“We don’t hate, we strongly dislike!”

This one makes me chuckle!  Whether it was broccoli or a meanie at school, I was not allowed to use the word “hate!”  Rather, I was told instead say “strongly dislike.”  Mom’s intent was good.  I know she was just trying to help me think more carefully about what I was actually saying.  And it worked!  Now I still reserve the word “hate” for truly horrible things and am teaching my children the same principle.

Because I’m so sensitive to the word hate, it’s been interesting for me to make note of the things that the Bible says God hates.
Here’s just one reference on the subject…
“There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him:  haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.”
Proverbs 6:16-19

Please share if you are continuing the trend with any “momisms.”

Remember all those things your mom used to say that drove you crazy?  I bet you’re hearing a few of them come out of your mouth now!  I am…and I sort of cringe and smile all at the same time.  I remember knowing deep down she was right but not wanting to admit it.  Now that I’m a mommy, I know she was right.

Night Owlism (I made up that term) runs strong in our family.    As I would be in bed at night, not able to sleep, I would hear my mother say,

“If you can’t sleep, just rest.  Your body needs rest even if you can’t fall asleep yet.”  

Grrrrrrrrrrrr!  I can still remember the frustration as a child thinking, “That’s not helpful!”  But rest is what I would do…and it was good for me whether I wanted to admit it or not.  As I grew into an adult and continued to struggle with falling asleep, I began to comfort myself with those very words!  And now that I have a daughter who is also afflicted with Night Owlism, I find myself using that phrase often.  She, too, looks at me a bit incredulously.  But if I were a betting woman, I’d bet that she’ll be saying the same thing to her child some day!

Now it’s your turn to share!  What did your mom say that you find yourself repeating?

I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you along, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.  Psalm 4:8

“If you believe that your children’s spiritual nurturing is a critical responsibility and that you must be intentional about such growth, shouldn’t one or a few specific actions that advance the spiritual development of your children be at the top of your to-do list?”

~ George Barna, Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions

Click on the PLAY button (arrow) below to hear the radio ad that appeared on the Moody Broadcasting Network. The ad ran during April 2012 on 35 MBN stations throughout the US. (If you don’t see the audio player below, please wait a moment for it to load.)

Can you believe that Easter is just a month from today?!
One of my favorite resources for this time of year is Resurrection Eggs.

Spice up your family or children’s devotional times by incorporating these through a variety of methods throughout the month –
*Open one a day and tell that portion of the Easter Bible Story.
*Hide the egg you are focusing on that day and let your child go on a hunt for it before discussing the contents.
*Once your child is familiar with the eggs and story, let him tell the story through the eggs.
*Let him hide the eggs for you to find before doing a review.

You’ve probably heard the saying that one of the best ways to love your children is to love your spouse.
Praying Scripture is such a great way to enrich our prayer lives.  Here are some ideas for praying for your other half from head to toe.
(And, I’ll let you in on a something!  The soon-to-be released updated version of Parenting with Scripture will have an entire new section devoted to ideas for praying Scripture for your children.)

I thank God, making mention of thee always in my prayers.  (Philemon 1:4)
Lord, I pray for ___________ mind, that he will have the rich experience of knowing Christ with real certainty and clear understanding. (Col. 2:2-3)
That he will take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. (Cor. 10:5)
I also pray for __________ eyes, that he may see life from God’s perspective and be on the alert for spiritual danger. (2 Kings 6:17, 1 Cor. 16:13)
I pray for ___________ ears, that he will hear God’s voice giving him wisdom and direction. (Deut. 4:36, Psalm 78:1)
I pray for ___________ nose, that his life will be refreshing to others, and a life-giving perfume. (2 Cor. 2:15)
I pray for ___________ mouth, that he will have great boldness in witnessing for God and that the words of ____________ mouth and the mediation of
____________ heart will be acceptable to God. (Acts 4:29, Ps. 19:24)
I pray for ___________ bones, that he will be healthy like a watered garden. (Isa. 58:11)
I pray for ___________ heart, that he will be filled with God alone and that God will create in him a clean heart filled with pure thoughts and right desires.
(James 4:8) Lord, I pray that he will trust God with all his heart and not lean on his own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5)
I pray for ___________ hands, that he will pray with holy hands to God, free from sin, anger and resentment. (1 Tim. 2:8)
I pray for ___________ legs, that he will walk by faith and not by sight. (2 Cor. 5-7)
And I pray for __________ feet, that God will keep him from discouragement and set his feet on a firm path. (Psalm 40:2)

~ Excerpt from Martha Lawley’s Bible Study, “Attending the Bride of Christ”

This quote was like a refreshing drink on a hot day.  Drink it in and be encouraged with me!

“God is not looking for perfect mothers to raise perfect daughters.  He’s looking for imperfect mothers who are raising imperfect daughters in an imperfect world . . . and desperately dependant on a perfect God for the results.”
– from Vicki Courtney’s 5 Conversations You Must Have with Your Daughter