Really, it's been my Creator who shows me through that little boy, all the time.
The night following Logans birth, I remember staying awake all night just holding him as his tiny body lay on my chest. I would close my eyes and listen to him breathing; those tiny breaths. I loved that child. Just as he was.
That night, God spoke to my heart. He said to me, " My child, I love you this much." That indescribable, unconditional love I had for Logan; my Father had for me. And even more. He showed me that through the birth of my son, I don't have to DO anything, I don't need to BE anything or anyone I'm not. He loves me. Just as I am, He loves me.
Logan doesn't have to DO anything, or BE anything other than who he is. I just love him. I always will, no matter what.
I was reading a blog this morning; one that I keep up with and enjoy reading because it's full of encouragement and insight on parenting, relationships, marriage, etc. This morning, that blog hit home.
For those of you that know me, know I say often, Logan showed me so many things that I desparately needed to know. Really, it's been my Creator who shows me through that little boy, all the time.
The night following Logans birth, I remember staying awake all night just holding him as his tiny body lay on my chest. I would close my eyes and listen to him breathing; those tiny breaths. I loved that child. Just as he was.
That night, God spoke to my heart. He said to me, " My child, I love you this much." That indescribable, unconditional love I had for Logan; my Father had for me. And even more. He showed me that through the birth of my son, I don't have to DO anything, I don't need to BE anything or anyone I'm not. He loves me. Just as I am, He loves me.
Logan doesn't have to DO anything, or BE anything other than who he is. I just love him. I always will, no matter what.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
praise journal
I started doing something Mothers Day 2010.
I was given a Praise Journal, so I began my journey of jotting down all the praises and blessings, at the end of the day.
I've been doing this every day, for nearly one year.
I recently started going through this book, reading what I've written so far.
I can't put enough words on paper, or type out this elaborate story of all the blessings, favor, and praise over the last 10 months- I can't do this because none of that would bring appropriate honor, glory, and praise to God.
I got choked up as I read some of the things I've written, to SEE and read how faithful God has been.
I love this book, and I'll keep it forever. When I run out of room, I'll buy another one, and continue keeping track. At the end of the day, the last thing I want to do is go to bed worrying about how I'll pay for this, or that. Or afraid of what tomorrow, next week, may bring. Personally, I choose to think on things that are GOOD, and remember that He has been faithful to us. And why would He stop now?
One day, I'll teach Logan this excercise. It's elementary, simple. But so very profound. And one day, Logan will read and SEE how faithful God was, and is.
I was given a Praise Journal, so I began my journey of jotting down all the praises and blessings, at the end of the day.
I've been doing this every day, for nearly one year.
I recently started going through this book, reading what I've written so far.
I can't put enough words on paper, or type out this elaborate story of all the blessings, favor, and praise over the last 10 months- I can't do this because none of that would bring appropriate honor, glory, and praise to God.
I got choked up as I read some of the things I've written, to SEE and read how faithful God has been.
I love this book, and I'll keep it forever. When I run out of room, I'll buy another one, and continue keeping track. At the end of the day, the last thing I want to do is go to bed worrying about how I'll pay for this, or that. Or afraid of what tomorrow, next week, may bring. Personally, I choose to think on things that are GOOD, and remember that He has been faithful to us. And why would He stop now?
One day, I'll teach Logan this excercise. It's elementary, simple. But so very profound. And one day, Logan will read and SEE how faithful God was, and is.
Monday, March 14, 2011
the moment after the moment
Most people live for the big moments in their work or ministry.
A promotion.
Record attendance and growth.
The completion of a major initiative.
Those are great, but there’s a moment after the moment that’s even more important that you need to live for. It’s the real measuring bar of your success. And it will determine how much you’ll be able to enjoy these big moments when they come.
And that’s the moment you spend reflecting and rejoicing with the people closest to you after the big moments.
With your spouse after the promotion.
With your family and friends when the church is growing.
With your staff after the completion of the project.
If your relationships with them aren’t right, the moment doesn’t really matter.
What does it really matter if you finally get the promotion if you’ve sacrificed your marriage on the altar of achievement to get it?
What does it really matter if your church is bursting at the seams in attendance if you’ve become an absentee father to your children in the process?
What does it really matter if your team has pulled off a huge accomplishment if you hate each other because of the way you treated each other while getting it done?
You may have won, but you’ve lost what really matters. And your enjoyment of the moment will be minimized. Because you’ll be reflecting and rejoicing alone.
So don’t just live for the big moment. Live for the moment after the moment. Continue to cultivate the relationships that mean the most to you even while pursuing the goals God has given you.
It will make the big moment worth it when you get there.
-Steven Furtick
A promotion.
Record attendance and growth.
The completion of a major initiative.
Those are great, but there’s a moment after the moment that’s even more important that you need to live for. It’s the real measuring bar of your success. And it will determine how much you’ll be able to enjoy these big moments when they come.
And that’s the moment you spend reflecting and rejoicing with the people closest to you after the big moments.
With your spouse after the promotion.
With your family and friends when the church is growing.
With your staff after the completion of the project.
If your relationships with them aren’t right, the moment doesn’t really matter.
What does it really matter if you finally get the promotion if you’ve sacrificed your marriage on the altar of achievement to get it?
What does it really matter if your church is bursting at the seams in attendance if you’ve become an absentee father to your children in the process?
What does it really matter if your team has pulled off a huge accomplishment if you hate each other because of the way you treated each other while getting it done?
You may have won, but you’ve lost what really matters. And your enjoyment of the moment will be minimized. Because you’ll be reflecting and rejoicing alone.
So don’t just live for the big moment. Live for the moment after the moment. Continue to cultivate the relationships that mean the most to you even while pursuing the goals God has given you.
It will make the big moment worth it when you get there.
-Steven Furtick
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
it's the little things
It's the little things... and THIS made my day that Logan had such a great, and happy day himself!
Monday, March 7, 2011
sweet child of mine...
you're growing so so fast.. and getting sweeter by the moment....
love you TONS,
"Mamma"
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