Jean Stockdale...

A New Beginning-A Fresh Start

With blessings for a wonderful New Year, please jog over to this post by Lynn Mosher at Heading Home and read this. It is well written and incredibly insightful.

From my heart and home to yours, we wish you a God blessed New Year. 

Craig and I will be ringing in the New Year attending a wedding at the stroke of midnight. Seriously. Just how Cinderella and Prince Charming is that in a "and they all lived happily ever after" sort of a storybook romantic kind-of-a-way!! Love it. In Christ, let us forget what lies behind and press on to the high calling of Jesus Christ. Blessings-jean stockdale

Yesterday Jason and Patti stopped by on their way to do errands. Declan (17 months old) was strapped in his car seat in the back seat. Craig and I went out to speak to the kids and gush over our grand-baby. Hey...cut me some slack. I'm a grandmother and I am allowed to gush! Anyways, Declan took his pacifier out of his mouth, held it out at arm's length, and dropped it. "Uh-oh," he chirped.

"Declan, you cannot drop it on purpose and call it an accident," responded his mommy.

Ain't that the truth?!?! How often do we choose to sin but attempt to justify it by calling it an "accident." John wrote, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous o forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:9). Cleansing follows confession. Confession requires that we identify our sin and own it. When we do, the Lord will forgive and restore us.

The Royal Family

Would you like to be a part of the Royal Family? Do you want to be rich? Do you want to live the good life? Yes? Well, then you will have to live the GOD life! In Christ we have been made to be more than conquerers. We have been seated in the heavenlies. We have been made to be heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus. We are royal blue-bloods. We are sons and daughters of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

As the King's kids, being part of the royal family is our birthright. Esther, was swept into the palace and chosen to be the Queen of Persia, with all the power and prestige attached to her royal position. Learning how to live according to our royal standing is a lifelong process. Study her life along with me in my newest book, "Live Like a Queen-The Study of the Book of Esther." Although my Bible studies are written specifically for MOMS, they are useful to any woman seeking to deepen her walk with God through study of the Word of God.

A interactive 170 page workbook will teach you how to carefully choose your words, how to hand down your faith to your children, how to deal with anger, how to release your grown children, and how to "Live Like a Queen." Let's face it...there is more to living like a Queen than looking good in the crown!

Click here to purchase the Bible study "Live Like a Queen" and/or the accompanying 10-set DVDs or CDs.

Dealing With Irregular People

The sweet folks at Blissfully Domestic are hosting an event to post anything that might be helpful as we all head into the New Year. I am connecting to a post I wrote about 3 weeks ago on how to deal with Irregular People because I have gotten so much interest and feedback on this post. Do you have an irregular person in your life? Do you have toxic relationships? Are you trying to cope with difficult people? Using the Book of Ruth I have written a post that I hope will help to equip you to deal with difficult people, toxic relationships, or irregular people that seem to populate our lives this time of the year. And after you had read this, click here to go back to Blissfully Domestic to read some more good stuff. Blessings.

An Open Letter to Michelle, wife of President-Elect Obama

I have been invited to write an open letter for an article in the paper to the new first lady, Michelle, wife of Barack Obama. As one mom to another, I have been asked to share advise and wisdom for raising 2 young daughters, Sasha (age 7) and Malia (age 10) under the glaring microscope of public opinion. How do you raise great kids when the whole world is watching.

I am prayerfully formulating my article. If you could speak to Michelle Obama and give her your best advice for mothering, what would it be?

How to Have Kingdom Authority

Christian, are you tired of living "under the circumstances?" Are you convinced there is more to this life? Are you sick of living in spiritual poverty? Are you ready to learn to live the life God has ordained for you? As a child of God we have been given a holy birthright. In Christ, we are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ. Are you living like it? Are you exercising kingdom authority?

Through the study of the life of the Old Testament Bible character, Esther, we can learn how to live above the downward pull of the world, the flesh, and the devil. I have a new Bible study available, written especially for MOMS. In it you will learn how to deal with difficult circumstances, how to handle irregular or toxic relationships, how to deal with anger, how to teach your child manners, how to pass down your faith, how to train your child in godliness, how to release your grown child and generally, how to raise great kids! For moms of all ages and stages, this 170 page interactive workbook, will take you through an in-depth study of God's Word.

Interested? Click here to order "How to Live Like a Queen-The Study of Esther" for $15.00 plus s/h. I also offer a set of 10 CDs for $60.00. The addition of these messages (45 minutes in length) will greatly enhance your study. I also have a set of 10 DVDs. Adding the DVDs will allow you to host a 10-week small group Bible study in your home or church. This allows for discussion of the homework questions, accountability, and fellowship with like-minded moms. Over 20 churches are currently using my Bible studies, enabling them to offer a vide-driven Bible study for moms as part of their overall program.

Click here to see read article and see video

You can read the recent article about my ministry to moms in the Memphis Commercial Appeal and see video clips from the study on Esther. I invite you to join me and learn how to Live Like a Queen.

Monkey Bread

This was one of my offerings for Christmas morning. My family voted this Monkey Bread an all-time favorite.

Monkey Bread

Ingredients:

3 cans refrigerated biscuits
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/2 sticks butter (3/4 cup)
1/2 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 9-10 inch tube pan. Mix white sugar and cinnamon in a medium sized plastic bag. Cut the biscuits into halves or quarters and place six to eight biscuit pieces in the sugar cinnamon mix. Shake well. Arrange pieces in the bottom of the greased pan. Continue layering until all the biscuit pieces are coated and in the pan. If you are using raisins, place them among the biscuit pieces as you are layering. In a small saucepan, melt the butter with the brown sugar over medium heat. Boil for 1 minute. Pour over the layered biscuits. Bake for 35 minutes. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a plate. Pull apart and enjoy!

 Icing:

1/2 pound cream cheese
1/2 pound butter
1 pound powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon juice

Allow cream cheese and butter to get to room temperature. Beat butter and cream cheese together in a large bowl with a mixer. Slowly add in the pound of powdered sugar. After all the powdered sugar is added mix for 12 minutes (do not mix less than that). When almost done, add in the extract and lemon juice.

 Yum-mo!

 

And the Word Became Flesh

Joseph ran. Adrenalin pumped, causing his own heartbeat to ring in his ears. "Help. I need to get help," he thought. He paused momentarily to get his bearings. In despair he wrapped his arms around his head, in an effort to capture his racing thoughts. Aware of the innkeeper's heartless refusal for help, Joseph did not waste time with him. In the distance he spied a light. Lengthening his stride, he ran towards it. And he prayed. With every breath, he prayed. He was afraid. Mary's labor pangs had been much more severe than he had expected. Watching her writhe in pain had frightened him. He needed to get help. A doctor. A midwife. A woman. Someone. He needed someone to help his beloved wife deliver the Child. The divine nature of the Child did not negate the reality of the pain required of Mary. He must find help. So he ran. The exertion caused his legs to burn. His breath was coming in short bursts. His spirit was pleading with God for protection for his darling Mary. And he ran.

Tears streamed unchecked down Joseph's face. Fear had given way to frustration. No one would help the young couple usher the Prince of Peace into the world He had created. Joseph's heart ached. He had gone for help but he had failed his Mary. He had promised to bring help. Instead, he returned empty-handed. The sudden catch in his side reminded Joseph of the distance he had run, desperately seeking help. 

The source of the light Joseph had spotted was the tiny home of two elderly brothers. Moved by the plight of the young couple but unable to offer any assistance, the brothers shuffled their feet and shrugged apologetically. Joseph had failed. He had not be able to find anyone to attend to the birth. Dejected, he returned to the pitiful lean-to that barely provided shelter for humanity and deity. Winded from the run, Joseph leaned against the doorway to catch his breath. "Mary," he cried, "I'm back." 

The familiar stench of livestock assaulted his senses as he ducked under the low threshold of the stable. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust and make out the figure of Mary, nestled in her makeshift straw bed. "I'm sorry. I couldn't find help." he croaked. A sob escaped his throat as he dropped to his knees beside his beloved. Her face was flushed with color. Her hair was disheveled. Damp curls hung limply around her face, framing it with jet black ringlets. 

Suddenly Joseph was aware of the ting bundle she held. He leaned in to catch his first glimpse the Holy Child, wrapped in coarse linen. Time stood still as he was lost in the gaze of the Divine Gift. As Joseph watched, mesmerized by the contrasts of holiness and humanity, the Child stirred. A tiny fist emerged from the wrappings. With one finger, Joseph stroked the pink cheek of the Infant, evoking the sucking response from the Newborn King. 

In the background, the livestock stirred. A tiny lamb struggled to push himself to a standing position on wobbly legs. He nuzzled against the woolly coat of his mother. She licked her offspring's face, prompting soft bleating. How appropriate! Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world! 

Merry Christmas

Craig and I wish all of you a Merry Christmas. It is our prayer that you have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and that you are aggressively pursuing personal holiness an practical righteousness. We pray you will have a wonderful New Year and that you will "walk worthy of the high calling" of Jesus Christ.

We started the day with Craig reading the Christmas story in Luke 2.

Declan got right into the spirit of gift giving! Notice the Converse tennis shoes.

Even Grayson got into it.

Declan loved him some antlers!

Grayson looked cute in them too!

It was all together a wonderful Christmas. Here are the most important men in my life!

Christ, The Newborn King

Please indulge my sanctified imagination as I consider what it was like in the stable

A knot was in Joseph's throat. The trip had been hard on him, but Mary was the one who had suffered the most. Although she never complained, Joseph knew she was miserable. He had urged her on with the promise of a soft bed at the end of their journey. Hearing the innkeeper refuse to help the young couple had rattled his calm exterior and pushed him to speak rashly to the indifferent innkeeper. "Sir, my wife is heavy with child. Please, sir, I appeal to your humanity. Isn't there something you can offer us?" With a wave of his hand, the man dismissed Joseph and strode from the room. The abrupt end to Joseph's plea left him to turn and face his wife. "No room," Joseph said, "There's no room in the inn."

Hot tears burned his eyes as he took Mary's arm and ushered her from inn. As the stepped into the dark night Joseph looked to the heavens and prayed, "Lord, we belong to You. We are in need of help and guidance. Amen." As Joseph untied the donkey from the his post, his eyes fell on a lean-to, a crude structure built to offer shelter for the animals against the cool night air. "Mary, I believe God has answered or prayers."

The bedraggled couple were forced to stoop low to enter the poorly constructed stable. The pungent smell of livestock and dung mingled with the sweet smell of fleshly cut hay. As Mary leaned against the opening, Joseph began to gather armload's of hay to make Mary a soft place to lay down. He spoke tenderly to her as he worked.

Without warning, intense pain seized Mary, signaling the onset of labor. The pain was so intense Mary doubled over. Her knees buckled. Waves of nausea struck her with such force she vomited. Frozen with fear Joseph watched her in unbelief. "God, help us!" he cried. He willed himself to move. In an instant his arms were around her. Gently he led her to the make-shift bed. He removed his cloak to cover her. He felt Mary relax at his touch, but he was visibly shaken. His heart pounded and his hands shook. He removed his head covering and used it to dab the perspiration from her face. He placed his face close to her ear and spoke quiet words of encouragement. Another contraction seized her and racked her body with pain. She screamed in agony. Her eyes were wild. Her cheeks flushed. 

Making her as comfortable as possible, Joseph made a difficult decision. "Mary, I am going for help. I will be back as quickly as possible. I entrust you into the hands of God." As he raced into the dark night in search of a midwife he heard Mary cry out in pain. The sound hurt his heart and pierced his soul.

Although we cannot be dogmatic, it appears that Mary was alone when Jesus was born. I believe Joseph had gone for help and missed the actual delivery. Luke wrote, "The time came for the baby to be born,and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." She gave birth. She wrapped Him in clothes. She placed him in the manager. Perhaps it is very fitting that the birth of our Lord was witnessed only by Mary for Joseph played no part in the miraculous virgin birth of Jesus Christ. He was (and is) the Son of God. He become sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in Christ. 

Come let us adore Him. Christ the Lord

Mary Christmas!

It was 2 days before the baby would arrive. Unconsciously, Mary tenderly moved her hands across her swollen belly, cradling her unborn child. A slight smile flickered across her face. The angel had said, "You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21). Savior of the world. The Lamb of God. Jesus. Messiah. Lord. Indeed.

Mary was slightly built, having inherited her tiny frame from her mother's side. The weight of the growing child within her had caused her center of gravity to shift. Her back ached. She placed her hand in the small of her back and rubbed hard, hoping to alleviate the discomfort. Her ankles were swollen. The extra fluid she was retaining caused her skin to feel tight. She had been riding on their donkey, but had asked Joseph to help her down so she could walk. He had suggested a brief respite. She had eagerly accepted the chance to take a break. The constant jostling of the donkey's gait had made her joints ache. 

As Joseph rested her mode of transportation Mary propped her considerable girth against a boulder and breathed deeply. The unborn Child stirred within her. He had he hiccups. Mary giggled and called Joseph to her side. Joseph loved Mary's giggle. As his eyes embraced her, he was struck by the contrast-part little girl and part young woman standing on the threshold of motherhood. Mary took his hand and placed it on her bulging tummy. Joseph startled as he felt the Baby move. Joseph threw his head back and laughed loudly. With his hand still resting on her Joseph said, "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: behold a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14). Immanuel. Indeed.

Lost in the moment, Joseph looked steadily into the eyes of his young bride. Chosen. Blessed. Favored. That's how the angel had described his betrothed. Jehovah had determined to use the borrowed womb of a virgin, his beloved Mary, to bring forth the long awaited Messiah. 

Mary used both hands to push herself up from her perch. It was time to travel. Mary stood stiffly. She shifted her weight, rocking on the balls of her feet. They couple still had quite a trek to Bethlehem to fulfill their obligation to register in their homeland.   

Anticipation and anxiety mixed inside her, causing her emotions to ebb and flow with unprecedented waves. As the young couple walked in silence, with only the soft braying of the donkey intruding upon their private thoughts, Joseph noticed Mary's tears. Tears flowed easily these days-with no reason and little warning. A layer of dust on her face gave silent testimony to the rigors of their travels. Tears streaked her face. She rubbed at her face with the back of her hand, leaving dirty smudges on her cheeks. Not knowing what to do, Joseph walked beside her in silence. Both were struggling to reconcile the uncertainly of their reality with the promises of God. Joseph quietly began to quote Deut. 281ff.

• "Now it shall be, if you diligently obey the LORD your God, being careful to do all His commandments which I command you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you if you obey the LORD your God:

• Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country. Blessed shall be the offspring of your body and the produce of your ground and the offspring of your beasts, the increase of your herd and the young of your flock.Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out."

God's Word was like a salve to Mary's heart. Strengthened in the inner man, she determined to walk worthy of the call of God on her life. Faith would soon turn into sight as the Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us. Joy to the world! The Lord is come. Indeed. I pray you will have a Mary Christmas.

Are you a Mary or a Martha Stewart?

Are you aspiring to a Martha Stewart Christmas? Christians, what in the world is happening to us? It's Christmas time. This is the time to celebrate the angel's declaration of "good news of great joy...a Savior has been born" (See Luke 2). Oh, come let us adore Him.

 

 

What's happening to us? What in the world is happening? We, the church, the body of Christ, should be engaged in a holy celebration-basking in the anniversary of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. I ask you, "Is that what is going on in your heart? In your home?"

 

Luke wrote, "Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart" (Luke 2:19). Mary treasured the things of the Lord in her heart. Would you like to have a Mary Christmas? Hold the treasury of the riches of Christ in your heart.

 

The hot breath of a demanding schedule and long “to-do list” can be felt on our necks, convincing us that we are duty bound to complete every holiday task with grace and Martha Stewart-esque flourish. In reality, we are compelled by the Holy Spirit to walk slowly and relish the Once for All Time Gift of the baby in the manger.

Most of our friends and family care very little about the very things that steal our joy in the holidays. Does the tree have to be covered with several layers of tinsel and trinkets, or could it be scaled back for the sake of our emotional energy and physical well-being during the frantic days of Christmas? It is necessary to bake dozens of homemade cookies, cakes, and pies from scratch, or could the list of homemade goodies be trimmed back a bit? Must every gift be elaborately gift wrapped or could gift bags serve the same purpose? Do we have to shop til we drop or could a less expensive gift list be drafted? Could more shopping be done online? Seriously, what could brown do for you? Let the UPS man run his legs down to the nubs while we sip hot chocolate and visit with girlfriends. Do we have to attend every event or could a few special fellowships be planned to cherish dear friends? Do we have to do all the cooking or could a trip to Fresh Market or Kroger suffice?

Decide what is really important to you and your family. Concentrate on what it takes to make Christmas come alive to your immediate family and do those things. Nothing more. Slow down and embrace the reason for what we are doing. It seems as if many are throwing elaborate birthday parties for Jesus, all the while failing to include the Guest of Honor! How did we get here? What is compelling us to "do more" and "go bigger" and "spend more" and "run, run, run" with little direction and poor results? How did we get here?!?! We, who are intimately acquainted with the Light of the World need to stop burning the candle at both ends and kneel-anew and a fresh-at the manger! Think about it.

Toxic Relationships and Difficult People

The holidays, while should be the most glorious time of year, can be the most painful if we are forced to spend time with toxic relatives, painful people, difficult folks, or cruel family members. Past memories swirl in our minds, painting intricate images of cruelty, cutting remarks, and emotional pain. In same cases, the abuse did not stop with emotional pain. Sexual abuse and/or physical abuse was perpetrated. The pain of the past is unspeakable. The resulting wound to the soul remains open, raw, and bleeding.

A personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ is the only hope for wholeness. He is not only our Great High Priest that takes away the sin of the world, He is also the Great Physician. By His stripes we are healed. 

Vicki Courtney has written an exceedingly poignant post dealing with how to handle difficult people. Take a moment and read her insight. The Lord wants us to know His awesome presence, peace, and power-even with irregular people. Blessings.

Thoughts and Ideas about Christmas Presents

Here we are - the time of year when we have a special opportunity to express our love in tangible ways to those near and dear to us. If you are like the Stockdale family, you love to take advantage of this opportunity. The Stockdale men operate under the philosophy "Go BIG or stay home!"  Now there's a motto that can get you in trouble during these uncertain financial times!

Let's think about this for a minute or two:

The most profound expression of love is in giving. The best-known verse in all the Bible begins "For God so LOVED the world that He GAVE" Jesus to us. This speaks of not just generous but sacrificial giving. It speaks more of the nature of sacrificial love than it does of the worthiness of the object of the love. The world of 2000 years ago, and the world today, chose by either active rebellion or passive neglect, to reject God's rights as Creator to rule over His Creation. In an display of genuine love, God gave the  ultimate sacrifice for the whole world in general, and specifically for you and me. Let every heart prepare Him room!

So if the expression of love is giving, the essence of giving is sacrifice. The apostle Paul spoke of some who gave to others in financial hardship, even in the midst of their own hardship. He said that although they themselves were "in a great ordeal of affliction" their abundance of joy and deep poverty overflowed in a wealth of liberality. Paul tells us that they gave "beyond their ability" to bless others.

How does all this translate into Christmas giving? I'm glad you asked.

 First, remember that the greatest Christmas gift of all time is Jesus Christ Himself. Have you personally received Him and His gift of salvation?  "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God"(John 1:12).

Second, express your love to others in giving, and remember the essence of giving is sacrifice. This does not mean you have to spend a lot of money. Remember those in deep poverty gave sacrificially. How did they do it?  "They first gave themselves to the Lord, and to us by the will of God " (2 Cor. 8:5).

Finally, remember to give thoughtfully and personally. Let's get our focus off all the stuff and onto the things that really matter for time and for eternity. Your friends and especially your family need you much more than they need what you can buy them. First give yourself to the Lord, and then to them as God directs and enables you to do so.

I bless you with a very special Christmas season.

2008 Christmas Tour of Homes

Welcome to the 2008 Christmas Tour of Homes hosted by BooMama. I appreciate you stopping by to tour my home. Here is our Christmas tree.

Sadie, our boxer puppy is mildly interested in being photographed with the Christmas tree.

I especially love snowmen and have lots of them on our tree. Being in the South, snow is typically a foreign commodity to us, so this is the only way we can have a White Christmas.

Sadie, the boxer, belongs to my husband. I am more of a cat person.

This bear ornament has hung on our tree for the last 20 years. 

This is my front door and my wreath. The wreath looks wonderful. Now I'm thinking the door could use some attention!

I wrap my banister in garland and hang this piece on the handrail. And this is our grandson, Declan, seeing our tree for the first time. It was magical.

There is nothing quite like Christmas!

Thank you so much for stopping by. I pray you will have a glorious holiday celebrating the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Reason for the Season! Blessings.

For more great Christmas homes, click here. And remember, leave a comment!

Thanks to the Commercial Appeal

On Sunday, Dec. 14, my ministry was highlighted in a lovely article in the Commercial Appeal. The writer, Cathryn Stout, attended one of my sessions with the Moms Ministry at Bellevue Baptist Church and then interviewed me several days later. She was very complimentary about the ministry to moms. 

Here is an excerpt from her article:

Launched in 1990, Stockdale helped form the ministry after several years as a Sunday school teacher for mothers of preschoolers. Today, the Fayette County resident reaches hundreds of moms each week through her workshops, streaming broadcasts, blog, self-published books and DVDs.

With a folksy, Sarah Palin-style charisma, the chic 54-year-old engages audiences during her humorous, fast-paced lectures.

"I talk exceedingly fast because I have much to tell my girls and I only have 45 minutes to get it in," she explained. "I have always been very talkative. As a child, I considered it to be a negative characteristic. I could have never dreamed the Lord would ultimately use my large word bank to teach His Word."

If you are interested in reading the article in full, and/or viewing a 2 minute video of my lecture on Esther, click here. If you are interested in getting more information about my ministry click here. After all, I am folksy and have large doses of Sarah Palin-style charisma!

This Can't Be Good

Craig and I live in the country on 10 acres. We have a small pond on the property that is visible from my kitchen window. Today I was startled to see about 12 buzzards perched on the bank! Yuk. I would have taken pictures for you but I could not bear to look it the sight for long without thinking I was gonna have to poke out my own eyes! I wanted to spare you a similar fate.

Craig explained to me that the pond had been stocked with tilipia fish in an effort to slow the spread of a noxious weed called "duck weed" which was threatening to cover the entire water surface of the pond. The fish supplier warned us that the tilipia would only live until the onset of cold weather, at which time God would call them home! We can only assume today was the day of their demise and word went out to the buzzard community at large to attend an all-you-can-eat fish buffet at the Stockdales.

Buzzards creep me out. They stand about 3 feet tall, shrouded in blue-black feathers. They balance on scaly talons with hunched shoulders and curved beaks. Their eyes are recessed. Their faces are void of feathers to ensure rotting flesh does not cling to them after they have gorged themselves on a dead carcass. Watching them out my window today made we think of Satan and his minions. I can imagine, using my sanctified imaginations, that the enemy and his hordes of demon spirits hold some similarities to the brotherhood of buzzards perched on my pond. Demon spirits crouch together, shrouded in darkness, waiting for a kill.

We have a very real enemy, but Praise God...Greater is He who is in us, than he who is in the world! 

The Real Reason for the Season

I just read an exquisitely poignant post by Ann. Click here to read it. I believe you will be blessed. As we feel the hot breath of the marathon we mistakenly call Christmas on the back of our neck, Ann has captured the true meaning of this holiest of holidays. Slow down. Breathe deeply. Spend some time meditating on the Real Reason for the Season. Blessings.

To All the Moms I've Loved Before

I love moms. I write Bible studies for mommas. I love me some moms. I teach Bible study to a group of nearly 300 moms every week. I love me some moms. Seriously. I love what I get to do. I have raised and released 2 great guys into the adult world. Now I am intent on raising the next generation of godly moms. I am committed to teaching, encouraging, and instructing moms in the fine art of Christian mothering. Mothering is just plain hard work. It is a holy occupation but it is often a thankless job. If you are a mom, I will rise up and call you blessed. It may be years before your children do it, so until then...I bless you in the name of the Lord. Why? Because I love me some moms!