Faith Amid Sleepless Nights

by Ron Susek
Used by permission

Sleepless nights are well known to people who seek to walk close to 

God. Discover what this means by reading today's edition of Faith

Walk: Courage for the Journey.

 

FAITH AMID SLEEPLESS NIGHTS
by Ron Susek
@Golden Quill Publications

You have kept count of my tossings: put my tears in your bottle. Are 

they not in your book? Then my enemies will turn back in the day 

when I call. This I know, that God is for me. (Psalm 56:8-10)

Do not be surprised when you seek to walk closer to God and discover unusual turbulence in your spirit, the kind that causes sleepless nights.

Why would this be? Because the closer you walk with God, the more

 you enter the real war zone in the heavenly realms. This is where 

spiritual wrestling takes place, and often spills onto earth, affecting families, societies and nations.

Contending with these tossings of the spirit is some of what Paul must have had in mind when he spoke about sharing in the sufferings of 

Christ. Although Satan was defeated when Jesus went to the cross, he 

still rages in a futile attempt to reverse the outcome of a war he has already lost. His thrashings can and will be felt by those who walk 

closely with God.

There are other times when a traumatic event sets the soul on alert 

and sleep is hard to find. Other times, there may not be a known event 

in your life, but you are experiencing a spiritual war in the heavenly realms. Thus, you pray in faith, knowing that you are guarded on high.

David endured the "tossings of the soul" because, by faith, he knew 

that his enemies, both in the heavenly realms and on earth, would be 

turned back. The discomfort of his spiritual wrestlings did not 

discourage his faith. Despite the pressure, he was able to say, "This I know, that 

God is for me."

Indeed, the world will witness the evil one silenced at the coming of 

the Prince of Peace. The tossings are like waves in a storm. When the threatening winds end, the boiling waves settle into peaceful quietude. 

In this light, despite the fury of the storm, faith knows to rest in the Almighty plan and purpose of God.

Your victory comes when every part of you can rest in the truth of 

David's words, "I know that God is for me.."

Always remember, Immanuel: God is with you!
Your friend,
Ron

Competition Between Siblings

 by Dr Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN
www.biblicalparenting.org
Used by permission


Competition between siblings is often demonstrated by the statement, "That's not fair" or "What about him?" Competition stems from comparison and often creates conflict in relationships between brothers and sisters.

Here's an idea that will go a long way to reduce the comparison and competition between your children. Treat each child uniquely and don't even try to treat all your kids the same. Intentionally give them different privileges, assignments, and responsibilities. Avoid grouping the children by saying things like, "Kids, it's time to eat" or "Boys, let's get in the car." Instead, use each child’s name and give separate instructions. "Bill, please wash your hands and come to dinner." "Karen, come join us now for dinner?"

When children compare themselves to each other they say they want equality, but that's not really true. What each child wants is to feel special. When you treat them uniquely and focus on each child individually, you'll be surprised how much comparison and competition are reduced in your family.

After all, God doesn't treat us all the same. He treats us each uniquely. John 21:15-23 contains a fascinating story that often happens in families today. Jesus is telling Peter how he is going to die. Peter turns and looks at another disciple and says, "What about him?" Jesus answers, "What is that to you? You follow me." In essence, Jesus was saying, "I treat each person uniquely. You worry about yourself." What a great lesson to apply to our families. Treat people uniquely and special instead of trying to treat them all equally or the same.

This idea comes from Chapter 39 in the book The Christian Parenting Handbook by Dr Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN. Click here to see the Table of Contents.

Anger Is a Problem in Many Families

by Dr Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN

www.biblicalparenting.org
Used by permission

Anger is a problem in many families. One of the ways you can address it is by having some honest and even fun conversations about anger in family life. Here's an activity that can launch your family into an interesting discussion. Who knows where the interaction will lead you. You might have this discussion around the dinner table or part of an evening devotion time.

Begin with this statement:  Let's all share some pet peeves that we each have. A pet peeve is something that others do that makes you mad or easily irritated. Other people may not be bothered at all but you have a hard time whenever this thing happens.

One mom said, "Here are some of mine. I don't like to see towels on the floor in the bathroom or bedrooms. I get angry when I lose my keys, or when the car gas tank is on E after Dad drives it."

Dad said, "That's interesting. I didn't know that was one of your pet peeves. You know, one of mine is when my tools aren't returned to the toolbox or when you drive my car and don't put the seat back in place."

The kids smiled as they saw their parents expressing pet peeves and were able to think of some themselves, borrowed toys, irritating noises or touching, and being interrupted while on the computer.

Then you might talk about being tolerant and thoughtful of each other. This discussion can be very practical and lead to many helpful thoughts and ideas about anger in daily family life.

For more heart-based strategies for your family, consider the book The Christian Parenting Handbook by Dr Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN. A great reference book for every home.

Etching Glass Windows

by Nina

I put up my little windows above the door of the screened-in porch off our bedroom yesterday.  They are not perfect....but they are homemade and represent my three little birds who flew out of the nest.  A fun and easy project!

         Etching on the two small windows above the door

                                          A close-up view

Directions:

Place contact paper over the top of the glass with your pattern taped underneath.  

Trace it out with a razor knife.  

The etching cream is put on and left to sit for 5 minutes....then rinsed off in a sink. (Using rubber gloves.)  I didn't quite get it thick enough in all spots...but it's ok!

Now.... if I had a Cricut machine, that stencil cutting would be done so easily!  It's on my 'maybe' bucket list. We'll see. 

Sensory Issues in Children

Project Sensory

"Hanging upside down stimulates our vestibular system. But, what is that? To be brief, our vestibular system is in our inner ear. This sensory system is responsible for our sense of balance, spatial orientation (knowing where our bodies are in the world), and coordinating our balance with movement. Every movement we make stimulates our vestibular system. 

If your child exhibits vestibular seeking behaviours, then planned sensory activities that involve hanging upside down (inverting the head) can provide him with the stimulation he needs and reduce sensory seeking throughout the day as well as dysregulation and sensory related meltdowns."

Ever tried it for your sensory kid?

Read more of this excellent article here:

http://hes-extraordinary.com/166/

 

 

 

How to Pray for Others

contributed by Barbara Campbell

Unknown source

Sometimes I am not sure what to pray for someone, especially if I 

don't really know what's happening in their life right now.   After searching I found this.  It gives some great suggestions!

The Bible instructs us to bear one another’s burdens. Many problems

are too heavy for us to bear alone. Faced with extreme hardship, Paul

 wrote that he counted on the prayers of his friends for victory 

(2 Cor. 1:8-11, Phi. 1:19, Rom. 15:30-32)

1. Pray that their love for others will grow. 1 Cor. 13:4-7, Phi. 1:9-11.

2. Pray for unity, agreement, unselfishness, humility, and oneness in Christ.  Phi. 2:1-5, John 17:11, 21.

3. Pray that they will have the mind of Christ and acknowledge the 

Lord daily to direct their lives. 1 Cor. 2:11-16, Pro. 3:5-6.

4. Pray that they will present themselves as living sacrifices to God. 

Rom. 12:1-2.

5. Pray that they will know who they are in Christ. Col. 1:28, 2:10,
Eph. 1:3-4, 7-8.

6. Pray that they will hunger daily for the word of God and grow daily

 in Christlike maturity. Mat. 4:4, Eph. 4:11-16, Phi. 2:12-13.

7. Pray that they will put on the full armor of God and be alert to

Satan’s strategies. Eph. 6:10-18.

8. Pray that they will not love the world system but set their mind on Christ.  1 John 2:15-17, Phi. 4:8.

9. Pray that they will have a servant’s heart with a spirit of brokenness and humility. Mark 10:44-45, Psalm 51:17.

10. Pray that they will develop a praying heart, worshipping, praising,

 and thanking God as they see His hand of blessing extended to them.  Psalm 103:1-2, 1 Thes. 5:17-18

Handmade Stenciled Sign

by Nina
Used by permission

My neighbor asked me to make a sign that she wanted for her husband's birthday, so I made this by printing the words on the computer -- then carboned them onto the wood.

It has me looking at stencil machines like Cricut. WOW!  I think I want one!  They can cut fabric, vinyl, cardstock...etc!  Now I need to see if my computer can handle it...AND if I can learn ONE more thing?  Fun stuff!

A good resource:

https://www.silhouetteamerica.com/stories