Consider This #23

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians (3:1-2)

Here's something to think about this weekend:


"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?

Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard." ~Isaiah 58:6-8



Consider this, too: If you like my favorite quotes, be sure to join my author page on Facebook! I post a short devotional remark or Scripture verse daily!

Two by Two: Parties say, "I love you!"

Inspired by the Bible story, my cousin Missy went over the top with a Noah’s Ark party for her daughter's 2nd birthday. She snagged a refrigerator box (the ark) from a local appliance store and rearranged her living room furniture in order to accommodate the ark plus a group of six active toddlers. The night before the party, she covered the entire ceiling above the ark with dark paper to create the illusion of a storm.

In the brightly-lit kitchen, however, a beautiful rainbow cake served as the centerpiece on the table. She enlisted the talent of her former high school art teacher to paint a wall-length mural for the backdrop. Party favors included plastic animal figurines (two of each!) as well as a children’s book about Noah’s Ark, which Missy read aloud as the children enjoyed their refreshments.

When I was telling a friend about Missy’s creativity, he commented rather cynically, “That sounds like a woman with too much time on her hands.”

I quickly replied, “No, that sounds like a mom who loves her little girl.”

A lot of trouble? Yes.
How 'bout inconvenience? Of course.
Time-consuming and even frustrating in all the details? You better believe it!

But isn’t that what love is all about? And isn’t taking these extra steps, these measures that go above and beyond, what shows our kids how we really feel about them? And then, won’t they be that much more inclined to understand and acknowledge how God feels about them?

Maybe a two-year-old doesn’t understand. But a 16-year-old certainly does.

Think relationship. Think investment. Think eternity.

Because we know God has a plan for our children’s lives and we know He is the hope for their future, Christian moms should give the best parties ever. Make your child’s next birthday party an invitation to a real celebration!

Just Reading My Son's Facebook When I Saw This Conversation...

David: So when I saw the snow today I got really mad. I even got kinda crazy... I went outside with a hairdryer and melted every last snowflake until my yard was one big puddle. Then it started flurrying again. I hate when I lose.

Friend: David hav u sukd helium 2day nd killd sum braincells :] u no im jst kiddng (Translation: David, have you sucked helium today and killed some braincells? :) You know I'm just kidding.)

David: Nope, when I want to kill brain cells I join my mom for diet coke and an episode of House Hunters International.

My David--almost 16

B-day Parties with a Missional Mindset

When the Apostle Paul advised the Corinthians to “do everything for God’s glory,” he knew it was possible. Even a child’s birthday party can become an opportunity for outreach and ministry. “Look at how Jesus partied,” suggests Page Hughes. “Jesus related to people in areas they had in common. He found common ground.”

Get a group of parents and kids together and you'lll find there is plenty of common ground. Get to know the people you've invited. Don’t focus on the party details, but on your guests. “Jesus took the time to get to know people and then at the right time shared the reason for the hope in Him,” says Page. Here's a couple of Page's ideas for kids' parties.

A circus theme. Make circus tent invitations and decorate with clowns, streamers, and balloons. Serve cotton candy, peanuts, and snow cones, and play “pin the nose on the clown.” Tell the children the Bible story of Daniel’s night in the lion’s den and of our God who is the greatest lion tamer of all!

Princess pary. Tween girls love a princess party! Watch Disney's “The Princess Protection Program” with plenty of popcorn and soda to go around. Let the girls dress up with tiaras and feather boas. Head out to the bowling alley for a few games after the movie (from a scene in the film) and back home for sundaes made with frozen yogurt (also from a scene in the film). Take an “intermission” during the movie to share with your guests that we can all be daughters of the King, our Lord Jesus!

Kids and parents are hungry for the Word of God. Don't be shy when it comes to sharing the love of Christ and His message of salvation!

This is Why I'm Not Good at the "Surprise" Part

Hey Everybody!

Do you love it? A special thanks goes out to Edie for my beautiful update! I hope you like what you see, and I hope you understand why I just had to go ahead and show it to you! I'm preparing for a GREAT giveaway coming up on Monday, but why keep this beautiful design in hiding, right? LOL! I'll be explaining then about the new name of my blog, too! Until then, I'll still be posting about parties, so be sure to read today's post, "Party with a Plan" below! Whatever you're doing today, make it a celebration!

Party with a Plan

My daughter’s birthday is in early January. It took the first couple of years for me to realize that if she was going to have a successful party, I would have to plan it before the Christmas holidays. Otherwise, her special day simply crept up on me, and I would spend New Year’s Day frantically trying to pull a party together in a week’s time. Give yourself four to six weeks to plan your party, with invitations being delivered to guests two weeks before the event.


When? “For parties of children one to three, I suggest keeping it simple and doing it early,” author Page Hughes recommends. “Most children are at their best in the early part of the day or just after nap time.”

Who? While one rule of thumb is to have as many guests as the child is years old, Page leaves that up to the party planner. “Young children can get overwhelmed with lots of company, but within boundaries a few guests can be a real joy.”

Where? Many kid-friendly restaurants offer party packages that take a load off a busy mom’s shoulders. However, keep in mind that a warm and welcoming home always makes a great place for a party. “Remember, people are your focus,” insists Page, “not your home or the perfection of every little thing.”

btw, speaking of perfect houses (which mine is definitely not), in my experience, it has really made a lot more sense to clean after the guests come rather than before! LOL!

Party with a Purpose!

Remember holding your newborn in your arms on the day he was born? It was a time of celebration, joy, and worship! You thanked God profusely for the miracle of life. You felt His presence as you marveled at your baby’s rosebud lips and tiny fingernails. Those memories play back in slow motion on your mind’s screen, each scene a snapshot of moments that seemed to last forever—until you blinked your eyes! In what seems like mere seconds, another year has passed, and it is time to celebrate another birthday: the third, the eighth, the twelfth. Is it possible to bring that same spirit of worship, awe, and wonder into every birthday celebration? Is it possible to share it with others?

We moms, as keepers of the home, need to make celebrations a priority. It is our God-given responsibility and privilege. “One of our basic human needs is to feel loved, wanted, and valued,” agrees Page Hughes, author of Party with a Purpose: Creative Ways to Share the Love of Christ. “By celebrating the special days in our children’s lives, we help them to see we acknowledge this milestone for them.”

Help your child understand that her birthday party is a celebration of God’s gift of life. Encourage siblings to get in on the festivities by rejoicing with their brother or sister. Ask: Why are you thankful for your sister? What are your favorite games to play with your brother? How can you show your love to him on his special day?

I was interviewing Kevin Leman once, talking about sibling rivalry, and he told me that one BIG mistake people make is in taking birthday gifts to all siblings when they are invited to a party, rather than just a gift for the birthday girl or boy. How can one child feel celebrated if everyone is getting equal treatment? A birthday is a special day for a special person. Help each child respect and enjoy celebrating one another. That's a pretty important lesson to learn.

The Element of Surprise

Hey Everybody!

Don't you just love surprises? This weekend, my family got to help a sweet mom and dad totally surprise their son for his 16th birthday! And I hope you can see by the expression on his face that he was TOTALLY SURPRISED!

It got me thinking about all the fun that we have had over the years with birthday parties. Birthdays are a huge deal at the Powells'! Thanks to my great mom-in-law, birthday cakes are her pride and joy, so I have not had to worry about that. The kids and I just get to be blessed by her creativity! But it's really a lot of fun to plan and carry through on a party that your kid really enjoys--and when they get to be teenagers, that can be kind of tough! When Keegan and his mom drove up to the Family Life Center, he thought it was just going to be another "lame" party at church. But when he stepped through the door and saw Danya and her band, well, then it was time to party-hearty! LOL!

This week I'll be talking about some super birthday party ideas. So I'm wondering: What was the best birthday party you ever had as a kid? And what would your kids say was their favorite party? I'll go first: My best b-day party as a kid was my sweet 16. It was my closest friends and it was just a lot of fun. For my kids, hmmm. Danya would say her 18th, because it just happened. But for me, her 16th was really fun. David's was probably any of his pool parties. With a July bday, he lucks out with all kinds of fun things to do. He also had a lot of fun last year. And Derek would say it was probably last year's, his 12th, when they played German spotlight most of the night. Okay, how about you?

Consider This #22

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians (3:1-2)

Here's something to think about this weekend:

"Dreams are free. The journey isn't." ~John Maxwell

Consider this, too: If you like my favorite quotes, be sure to join my author page on Facebook! I post a short devotional remark or Scripture verse daily!

Dinner Plans

Hey Everybody,

Ever since I met Kelly of Faithful Provisions, my view on dinner has changed! After being mentored by her in a new way of shopping, it naturally led to a new way of eating and menu planning, as well! I believe that Kelly's shopping techniques will work for stay at home moms as well as working moms. In fact, I believe that there are a lot of moms who could even manage to stay home if they decided to follow her shopping principles! It could make that much of a difference in your family's budget! (I just have to mention that this pic was taken last summer, and just seeing that beautiful sunny day is giving me spring fever! It has snowed more in the last three weeks here in Middle Tennessee than it has in the past seven years! Not kidding!)

Here's a sample of one way that a two-income family could make up a week's dinner plans, with a few tips I've learned from Kelly sprinkled in!

Monday—Dad cooks. Leave something defrosting in the fridge for Dad to throw on the grill or in the oven when he gets home. What will it be? It will be whatever meat you have bought on sale! Kelly suggests adding your marinating sauce to your meat before you put it in the freezer. I have tried this and it works great!

Tuesday—Mom cooks. Use the crock pot for everything from lasagna to low-cal vegetable soup. One of my favorite crockpot recipes is here.

Wednesday—Many churches offer a family night supper on Wednesdays. If yours does not, make this meal a light supper of salad, sandwiches, or hot dogs before your regular mid-week church activities. At our church, the Wednesday night meal costs $3 per person, which adds up to $15 for the Powells. Obviously, I could cook at home for a much lower price! However, the value here is for the fellowship and the friendship that is so generously offered around our tables!

Thursday—Casseroles are easy to put together when you cook the meat ahead of time and freeze it. Also, Kelly encourages folks to have baking days and put your casseroles together, then freeze them. You then have go-to meals available in your own freezer, which helps tone down the impulse to "just grab something" on the way home.

Friday—Celebrate the weekend by eating out or ordering in! Just be sure you use a coupon! LOL!

Re-Entry: A Home that Says Welcome (Part Two)

Mommy's home!

If you work, chances are that you and the kids arrive home together. It is especially hard to transition when you only have the drive-time from work to childcare to regroup. Take advantage of this quiet time in your car to pray and listen to Scripture, Bible teaching, or praise music on CDs. (I would caution you against listening to talk radio! LOL!) Remember that the kids will need transition time, too! Upon arriving home, you will feel most welcomed when you have taken some extra time each morning (or the night before) to get your house and dinner plans in order.


Children. Kids of all ages need an evening routine. For older children, it should include homework, chores, and some time to play outside. For younger children, quiet activities like coloring and reading set the tone for winding down.

Housework. Be sure your appliances are working for you during the day by putting in a load of clothes to wash while you are gone and drying and folding them when you get home. Set the timer on your dishwasher to run while you are sleeping, and unload it before leaving in the morning. I do this every night! My sons take turns unloading, alternating every other week. When they were little, I moved my dishes to a bottom cabinet right next to the dishwasher so that they could all learn to unload the dishwasher by the age of three. My husband fussed only once about the dishes being down in a low cabinet! I reminded him that if we put the dishes where only we could reach them, then only we would be unloading the dishwasher! LOL! Also, before we moved, I had an oven with a timer that could be programmed to begin cooking at the time you set. The next time I get a new oven, I will be shopping for one like that! (I hope the people that bought our house have enjoyed that oven! I sure did! LOL!)

Retreat. Welcome yourself home by keeping your bed and bath neat and clean. I know this is hard for some people, because it is hard for me. But it makes such a difference in my whole attitude when I walk into a clean bathroom, with the counter cleared off and clean towels out. Ahhh--yeah, that's a good feeling! Light a few candles, get out your fluffiest towels, and take 15-20 minutes to shower and change into something comfy. A lot of times I will also put in a teaching CD to listen to, or turn on praise music. This keeps my mind focused on "things above" and it helps me to stay balanced in what I am thinking about.

The end of the day can be the best part of family life. A little planning, a lot of routine, and your house becomes the safe, comfortable place it was meant to be. Welcome home!

Check out part one of this post.

Re-Entry: A Home that Says "Welcome!" (Part One)

“Lucy, I’m home!” Remember those immortal words that Desi Arnaz, as Ricky Ricardo, would call upon entering his home at the end of the workday? Lucy was always there with laughter and hi-jinks, but she also had a spotless house and dinner ready! I rarely (if ever) have a spotless house, and fortunately, that is okay with my husband! But a peaceful atmostphere, something that smells good coming from the kitchen, and kids who are happy to see him goes a long way! Does your home say “Welcome” at the end of the day?


Daddy is Home. When my children were little, we always made a big deal out of Daddy's arriving home. In the summer, the kids would have parades for him. Nothing is quite as cute as seeing little ones banging a "Welcome Home!" for Daddy with pots and pans in the front yard! If you stay at home, you can do several things to make your husband's transition from work to home smooth and easy.

A peaceful atmosphere. Problems? Wait to discuss them until after dinner.

A positive wife. Ask God to give you energy to enjoy family time, a positive outlook in case he's bringing home problems he needs to talk about, and godly wisdom to help him sort through his day.

A place where he fits in. Create a ritual for "daddy time" with your baby or young children while you prepare the evening meal. Most dads are ready to unwind and play or read books with the kids. For older kids, dads can help with homework and listen to the goings-on of the school day.

What about if you work as well? Check out Part Two of this post: Mommy is Home!

Mom! It Doesn't Last Long!

Hey Everybody,

The other day I was sitting in Chick-fil-a, waiting for Danya to get off work, and I was watching a mom enjoying a late lunch with her daughter, who must have been about 7 or 8 years old. Oh my, that little girl was precious! With great big eyes, she was telling her momma all about her day. Her mother was probably tired, like we all are at times, and she listened to her daughter, but she seemed so distant--just kind of zoned out! I wanted so badly to go up to her and say, "Hey Mom! It doesn't last long! She is going to grow up so fast! Enjoy her. Embrace every moment. Wake up to what you are going to miss!" But I didn't. Instead, I sat there watching that little girl, watching my big girl, and wondering how the time has gone by so very quickly.

Fast forward to later that same evening. This time I was at my boys' basketball games, sitting with my mother and dad. A lady whom I did not know came up to me at halftime and asked, "Is this your daddy?" She nodded toward my dad, who was sitting on my right. I told her yes, and then she began to tell me, with tears in her eyes, that she had enjoyed watching us throughout the game.

She asked, "Are you a daddy's girl?" I assured her that yes, I am. Then she began to tell me about her own daddy, and how she had loved him so, and how he had passed away three years ago. She reminded me to enjoy my dad, and to embrace every moment with my folks.

The circle of life, wouldn't you say?

We can get so caught up in the busyness of everyday life that sometime what is truly important gets overlooked. It is all about people. It is about family and relationships. And it is about realizing what we often forget: This world is temporary. It doesn't last long. Children grow up. Loved ones pass away. And at the end of the day, the only thing that really matters is whether or not we are connected to Christ and if we are connecting others to Him. Because that is the only thing that will last. Love on the ones you hold dear, and love on the Lord who holds you.

Just food for thought today, y'all. Thanks for reading!

This Month in ParentLife Magazine: Grab Some Joy!

Hey Everybody,

In the March 2010 issue of ParentLife you'll find my interview with Olympic medalist and accomplished author Bonnie St. John. What a life story! While joy can seem so elusive, Bonnie offers lots of do-able strategies for incorporating joy in your life in her book, Live Your Joy. Check out the article (I've adapted a bit of it for you in an excerpt below!) and be sure to check out Bonnie's website too!

* * *

The youngest of my three has the gift of joy. He is just absolutely filled with a Christ-like joy and a winsomeness that is evident to all he meets. That's a God thing, but as as he approaches his teen years, I'm noticing that his joy (which is his strength) is often under attack.

A joyful child first knows that he is loved by God. He has a peaceful, open countenance because he rests in the security of Christ’s death and resurrection. But how does that play out in his daily life? What does joy look like?

Joyful behavior. As with all of parenting, children learn by what they see. “You have to model the behavior,” Bonnie agrees. “If you’re not following your dreams, they won’t. If you’re not sitting still and feeling the joy, they won’t.”

Joyful prayer. Encourage gratitude in your child’s prayers. There is so much for which to thank the Lord. “When we pray with a litany of requests, it’s not really a joyful prayer,” Bonnie explains. “You are wanting to change things. Joyful prayer is about feeling God’s love and feeling gratitude [for it].” I think it is imperative that in teaching our children to pray, we teach them about praise and adoration first.

Joyful communication. It is important to validate your child’s emotions and to be supportive when he struggles with his own joy perspective. “My daughter is allowed to have the full range of emotions, but she knows she doesn't have to wallow,” Bonnie shares. As parents, we can communicate to children when we are having bad days, but we must also model for them how we return to Christ and His love as the focus of our joy. I think Bible teacher Beth Moore would challenge us with the words, "Don't stay in that pit!"

Joyful memorization. Memorize together what God says about real joy. Hide His Word in your hearts. Try this with your kids; it is so powerful!

“I tell you, in the same way, there is joy in the presence of God's angels over one sinner who repents" (Luke 15:10).

“Until now you have asked for nothing in My name. Ask and you will receive, that your joy may be complete” (John 16:24).

“Those who look to Him are radiant with joy; their faces will never be ashamed” (Psalm 34:5).

Grab some joy for yourself today by simply taking a few minutes to thank the Lord for His many blessings in your life. What a difference it will make in your day!

CONSIDER THIS #21

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians (3:1-2)

Here's something to think about this weekend:

"The first principle for any Christian work is this: The Lord Jesus Christ, who crushed satan and conquered death, commands us to invade this enemy-occupied world and reclaim it for God. We march under His exclusive authority, and are forbidden to make any deals with the foe. No compromises. No concessions. And no excuses!" ~Underground evangelist Bro. Andrew

Do I Tell My Kids about My Abortion?

I'm wrapping up this week's posts with a question that women often ask: Do I tell my kids about my abortion?

• All of us have a past.
• All of us have regrets.
• All of us have things that we wish we had done differently.

And, truthfully, all of us have things that we are trying to teach our children from the perspective of, "Learn from my mistakes." When it comes to abortion, however, what should a mom do? Should she tell her kids? Should she be open about it? And when? How?

I asked my friend Timm Glover, an LCPT, about this one. He believes that such information is not appropriate for children, and it should remain within a mom’s own life and privacy.

“Perhaps when children are older; in that adult-to-adult relationship with her grown children, it might be something that, with wisdom and discretion, could be shared,” he says, adding that a mother could use her experience (with older children) in trying to address an important moral or spiritual dilemma or truth. “This information must be guided by a clear understanding of the goals and reasoning for sharing, along with the developmental stage of the child,” he says. “Take an honest look at whose needs are being met in this sharing.” Whatever you do, cover it with prayer!

Today’s moms must make every effort to raise the next generation as ardent supporters of life. Perhaps in the past you supported the pro-choice movement, held a friend’s hand through her experience, or had an abortion yourself, but today you understand the truth and you regret those choices. Do not let the enemy keep you from taking a stand. Do not let him dissuade you from passionately teaching your children what God says about life.

You can play a major part in educating your children by arming them with the truth. No matter what your past looks like, you have every right to expose the lies of our culture and point your children to the unchanging truth of God’s Word. Don't let the enemy make you cower under your regrets! Remember, the Lord wastes nothing. He is the Redeemer. There is nothing broken that He cannot put back together.

 

Want to check out some great resources?

 

Life Interrupted by Tricia Goyer
Forgiven and Set Free: A Post-Abortion Bible Study for Women by Linda Cochrane
And for little ones: Horton Hears a Who by Dr. Seuss (One of my favorites! This book plants the seed for toddlers and preschoolers to remember, “A person’s a person, no matter how small.”)

 

POSTS IN THIS SERIES

One Story: Some twenty-five years ago, one of my best friends found out she was pregnant. And she didn't want to tell her parents....(Read more)

Five Steps of Faith and Forgiveness: You may be grieving over a past abortion, or you might be bound by another sin from your past—an addiction, an affair, or a criminal charge. You understand that God has forgiven you, but you find it terribly difficult to forgive yourself. (Read more)

Symptoms of Post Abortion Syndrome: Okay, let's get down to the nitty-gritty. Today you might recognize someone you know. Or you might recognize yourself. (Read more)


 

 

Symptoms of Post Abortion Syndrome

Okay, let's get down to the nitty-gritty. Today you might recognize someone you know. Or you might recognize yourself.

Post Abortion Syndrome (PAS) can be classified under the heading of Post Traumatic Stress Disorders. It results from a person having suffered through an experience so traumatic she is unable to resume a normal lifestyle. Symptoms of PAS include:

• Guilt
• Anxiety
• Avoidance behaviors
• Depression
• Re-experiencing events related to the abortion
• Preoccupation with becoming pregnant again
• Anxiety over fertility and childbearing issues
• Interruption or disruption of the bonding with present and/or future children
• Self-destructive behaviors and anniversary reactions

Many women experience nightmarish visions of the abortion procedure, their minds replaying the event on a regular basis. Others are brought to tears by a song, a scent, or even a television drama that reminds them of their desperate act. When your memories and pain are interfering with your daily activities, you may be suffering from PAS.

How do you know if you need counseling? Perhaps your abortion was years ago—or decades. According to my friend Timm Glover of the Middle Tennessee Medical Center, the key to knowing when and if you should receive counseling can be guided by how you answer these questions:

Does the memory of your abortion experience interfere in your ability to function on a day-to-day basis?
Do you contend with a sense of unforgivable guilt?
Do you struggle with an inability to pray or to sense God’s love and presence in your life?
Do you deal with persistent feelings of unworthiness?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, I urge you to tell someone--your husband, your best friend, a sibling, your OB, or your child's pediatrician. Ask that person to help you do something about it. You are not alone, okay?

Tomorrow: Do I Tell My Kids about My Abortion?

Five Steps of Faith and Forgiveness

Hey Everybody,

Did you know that by age 45, 43% of women in the United States have had at least one abortion?

Since 1973, when the landmark Roe V. Wade decision gave every American woman the right to abort her unborn child, abortion has become a part of the fabric of our nation. It is itchy and uncomfortable and it has never fit right, but its threads are tightly knit, swaddling our land in a smothering blanket of lies and confusion. Most moms today have experienced abortion up close--like I did, through the eyes of a friend or family member--or personally, through a teenage or young adult experience they’d rather forget. We grew up understanding abortion was a controversial subject, but nonetheless, it was sanctioned and justified by the United States Supreme Court and further confirmed by all the "cool” people we idolized through the media.

You may be grieving over a past abortion, or you might be bound by another sin from your past—an addiction, an affair, or a criminal charge. You understand that God has forgiven you, but you find it terribly difficult to forgive yourself. I have a dear friend/mentor who had to get over that hurdle, too. She notes that understanding forgiveness is on par with understanding God’s grace. I like the way she explains it:

If I can't forgive myself, I am basing forgiveness on whether or not I deserve it rather than Christ’s power to give it. I am saying, My acceptance and worth come from the choices I make, rather than the atoning grace of God. But in truth, righteousness comes from God alone.

I forgive myself because Christ died for me. He has cleansed me and clothed me in His holiness. My acceptance, worth, and righteousness are not earned by my own goodness, nor can they be lost by my sins. They have nothing to do with what I do or don't do. I forgive because I am forgiven.

Are you ready to truly accept the forgiveness of God and in doing so, forgive yourself? Take these five steps of faith:

• Ask God to open your eyes to a clear understanding of His Grace. For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8,9).
• Thank God for the blood of Christ that provides complete covering over our sins. For this is My blood of the covenant, which is shed for many for the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:28).
• Recognize that you are a loved child of God. [Nothing] will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord! (Romans 8:39).
• Confide in a godly mentor or Christian counselor. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed (James 4:16a).
• Allow God to use your experience to help others. Pray for opportunities for God to be glorified through your life. We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
  
  

Tomorrow: Symptoms of Post Abortion Syndrome

One Story

Before we dig in, I want you to know that I realize that every one of you has her own abortion story, and here's why:

• You may have had one yourself.
• You certainly know someone who had one.
• And if you were born after 1973, you exist in spite of your mother’s legal option to “terminate” her pregnancy.

Some twenty-five years ago, one of my best friends discovered she was pregnant. And she didn’t want to tell her parents. A church-going, straight-A student headed for college, she was the only one of her siblings who seemed to have survived her parents’ messy divorce without turning to drugs and alcohol. She turned instead to a secret life of promiscuity. Sex became her drug of choice and then it backfired, or so she thought, resulting in an unplanned pregnancy. She was not sure which one of her boyfriends was the baby’s father, but she was sure that she could not manage a child. When she confided in me and all my 17 years of knowledge, maturity, and experience (a perfect example of the dangers of peer counseling), I supported her decision to abort. Fearful of disappointing her family and utterly ignorant of the emotional devastation that would erupt in time, abortion seemed like her only option, and at the time, it deceived us both into believing it would be a huge relief. Instead it was a decision that brought with it shame and heartache, and a lifetime of regret. My own part in this has grieved me to the depths of my soul.

Grief for the sinful choices of the past is inescapable. It is a natural result of the acknowledgement of sin. Yet because of God’s grace, Christ followers can experience a different kind of grieving. We do not grieve as those who are condemned—those who have no hope. Far from it! Many years after her abortion, one woman put it this way:

“I do not grieve as one condemned. While I do grieve with empty arms that long to hold that child, I live in the hope of the Gospel. I am forgiven through the work of Christ at Calvary. Therefore, I stand righteous before God, as one who is not only forgiven, but cleansed.”

Tomorrow: But how do I forgive myself?

Back on the Table: Life is Once Again Part of the National Conversation

Hey Everybody,

There has been so much in the news surrounding the "controversial" Focus on the Family ad with Tim Tebow and his mom Pam, but I'm going on the record today to say that I thought it was great! In this country of free enterprise, anyone can purchase air time, and I'm very glad that FOTF decided to produce this positive ad and thrilled that the Tebows shared a little bit of their story. There is a lot more to the story than what you saw on the 30-second clip, so I encourage you to go to the FOTF website to learn more.

Years ago at a church women's event in Greenville, South Carolina, I heard a holocaust survivor speaking about her memories of life in the Nazi prison camp. She told of the terrible suffering, attempting to explain to a group of middle-class suburban women what it felt like to have been considered a "non-person." And then her talk suddenly turned as she began to address the pro-life cause. She spoke with a fervent passion, and in her thick accent, she begged us to do whatever we could to make a difference for the unborn, America's non-persons. When I got home that night, in fear and trembling, I told God that I would do whatever He wanted me to do for the unborn. I figured I would hit the streets the next day with picket signs, marching around America's abortion mills. Well, as it turns out, the Lord hasn't called me to do that, but instead He has shown me that we can make a great deal of difference when:

• we decide, in our small groups, in our neighborhoods, and in our conversations, that life is worth defending.
• we get a buzz going that we aren't going to tolerate what is absolutely
  intolerable.
• we vote pro-life and support pro-life advocacy with our time and
  financial resources.
• we support our local crisis pregnancy centers.
• we pray for the unwed, pregnant teens we know and encourage them with
  practical help.
• we share our stories with one another.

On January 22, 1973, the United States Supreme Court ruled that unborn humans were not persons. In the eyes of the highest court in the land, an unborn human being was not deemed a person, but a piece of property, belonging to the mother, and therefore, she, as the owner, could choose to kill the baby (destroy her property) at any time, because of her health or social distress. It was just over one hundred years before this ruling that the Court had declared African Americans to be non-persons in the landmark Dred Scott decision. Not persons, but property. It took a civil war and thousands of lives to reverse that decision. What will it take to end abortion? I hope you'll join me as I take a look at this topic this week.

One of my favorite articles on this subject was written by our friend Jon Walker, author of the new book, Growing with Purpose. Click here to read, Living Pro-Life: One Family Decides Every Life is a Gift.

CONSIDER THIS #20

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians (3:1-2)

Here's something to think about this weekend:

"Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]" ~Jesus Christ (from John 14:27, Amplified Bible)

Wanted: A Peaceful Home! Part 3 -- Keep Christ's Peace in Your Heart

From family to family, the picture of a peaceful home may have different elements, but one thing is certain: A peaceful home starts with you, Mom. You impact the atmosphere of your home with your attitude, your words, and your ways. To keep the peace in your home, you must first keep Christ’s peace in your heart.

For me, that means starting my day by acknowledging Him, simply asking for His help and committing my crazy schedule to His care. It means stepping back to admit He is in control of my life, and the only way I want to live is in His will. As the day unfolds, I have a peace in my heart helping me realize no matter what happens, nothing comes as a surprise to my Lord. Circumstances and events affecting my life are allowed by the hand of a loving Father. Resting in that knowledge gives me peace.

My friend Kim H., a pastor’s wife and mother of four, recently went through a cancer scare. “I had to find my peace not in my home and not even in my family,” she says. “I had to find peace in God and allow it to flow through me.”

Do you have His peace flowing through you? How do you react as the day moves along? Do unexpected delays, an argumentative child, or a stalled engine cause you to explode? In John 14, Jesus tells His disciples that He is giving them His peace. He shared that with them just before the Crucifixion, which would undoubtedly be the most traumatic time of their lives. Christ wanted His followers to know they could be at peace, despite the terrible ordeal they were about to face.

The peace of Christ is yours for the asking. It is a steady stream of comfort and stillness in the middle of the stormy sea of life.

“Death is scary,” admits Kim, “but living without the peace of the Father in our hearts is so much more frightening!”

If you know the peace of God, don’t keep that peace to yourself! Share it. Let it flow through you to others who long for a peaceful home and a peaceful heart.

Tomorrow: Consider This!

Wanted: A Peaceful Home! Part 2 -- Let the Music Play

Hey Everybody,

My friend Janet had gotten a new CD of worship music that she planned to share with me when we were headed out to lunch one day. I hopped in her car ready to listen, but instead of music, Janet had an apology. "I really wanted you to hear that new CD today," she explained, "but my daughter wanted to listen to it on her way to work this morning, and well--"

"You decided to make a sacrifice of praise!" I finished for her. We had a good laugh over that and agreed that when a teen wants to listen to her mom's new praise & worship CD, you let her--absolutely!

I have a certain worship CD that I pull out whenever I am feeling especially down...it never fails to lift my spirits and my mood. Just singing those words that identify who God is and that attempt to explain His great love for me settles me down. And it cheers me up! And if it's true that, "If Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy," then Momma better get happy, right?

While the murmur of praise music or the classical strains of Mozart provide a soothing backdrop to a busy home, don’t discount the music your kids make while they practice their musical instruments and sing. “To me, it is so peaceful, even if it is really loud, to hear my kids singing and yelling praise songs!” says my friend Leigh. Hey, I know what I'm talking about in this department! Whether it is Danya's keyboard, David's bass or harmonica, or Derek's drums, I've been surrounded by music for YEARS! And those loud, crazy, childish voices are soon replaced by incredible, amazing, mature ones. Want some peace?

• 
  Ask your kids to practice their music when you are around to listen.
• Invest in some worship CDs.
• Try a worship DVD. These play worship music while featuring soothing scenes of quiet places.
• Appreciate the joyful noise of active children.

Tomorrow: Part 3 -- Keep Christ's Peace in Your Heart

Wanted: A Peaceful Home! Part 1 -- Conquer the Clutter

Here in Tennessee, we've been semi-snowed in for several days. (Just so you know, it only takes a few inches to create chaos in the south!) I remember when my children were younger that a few days of going nowhere was not always a pretty picture. Some call it stir-crazy, or a case of "house-itis," but sometimes it is hard to be cooped up! And sometimes, you can look around and see just what it is that is making you crazy...and in my case, it is often my own lacking, and there is no one else to blame!

A peaceful home is every mom’s dream. We want to create a serene, safe haven for our families.

It doesn’t have to be perfect, but picked up would be nice.
It doesn’t have to be silent, but no arguing, please.
It doesn’t have to be empty, just full of the right things.

Peace can be defined by an absence of clutter, chaos, and conflict. It is also, however, marked by an attitude: a spirit of contentment, serenity, and humility--a state not just of the home, but of the heart. Did you know that you can make a few simple choices that will lead you step by step toward a more peaceful home?

Conquer the clutter. The amount of clutter in your home can directly affect your sense of peace. “I associate peacefulness with things being picked up,” says Paducah mom Lisa Ellis. “I love it when a room gets emptied of things that don't belong there.”

“A peaceful home is not necessarily a clean home, but it sure does help to have a picked-up home,” agrees Leigh, a mother of four. “Clutter just agitates me.”

Explore the minimalist lifestyle. If you have two of something, give one away.
Keep at least one drawer or cabinet in your kitchen empty. You’ll be surprised at how good that empty space can make you feel! Really!
Get rid of your knick-knacks. Enjoy sparsely decorated dresser tops. (less dusting!)
Create margin on crowded bookshelves by storing or giving away unread books.

Tomorrow: Part 2 -- Let the Music Play!

Update!

Hey Everybody,

How is your life going? Things have been busy around here, just as I know they have been at your house! I have not posted in a while, but that is about to change! I'm going to be updating some things here at my blog over the next several weeks--with the help of the wonderful Edie-- and with updates (as you know by now) come giveaways! So stay tuned!

Today I want to mention something that as a homeschooler, I never really thought about. Since I spent several posts telling you of the things I love about homeschooling, I thought it only fair to share with you a pitfall that I have recently encountered. During this, Danya's senior year, we do not have the benefit of a guidance counselor! So, my tagline, "learning as I go" has truly been the reality of my life these days. It is something else trying to navigate through financial aid and scholarship apps without a friendly guidance counselor by your side! My boys will receive the benefit of what I learn from Danya's senior year, but she, as the oldest child, remains the "experimental model." LOL!

One thing she is working on now, besides the college apps, is the second annual "Encounter" worship event! Take a look at the promo video: