Missional Mothering

I like this!!

10 Things Missional Moms Can Do

5 Finger Prayer for Children

I LOVED this - what a great way to pray with our younger ones.

5 Finger Prayer

Bible Information

We were asked this week by a couple of parents to recommend a Bible for their son/daughter to bring to Kidz Klub. So we came up with some thoughts!

One thing that we like to encourage our kids to do is to begin the habit of bringing a Bible to Kidz Kore and Kidz Klub. Sylvia Holtrop, our 4th and 5th grade teacher, encourages the kids to bring their Bibles because it is our "text" book. Just like we bring our school text books we need to bring our church text book.

We believe that God has spoken in the Scriptures, through the words of human authors. We believe that the Bible was verbally inspired, without error in the original writings. It is the complete revelation of His will for salvation, and the ultimate authority by which every realm of human knowledge and endeavor should be judged. Therefore, it is to be believed in all that it teaches, obeyed in all that it requires and trusted in all that it promises and as we teach our children we seek to refer to it as often as possible.

For Each lesson, our teachers will turn to the Bible to demonstrate that the words that are being taught come directly from the text book. If the children can turn to their Bibles and see the same words it becomes even more powerful.

We would encourage children as early as the Kindergarten age to begin bringing their Bibles. If children in preschool would like to bring a Bible that is great too. We realize that in the K-1st grade ages that they may not be able to read from them but it does begin to establish the habit of bringing them. Here are a list of some great Bibles that could be purchased.

These examples are by no means all-inclusive - they are just some we have used with our kids or seen in person. And even a small "Gideon" Bible is not a bad option - just something so they can get in the habit of using it in their classes. With our kids, we have found that if we can find a Bible that "catches their eye" they are more willing to look through it and read it. But any Bible can be tricky for our Kindergartners and 1st and 2nd Graders to read - so at that age - any attempt is good.

Encouragement for Sons

This video is quite a great look at a new book out. We wanted to make you aware of it as it looks very helpful for those of us with boys to raise!

AND if you are interested in the book - it is available in Nook, Kindle and Ibook format for $1.99 until October 15. We have not read it yet - but it does look good.

Stepping Up: A Call to Courageous Manhood by Dennis Rainey

(This copy is regular price - but I wanted to link it anyway here. Just make sure if you want the ebook format for $1.99 that you click on the link above.)

Kids of Courage

We are always looking for ways to show our kids what missions can look like - maybe through missionary stories, videos, praying for missionaries or countries, etc. So when I found this site for children put together by Voice of the Martyrs - I was thrilled. You may want to bookmark it - I think it is something you will turn to over and over.

Kids of Courage

Parenting....

There is nothing easy about parenting, but I did think this article was encouraging!

We pray for each of you - that God gives wisdom AND strength.

Grace and Discipline

Cherish the Moments

This was encouraging to me today -

One Man's Treasure

Praying for our Children

Praying for our children~

Live for Christ~ John 17:13

Grow strong spiritually~ John 17:15

Serve Christ~ John 17:17

Experience Fellowship~ John 17:21

Bring Others to Christ~ John 17:20

~Rick Warren

Resurrection Eggs

GO HERE to learn how to make your own Resurrection Eggs - we love these for Easter!

Family Time

Love this YEARBOOK idea!!!

Time Flies

I encourage you to take the time to read this blog post - GREAT reminders!!!

Teaching our Little Ones to Pray

I found this insightful - maybe you will as well.

Pray Without Ceasing

Uniqueness

Uniqueness is learning more about others so you can know more about yourself.

At Studio252, we believe that when you take the time to get to know someone – really understand what makes that person unique – you actually start to discover what makes you unique, too! And as a child begins to understand just how unique we all are, he starts down a path of discovering his own niche or significance in the world. Here are just a few ways you can help your child learn more about the people around him and even discover his own uniqueness in the process!

• Make a unique Peanut Butter & Cheese sandwich for lunch
• Look in a mirror with your child and write down all the differences you see
• Help your child construct a list of things he wants to do in his life
• Share unique tricks or talents with your family
• Go on a scavenger hunt to find even more unique things God made

For these activities and more visit our website studio252.tv. Register to gain access to this month’s CueBox, weekly bedtime stories on what God says about uniqueness, interactive devotionals for your children, questions to start meaningful conversations about uniqueness, even blogs and videos from your favorite Studio252 characters!

Studio252.tv and CueBox is designed to help you as the parent connect with your child in a fun way to discuss virtues, like Uniqueness, that will ultimately play a significant part in your child growing into the person God made him to be. So visit studio252.tv and check out all the fun we have planned for your family this month!

VIRTUE VIDEO: Uniqueness (November 2010) from Orange on Vimeo.

**We do not necessarily endorse all you will find on these websites - but you may find some of it useful.

Thankfulness

I came across this article today - I thought it was good and the book sounds helpful as well - wanted to pass it along!

What mom doesn't want to grow grateful kids? And by grateful we mean more than saying "thank you" without being prompted, although that would be nice. The kind of grateful we're talking about is the kid who somehow rises above the entitled, me-me-me attitude that seems so prevalent in our world today. Susie Larson's newest Hearts at Home book release Growing Grateful Kids tackles this issue with gusto.

Here are five strategies every mom can use this Thanksgiving season.

1. Model Thankfulness. "Cultivating a heart of gratitude in our children is impossible unless we ourselves are grateful. We can't impart something we do not possess."

2. Practice restraint. "In this day of entitlement, self-restraint has become a lost art. We do ourselves (and our kids) a great disservice if we never practice restraint."

3. Develop Compassion. "Our darling, self-centered children love it when life is all about them...we must interrupt their plans to be selfish and introduce them to the idea that God has a big giant heart for the least of these, and He has entrusted some of the world's needs to our care."

4. Embrace Contentment. "When our children watch us battle through our appetites and unfulfilled desires to find contentment, they'll learn that though it's not always an easy win, it is possible, and it is a good fight."

5. Give Grace. "When you blow it, give yourself some grace. When your kids act like the little humans that they are, correct them, teach them, forgive them, and then offer grace."

Megan, a mother of four, said after reading Susie's book, "The biggest lesson I learned is that growing grateful kids does not start with their hearts, it starts with mine."

(All quotes taken from Growing Grateful Kids by Susie Larson)

Reading Scripture Together

Although this article was written for special needs children, I see it as being useful for many of our children - slower readers, struggling learners, etc. Take a minute to read it - I think you'll find it very good!!

Let's Read the Bible

Another good site and valuable too is here as well - Bible Pronunciations.

Memos from your Child....

Great article HERE!!!

Family Reading Bible

I am NOT biased!! Just because I was asked to be on a panel and give my opinion on this Bible, and just because the Bilby name is mentioned in this Bible - I am still not biased!! (That's ok, because Ringelberg's are mentioned in here too!!) However, all of that aside, I do want to tell you that if you are struggling to find a family tool for Bible reading OR if you need something new - this Family Reading Bible has a great layout and plan to help your family succeed. I do HIGHLY recommend it - great, thought-provoking questions, and insights that will help add to your family devotion time.

Help for Parents!

Found some new books that look intriguing - now we haven't read them - but they seem reputable!!!
Instructing a Child's Heart by Tedd and Margy Tripp
Everyday Talk by John A. Younts


And here's the deal- IF you do read one of these - leave a comment - we ALL want to know what you think!!!!

Parenting Resources

Joe and I plan to periodically post some parenting resources we have found that seem to be quite helpful! If you want to find them easily - just click on the sidebar label "Parenting Resources" and you can find all of the posts that we do on parenting resources.

The Praying Family - Creative Ways to Pray Together by Kim Butts
It has been proven that when couples pray together, the divorce rate drastically declines. Kim Butts knows there are many obstacles to becoming a family of prayer. In The Praying Family, she not only tackles those barriers, but she provides a practical, step-by-step approach to making family prayer time the most exciting activity a family engages in. Broken into several steps, each "journey" will further enhance this essential aspect of your family life.

Each journey is made up of:
- Side trips to reinforce prayer concepts, to add variety for younger children
- Resources and Materials list for the journey.
- Memory Verses for your family to learn together.
- Journey for a Lifetime - practical suggestions to apply what's been learned.

About the Author
Kim Butts co-founded Harvest Prayer Ministries with her husband David, and is editor of Harvest Prayer Messenger, Kim is on the executive committee of the National Prayer Committee and on the advisory committee for PrayKids! Magazine.

Big Truths for Young Hearts by Bruce Ware

Equips parents to guide their young children through all major doctrines in an understandable, chapter-a-day format.

Sure, it's easy to teach your children the essentials of Christian theology when you're a theology professor. But what about the rest of us?

With Big Truths for Young Hearts, Bruce Ware, (you guessed it!) a theology professor, encourages and enables parents of children 6-14 years of age to teach through the whole of systematic theology at a level their children can understand. Parents can teach their children the great truths of the faith and shape their worldviews early, based on these truths.

The book covers ten topics of systematic theology, devoting several brief chapters to each subject, making it possible for parents to read one chapter per day with their children. With this non-intimidating format, parents will be emboldened to be their children's primary faith trainers-and perhaps learn a few things themselves along the way.

Sacred Parenting by Gary Thomas
Parenting is a school for spiritual formation—and our children are our teachers. The journey of caring for, rearing, training, and loving our children will profoundly alter us forever.

Sacred Parenting is unlike any other parenting book you have ever read. This is not a "how-to" book that teaches you ways to discipline your kids or help them achieve their full potential. Instead of discussing how parents can change their kids, Sacred Parenting turns the tables and demonstrates how God uses our kids to change us.

You’ve read all the method books. Now take a step back and receive some much-needed inspiration. You’ll be encouraged by stories that tell how other parents handled the challenges and difficulties of being a parent—and how their children transformed their relationship with God. Sacred Parenting affirms the spiritual value of being a parent, showing you the holy potential of the parent-child relationship.

Disciple Like Jesus For Parents by Alan Melton and Paul Dean
What others are saying about this book and ministry: Alan Melton and Paul Dean have gotten it right. If we are to see young men and women who look like Christ, then we must disciple as Christ did. Read DISCIPLE LIKE JESUS FOR PARENTS and prepare to have a paradigm shift. Your children are depending on it. Meeke Golden Addison, American Family Association, and Mother of Two DISCIPLE LIKE JESUS has the right idea. Their emphasis on parental discipleship is much needed, as we often seem to forget that one's own children provide the greatest opportunity and need for discipleship. Dr. Christopher Cone, President, Tyndale Theological Seminary The training up of children and youth has always been the God given responsibility of the parents and not the Church or government. Because this is the stance and passion of DISCIPLE LIKE JESUS I am pleased to endorse its ministry. Dr. Kenny Rhodes, President, Scofield Seminary and Pastor, Mable Ave Church DISCIPLE LIKE JESUS gets it. The key to reaching the world tomorrow is discipling our children today. The church is losing over two million children every year and they are not returning. What can parents do about this? Jesus showed us the way. Immediately following three years of making disciples, Jesus commanded us to do the same. Disciple Like Jesus For Parents offers practical, creative ways to make disciples of your children. Learn how His approach can transform your family into the image of Christ and allow you to enjoy the great blessings of children.


30 Ways in 30 Days to Save Your Family by Rebecca Hagelin
Your Family Can Be Stronger...
Your Kids Better Protected...
And You Can Do It in 30 Days

As a parent, you know the challenges against you can seem overwhelming. While you're trying to raise thoughtful, considerate, innocent children, popular culture seems to want to turn your children against you. Schools sometimes seem less places of learning than bazaars where your children are sold bad language and surly attitudes--or worse, drugs and sexually transmitted diseases. Your own day is stressful and hectic--and you worry that you're neglecting your children. And you sometimes think there's nowhere to turn for help.Now there is. Rebecca Hagelin's 30 Ways in 30 Days to Save Your Family is the guidebook every parent needs, laying out 30 practical actions--concrete, doable steps you can implement one day at a time--to restore peace in your home and reconnect with your children.

In 30 Ways in 30 Days to Save Your Family, Rebecca Hagelin--a mother of three, as well as a syndicated columnist, author, and specialist on family, culture, and media issues--provides a guide for parents who want more than mere encouragement; who want a practical plan: with realistic goals, specific actions to take, and a clear path to achievement. In 30 Ways in 30 Days to Save Your Family, you'll learn:

* What to say to your teen as you pass Victoria's Secret in the mall
* How to make a clothing contract with your daughter
* How (and why) to write a letter to your child
* How to slow down your life--and your child's--so that you can enjoy your time together
* How to fight the culture--and not your child
* And much more

Raising your child should be a joy, not an uphill battle that leaves you frustrated or in tears. Rebecca Hagelin's 30 Ways in 30 Days to Save Your Family is a parent-tested guide to help you succeed in the most important responsibility you have--raising happy, responsible, well-adjusted kids.