Chapter 6: A Positive Mom is a Praying Mom- How to effectively pray for your kids
"The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5:16
Why should we pray?
1. We pray because God tells us to bring all our requests to him.
Matthew 6: 9-13
Matthew 26:41
James 4:2
Philippians 4:6
2. We pray because we need wisdom from above to be good mothers.
Proverbs 2:6
James 1:5
--But wisdom is not the only thing we need as mothers. We should also pray for patience, strength, peace, perseverance-and the list could go on and on.--
Mark 11:24
Isaiah 40:28-31
Personally, during this particular section in the book, she mentioned a time in her life when her children were both very small that she needed all these things during the phase of the "trying twos." She had a 2 year old and a baby, sounds very familiar to me. The two's have definitely brought me to my knees in tears many times.
3. We pray because it turns our eyes toward God and off our problems.
1 Samuel 1:11
1 Samuel 2:26
These verses are about Hannah and Samuel, definitely worth reading their story if you haven't done so before!
1 Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray without ceasing". "Pray continually". (NIV)
Ladd also gives us a list of things to pray for our children. I loved it so much I feel like I should share it:
Pray that they will come to know Christ and follow him. (Romans 10:9-11)
Pray that they will be able to recognize evil and hate it. (Psalm 97:10)
Pray that when they do something wrong, they will be caught. (Psalm 119:71)
Pray for their protection against the evil one. (John 17:15)
Pray that they will be kind and forgiving toward others. (Ephesians 4:32)
Pray that they'll have courage to stand up for what is right. (Joshua 1:7)
Pray that they will have respect for authority. (Romans 13:1)
Pray that they choose wise friends. (Proverbs 13:20)
Pray for their future spouse, that they will marry a godly person. (2 Corinthians 6:14-17)
Pray for them to submit to God and resist the devil. (James 4:7)
Pray for a hedge of protection around them. (Hosea 2:6)
If you attend The Church at Pinnacle Hills, maybe you remember a sermon that Pastor Floyd did called Becoming a House of Prayer back in June of 2008. I was looking over some older notes of mine and found this. I will say that the sermon combined with this section in "The Power of a Positive Mom" definitely go hand in hand. :) I'm not sure if its still on iTunes or not, but if it is, I encourage you to download it and listen to it! :)
Questions:
1. How have you seen the need for prayer in your own life?
2. What did you learn from Hannah and Jesus' example of prayer?
3. In what ways did this chapter encourage you to develop a deeper prayer life?
4. Any prayer requests and/or praises
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Principle 1: The Power of Encouragement
Chapter 5: Bringing Son-shine to Others
This whole chapter is about the value of a smile. :) Yes, a smile. It's all children really need to see in the stands, auditorium, or wherever you end up being to support them. Smile to them encouragement! :)
Make the decision today to be a smiling mom and see what happens.
Start giving your smile away as a gift to the people around you, whether you feel like it or not; you'll find that the feelings will follow, and you will be the richer for it.
After all, with the joy we find only in Christ, we have reason to smile.
DO: Pick a day this week to give everyone you come in contact with the gift of a sincere smile. Share with your husband, your children, or a friend how your experience with smiles touched you and touched others.
Questions:
1. What are some of the reasons people choose not to smile?
2. What are some reasons you personally have to be joyful?
3. In what ways do you express your joy?
4. Did you do the experiment with smiles? If so, tell about it.
5. Prayer requests and praises. :)
This whole chapter is about the value of a smile. :) Yes, a smile. It's all children really need to see in the stands, auditorium, or wherever you end up being to support them. Smile to them encouragement! :)
Make the decision today to be a smiling mom and see what happens.
Start giving your smile away as a gift to the people around you, whether you feel like it or not; you'll find that the feelings will follow, and you will be the richer for it.
After all, with the joy we find only in Christ, we have reason to smile.
DO: Pick a day this week to give everyone you come in contact with the gift of a sincere smile. Share with your husband, your children, or a friend how your experience with smiles touched you and touched others.
Questions:
1. What are some of the reasons people choose not to smile?
2. What are some reasons you personally have to be joyful?
3. In what ways do you express your joy?
4. Did you do the experiment with smiles? If so, tell about it.
5. Prayer requests and praises. :)
Principle 1 The Power of Encouragement
Chapter 4: Helping your Children Discover Their Potential
Our challenge is to learn how to be the wind in their sails without blowing them off the course God has set for their lives.
We need to study our children.
Questions:
1. How would you descrive the special and unique qualities that God has given your children?
2. In what ways can you encourage and support their gifts and talents?
3. Is there someone in your life who saw your potential and took the time to help you reach toward a goal? Would you share it with us?
4. Lets not forget prayer requests and praises. :)
Our challenge is to learn how to be the wind in their sails without blowing them off the course God has set for their lives.
We need to study our children.
- See the potential-- Start by writing down the potential you see in your children in four areas of growth: mental, physical, spiritual, and social.
- Offer opportunities for growth--As a particular interest or aptitude emerges, you can look for a class or team or meeting where the child can develop that skill or talent further. But don't be in a rush!
- Set realistic goals
- Support their endeavors--as positive moms, we can support our children by being there-by taking them to their lessons and practices and showing up for their recitals and games. Our support must be unconditional!
Questions:
1. How would you descrive the special and unique qualities that God has given your children?
2. In what ways can you encourage and support their gifts and talents?
3. Is there someone in your life who saw your potential and took the time to help you reach toward a goal? Would you share it with us?
4. Lets not forget prayer requests and praises. :)
Principle 1 The Power of Encouragement
Chapter 3: The Positive Impact of a Good Word
This chapter is all about positive and negative things said to us and that we say to our children. I'm going to pass on some of the passages in the book I particularly liked and then some thoughts I had and then I'll post the questions.
When our young people are reminded of their God-given value, they receive deposits of confidence, security, and well-being in their emotional bank accounts. On the other hand, when our children have nothing positive to believe about themselves, their emotional bank accounts can become bankrupt- overdrawn by the negative comments and disappointments that occur every day in the world around them.
Some psychologists say that a person needs to hear ten positive comments to overcome the effects of a negative one.
So, while I was reading this I wrote out beside it... What were some encouraging things said to you? What were some hurtful things said about you?
We need to be deliberate about building up our children's strengths and putting regular deposits in their emotional bank accounts. We need to make sure they're getting a positive picture of who they are.
Set a goal of saying at least three encouraging comments to each child each day. As you put them to bed at night, do a mental check to see if you have put enough verbal deposits in their emotional bank accounts that day. If you come up short, you can use this bedside time to make up the difference before they doze off.
With your encouraging comments you need to 1. be specific, 2. be prepared, 3. be creative, 4. be resourceful. This means instead of just saying "You make me happy." Say why they make you happy. Have a couple comments prepared ahead of time. Be creative how you deliver them. Leave them a special note in random places. Use Scripture.
DO: Write out four specific accolades for each of your family members and deliver one of them each week for the next four weeks. When you see the positive response you get, you may want to make one day a week your note-writing day to regularly express to your family members and friends how special they are.
Questions:
1. Share a time when someone's words of encouragement were meaningful to you in your life.
2. Can you think of a time when someone's words were damaging to you?
3. What are some creative ways you can give words of encouragement to your family members?
4. Share some of the comments you wrote out in the "Do."
This chapter is all about positive and negative things said to us and that we say to our children. I'm going to pass on some of the passages in the book I particularly liked and then some thoughts I had and then I'll post the questions.
When our young people are reminded of their God-given value, they receive deposits of confidence, security, and well-being in their emotional bank accounts. On the other hand, when our children have nothing positive to believe about themselves, their emotional bank accounts can become bankrupt- overdrawn by the negative comments and disappointments that occur every day in the world around them.
Some psychologists say that a person needs to hear ten positive comments to overcome the effects of a negative one.
So, while I was reading this I wrote out beside it... What were some encouraging things said to you? What were some hurtful things said about you?
We need to be deliberate about building up our children's strengths and putting regular deposits in their emotional bank accounts. We need to make sure they're getting a positive picture of who they are.
Set a goal of saying at least three encouraging comments to each child each day. As you put them to bed at night, do a mental check to see if you have put enough verbal deposits in their emotional bank accounts that day. If you come up short, you can use this bedside time to make up the difference before they doze off.
With your encouraging comments you need to 1. be specific, 2. be prepared, 3. be creative, 4. be resourceful. This means instead of just saying "You make me happy." Say why they make you happy. Have a couple comments prepared ahead of time. Be creative how you deliver them. Leave them a special note in random places. Use Scripture.
DO: Write out four specific accolades for each of your family members and deliver one of them each week for the next four weeks. When you see the positive response you get, you may want to make one day a week your note-writing day to regularly express to your family members and friends how special they are.
Questions:
1. Share a time when someone's words of encouragement were meaningful to you in your life.
2. Can you think of a time when someone's words were damaging to you?
3. What are some creative ways you can give words of encouragement to your family members?
4. Share some of the comments you wrote out in the "Do."
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Why haven't I posted the new chapters yet?
Due to the bad weather and some people not having power and internet problems. I've not posted any new blogs about the book yet. Also, I wanted to post all of the principle chapters together. There are 7 principles in the book and each one has 2-3 chapters. So, it has taken a little while to get them done on my end. I apologize. I will be posting these hopefully tomorrow. :) Yay! More later.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Chapter 2: The Secret to Your Success
So, the best quote I think I've ever heard on mothering is as follows: Of course I'd like to be the ideal mother: But I'm too busy raising children.-from the comic strip The Family Circus, by Bil Keane
The chapter opens with this quote! :) How great is that!! I'm just going to go through the chapter and type out some of the things I highlighted. Everything in italics is straight from the book.
Being a positive mom doesn't mean you have to be a perfect mom. She is realistic in her expectations, recognizing that her husband and children have weaknesses as well as strengths. And most important, she humbly acknowledges that she has a fair amount of flaws herself.
Usually we are one of two moms, we can either point out all of our strengths or we can point out all of our flaws. Some of us can do both, but we tend to look at one or the other. We need to turn our focus on what God sees and He sees them both. :)
I am saying don't be discouraged by your weaknesses. Determine instead to build on your strengths. Rejoice that God is at work in your life. He created you. He is developing you. And He is not finished with you yet! (AMEN) Take encouragement from the words of the apostle Paul: "(I am) confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" Philippians 1:6.
She goes on to talk about how busy we can be as moms. We have a busy schedule and we tend to overload it sometimes. Make a list of all the activities in which you are currently involved. Now add to the list all of your children's activities. (After all, your kids' activities become yours when you drive them to and from practices and classes, attend games and recitals, and volunteer to thelp out at fund-raisers and concession stands.) Is there anything on the list you don't really HAVE to be doing? Is there anything on the list you sense God telling you to STOP doing? You and I must reexamine our activity load on a regular basis, asking ourselves these important questions and making adjustments in our schedules as needed.
One of the greatest gifts we can give our families is to stop rushing down the fast lane and start doing what matters most. And what does matter most? Sometimes we have trouble answering that question because our minds are clouded by the "tyranny of the urgent."
One of the ways to make sure we keep the most important things to the front of our minds is to have a personal statement of belief and purpose. An example of one is as follows:
I believe I was created by God for a purpose. I believe my purpose here on earth is______.
I believe God has created me with unique gifts, talents, and abilities that he can use to bless and enrich my family and the people around me.
My strengths include_______.
I recognize that I also have certain weaknesses, yet I know that when I am weak, God is strong.
I trust him to do a great work in my family. My hope for my family is _________.
We are useless as moms if we are not getting our power from the right source. Our power source is God. We need to be plugged in to the Bible and we need to allow the Holy Spirit to guide us.
We get tired physically and emotionally from the constant effort to discipline, entertain, and care for our kids. There are days when we feel overwhelmed. That's when we need to turn to the Holy Spirit, the Bible, and God. The Bible tells us the Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses (Romans 8:26--In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness). he strengthens and encourages us (Acts 9:31--Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord). He leads and guides us (John 16:13--But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come). He renews us and replenishes us (Isaiah 32:15--till the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the desert becomes a fertile field, and the fertile field seems like a forest). As God's Spirit is at work in our lives, he brings forth wonderful fruit- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
READ: Romans 8. Choose several verses to memorize. She suggests verse 28, 38, and 39.
CHOOSE: I will look to God to give me strength and power to be a positive mom.
DO: Prayerfully prepare your own personal mission statement.
Questions:
1. In what areas do you tend to expect perfection? Are you willing to release these areas to God?
2. In thinking about your schedule and activities, are there some things that you need to cut out or save until another time? If so, would you like to share how you came to this decision?
3. Perhaps a few of you would like to share some of the things you wrote in your personal belief and purpose statement.
4. Which verse in your reading of Romans 8 gave you encouragement and strength?
5. Prayer requests or praises.
The chapter opens with this quote! :) How great is that!! I'm just going to go through the chapter and type out some of the things I highlighted. Everything in italics is straight from the book.
Being a positive mom doesn't mean you have to be a perfect mom. She is realistic in her expectations, recognizing that her husband and children have weaknesses as well as strengths. And most important, she humbly acknowledges that she has a fair amount of flaws herself.
Usually we are one of two moms, we can either point out all of our strengths or we can point out all of our flaws. Some of us can do both, but we tend to look at one or the other. We need to turn our focus on what God sees and He sees them both. :)
I am saying don't be discouraged by your weaknesses. Determine instead to build on your strengths. Rejoice that God is at work in your life. He created you. He is developing you. And He is not finished with you yet! (AMEN) Take encouragement from the words of the apostle Paul: "(I am) confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" Philippians 1:6.
She goes on to talk about how busy we can be as moms. We have a busy schedule and we tend to overload it sometimes. Make a list of all the activities in which you are currently involved. Now add to the list all of your children's activities. (After all, your kids' activities become yours when you drive them to and from practices and classes, attend games and recitals, and volunteer to thelp out at fund-raisers and concession stands.) Is there anything on the list you don't really HAVE to be doing? Is there anything on the list you sense God telling you to STOP doing? You and I must reexamine our activity load on a regular basis, asking ourselves these important questions and making adjustments in our schedules as needed.
One of the greatest gifts we can give our families is to stop rushing down the fast lane and start doing what matters most. And what does matter most? Sometimes we have trouble answering that question because our minds are clouded by the "tyranny of the urgent."
One of the ways to make sure we keep the most important things to the front of our minds is to have a personal statement of belief and purpose. An example of one is as follows:
I believe I was created by God for a purpose. I believe my purpose here on earth is______.
I believe God has created me with unique gifts, talents, and abilities that he can use to bless and enrich my family and the people around me.
My strengths include_______.
I recognize that I also have certain weaknesses, yet I know that when I am weak, God is strong.
I trust him to do a great work in my family. My hope for my family is _________.
We are useless as moms if we are not getting our power from the right source. Our power source is God. We need to be plugged in to the Bible and we need to allow the Holy Spirit to guide us.
We get tired physically and emotionally from the constant effort to discipline, entertain, and care for our kids. There are days when we feel overwhelmed. That's when we need to turn to the Holy Spirit, the Bible, and God. The Bible tells us the Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses (Romans 8:26--In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness). he strengthens and encourages us (Acts 9:31--Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord). He leads and guides us (John 16:13--But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come). He renews us and replenishes us (Isaiah 32:15--till the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the desert becomes a fertile field, and the fertile field seems like a forest). As God's Spirit is at work in our lives, he brings forth wonderful fruit- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
READ: Romans 8. Choose several verses to memorize. She suggests verse 28, 38, and 39.
CHOOSE: I will look to God to give me strength and power to be a positive mom.
DO: Prayerfully prepare your own personal mission statement.
Questions:
1. In what areas do you tend to expect perfection? Are you willing to release these areas to God?
2. In thinking about your schedule and activities, are there some things that you need to cut out or save until another time? If so, would you like to share how you came to this decision?
3. Perhaps a few of you would like to share some of the things you wrote in your personal belief and purpose statement.
4. Which verse in your reading of Romans 8 gave you encouragement and strength?
5. Prayer requests or praises.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Chapter 1: influence beyond measure
"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue... Her children arise and call her blessed." Proverbs 31: 25-26, 28
So, in this chapter, we learn about the influence a mother has. One of the things in this chapter is a chart on the different jobs a mom holds, for example executive chef, financial manager, registered nurse, etc. At the end of the chart it gives us the figure of at least $507,000 a year! Wouldn't that be great if we moms truly got paid for what we do on a daily basis! Of course, the author also lists things that are priceless and can never be measured, like kissing a boo-boo, fixing a favorite meal just the way they like it, adjudicating sibling disputes, cheering enthusiastically from the side lines.
There are a few myths that she talks about as well:
Myth 1: Genetics and peer pressure-not mothers- influence children most.
Deuteronomy 6:4-7 "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down, and when you get up." Ladd says, "Clearly God places in the hands of parents- not peers, not schoolteachers, not government officials, or anyone else- the responsibility for teaching their children to love God and obey his Word."
Myth 2: Motherhood causes women to miss out on the exciting things in life.
Matthew 10:39 "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." She goes on to say, "Committing ourselves to love and care for our children as God commands- even if it means putting their needs above our own, time and time again- is the way to a full and abundant life.
Myth 3: Being a mother is a waste of a woman's talents and abilities
"Being a mother broadens our worldview and opens our hearts to a deeper compassion and love for others. It constantly exposes us to new challenges and stretches us to learn new skills."
Remember: "You are absolutely essential in your home and in the lives of your kids. Your job has more than monetary value; it has eternal value!" AMEN!
Colossians 3:17, 23-24 "And whatever you do, whether in word or in deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him... Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."
"But we must never think pridefully that we are the sole influence in our children's lives!"
Read: Psalm 34. Underline or copy the significant verses. Choose one to memorize this week.
Choose: I will view my role in motherhood as a highly significant investment of my time and energy.
Do: On a large index card, write out your job description. Be creative and include all of your responsibilities. Here's an example.
Encourages and instructs all clients as to the best use of their time, gifts and talents. Invests love, care, strength, and tears into all clients' accounts. Drives to most locations. Attends all performances and events in which clients are participating. Provides for basic needs of food, clothing, and clean house. Irons occasionally upon request.
Questions to answer:
1. In what ways has being a mother changed you into a better person?
2. How does it help you to know that God is your employer?
3. Share your job description from the Do section above.
4. Share one or two of your favorite verses from Psalm 34.
5. Share any prayer requests or praises.
So, in this chapter, we learn about the influence a mother has. One of the things in this chapter is a chart on the different jobs a mom holds, for example executive chef, financial manager, registered nurse, etc. At the end of the chart it gives us the figure of at least $507,000 a year! Wouldn't that be great if we moms truly got paid for what we do on a daily basis! Of course, the author also lists things that are priceless and can never be measured, like kissing a boo-boo, fixing a favorite meal just the way they like it, adjudicating sibling disputes, cheering enthusiastically from the side lines.
There are a few myths that she talks about as well:
Myth 1: Genetics and peer pressure-not mothers- influence children most.
Deuteronomy 6:4-7 "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down, and when you get up." Ladd says, "Clearly God places in the hands of parents- not peers, not schoolteachers, not government officials, or anyone else- the responsibility for teaching their children to love God and obey his Word."
Myth 2: Motherhood causes women to miss out on the exciting things in life.
Matthew 10:39 "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." She goes on to say, "Committing ourselves to love and care for our children as God commands- even if it means putting their needs above our own, time and time again- is the way to a full and abundant life.
Myth 3: Being a mother is a waste of a woman's talents and abilities
"Being a mother broadens our worldview and opens our hearts to a deeper compassion and love for others. It constantly exposes us to new challenges and stretches us to learn new skills."
Remember: "You are absolutely essential in your home and in the lives of your kids. Your job has more than monetary value; it has eternal value!" AMEN!
Colossians 3:17, 23-24 "And whatever you do, whether in word or in deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him... Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."
"But we must never think pridefully that we are the sole influence in our children's lives!"
Read: Psalm 34. Underline or copy the significant verses. Choose one to memorize this week.
Choose: I will view my role in motherhood as a highly significant investment of my time and energy.
Do: On a large index card, write out your job description. Be creative and include all of your responsibilities. Here's an example.
Encourages and instructs all clients as to the best use of their time, gifts and talents. Invests love, care, strength, and tears into all clients' accounts. Drives to most locations. Attends all performances and events in which clients are participating. Provides for basic needs of food, clothing, and clean house. Irons occasionally upon request.
Questions to answer:
1. In what ways has being a mother changed you into a better person?
2. How does it help you to know that God is your employer?
3. Share your job description from the Do section above.
4. Share one or two of your favorite verses from Psalm 34.
5. Share any prayer requests or praises.
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