Jean Stockdale...

Don't Just Stand There. Pray. Pray Something.

Prayer is such a divine mystery that I dare not even attempt to try to explain it. It is a spiritual reality that defies explanation but it is a spiritual discipline that cannot be ignored.

Prayer is the name given for heavenly communication between the child of God and the Heavenly Father. In my own prayer life some of my prayers are frantic, some are more like sounds and guttural noises than actual words, some are simple, some are selfish, some are poetic, some are powerful and sadly, some are pitiful. While I am no expert on the subject, I do know this much - if you want to get "good at it" then you simply must do it! Pray. Pray often. Pray always. Keep an open line of communication between yourself and your Heavenly Father. He delights in your presence, He loves to hear your voice, He is totally in love with you, He is anxious to hear from you, He wants you to pour out your heart to Him, His eye is upon you and His ear is continually towards you. Just as you delight in your child's communication with you, the Father loves to hear you call upon Him. However, He has some parameters that must be obeyed. He refuses to hear you if you regard sin in your life. He will not answer selfish or self-centered prayers. He will not tolerate any agenda that centers on anything short of His glory. He answers prayers that are aligned with His perfect will. The prayer that gets to heaven, starts in heaven. That is a quote of Dr. Adrian Rogers. When we pray God's will, revealed to us through His Word or by His Spirit, God will answer. And He will get all the glory. Do you want to get good at praying? Then pray. Don't just stand there, pray something! Pray often. Pray always. Pray without ceasing. Blessings.

Linked to Jean's new website and blog. View it by clicking here.

10 Reasons I Love Babies

New blog post on NEW BLOG on a NEW WEBSITE at:

http://www.jeanstockdale.com/Blog/Jean-Stockdale.aspx

A New Address

Well we did it. Thanks to Josh Shepherd at Digital Elite we have a brand new website and blog. The blog is incorporated into the website and can be accessed from the home page at www.jeanstockdale.com.  I hope you will stop by often.

My purpose in blogging is to encourage MOMS in the fine art of Christian mothering. And let's face it, mothering ain't an easy gig!!! So for a regular dose of encouragement and a liberal sprinkle of sanctified humor, join me over at www.jeanstockdale.com.

I hope you will drop by for a visit soon. Blessings.

A New Home

At the end of this month I will be closing down this account. Which is slightly sad since I have been blogging here since 2006 I think. But I have me a new fancy dancy website about to launch and the blog is built right in it. That's what I'm saying!

We think it will go live on Monday but that leaves enough time for the wheels to come off that bus, so we will see.  I will post my new address on this blog as soon as that one is up and running. 

Thanks for checking in with me. Blessings.

How to Cast Down Strongholds and Vain Imaginations

 Recently someone asked me to expound on a reference that I make often about casting down vain imaginations. This truth is just too good not to share with all my internets. 

Paul wrote that we do not war according to the flesh (2 Cor. 10:3-5). Our warfare is not of this world; it is divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. That is, if you have a stronghold, which is a deeply embedded sinful habit pattern, you can pull it down and destroy it by appropriating the powerful spiritual warfare that is ours in Christ. We destroy "vain imaginations" (KJV), speculations and every lofty things raised up against the knowledge of God, by casting down any thought that does not line up with the Word of God or what we know of the Son of God. We take the thought captive to the obedience of Christ. That is, we march the thought that we captured before we acted upon it, and present our captive thought to our Commander in Chief, Jesus Christ. We ask Him to crucify the thought and by faith thank Him for doing so. Then we continue our walk of faith. Great truth. Now how does it work?

Thought-"I am such a bad Christian that God could never really love me." Truth-That thought does not line up with the Word of God. I John 4:10 says, "In this is love,not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (See, this is why you must know the Word of God! How else will you recognize the vain imaginations that are lifted up against the knowledge of God?) Test-Can you capture the thought or do you get some kind of perverted pleasure from denigrating yourself? Do put-downs come easily? Has your self-worth been so debased that you really believe the lies the enemy is shooting your way? Can you capture the thought before you act upon it (giving into depression or self-loathing) and turn to the Lord, marching the thought at gunpoint (mentally) to your Commander in Chief and asking Him to crucify the thought. Triumph-Yeah! You have taken your thought captive to the obedience of Christ, cast down the lies of the enemy, crucified self and exalted Christ in your life. God gets all the glory because our weapons are not of this world, but they are "other-worldly!" Sister-you rock!

This process works for any lie of the enemy ("You are stupid", "You are worthless", "You are a bad mother" etc. )or any stronghold (anger, jealously, lust, envy, etc.) that has built a giant honking strong tower in your psyche. This, sisters, is how you pull it down...brick by brick...you are delivered as you repeat the process so many times that it becomes as natural to you as breathing. When you are successful, you put your foot on the neck of your enemy and he is forced to admit that Jesus is Lord!This is why we must put on the helmet of salvation-to guard our thought life-lest we allow the enemy to find a chink in our armor and exploit it or lest we allow a sinful habit pattern to remain unchecked and develop into a stronghold. So, my beloved internets, memorize Scriptures that will be useful when the enemy comes against you to your specific weakness and point of vulnerability. Hold forth the shield of faith, draw the sword of the spirit and fight the good fight of faith. Blessings.

Linked to Spiritual Sunday.

Six Words Saturday

 Welcome Spring. Your warm breathe and brillant splashes of colors are more than welcome.

There's no cure for Spring Fever!

Linked to Six Words Saturday.

Pretty in Pink

Linked to Today's Flowers.

 

How to Make Perfect Icing for Cookies

 Perfect Icing for Cookies

1 cup confectioner's sugar

2 teaspoon milk

2 teaspoon light corn syrup

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

Directions: In a small bowl, stir together the sugar and milk until smooth. Add the corn syrup and extract and stir together until smooth and glossy. If icing is too thick add more corn syrup. Do not use hand mixer or it will lose the sheen.  Add food coloring if desired and ice away. The icing dries very shiny and hard.

Plant Sale

 
Pine Grove Farms Plant Sale

We, at Pine Grove Farms,  are hosting a PLANT SALE just in time for spring. Overstocked greenhouses must be thinned out so we are offering you some great nursery stock at grower prices.

We are offering ornamental shrubs, azaleas, blooming perenials (hosta, dayliliies, etc.) , and shade trees. The SALE begins Saturday, March 27-Sunday, March 28th. We will be selling on Saturday (7a.m.-7a.m.) and Sunday (8a.m.-4a.m.) on Hwy. 64 (1 mile east of Hwy. 196 between Hickory Withe and Oakland) unless rained out.

Cash and carry. Grower prices. Outstanding values. 

Look for signs near the future Hickory Trails Subdivision.

Melt in Your Mouth Cookies

Melting Moments Cookies

 

1 c. flour
3/4 c. cornstarch
1 c. butter (softened – do not substitute)
3/4 c. powdered sugar

½ tsp. vanilla (or ¼ tsp. almond extract)

½ tsp. salt

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream together butter and powdered sugar. Make sure butter is fully incorporated or you will get cookies that feather on the edge. Beat well.  Sift together flour and cornstarch and slowly add to butter mixture until all is blended.

 

Chill dough for 1 hour. Roll into teaspoon size balls and lightly flatten onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10-11 minutes but do not let cookies brown. Makes 3 dozen. Frost when cool.

 

FROSTING:

2 tbsp. butter
1 1/2 c. sifted powdered sugar
2 tbsp. lemon juice

 

Mix together. Frost and enjoy.

Linked to Blessed with Grace and All the Small Stuff and Balancing Beauty and Bedlam.

Wordless Words for Wednesday-More of Less

Lions. Tigers. And Bears. Oh my!!

 

Linked to 5 Minutes for Mom

Ruby Tuesday

Grayson and Elmo.

 
Linked to Ruby Tuesday. 

April Calendar of Speaking Events

 If you are anywhere in the area of Ridgeland, Mississippi or Senatobia, Mississippi please make plans to join m

on April 15th at 6:30 p.m. I will be speaking at a Ladies Night at Colonial Heights Baptist Church located at 444 Northpark Drive, Ridgeland, MS. 39157. The evening will be a great night of encouragement and inspiration for women in every season and stage of life!! Call Lisa Lucas at 601.956.5000 for more details. Join us. I believe God wants to speak a Word over us!!

On  the weekend of April 30st and May 1st I will be at Lifepoint Church, which is located at 409 Ward Street  in Sentobia, MS. On Friday evening I will be speaking specifically to the MOMS. If you are a expecting, mothering, releasing adult children, grand-mothering, or anywhere in-between (or would just like a night out!) come and join us. I will be bringing 2 message on raising and releasing children. Come and learn how to bend the twig without breaking the branch!! For information on the Friday night event call the church office at 901.299.1006 and ask to speak to Jackey Geeslin.

On Saturday, May 1, I will be speaking at a Mother's Day Tea at Lifepoint. It will begin at 11:30 and dismiss at 1:30. In addition to all the trimmings, I will be bringing a message all about beautiful YOU! So get gussied up and bring your cute self to this wonderful event!! For information on the Friday night event or the Saturday morning affair call the church office at 901.299.1006 and ask to speak to Jackey Geeslin. She can give you the scoop on either or both events.

Seriously you do not want to MISS OUT ON ALL THIS FUN-NESS! Seriously girls. FUN-NESS is guaranteed to flow. Come and let a bit of it splash on your fine self!!

Aloha Friday

It's that time again. It's time for Aloha Friday where I ask you a quick question and you leave a reply in the comment section.

Here is my question.

Do you like daylight savings time?

I do not. I am not a morning person and I resent losing an hour. Oh I know - I will get that hour back in 7 months but I want it NOW. Now, I say. Not in 7 months when I have finally gotten used to this schedule and don't really need it. I want it now. Now when I am well aware of the fact that the clock says it is 10:30 but you and I both know it is really 9:30.

Someone is holding my hour of blissful sleep hostage. And I want it back. What do you have to say? Leave your response in the comment section. And check out the other participants at Aloha Friday.

Teens and Social Networking

Teens tend to run in "herds." Trying to separate your teen from the pack is not easy. The teen years are laced with agony, peppered with exhileration, colored with hormones and heartache, tempered with joy and jubulation, and wrought with angst and aggravation. No wonder they are such tough years for moms and teens alike.

During these years teens are struggling to find their own identity - separate from yours - and they tend to "try out" different versions of themselves in the safety of numbers provided by their peer group. This is why the social networking phenomenon has skyrocketed. It allows for teens to connect with a multitude of people through a few key strokes - sending their "internet identity" soaring into the blogosphere at lightening speed.

So what's a mother to do?

Vicki Courtney has written a great post on this. Click here to read it.

Monday Morning Manna for Moms #16-How to Raise Great Kids

Jesus Christ is the way, THE ONLY WAY, for a guilty sinner (that includes all of us) to be reconciled with a holy God. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” Salvation is wrought through a personal decision to receive Jesus Christ, by grace through faith. Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household (Acts 16:31). Please understand this. We cannot believe for our children. We cannot make our children receive Jesus. We cannot make our children behave right or believe right. Obviously a child raised in a home where at least one (preferably both) parent is a devoted believer, is more likely to desire to know Jesus. But the ultimate decision to receive or reject Jesus Christ rests with the free will of an individual. There is, however, much we can do to give them a taste for the things of the Lord.

Do not underestimate the influence your godly lifestyle can have in the life of your child! At the same time you must acknowledge that ultimately, the decision to receive or reject Jesus Christ lies in the free will of your child. NEVERTHELESS, your child’s right to decide for or against Christ does not negate the role your Christian testimony will play in that final outcome of your child’s decision.

In the Bible study I teach for MOMS we will be having a q&a session in a couple of weeks. I will be posting some of the questions I have received along with Biblical precepts over the next few weeks. We all want to raise great kids for Christ. God's Word tells us how to train up a child in the way he should go. Let's discover what God says together!

In the Works

A brand new website is in the works for our ministry, Standing Near the Cross Inc. We are so excited we cannot wait to reveal it. It should go live in a few weeks. My new blog will be incorporated into the website and I will have a new blog address.

This Typepad blog will remain up and going for the next few months as we get folks acclimated to visiting with us at the new site. A link will be provided for the new blog. The options this new site will afford us are unbeleivable. And we are excited. Serioously excited folks. So stay tuned!

How to Run Well and Finish Strong

This past weekend Bellevue Baptist Church hosted a Hope for Haiti 5k. Lots of moms and dads brought their little ones and took part in this worthwhile cause.

I am currently teaching a Bible study at Bellevue Baptist. This semester I am teaching the MOMS on the book of 2 Timothy about how to hand down your faith to the next generation. My Bible study is called "Run Well, Finish Strong." A group of my sweet mommas joined in the race to raise money for Haiti. Before they took off for the finish line, they gathered for a picture.

And this, my darling sweet mommas, is simply TOO CUTE. Thank you for all you are doing for the kingdom of Christ through the aggressive pursuit of personal holiness and practical righteousness. Until your little ones are old enough to rise up and call you blessed, I will. I rise up and bless you in the name of Jesus Christ. Keep running well. Stay determined to finish strong!

Until we see Jesus face-to-face, may we press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:14).
 

How to Meet the Nicest People

One of the great privileges of the Christian life is we are place, not only in the body of Christ, but we are also put into the family of God. This weekend I had the privilege of meeting some of the nicest people as I traveled to Grove Level Baptist Church (Dalton, Ga.) and to Burnt Hickory Baptist Church (Powder Springs, Ga.) to teach Bible study.

On Friday morning Craig and I headed to the airport at 6:30 IN THE MORNING, for heaven sakes! You know I am not a morning person. We jumped on a plane and headed to the Atlanta airport. As you know, this particular airport and I have some history. But this time I have no stories to report. And frankly, I am a bit disappointed. But I digress. Once in Atlanta, we proceeded to the car rental  counter and picked up our car.

This is what I wanted.

 This what I got. 

People, we ordered a "mid-sized" car. And this is what they had for us. A Jetta. Seriously. This is mid-sized?  A Volkswagen! Mid-sized?

Well at least we are doing our part to save the environment.

We arrived at the hotel in Dalton and found this goodie from the Women's Committee. Thanks ladies.

When this pretty box was opened it revealed this.

Oh boy! We got settled in and then got ready for the Women's Retreat at Grove Level Baptist Church, where I might add, has hosted Anita Reinfroe. I'm just saying.

I spoke on Friday night and 2 times on Saturday on "Restoring Your Spiritual Passion." (Interested in hearing this series? You can order the 3-part CD set right here and listen to your heart's content. Content, I tell you. Your heart's content. Their opening skit was hilarious. Sadly this is the only picture I got that turned out.

The ladies sang their welcome and introduction of me to show tunes like "Hello Dolly" (pictured). My intro was sung to "Tonight." Hum that in your head and read these words. You will be transported to the retreat.

"Tonight, tonight. Jean Stockdale speaks tonight. She'll tell us all that God has her say. Tonight, tonight. We'll learn a lot tonight. How to live, how to serve, how to love." It was cute I tell ya.'

Grove Level has a ministry to the hearing impaired. All their services are signed, including my messages. Now if you have ever heard me, you are already concerned for the interpretor!! I talk FAST. And I never breath. Once I get going, words are flying. Flying I say. I had my picture taken with this special group and their interpretor, Clarius. 

 Just look at those precious faces!  Love you sweet new friends!

I cannot wait until these ladies see Jesus face-to-face. The first words they will ever speak will be "Jesus." I promised we would all shout it together when we were gathered to His throne. Now that is enough to make me want to shout!

One of my former MOMS Bible study members, Janie Ghaffari brought several of her friends from Middle Valley Baptist Church (where I will be speaking in August along with Donna Gaines). Middle Valley Baptist Church is using my Bible study for moms called "Joy in the Journey". (If you are interested in doing this study or bringing it to your church you can click here for more information.) Here is Janie and her sweet buddies. Love you gals!

Saturday afternoon Craig and I drove our "mid-sized" selves over to Powder Springs, Ga. where Burnt Hickory Baptist is located. I got to have dinner with my new lifelong friend that I did not even know I had (again, being a part of the family of God is so cool!) and 7 of their minister's wives. So much fun. Sadly I forgot to take their pictures. But imagine if you will, me with eight darling women!

On Sunday morning I spoke 2 times at Burnt Hickory Baptist Church. Oh what fun!! This is how to meet the nicest people. Then I had lunch with their MOMS group. Oh my heart. What precious women!! About 2 Mr. Stockdale scooped me up in our "mid-sized" ride and we headed to the Atlanta airport, returned our little car, jumped on a plane and headed to Memphis. Home is always good to come back to.

But this is not our home. Craig and are a part of the family of God, having met God and received Him on His terms of repentance and faith. As a part of the family of God, we are " aliens and strangers" (1 Peter 3:8) in this world. We are looking forward to "the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is the Lord" (Heb. 11:10). We are  simply passing through to my real home where we will dwell with the family of the redeemed, in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ forever and ever.

Apple Dumplins'

Last night our ministry, Standing Near the Cross Inc., had its first board meeting ever. How blessed we were to be in the company of those who share our passion for the Lord Jesus Christ. Our board of directors are praying for us, encouraging us, and offering wise counsel as Craig and I advance on this faith-walk adventure of knowing Jesus and making Jesus known. Thanks to Ray-Ray and Roy for hosting the evening. I made the dessert and, for crying out loud, it was good.  So good, that if this ministry thing doesn't work out, I may go into the catering business!! Just kidding. I kid, people. From time to time, I kid.

This recipe is from Darlene Stroud but Pioneer Woman Cooks offers a very similiar version. Click here to view it and see pictures. Mercy.

Apple Dumplins'

Ingredients:

2 whole Granny Smith Apples (I use Fiji or Honey apples)

2 cans (8 Oz. Cans) Pillsbury Crescent Rolls

1 1/2  sticks butter (yes, the real thing)

1-½ cup sugar

1 tsp. vanilla 

Cinnamon-a light dusting

1 can (12 Oz.) Mountain Dew Soda

Instructions: Peel and core apples. Cut each apple into 8 slices each. Roll each apple slice in a crescent roll. Place in a 9 x 13 buttered pan. Melt butter, then add sugar and barely stir. Add vanilla, stir, and pour entire mixture over apples. Pour Mountain Dew around the edges of the pan. Sprinkle with cinnamon and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

Serve with ice cream, and spoon some of the sweet sauces from the pan over the top. **

**Here is how I served it to make it so very pretty-I toasted and sugared some roughly chopped pecans and I microwaved a small amount a high quatlity caramel sauce. I placed 2 of the dumplins' on a plate, used my baby ice cream scooper to place 2 scoops of a high grade vanilla bean ice cream on tops, dizzled the tinest amount of caramel sauce over it, and then sprinkled the whole  fabulously fabulous thang with sugared pecans. Okay, seriously . . . it was good.

This is a once a year treat. I do not recommend making it any more often than that because it is rich and fabulous. I usually serve it on Christmas morning in our breakfast brunch. Enjoy!

Linked to Blessed by Grace and

Wordfilled Wednesday

Jesus said, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavey-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in jeart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

Matthew 11. 28-30

Craig and I went to Nepal on a mission trip in 2008, to teach pastors and church leaders about evangelism, discipleship, and church planting. On the way to our village I was this worker leading his muzzled oxen to the field to plow. I immediately thought of this verse.

Linked to PennyRaine.com.

 

Words for Wednesday-More of Less

 

 

 

Can you hear me now?

Linked to Wordless Wednesday, 5 Minutes for Moms and Extraordinary Mothers and Seven Clown Circus.

There's A Fly in My Soup!

A Fly in the Ointment

In Eccessiastes Solomon wrote, Dead flies make a perfumer’s oil stink, so a little foolishness is weightier than wisdom and honor (Ecc. 10:1). That is, when dead flies are discovered floating in a vat of perfumed oil, the whole batch is ruined! Dead flies give, even a vat of concentrated perfumer’s oil, a bad smell! And it only takes one or two flies in the ointment to spoil the sweet fragrance of the perfume and most is worthless. 

Likewise, in the body of Christ, one or two malcontents can spoil the fellowship and stink up the place! In the midst of the sweet aroma of a united fellowship, striving to fulfill the purposes and plans of God, a fly can spoil the ointment! Division among believers spoils intimacy in fellowship, shakes the faith of new converts, damages the cause of Christ to the unbelieving world, and breaks the heart of God. At the church of Philippi, Paul was aware of a fly in the ointment. Epaphroditus brought word to Paul of the conflict between two women in the congregation, Euodia and Syntyche. Paul urged the two women to reconcile their differences and live in harmony in the Lord (Phil. 4:2). 

Can you imagine what it felt like to be one of these two women? In a letter that contained no rebukes, no correction of doctrinal error, or reprimand for moral failure, in a letter that consists of positive encouragement to press on in the Lord, in a letter intended to be read publicly to the congregation, can you imagine? Can you imagine hearing your name announced as one of the two flies in the ointment that was spoiling the fragrance of Christian harmony? Just how much was holding on to that grudge worth to those two women? We do not know the details of the disagreement but I don’t think it was worth what it cost them. Mercifully, the reference to Euodia and Syntyche was brief. Much was left unsaid causing me to fear that the details were well known to the congregation. Paul’s gentle plea for unity is immediately tied to joy. These two women had lost the joy of Jesus. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near! (Phil. 4:4-5). The joy of the Lord produces a gentle spirit. Joy. Gentleness. Fruits of the Holy Spirit. That is the testimony the Christian world should be known for, not bickering and in-fighting!

Until Jesus returns, may we be found faithfully serving Him - refusing to become a fly in the ointment of Christian unity within the body of Christ. Just something to think about! Blessings.

Linked to Spiritual Sunday.

Six Words Saturday

Despite the over abundance of words that I have and in spite of my natural dsire to share them all, I have reduced my life summary of this week to six short words.

My head's spinning. Make it stop. 

Linked to Six Words Sunday.

Sometimes Life Get in the Way

After a busy week with no time to blog, I thought I might put life on pause and dash off a post. I will be speaking in Dalton, Ga. at Grove Level Baptist Church on Friday and Saturday and in Atlanta at Burnt Hickory Baptist Church on Sunday during the Sunday School hours. If you are anywhere near by, please come and join in the big large fun that we are gonna have. Because when God shows up and shows off . . . it is always big fun! I'm just saying.

I am teaching through the book of 2 Timothy. What a rich book! You can study along with us and watch the DVDs of the messages by clicking here.

I am working on a new book on the Old Testament story of Ruth. I dearly love her story. I am thinking of entitling it "All the Single Ladies." Just kidding. Anyways, I love her life message of a God that is sovereignly in control and actively at work in the lives of very common people. Gotta love that. 

We are going to be launching a new website for our ministry, Standing Near the Cross. And whoa baby . . .  it is quite the deal. Technology is a wonderful thing for those who know what they are doing. For the rest of us, it is best if we don't get all up in it - all willy-nilly. The new website will allow us to enlarge our reach and enhance our purpose, which is to encourage and inspire women to follow after Jesus. We need to live this faith thing out-in our humanity-and we need lots of support and encouragement as we go.

So, even as life threatens to overwhelm and overtake me at times, I remain firmly rooted in Christ, my King. Blessings.

The Secret

Shhhhhhhh!!! I've Got a Secret

The SECRET, the real SECRET to living the victorious Christian life is directly connected to studying the Word of God in order to renew the mind. 

• "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the wordof truth." 2 Timothy 2:15

Your unregenerate brain accompanies you after your conversion. You mind was trained in depravity and you take it, with all the sinful habit patterns in tact, into your new life in Christ. The mind is not automatically regenerated-THE HUMAN SPIRIT IS! The Holy Spirit take up residence in the quickened human spirit, but the soul remains trained by the habit patterns developed in your lost condition. It has the potential of being transformed progressively, but that comes through the study of the Word of God and the washing of the Word. When God's truth is then mixed with your obedience and dependence upon the Spirit of God, the life begins to be transformed into the likeness of Christ. Beloved, that is THE SECRET. Pass it on!

Linked to Spiritual Sunday.

A Peach of a Place

On March 7, 2010 I will be at Burnt Hickory Baptist Church near Atlanta, Ga. I will be speaking 2 times, during the Sunday School hours, to the women of the church. Each message will be different. If you live in the area, join us here. Bring the family and make plans to stay for the worship service.

Let me know if you are coming so I can make sure to meet you! Blessings.

Road Trip!

I am headed to Grove Level Baptist Church to speak at their Women's Retreat March 5-6, 2010. I will speaking on the topic "Restoring Your Spiritual Passion." Are you feeling a little rundown in your spiritual life lately? Could you use a good dose of inspiration and encouragement? Would a good ole laughing fit do you some good? Would you like to be surrounded by a group of like-minded women? Do you live anywhere near Dalton? Great. Come on and join us.

For more information or to register click right here. Let me know if you are coming and I will look for you!

If you cannot join us, this "Restoring Your Spiritual Passion" 3-CD set of messages is avaiable here. 

After I speak at Grove Level I am driving to Atlanta and on March 7, 2010 I will be at Burnt Hickory Baptist Church near Atlanta, Ga. I will be speaking 2 times, during the Sunday School hours, to the women of the church. Each message will be different. If you live in the area, join us here. Bring the family and make plans to stay for the worship service. Let me know if you are coming so I can make sure to meet you! Blessings.

.Blessings.

Just You Wait!

In March we are launching a new website for my ministry, Standing Near the Cross Ministries. I am a Christian author, Bible teacher and speaker. My website is used to manage my speaking ministry and the bookstore for my Bible studies and DVDs. I have written 7 Bible studies with accompanying DVDs (and CDs) for personal use, small group discipleship, or church ministries to MOMS.

My current website will remain active until the new one is launched in March. My blog will be incorporated into my website (I can hardly wait!). This Typepad blog will remain active until April 2010 and then will be replaced by the new one. I will post the new blog http as soon as it is available. I hope you will make note of my change of address and continue to connect with me!

The new site will offer some great new options for us to enlarge the reach of our Ministry to Moms all over the world. We will soon be offering e-books on topics such as Biblical discipline, training your child up in the way he should go, Bending the Twig without Breaking the Branch, Teaching Children about God, Becoming a Student of the Word of God, From the Profound to the Practical, Faith-Walking for Moms, Growing Godly Women, How did the Virtuous Women Get So Much Done, What a Girl Wants, and 1000 (more or less) other topics!

We will also be doing short videos to encourage and inspire you to become a godly woman. We will offer down-loadable study notes for our Bible studies and podcasts.

The new site will have a great calendar to let you know when and where I will be traveling and speaking. You will be able to get all the details to come and join us. AND we will have a newsletter. You will be able to register for it and receive a monthly devotional to urge you on in your faith-walk with Jesus Christ. We will also have information on how you can start a Ministry to Moms in your home or in your church.

Our purpose is to strengthen the home by encouraging women in the fine art of Christian mothering. Our new website will allow us to reach more moms with inspiration from the Word of God-taking the profound truth of the Word of God and making it practical for daily living.

To God be the Glory. Great things He has done!

Top Ten Tuesday

Craig and I have raised and released 2 sons into the adult world. Now, married and daddy's to little boys of their own we are joyously wathcing them build their own households of faith.

On the occasion of our youngest son's birthday, I thought I would share about what I loved about getting to raise boys. Here is my Top Ten Tuesday list of things I loved about raising boys. I miss it.

1. I was the only girl in our family and I was treated like a queen.

2. Someone was always around to open a stubborn pickle jar.

3. They thought I was a great cook even if the dish was mediocre.

4. I never had to pump my own gas.

5. Our house was very loud and I like loud!

6. Bear hugs.

7. During their teenage years we spent more on groceries per month than we did on our house note.

8. We went through 7 gallons of milk a week when they were teenagers and countless boxes of Little Debbie's.

9. A lack of drama but never a lack of fun.

10. Little boys are the only thing God uses to grow men. I loved watching them grow into great and godly men.

Jason and Dawson, you were great fun to raise and a delight to know as adult men. We love you and are so proud of both of you. Blessings.

Linked to Top Ten Tuesday.

Monday Morning Manna for Moms #16

Dear moms, it is incumbent upon us to live out this thing called faith. Our children need to see what faith-walking looks like. Christ, clothed in our humanity. In the kitchen. In the den. In the midst of crisis. In the monotony of the mundane. In times of joy and walking through the valley of the shadow of death. We need to parent out of the overflow of our devotional life and love for the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

We live on ten acres in a rural part of Fayette County. We own a landscaping business, and Craig uses our property to grow a lot of his nursery stock. He has a metal building on the back corner of our property for his office and shop. Our dear family friend, Renae Terrell, works for us in the office. Our property is bordered on two sides by fields that lay dormant. Each year, several hundred acres around us sprout a healthy crop of what we call broom straw. Broom straw is a tall dry brittle grass that is highly combustible.

Several years ago I had lain across the foot of my bed with a sick headache. It was late afternoon, and I had taken some pain medicine and hoped to sleep off the effects of my throbbing misery. I was somewhere between deep sleep and lapsing into a coma when I become mildly conscious of the fact that my friend Renae was calling my name. Startled, I cracked one eye open to see if I was dreaming or if my friend was, in fact, standing over me. Yes, that was my friend all right. Renae was speaking to me in a very low and strangely controlled tone of voice. She was carefully measuring her words.

“Jean,” she said. “I don’t want to alarm you, but the field is on fire and it is heading this way!” I did not immediately grasp the meaning of the words she spoke, but I could not help but notice that she was now screaming in my ear and hopping from one foot to the other. Even in my heavily medicated state, I could tell that meant trouble!

“What did you say?” I managed to groggily reply as I pulled myself upright into a sitting position. “Fire!” she screamed. Now I was fully awake! We both ran out the kitchen door to the back of our property. The field behind us was engulfed in flames and it was rapidly moving towards our property. We watched in horror as tongues of flames lapped up the broom straw, silently fueling the fire and feeding its fury.

Renae and I could see a fire truck on the far side of the field and our faithful volunteer firefighters feverishly working to limit the damage and contain the fire. Suddenly we were aware of heavy equipment coming up my driveway and rumbling across our property to approach the fire from a different direction. The flames were now only 10 feet from our fence line. In no time, the heavy tractors were unloaded and used to make dirt fire walls, surrounding the fire and cutting it off from its source of fuel. Thankfully, the fire was quickly brought under control and the flames were soon extinguished.

Fire can be very useful. However, fires must be carefully tended. Too much fuel can lead to wildfire. Too little fuel can reduce a flaming fire to a pile of glowing embers.

 

*Excerpt from Run Well, Finish Strongby Jean Stockdale

In 2 Timothy 1:6 Paul wrote, For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.As believers we are in danger of wildfire-that is  falling victim to a counterfeit move of God, fueled by Satan and fraught with doctrinal error. On the other hand, we are in danger of failing to feed our devotional love for the Lord Jesus and reducing our passion for the things of God to smoldering embers. Paul urges us to continually fan the flames and stir the embers through personal Bible study, prayer, Scripture memorization, and other disciplines of the faith.

 

In order to pass the baton of the faith to the next generation we must kindle afresh the gift of God. Blessings.

How To Tempt My Tummy

German Pancakes

 Heat oven 425 degrees.  Melt 2/3 stick butter in 13 x 9 pan.

Mix vigorously with a fork:

1 c flour

1 cup milk

4 eggs

Pour mixture immediately into hot 13 x 9 dish. Bake for 15 minutes. Dust with powder sugar and serve with syrup or honey.

This is a recipe my boys especially loved when they were little. Enjoy.

Linked to Blessed with Grace and Balancing Beauty and Bedlam and All the Small Stuff.

Downline Disicpleship

Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, TN. is hosting a Downline Women's Summit Feb. 19-20 featuring teachers and authors such as Kay Arthur, Dr. Rene Rochester, Carolyn McCulley, Jani Ortlund, Cheri Holcomb, Donna Gaines, & more and special music by Lisa McClendon.

The vision of the 2010 DownLine Women’s Summit is to equip and encourage women in the Body of Christ to more effectively make disciples.  And because you have to be a godly woman in order to build other godly women, the DownLine Summit will also focus on principles of Biblical womanhood such as:

• Discipleship in the home
• The How To's of Discipleship
• Discipleship as a single woman
• Discipleship within an urban context
• Raising girls to be Godly women
• Principles of Godly womanhood
• Understanding and handling God's Word in making disciples

These key note sessions and workshops will be taught by respected teachers and authors such as Kay Arthur, Dr. Rene Rochester, Carolyn McCulley, Jani Ortlund, Cheri Holcomb, Donna Gaines, & more and special music by Lisa McClendon.

For more info on the Downline Conference click here or to get information about the conference at Bellevue Baptist Church click here.

Six Words Saturday

So, let me sum up my day in six words. 

I am overwhelmed by God's grace.

Blessings. Linked to Six Words Saturday.

Five Things Friday

1. We did not lose power during the recent snow day. For that we are grateful. My heart goes out to all of those struggling to cope with the problems created with the snow storm that is blanketing so much of the country.

2. We did lose our power the week before for 4 days. We managed quite well, heating with our gas logs and sleeping in the den. Craig slept in his chair and I slept on the couch. One morning as I woke up, this is what I saw. And this is by far one of my favorite moments that came out of it.

 

 

We slept in the den under layers of blankets, and evidently a dog.

3. I got to teach some great moms on the impact words can have as we parent children. If you would like to view the DVD click here. And then click on "Run Well. Finish Strong."

4. I made homemade pizza in 10 minutes using Bobali pizza crust. For more information see my post here.

5. My husband brought home a bouquet of roses. What a lovely thing.

Linked to Living to Tell the Story.