Jean Stockdale...

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!

Podcast. Are You Kidding Me?!?!?

PODCASTING. Seriously. I have been teaching Bible study for MOMS for the last 20 years. My sons were 8 and 10 when I started. They are 30 and 28 now! When I began teaching MOMS I had no idea that this is what the Lord had for me to do with my life (beyond the whole wife and mom deal-I was sure THAT was His perfect will for my life-but this . . . who knew?) but teaching MOMS has become the driving passion of my life!

I teach MOMS every week (Sept.-Nov. and Jan.-Mar.) at Bellevue Baptist Church. If you live ANYWHERE in the Memphis area, please come and join us. We have a wonderful time on Thursday mornings at 9:30! For information go to www.believe.org and click on Women's Ministry. We have a nursery for the wee ones and we are offering a program for home-school kiddos. Seriously, you don't want to miss out on this! We will learn how to deal with the angry monster (in your life and in your children), we will learn how stop screaming at your kids (its okay-we all resort to it every once in a while), and we will learn how to use our words to affirm our family as well as how to honor and respect our husbands. And then we eat lunch. Because we work up quite an appetite learning all that stuff!

I can hear you now. You are making plans to join us even as we speak. But what, you ask, if you cannot attend. You don't live near Memphis. Or you work. Or you just had a baby and the idea of getting the baby dressed and you dressed at the same time is seriously out of the question. Good news. I have good PODCASTING news for you! The messages will be broadcast on a live video feed every Thursday at 10:45 CST, starting on Thursday September 17th. And, more good news. if you cannot join us on-line, the messages are achieved at the same spot. This year I am teaching on the Book of Ephesians. The study is called High Stepping in Heavenly Places. Would you like to learn how to live this faith thing out? Would you like to learn how faith looks in real life, flesh and blood, nasty now and now, with a houseful of ornery kids with their own ideas of whose in charge? Well, join us. On-line. And, more good news. If you would like the accompanying Bible study workbook, that will cost you $15.00 plus shipping and handling at my website www.jeanstockdale.com. Check it out and we will get that baby in the mail to you ASAP. You could even get you a bunch of your girlie girl MOMMY friends together and do it as an on-line group and meet one night a week while daddy watches the kiddos! I'm just saying!

Now, what if you can't join us at Bellevue and you can't watch the message on-line, then what? Well sisters, guess what? We are going to PODCAST the messages. That's right. PODCAST. We have got the computer program necessary and the directions and as soon as Ray and I can figure this baby out, well . . .  we are going to PODCAST my Bible studies from this here blog. I think (hope, really really hope) we will have the PODCAST up and running within a week, although this from a person who does not know how to do a thing but write on the computer, but I have PEOPLE. PEOPLE who know how to do stuff. Techie stuff. So . . . if Ray and I cannot get the silly thing to work, we are going to call in our people. So, keep checking back. And tell you MOMMY friends. Tell them to join us right here at this blog for a healthy dose of sanctified humor, practical advice of faith-walking as a mom, profound TRUTH from the Word of God, the added benefit of some funny stories from my crazy life. And who doesn't like funny?!?!

Now in order to try to start this up immediately (within this week) we are going to start by PODCASTING my study on Philippians called Joy in the Journey. Who doesn't like JOY! Every MOM needs some JOY in her life. So starting soon, you can click here and follow the directions to PODCAST and hear the 10-week series called Joy in the Journey, a Bible study for MOMS. If you would like to buy the 192-page workbook to go with the Bible study, go to www.jeanstockdale.com  and we will set you up for $15.00 plus shipping and handling. Please tell all your MOM friends to stop by and get some JOY 'cuz, sister girlfriend, we are PODCASTING. That's what I'm talking about . . . PODCASTING.

Now, one more thing. If you would use this service, would you please leave me a comment and tell me. That would be so greatly appreciated! Blessings.

1000 Word Thursday

This is a little boy . . .

looking up at his daddy. Look closely. Do you see the love of a little boy for his daddy? The respect? The admiration? The pride in his face? His daddy is his hero. His champion. Children quite naturally look up to their parents and especially the daddy. Parental love is the first tangible example children receive to build the basis of a personal relationship with God the Father. The responsibility is great on mom and dad to point their little ones to the Lord. 

My son, observe the commandment of your father and do not forsake the teaching of your mother; bind them continually on your heart;; tie them around your neck. When you walk about, they will guide you; When you sleep, they will watch over you; And when you awake, they will talk to you. Proverbs 6:20-22 

For more 1000 Words Thursday, click here and go to Cheaper Than Therapy. And don't forget, I am hosting 5 Things Friday tomorrow. Stop by and play. Write you own list of 5 Favorite Summer Activities to Do with Children.  

The View from an Empty Nest

My Nest is Empty; My Heart is Full to Overflowing! My 2 boys are grown and married now. Each one has a son of their own they are raising. There is nothing quite as sweet to this mom's heart than to see my sons raising sons!! Here are 5 Things I Wish I Had Known When I Was Raising My Children.

1. My boys would end up being good friends. My boys were 2 years apart and I wondered if they would ever get along! As it turns out, they ARE good friends. They actually work together in a family business. They go to chruch together and their families regularly fellowship together. They have grown to appreciate their differences and celebrate the things they share in common!

2. How to maintain my balance. Balance has never been my strong suit. I tend to "over do" somethings and totally neglect others. I wish I had the eternal perspective I have gained through many years of walking with the Lord when my boys were young. It would have helped me keep my spiritual equilbrium and balance my priorities better.

3. Not to buy much. Children do not really need alot of physcical things. They much prefer your attention over more STUFF! Clutter is the bane of every mother. I wish I had bought fewer toys, fewer clothes, fewer things that needed to be dusted! Before you buy something you think you (or your children) cannot live without, just think - when you are sick of it and try to sell it at a garage sale, someone will ask you if you will take a quarter for it!  Do you really need it?

4. My boys would end up eating a wide variety of foods. Who knew? As adults they developed tastes for all kinds of foods they would never even try when they lived at my house. Hmmm.....the wives might have had something to do with that and GOOD FOR THEM!

5. My boys would love the Lord in their adult lives and build their own households of faith. For ever Christian mom this is HUGE. This is the thing we long for, but we are always wondering if we are passing down a living faith or raising a prodigal. This decision ultimately falls to them to decide to receive or reject Jesus Christ. But let's face it, there is much we can do that will affect their decision. I do wish I had prayed more, fasted more often, memorized more Scritpure AND rested in the Lord MORE OFTEN when they were younger.

This are 5 THINGS I WISH I HAD KNOWN WHEN MY CHILDREN WERE YOUNGER.

**The powerful storms that lashed Memphis over the weekend took out our internet and phones. Sorry to be AWOL from the blogosphere for a few days.

Mr. Clean

I have 2 grandsons. Declan is 2 years old and Grayson is 1 year. For the first time in a long time, I have little ones crawling, walking barefoot, wallowing, worming, squirming, playing, and/or laying on my kitchen floor. Now I am in no way obsessive about keeping a clean house. To let you think otherwise would be misleading. But I am concerned about what our Baby Grands are exposed to while visiting at our house. Toddlers put things in their mouths. Things that have been on the floor. Toys. Fingers. Food. Whatever. So I have began to rethink what I clean with. I have rediscovered the value of vinegar for all-around cleaning. VInegar Works For Me. It is all natural. It is cheap. It does a great job and it eliminates the concern for harsh chemicals. This WORKS FOR ME.

This cleaning "recipe" is from a site called Vinegar Tips which gives about a million ways to use vinegar. Check it out.

Get a shining finish on a no-wax vinyl or linoleum floor by cleaning it with a solution of one cup white distilled vinegar for every gallon of water.

By the way, I have raised 2 little boys into men. Great men. Godly men. Great husbands. Fabulous daddies. Little boys are the only raw material God uses to build men. And He uses MOMS (just like me and you) in the process. Stunning, I know. Desperate, dysfunctional, damaged MOMS like me to raise children. Moms, like me, that quickly discovered I was in way over my head trying to raise children, and was left with no other option than to cast myself upon the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. And He has been FAITHFUL. "Even when we are faithless, He remains faithful for He cannot deny Himself." FAITHFUL. God is faithful. 

Having said that, MOMS, can I give you a word of advice? DO NOT TRADE A PERFECTLY CLEAN HOUSE (OR THE PURSUIT OF IT) IN THE EXCHANGE FOR TIME WITH YOU KIDDOS. Little ones grow up very fast. Investing in a house (or anything else for that matter) is a poor trade-off. While my own boys were young, we had a saying around our house. "We are raising boys, not a house."  I am not encouraging you to be slothful or lazy or neglectful. Homes must be maintained. But character must be built. Fun must be had. Memories must be made. Games must be played. Books must be read aloud. The love of the Lord Jesus Christ must be displayed in your (an mine) flawed humanity redeemed by grace. Otherwise, you are silently communicating the great value you place on your home, your reputation as a perfect mom, the pursuit of perfectionism, your value of possessions over people, and/or your need to meet unrealistic expectations. 

Sweet MOMS, step away from the sink. Put down the vacuum. Don't dust today. Grab some books. Gather your flock. Sit on the floor and play for a while. When your little guys ask, "Mom, what is up with this?" Give them a hug and tell 'em its a gift from ME. That, is what WORKS FOR ME!

I am launching a carnival on Friday called "Five Things Friday." Each week I write about 5 Things I Wish I Had Known When My Children Were Small. Please join me on Friday and play along.

Want some more WORKS FOR ME WEDNESDAY. Click here and go to We Are THAT Family.

JOY IN THE JOURNEY-Satisfied in Jesus-Lesson #10

Satisfied in Jesus

In Paul’s day, the care of prisoners fell to families and friends and not the state. It was up to the prisoners to enlist help. Paul had no visible means of support. He was cast wholly on the Lord and the kindness of His people. The Philippians had sent Paul financial support on several occasions. One of the purposes of Paul’s letter was to thank the congregation for their generous and timely gift. Paul’s letter was full of heartfelt gratitude and spiritual instruction. The Philippian church had ministered to his physical needs. In turn, Paul ministered to their spiritual needs.

I. A Generous Gift-Philippians 4:10 Paul was grateful for financial gift Epaphroditus delivered and for the love it represented. The sacrificial financial assistance represented the Philippians’ love for the Lord and for His servant, Paul. Because the gift was based on their spiritual relationship in the Lord, their material gift was an occasion for Christian joy. The believers at Philippi shared a unique bond in the Lord with the apostle Paul. He had personally led many of them to the Lord. He had planted the church there. He had invested in them through preaching, teaching, and disciple making. He considered them his joy and crown, his riches and his reward (Phil. 4:1). The finances gift represented the riches in Christ they all shared. It touched a responsive chord of praise in his soul. Paul praised God for His gracious provision through the Philippian believers. Paul rejoiced in the Lord greatly (Phil. 4:1). Apparently, some time had elapsed between gifts from the Philippian church. Paul was aware that the passage of time did not represent a lack of interest, but a lack of opportunity. Paul wrote, Now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity (Phil. 4:10). This sentence sounds a bit like a rebuke but Bible commentators do not think it was meant to be. Perhaps a better translation might be, “You have renewed your concern for me because you have been concerned.” Bible commentators believe this is more along the lines of Paul’s intention. The Philippians had been concerned all along and had wanted to respond, but because of Paul’s situation, they had not been able to get aid to him. The church created an opportunity to send financial aid to Paul. Epaphroditus would be the courier of the gift. Travel in this day was very difficult. No lodging was available. Transporting food was a problem. Safety issues were a constant concern. Robbery was a common occurrence as travelers ventured through isolated areas. With little or no security patrols, muggings often escalated to murder. Epaphroditus would be traveling with a cash gift, making him an especially vulnerable target. Furthermore, contact with a prisoner of Rome was dangerous. Paul was considered a conspirator against Nero. Anyone who provided help to Paul was in danger of falling under suspicion. Association with Paul was risky at best. The sacrificial financial gift represented only a part of the gift; the danger Epaphroditus risked to deliver the gift was equally significant.

II. A Contented Convert-Philippians 4:11-13 Paul was grateful for the gift. It caused him to rejoice in the Lord for His supernatural provision. However, he wanted to make it very clear. His joy was not dependant on financial aid from the Philippians or any other source. Paul had learned to be content in whatever circumstances he found himself. Contentment is learned through experience. Paul had learned to live in complete detachment from his circumstances. Paul reckoned the circumstances of his life to have been ordered by the Lord. Consequently, he fared well in and through them because of his own relationship to Christ. Paul had experienced prosperity and he had known poverty. Because he considered God to be in control of the circumstances of his life, his soul was at rest regardless of the prevailing situations of life. Paul could rise above any set of circumstances and prosper spiritually. Why? Paul wrote, I can do all things through Him who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13).Christ strengthened him. As Paul sought to live in the center of God’s will, he could rest in God’s power, provision, and providence. Please notice. This verse, often lifted out of context, is a conditional promise. The promise of God’s power is limited to the sphere of His will. Paul was content. In poverty or in prosperity, Paul was content. In prison or in the pulpit, Paul was content. Full or famished, Paul was content.

III. A Satisfied Soul-Philippians 4:14-23 Paul was grateful for the financial relief that the Philippians had sent. However, he was not seeking a gift. His contentment was in Christ. Still, Paul was very aware of the value of the sacrificial gift - not to his account, but to the balance sheet of eternal rewards laid up in heaven for the Philippians. Paul wrote, I seek for the profit which increases to your account (Phil. 4:17). The love gift would serve to meet Paul’s needs, but it would accrue heavenly interest and eternal rewards for the Philippian Christians at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Paul knew the members of the Philippian church were not wealthy. The size of the gift represented sacrificial giving. Paul was humbled by their sacrifice but he was well aware it was impossible to out give God. Out of His limitless treasury, God would supply the need of these who had given with liberty. God’s sufficient supply through the Philippians’ gift caused Paul’s thoughts to linger on God’s glory and grace, prompting a doxology. Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Greetings were sent to the Philippians from all those with Paul, especially those of Caesar’s household. What divine irony. Paul’s imprisonment for preaching the gospel had lead to the furtherance of the gospel in Caesar’s very own household! Paul was satisfied, amply supplied, with the Philippians’ gift. Beyond that, his soul was satisfied with Jesus. I cannot help but think that Jesus was satisfied with Paul! I trust your soul is satisfied with Jesus. May you walk with The Lord Jesus Christ as a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. May you enjoy His endless supply of Joy in the Journey.

Today is our last lesson on the Book of Philippians entitled "Joy in the Journey." For a live video feed or to view archived messages go to www.bellevue.org. We will begin the MOMS MINISTRY in September. Please join us then to study the Book of Ephesians.

Jean's current writing and speaking schedule has kept her away from her daily posts on the blog. Please check back in next week when she promises to return. She misses you all terribly!

To purchase Bible study workbooks or further information on Jean's ministry go to www.jeanstockdale.com. Sign up for her newsletter while you are there.

Works For Me Wednesday

I am a grandmother, and frankly, I make no apologies. This Works For Me. 

When the baby grands visit, time stands still. Agendas are put on the back burner. Schedules are suspended. Phone calls are not taken. Twitters are ignored. Email sits in the inbox. Facebook spins in cyberspace without my input. For that time, I (and Craig, if he is home) am in the moment-lost in a world viewed from the floor.

My boys are grown up. Raised and released into the adult world. Married and raising babies of their own. Gentle mommy reader, may I encourage you to stop more often to sit in the floor and play. Enjoy these moments. Although it does not seem like it if you have little ones, mothering has a shelf-life. It is not a "forever job." It is a holy occupation, but it will come to an end when your children leave home. That day is coming . . . and sooner than you would believe. Don't let the moments of joyful play pass you by because of a long "to-do" list. These moments are evaporating and they cannot be regathered. My philosophy when my boys were young - "I am raising boys into men. I am not raising a house." A house can wait. A boy will not! 

I am not suggesting that you are slothful or careless with your home and other responsiblities. I AM saying that keeping a "perfect" house (or any other time consuming task) is a sad tradeoff for impacting your children with your faith and values. Faith is much more easily transferred to the next generation through the day to day moments - as we live out the reality of the life of Jesus Christ in us. When we walk by the way. When we rise up. When we lay down (See Deut 6). As we go. We share Jesus. Casually. Faithfully. Prayerfully. The window of time when children are teachable is short. Don't waste it. Play often. Pray always.

This Works For Me. Consider my words carefully and see if it Works For You too. For more Works For Me, click here to go to We Are That Family. Blessings.

A Glorious Giveaway

Heaven Help Us! We're MOMS!

The sweet friends from the SITS blog are hosting a carnival of giveaways for Spring Fling. This is my contribution.

Are you frustrated, aggravated, irritated, agitated, and just plain twitterpated? Congratulations! You're a MOM. Now what?

For the last 20 years God has given me a passion to write Bible studies and teach MOMS with the Word of God and encourage MOMS with the Spirit of God. My accompanying 10-set of CDs will give you insight from God's Word. Laced with sanctified humor, practical applications, and personal illustrations from raising 2 sons and releasing them into the world to build their own households of faith, I will help you navigate the mine field of mothering through the study of the Book of James, "Mirror, Mirror on the Wall."

God's Word is the foundation for all we should do as a woman, a wife, and a MOM. However, most MOMS stumble at the point of taking profound truths and making the practical for daily living. Join me for an in-depth look into the Word of God for precepts and principles for parenting toddlers to teens. No matter where you are in the process, newborn, school-age, teens, or releasing adult children, you will benefit from this study. We're MOMS! Heaven Help Us. 

So could you use some help with the awesome task of mothering? Here is how you enter to win a 200 page workbook-style interactive Bible study on James "Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall" and an accompanying 10-CD set. Value-$75.00

1. Leave me a comment with you email address included-1 entry

2. Grab my button-2 entries

3. Fave me on Technorati-3 entries

4. Follow me on Twitter-4 additional entries

Please begin by leaving a comment. Leave separate comments for each additional entry. Enter as many time as you like. Contest ends at 2 a.m. (Central) on SATURDAY, March 14th. PLEASE NOTICE THE DATE FOR DEADLINE HAD BEEN EXTENDED. The winner will be announced on this blog and notified via email by March 17th and mailing address will be confirmed at that time. Sorry, this giveaway is limited to USA residents only. Any questions, email me at [email protected].

For more great giveaways click here to go to SITS. Thanks for stopping by. Blessings.

Saturday Site Seeing

As I travel through the blogsphere at warp speed, I stand amazed at some of the great blogs I continue to run across. I wanted to share some of my newest favorites and some ole standbys too from my personal blogroll.

Totally Tots is a new site to me. From devotional thoughts to practical advice for moms, this site offers a wealth of information and encouragement to moms of babies and toddlers. Filled with crafty projects, suggested book lists, and other creative ideas to train up a child in the way he should go, this site is high on my lists of "wish-I-had-had-access-to-this-when-my-boys-were-little". But at least it is available to all of you who are still in this season of life. Don't miss out of this one. Click here.

Courtney over at Women Living Well did 2 great posts on Menu Planning. She even included her menu spreadsheet and gave very precise details on how she plans her meals, gathers her recipes, and plans her grocery list. I have been reading her blog for several months now, and she regularly brings godly inspiration and great practical tips for Living Well. Check out her blog. I think you will want to add her to you blogroll.

As I blog about faith and family, I continue to be amazed at the sheer volume of blogs that are currently on the internet. It seems everyone is blogging these days. I continue to look for new sites to add to my blogroll, as well as spotlight some of my longtime favorites with you. Blessings.

Five Things Friday

I thought I might post 5 Things I Wish I Had Known About Sibling Rivalry when my children were young. My sons are grown, married, and have babies of their own. They are faithfully building their own household of faith and we praise the Lord for His goodness. Now, looking back, here are some things I wish I had known when the guys were little.

1. That sibling rivalry is quite normal-aggravating, but very normal.

2. That sibling rivalry actually teaches children social skills (as long as mom and dad make sure it does not escalate to bullying or violence). Learning to compromise, defer to others, how to apologize, and how to become a peacemaker were just some of the life lessons the boys learned through sibling rivalry. They also learned how to share, the consequence of being unkind, the power of cruel words, and the pain of broken fellowship with family members. There were powerful lessons learned.

3. That a house will still bear the scars of sibling rivalry long after the children have left home. At the time, I was frustrated with the minor damage that resulted in rough-housing by our 2 big ole boys. Now, in the quiet moments of this empty nest, I am oddly comforted by them. More than once, I have stood and rubbed my finger over the dents and dings left behind and praised the Lord for the richness of the life lived that they represent! This is such a God-thing in my life and I just love Him all the more for it!

4.That sibling rivalry is really an immature form of love - VERY immature. As children mature (and this takes about 20 years!) they are able to express love for their siblings in much more socially acceptable ways.

5.That sibling rivalry is largely the process whereby children learn how to operate within a family unit. They try out many different techniques trying to establish their role in the family dynamic. When the boys were young, we did not allow blood-letting, but we did try to allow the boys (under the necessary supervision) to work out their own conflicts with each other (if possible). Conflict resolution (without resorting to abusive words, aggression, or escalating to punching each other, which we would not tolerate without stepping in to intervene) is a life lesson that, once learned, would serve them well all their adult life on the job, in their marriage, parenting their own children, etc. 

So for all the aggravation that sibling rivalry can provide, and all the frustration it causes, and the self-doubt it continually cast upon my mothering skills as I raised them, it turns out that sibling rivalry proves to be a very helpful in the process of training up a child in the way he should go! Blessings.

The Academy Awards-Oscar Night

The Academy Awards were held yesterday. Oscar, the coveted golden statue, was handed out amid speeches, spangles, sequins, and hair products. And the winner is . . . Not Me!! The world applauds performance, pursues prestige, honors power, and marvels at the accumulation of possessions. I don't now, nor will I ever, show up as a blip on that radar screen. 

I have been a wife and a stay-at-home mom for the last 30 years. I have invested in the fine art of Christian mothering as I have poured my life into 2 little boys, and worked in cooperation with God the Father to train them into godly men. I did not live my life through them, but I did pour my life into them. And I am proud of the godly men, husbands, and daddies they have become as they build their own households of faith.

For all the mommies out there, who will never walk the red carpet or be honored by Hollywood, but who faithfully tend their homes, raise their children, love their husbands, work full-time in the home (every mom is a working mom!) and sometimes full-time (or part-time) out of the home, and tirelessly invest in the raising up the next generation of great kids, this momma rises up and calls you blessed. Proverbs 31:31 says, "Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all. Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears God, she shall be praised." We may never garner the praise of this world, but the family of a woman who loves God will be blessed. 

For more of Not Me Monday click here and visit My Charming Kids. 

How To Study the Bible

I have recently written a Bible study especially for MOMS on the life of Esther. As Christians, we have been placed into the body of Christ and the family of God. We are daughters of the King. But, let's face it. Most of us are hardly living up to our royal privilege on a daily basis. The Christian life is hard all by itself. Add the role of wife and MOM to it and you have a volatile situation!

"Teach me how to study the Bible," is the frequent request I get, whether I am speaking at Women's Conferences or to my own Bible study for MOMS. Perhaps, you fall into this category as well. You love God. You love God's Word, but you don't really know how to take it apart, verse by verse, and study it.

I have written a Bible study, specifically for MOMS, on the life of Esther. Full of practical applications, personal illustrations, and profound Biblical truth, this study will teach you how to study the Bible and how to apply God's TRUTH to your live.

The accompanying 10-week videos are currently archived. To view the first one, click here. To view the video, click on the button Fall Moms 2008 and scroll down to the first lesson, Sept. 11, 2008. Press play. To purchase the workbook-styled Bible study on Esther, entitled "Live Like a Queen", click here. To purchase the accompanying 10-week CDs or DVDs for use in your home or small group, click here. For information on adding this 10-week MOMS program to your church,click here. To contact me, email me at [email protected].

30-Day Husband Encouragement Challenge for Wives

Thanks to Courtney at Women Living Well (stop by her site and tell her I said, "Hey girl.") I ran across this 30-Day Husband Encouragement Challenge for Wives on Nancy Leigh DeMoss' site. Sisters, this here is some good stuff. As your older Titus 2 woman, I need to tell you, to implore you, to instruct you to get thy self over to this site quickly and get about the business of encouraging your husband. I believe this could change hearts and homes.

Genesis 2:24 says, For this reason a man will leave father and mother and be unite to his wife, and they will become one flesh (NIV). You know I love ya.' I pray God will strengthen your homes, renew your resolve, confirm your commitment, cement your convictions and bless your sweet little hearts. Blessings.