Wit and Wisdom from Wee Ones

This is a wonderful, fast-reading book by Eileen Rife that you will most certainly enjoy!  I did! Eileen has been receiving the Heart to Heart Newsletter for many years.  Her book is a great read!  As Eileen says, "Kids can take us right to the heart of God, one way or another."

http://www.amazon.com/Wit-Wisdom-Wee-Ones-col…/…/152286010XT

Wit & Wisdom from the Wee Ones: A whimsical collection of endearing quips & quotes

Kids can take us right to the heart of God, one way or another. When they provoke frustration, we breathe a silent prayer for grace. When they incite giggles, we hear…

AMAZON.COM

The 10 Most Important Women of the Bible (and why they matter to you)

by Daniel Colston - Used by permission

This short list of the ten most important (and some of them, infamous) women of the Bible helps us grasp at some of the aspects of God’s plan for biblical womanhood. It’s exciting, scandalous, instructive, and real. I hope you enjoy reading these snapshot biographies of ten of the Bible’s most important women.

Eve kind of goes without saying. She’s the mother of all humanity (except Adam). She was the first woman to ever experience childbirth. She introduced the world to sin. She and Adam could literally say that they were “made for each other” (Genesis 1-3).

Sarah had Isaac when she was 90! She was the matriarch of Israel, God’s chosen people. She laughed at God’s promise at first (the name “Isaac” literally means laughter”), but then she stuck with Abraham through thick and thin. She was faithful to God (Genesis 21).

Rahab. No list is complete without a rags-to-riches story, or prostitute-to-promised land. Rahab was a ritual prostitute for the Canaanite gods in Jericho. When she discovered two Israelite spies she hid and protected them. So when Jericho came tumbling down God protected her and her family. She chose to believe in God and become an Israelite. She ended up being the grandmother of Kind David and is listed in Jesus’s genealogy in Matthew (Matthew 1:5)!

Deborah was a judge in Israel who had more courage than her captain, Barack. She feared the Lord and led her nation well, even defeating the army of Sisera (Judges 4).

Esther is known for her beauty, courage, and cunning. She risked her life in order to save her people from the hatred of Haman. Her success is celebrated every year during the Jewish feast of Purim (Esther).

Jezebel was both important and infamous. She is known in the Bible for her outspoken neglect of and rebellion against God. She was a Phoenician princess who married the spineless Israelite king Ahab. She usurped his power and promoted idol worship throughout the land, killing hundreds of God’s righteous prophets. Even Elijah was scared silly of her. The result of God’s curse was that she fell from a window and died, and dogs ate her flesh (sorry for the graphic nature—but I can’t exactly edit the Bible). Her name is used as a figure of speech to depict evil in the book of Revelation. And you’ve probably heard people use the colloquialism “that Jezebel” to describe someone they don’t like (I and II Kings).

Gomer. Isn’t that supposed to be a male name for that funny guy on the Andy Griffith show? Yes, but Gomer was also an infamous woman of the Old Testament. God commanded the prophet Hosea to marry a harlot named Gomer. Why? Well, that’s a good question for another blog post. Anyway, Hosea married her, had children with her, and was constantly emotionally torn because she cheated on him. This is a picture of God’s pursuit of us, who don’t deserve His love or blessings. We cheat on Him all the time by chasing lesser things (Hosea 1-4).

Mary, Mother of Jesus. She had such great faith at such a young age. Everyone’s heard of her. It’s hard to imagine how she could give birth to God, watch God grow, and then watch God, her Son, die, rise again, and ascend into Heaven. Her faith was so severely tested. She watched a thousand miracles before her eyes. What did she consider normal (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John)?

Lydia was a God-fearing lady who lived in the city of Phillipi. She was a rich clothing designer who traveled and had a big house. She determined to host a Bible study down by the river one day when the Apostle Paul came by and converted the whole crowd. Then she invited everyone who needed to come stay at her house and she helped finance Paul’s missionary journeys and found the church at Philippi (Acts 16:14-16).

Mary, the sister of Martha, sat at the feet of Jesus and worshipped Him while her sister was too busy with the chores and hosting responsibilities. She teaches us that our time with Jesus is the most necessary aspect of our lives. Everything else will fall into place, just spend time with Jesus (Luke 10:38-42).

This list of the 10 most important women in the Bible instructs us about faith, destiny, and playing our part in writing the stories of our lives well. God has a plan for your life just like He had a plan for these women. Some of them followed well, others didn’t. What about you? Will you follow His plan for your life well?

 http://www.amazon.com/Unstoppable-Chasing-Dreams-Achieving-Finding-ebook/dp/B019UQRFIE/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8

Daniel Colston is a youth pastor in Roanoke, VA. He recently wrote a book that tells you how to find and chase God’s will for your life. It’s called Unstoppable: 40 Keys for Chasing your Dreams, Achieving your Goals, and Finding God’s Best for your Life. He blogs at http://www.danielcolston.com/.

Praying for Your Adult Children

 

 

If you’re just starting to pray for your adult child, it takes a while to turn that ship around and head it in a new direction. Keep on praying no matter what happens and don’t give up. If you’re praying to the God of the impossible for an adult child who is himself (herself) impossible—or who seems to be in an impossible situation—that means you will have the opportunity to witness a miracle.

 

–Power of Praying for Your Adult Children http://stormie.co/gc

FREE CHAPTER DOWNLOAD:

http://harvesthousepublishers.com/media/epr/excerpts/9780736920865_exc.pdf

Free! $400 of Parenting Resources with Purchase of a Terrific Book!

One Week Only (April 29-May 5)

 

The Christian Parenting Handbook

 

50 Heart-Based Strategies for All the Stages of Your Child's Life!

 

Biblical, Practical, Heart-based Guidance at Your Fingertips!

Please don't miss this very special offer - a terrific parenting book, plus more than $400's worth of free parenting resources!

www.biblicalparenting.org

 

I've reviewed this excellent new book after being asked by Dr. Scott Turansky to be on the Launch Team, and have found it to be one-of-a-kind! 

Parenting "ideas" are a dime-a-dozen, but in this unique handbook you are given fifty practical and powerful parenting concepts, along with specifics on how to carry out each one. This book is for parents of not only tiny ones, but toddlers to teens! 

You will all benefit greatly from The Christian Parenting Handbook! Our three children will be getting one as a gift from us! 

If you purchase your copy during April 29-May 5, you will receive a bonus of more than $400's worth of parenting resources - FREE!  Don't let this offer slip through your fingers!

The Christian Parenting Handbook

I've reviewed this excellent new book after being asked by Dr. Scott Turansky to be on the Launch Team, and have found it to be one-of-a-kind! 

Parenting "ideas" are a dime-a-dozen, but in this unique handbook you are given fifty practical and powerful parenting concepts, along with specifics on how to carry out each one. This book is for parents of not only tiny ones, but toddlers to teens! 

You will all benefit greatly from The Christian Parenting Handbook! Our three children will be getting one as a gift from us! 

If you purchase your copy during April 29-May 5, you will receive a bonus of more than $400's worth of parenting resources - FREE!

Christian Parenting Handbook: Coming April 29 - Special Offer of over $400 in Parenting Resources

by Lois Breneman - 2013 - Heart to Heart Newsletter

I've been privileged to have been asked to be on the Launch Team for this very practical parenting book, based on sound biblical principles.  The authors are Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller.  

Quite a few articles by these two skilled authors have appeared in the Heart to Heart Newsletter in the past and have always been excellent biblical advice.  Just do a search for "Parenting" to find many of their articles.

In reading over the advance electronic copy of this new book, I am excited to get a copy for each of our children as an early Christmas gift (you girls didn't see this, did you?)  What a terrific and meaningful gift!  You will find parenting advice for children of all ages, including teens. 

Don't miss this amazing offer for parents!  If you purchase this new book during launch week, beginning April 29, you will receive more than $400 in parenting resources.  Here's the info: http://www.biblicalparenting.org/parentingshifts/tcph.asp

Reflexes, Learning, and Behaviour

New and updated edition of ‘A Teacher’s Window into the Child’s Mind’

A very informative and helpful book by Dr. Sally Goddard Blythe
http://www.inpp.org.uk/research-publications/books-publications/books/reflexes-learning

 

This unique and brilliant book explores the physical basis of learning difficulties, dyslexia, dyspraxia, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), with particular focus on the role of abnormal reflexes and the effect upon subsequent development.

 

Sally explains how the reflexes of infancy (primitive and postural) can affect the learning ability of the child if they are not inhibited and integrated by the developing brain in the first three years of life. Each reflex is described together with its function in normal development, and its impact upon learning and behaviour, if it remains active beyond the normal period.

 

Simple tests for the reflexes that are crucial to education are described, together with suggestions for suitable remedial intervention. The effect of abnormal reflexes on balance and sensory processing is also described. A brief history of how current methods of intervention designed to correct abnormal reflexes have evolved and a summary of some of the relevant research in the field are included.

 

This book is essential reading for parents, teachers, psychologists, optometrists and anyone involved in the assessment, education and management of children and their problems. It explains why certain children are unable to benefit from the same teaching methods as their peers and why they remain immature in other aspects of their lives.

 

Please click on the following link to order this book from Fernridge for $29.99, about one third the price at Amazon!

For Teen Girls

FREE NEWSLETTER FOR TEEN GIRLS
FREE DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR TEEN GIRLS
http://www.teen-beauty-tips.com/Find_Your_True_Beauty-backissues.html

Helping You Find Your True Beauty!
In a world that pressures you to look "picture perfect," join in the search to find your true beauty in Christ! It's there, but just needs discovered.

Mirror Mirror, Am I Beautiful?
a helpful book by Shelley Hitz

Cleaning House: A Mom's Twelve-Month Experiment to Rid Her Home of Youth Entitlement

Book by Kay Wills Wyma - Thanks to Joyce Quam in Virginia for this good information!

Joyce says, "A dear friend brought this book to Bible 

Study so eager to share it with others. As a mother 

herself she could relate to its message of "generations

of entitlement" and wanted to share this mother's 

story.  The book,'Cleaning House....' by Kay Willis Wyma

is both convicting and insightful and just filled with 

personal testimonies and humor. It is a "must read." 

http://www.amazon.com/Cleaning-House-Twelve-Month-
Entitlement-ebook/dp/B007WKFM7C/ref=tmm_kin_title_
0?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&qid=1339037936&sr=1-1

A quote from the link above:
Do your kids think that clean, folded clothes magically appear in their drawers? Do they roll their eyes when you suggest they clean the bathroom? Do you think it’s your job to pave their road to success? As parents, so often we hover, race in to save, and do everything we can for our kids—unintentionally reinforcing their belief that the world revolves around them.

When Kay Wyma realized that an attitude of entitlement had crept into her home, this mother of five got some attitude of her own. Cleaning House is her account of a year-long campaign to introduce her kids to basic life skills. From making beds to grocery shopping to refinishing a deck chair, the Wyma family experienced for themselves the ways meaningful work can transform self-absorption into earned self-confidence and concern for others.

With irresistible humor and refreshing insights, Kay candidly details the ups and downs of removing her own kids from the center of the universe. The changes that take place in her household will inspire you to launch your own campaign against youth entitlement. As Kay says, “Here’s to seeing what can happen when we tell our kids, ‘I believe in you, and I’m going to prove it by putting you to work.’”

At the link above, you can read reviews by Elisa Morgan, Jim Daly, Joe White, Dr. Howard Hendricks, and Governor Mike Huckabee.

About the Author:

Kay Wills Wyma has five kids, ages four to fourteen, and one SUV with a lot of carpool miles. She holds a bachelor's from Baylor University and an MIM from the American Graduate School of International Management (Thunderbird). Before transitioning to stay-at-home mom, she held positions at the White House, the Staubach Company, and Bank of America. She and her husband, Jon, live with their family in the Dallas area.

Influential Books that Have Brought Many to the Lord and Other Influential Life-Changing Books

compiled by Lois Breneman - 2007 - Heart to Heart

A great big THANKS to all the subscribers who responded to my request for titles and authors of books that led you or others to the Lord, as well as other influential books that impacted your lives.  The following is the result of all your help!  The purpose for this list is to give a display of suggested books from which to choose that we might want to give unbelieving relatives and friends to read.  We may want to read some as well.

A Man Called Peter by Catherine Marshall

I was saved as an 18 year old young woman through reading A Man Called Peter by Catherine Marshall.  I wrote her a letter ( she has since gone on to be with the Lord in heaven) and told her of my experience and she wrote me back!  I treasure her letter!! ~ Debbie Flack in Virginia

Letter from Catherine Marshall to Debbie Flack, dated Oct. 16, 1974 :

 "What a glorious meeting you had with our Risen Lord there in that little church in North Carolina! His light and His truth shine through the words of your letter and I cannot begin to tell you how deeply I appreciate your being led to share your experience with me and letting me know that A MAN CALLED PETER and BEYOND OURSELVES were a small part of your entering in. It never ceases to amaze me how the Spirit of God can reach directly down through the printed page to one of His beloved children and bestow the particular insight or blessing that is needed at that time. For this I constantly praise and thank Him!"        

(Catherine goes on to say that I can still hear Peter Marshall preach through some recordings that were made ( and she enclosed a sheet about that) and she said that her "new" book SOMETHING MORE, was just beginning to appear in the bookstores.)  

                 "Again, thank you for that wonderful letter, I shall treasure it.
                                   Warmly and sincerely,
                                    Catherine Marshall "       

              

Beyond Ourselves by Catherine Marshall - My grandpa (Papa) died when I was 20 and everyone said that he went to heaven.  That made me want to go to heaven, too, so I could see my Papa again.  I started searching, reading, and asking a lot of questions.  About three months later while reading "Beyond Ourselves" by Catherine Marshall, the Lord showed me very clearly how I could be born again.  I knelt right then and prayed the prayer of salvation just as it was written in the book. I am looking forward to meeting Catherine in heaven someday and personally thanking her for her devotion in spreading the truth of God's love, grace and forgiveness. - Rachael Breneman

Left Behind by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins (the first book in the series) - Joanna (Joey) Claycomb in Virginia said this book got her to thinking, which led to her salvation.

Left Behind by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins - I think the "Left Behind" series are the best books for salvation messages -- the way to salvation is written over and over again in these novels and a reader cannot miss the message of salvation. ~ Sharon  in New Jersey

The Late Great Planet Earth by Hal Lindsey

Bob Saville in Virginia accepted Christ as his Savior through reading this book.

Desiring God by John Piper - I've been a Christian since I was a little girl, but this book brought me to a full repentance and assurance of salvation. ~ Hannah Babiak in Wisconsin, Mom to 8 precious blessings.

Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis - Chuck Colson said in his biography that he came to the Lord after Watergate when reading this book.  I just read it and it was a fantastic explanation of the Christian faith using beautiful imagery. - Mary Lou Graham in Florida

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis - A friend of mine who is a psychiatrist became a Christian as a direct result of reading this book.  He recommended it as a book to give a non-believer who is "intellectual."  This man became a Christian close to 20 years ago.  I saw him about a month ago and asked him if he was still following Christ, and he said, "Yes." ~ Debi Ethredge in Mississippi 

Evidence That Demands A Verdict by John McDowell - I've heard many reports of people coming to Christ through reading this book. ~ Lois

More Than A Carpenter by Josh McDowell - In college, I had a couple of friends tell me they became a Christian by reading this book.  ~ Angie Rangel in Tennessee

Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning definitely qualifies as the above. I have given copies of it to unsaved family members, and although none have taken the final step toward Christ yet, I believe the book is instrumental in showing the glorious grace of God. ~ Mary Ann Kelley in Virginia

Salvation Crystal Clear by Curtis Hutson has been greatly used of God to bring literally tens of thousands to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. ~ Sherry Camperson in Georgia

The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel, an intellectual atheist who set out trying to prove there is no God.  Instead he came to grips with the truth in God's Word, and accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior.  Many people have come to Christ through reading this book. ~ Lois

OTHER INFLUENTIAL LIFE-CHANGING BOOKS
            

Me? Obey Him? by Elizabeth Rice Hanford - One of the books that really changed my walk with God is entitled, Me? Obey Him? by Elizabeth Rice Hanford.  I reluctantly took this book as a Bible study under a lady who became my mentor in NC.  I had prayed out to God to "help me" and I believe the teaching in this book is an answer to that prayer.  This book so hit me that I had to talk with the author to see if this was all real.  Mrs. Hanford invited me to her house in SC and a friendship blossomed out of that.  "Me? Obey Him?" changed my life and my marriage. ~ Penny Yonts in Virginia

No Compromise by Keith Green - A powerful story of Keith Green, the Christian singer/songwriter whose ministry during the Jesus Movement and beyond, brought thousands to the Lord.  He died with at least two of his children in a plane crash in 1981.  His story and life inspired me to live more simply and to give as unto the Lord. - A North Carolina subscriber

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis is a classic by someone who sees through our clever faces of religiosity and gets to the point of what Jesus is all about.  Should be read once a year. - A North Carolina subscriber

People of the Lie by M. Scott Peck helped me to see that I was in a legalistic cult. - A subscriber

Narnia series - C.S. Lewis helped me to fall in love with the Lord again. - A subscriber

The Calvary Road by Roy Hession - had a great impact on my Christian life, drawing me closer to the Lord. - Lois

Stepping Heavenward by Mrs. Elizabeth Prentiss and The Shaping of a Christian Family by Elisabeth Elliot both really changed my attitude about being a wife and mother.  Both books taught me that being a wife and a mother is my calling ... God's plan for my life.  There is, to me, no greater task than being a wife and mother. - Barb Campbell in Mississippi

A Mary's Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver taught me a lot about sitting at Jesus' feet and soaking up His Word and His presence ... not  getting caught up in the distractions of this world and ignoring my time with Him each day. - Barb Campbell in Mississippi

Meeting God at Every Turn by Catherine Marshall - This book tracks Catherine's spiritual autobiography from childhood to grandmotherhood.  It helped me in dealing with my mother's long illness with cancer and was a comfort as I grieved for her and missed her so, even though I knew she was in her heavenly home and free from pain and suffering.  It reassured me that God is with me in every circumstance - at every turn in my life. - Lois

Go for the Gold by Sherry H. Camperson  

Order in the Court by Sherry H. Camperson

In His Steps by Charles Monroe Sheldon - Several years ago, I read "In His Steps" by Charles Monroe Sheldon and this really put a different perspective on how I live my life. ~ Nancy Batdorf in Ohio

Safely Home by Randy Alcorn - A fiction book, based on truth, that truly moved me and encouraged me in my faith.   It looks at the persecuted church in China in comparison to the church of the west.  This book convicted me about the comfortable life I live here in the US.  My trials are truly trivial compared to many believers in other countries.  I take for granted my church, the fact that I have a choice of churches, open free worship, have a Bible, being able to speak freely about my faith.  It is very, very good.  I think all Christians should read this one. - Barb Campbell in Mississippi

Snare of the Fowler by Tom Taylor - One lady said her hands became so shaky reading the last chapters of this book that she had to prop the book open with paperweights to finish it.

None Among the Gods by Tom Taylor - Several readers reported staying up all night to finish reading this book.  Others gave testimony of learning things about missions that they never knew.

The Sin Bearer by Tom Taylor - A friend said his mother (a 93 year-old widow of a retired United Methodist minister) saw the book while staying at his house, and read it there.  She said she learned things she hadn't known before, and insisted on taking it home so she could take notes and look up scriptures.  Other members of his family are now passing it around; and he still hasn't had a chance to read it.  The novel is one of the most powerful and persuasive art forms we have, and Christians should certainly make use of it to exalt the name of Jesus and draw people to him.  The three novels above by Tom Taylor are somewhat unique in that men and women both seem to enjoy and benefit from reading them. 


You can read sample passages of Tom Taylor's books at www.iluvgoodnovels.com.  Several of his articles and essays can also be seen there - about evolution, the separation of church and state, the ten commandments, the Da Vinci Code, and others, which will be updated periodically.

Logical Consequences

by Neil Anderson

Do not hold back discipline from the child. (Proverbs 23:13).

Some children are effectively disciplined when they must experience the natural consequences of their disobedience. For example, if your child fools around and misses his bus at school, you may choose to let him walk home instead of picking him up yourself. If he procrastinates on a school project you have urged him to complete, let him receive a bad grade instead of bailing him out by doing the project yourself. For many children the pain of the natural consequence is enough to prompt a change in behavior the next time. Strong-willed children may respond best to this means of discipline. They often have to learn the hard way.

Use wisdom when employing this method. Some natural consequences may be too severe when other methods of discipline could be used. For example, making a child walk home from school alone may not be advisable in dangerous neighborhoods or bad weather.

Sometimes you may want to plan a negative consequence that is logically related to your child's misbehavior. Logical consequences are effective because they teach children to be responsible. For example, if your child carelessly spills his milk, a logical consequence is for him to clean up the mess.

Logical consequences help avoid power struggles between the child and parent. They can also greatly reduce nagging, correction and spanking. When your child completes the consequence, the incident is over, and hopefully he has learned to avoid the problem in the future.

Using natural consequences for discipline may require some extra work on your part. For example, you may need to teach your child how to use a sponge mop, operate the washing machine, etc. Don't look for the easiest method of discipline; look for the best. What may be convenient may not be correct. What works best for one child may not work well for another. Logical consequences teach cause and effect and can be used as a positive reinforcer.

Heavenly Father, grant me the wisdom to discipline my children for their future good as You discipline me for my good. 
----------------------------------------------------------------
This daily devotional is published and distributed by Crosswalk.com.  It is written by Neil Anderson at  http://link.crosswalk.com/UM/T.asp?A1.14.23568.1.91897.

 

Note from Lois: Dr. Kevin Leman has written some helpful books on common sense discipline, which are also entertaining to read.  Two of his books on this subject are Making Children Mind without Losing Yours,  as well as Bringing Up Kids without Tearing Them Down.  Another book of Dr. Leman's with an interesting concept is The Birth Order Book.  This book will help you to understand the differences in your children, as well as your siblings.  Dr. James Dobson's Dare to Discipline is also very helpful, along with others he wrote.  Both authors use the Bible as their source for the principles given. 

 

 

OUT OF THE MOUTH OF MAX

Contributed by Elinor in Virginia ~ a quote by her five year old grandson, Max, who is memorized by tools, lawn mowers, tractors, construction - anything a man might use.

 

        Dialog with Daddy following a "time out" experience for discipline.

"Hey Daddy, tell me about when you were a little boy and you were punished!"

"Well, for one thing, Meems and Pop Pop did NOT do 'time out' - they gave me a spanking!"

"Well, what did Meems and Pop Pop spank you with?"

"It was a wooden spoon."

"Was it the pwessure tweeted kind?"

        Dad cracks up!!! The family has one more story to add to our book of "Max Tales!"

Home Improvement: Eight Tools for Effective Parenting

HOME IMPROVEMENT: EIGHT TOOLS FOR EFFECTIVE PARENTINGA book by Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN - www.biblicalparenting.org  

National Center for Biblical Parenting - Used by permission

This book is more than just a parenting book. It's a tool to use with your child. Each chapter is divided into two parts. The first part is a fiction story about a family who experiences problems and then learns a new tool. Read this section to your child. It presents family issues from the parent's perspective. Children are often blinded by their own viewpoint and seeing the problem from the parent's view is eye-opening. Furthermore, it opens opportunities to talk about ways your family relates and ways you can make changes.

In This Book You Will Learn...
• Four truths that will motivate you to continue on when you’re tired, discouraged, and ready to give up.
• A powerful strategy to help children change their hearts—not just their actions.
• A unique concept that will reveal the cues you give to tell your children when they must obey.
• A six-step “Secret Weapon” you can use when all else seems to have failed and you need a bigger plan to help children develop character, not just change their behavior.
• Three practical ways to be a coach to your children and help them learn from life.
• One small ingredient to add to your parenting to help your children develop wisdom.
• A three-step plan to help your children deal with anger through frustration management, anger control, rage reduction, and releasing bitterness.

An eight CD or audiocassette series entitled Eight Secrets to Highly Effective Parenting is also available.

Parenting Insights You Can Use Now:Children often have positive character qualities that are misused. As parents, we become irritated by the negative. One part of the solution is to see the good side of that quality and guide children to constructive use of it. Here are a few examples.

Analytical is good, but can be misused by becoming picky, petty, and critical.
Confident is good, but can be misused by becoming prideful, bossy, insensitive, and overconfident.
Creative is good, but can be misused by becoming deceptive, manipulative, and mischievous.
For a complete list of positive qualities misused, take a look at the book, "Home Improvement: Eight Tools for Effective Parenting."   You may also receive free email parenting tips by signing up at http://www.biblicalparenting.org/.

Book Organization and Dejunking the Home

by Lois Breneman, © 2009, Heart to Heart Newsletter

Recently I worked on a monumental project in our home - that of organizing all of our books, while at the same time, boxing lots of them to get rid of, especially cookbooks.  Why did I have so many cookbooks anyway? Many came from yard sales and Goodwill, but some were never used much.  I have laid aside some cookbooks that I felt I just had to keep, and copying a few recipes, so I feel better about getting rid of them!  

We have so many books that they need to be on shelves in five different rooms of our home.  Recently I sorted them as much as possible according to topics, which will make it so much easier to find what we need.  I had thought once how great it would be have all our books in one room (a library), and to use the Dewey Decimal System for cataloging books in our home, but that went out the window pretty quickly. 

The next best thing was to shelve all the many "How To" books with instructions in one room - books about crafts, sewing, quilting, card making, scrapbooking, gardening, landscaping, woodworking, children's crafts and ideas, cooking, health and computers.  At a special place I also have brand new books shelved that could be used as gifts, including children's books, so I can see them easily when choosing a gift. 

Other topics sorted out by categories are books on marriage, parenting of children of all ages including teens, Bible commentaries and books related to the Bible, books and videos on Bible prophecy, Bible studies, homeschooling books to pass on or sell, along with books on homemaking, organization, college books that are still helpful to us, yearbooks, research books, poetry, biographies, autobiographies, vintage Christian novels, and books written by people we know.

Sometimes the different sizes of books create a challenge, which I just had to work around.  For the grandchildren's story books, I sorted them according to their ages, but I'm not sure how long it will be until they are all mixed together again.  That's okay.

Now that the books have been tackled, I have made a list of other areas I need to go through and dejunk.  I must get rid of things we no longer need.  A good friend told me she did this monumental task a few years ago so their kids won't have to do it when she and her husband are gone.  That would be a great gift in itself, especially as I think of a family who has recently been left with that overwhelming job!

There are several options in getting rid of things - give away, sell or toss!  That includes offering to family and friends who may have a need or interest in some things, a yard sale, Craigs' List, e-Bay, our local homeschoolers organization, Carry the Cross Ministries at our church who picked up a sofa last week, libraries (church, school or public), Pregnancy Resource Centers, the Salvation Army, and Goodwill.  It will be a relief to have our home dejunked! 

I'm Not _____________ Enough

by Sharon Jaynes - http://www.sharonjaynes.com/ - January 28, 2009 - Used by permission

Today's Truth
"Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?" 1 Corinthians 3:16 (NIV)

Friend To Friend
I'm not _______ enough. You can fill that blank in with smart, talented, gifted, spiritual, or any number of positive attributes, but the root source of each one of those lies is "I'm not good enough."  It is one of the enemy's favorite weapons and he uses it to keep God's children in bondage to feelings of inferiority, insecurity, and inadequacy. The bottom line is that the enemy wants you to believe that you are "not enough."  Period.  But you are enough. You are enough and have been equipped and empowered to do everything that God has called you to do.

It seems the message of "I'm not good enough to earn my way to heaven on my own," has been transformed into I'm not good enough ... period.   God created man and woman and said, "It is good."  We are so valuable to God that He gave His only Son to restore our brokenness.

To be honest, I could have been the poster child for this lie.  If feeling inadequate was an Olympic event, I would have been on the Wheaties box. It was the undercurrent of my entire existence until I finally realized who I was in Christ.  Bible teacher Beth Moore said, "In the dead of the night when insecurities crawl on us like fleas, all of us have terrifying bouts of insecurity and panics of insignificance.  Our human natures pitifully fall to the temptation to pull out the tape measure and gauge ourselves against people who seem more gifted and anointed by God."  That was me.

Many women are living in silent defeat, comparing themselves to other women who are living in secret defeat.  I'm not a good mother.  I'm not a good wife.  I'm not a good Christian.  I'm not a good witness.  I'm not a good housekeeper.  I'm not a good decorator.  I'm not a good cook.  I'm not a good ....  Women are caught in a cycle of the "I'm not good enoughs."  One by one, the petals fall from the beautiful flower God created us to be.  Like ticker tape, our fragmented pieces of confidence litter the streets like the Macy's parade passing by.

Unfortunately, I wasted many precious years held captive by the enemy's lies before I held up my chained hands to God and said, "I'm ready for you to set me free."

Consider this:  Jacob was a liar.  Moses was a stutterer.  Gideon was a coward.  David was an adulterer.  Rahab was a prostitute.  Esther was an orphan.  Balaam's donkey was ...well, a donkey.  Yet God used each one of them to impact His kingdom. 

God doesn't call us because we are particularly gifted or talented.  He uses us because we are obedient and dependent on Him.  He doesn't call the qualified -- He qualifies the called.

The truth is, if you have experienced new birth in Christ, when God looks at you, He sees Jesus.  And friend, Jesus is good enough.

Let's Pray
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You today.  Because of Jesus Christ and His work of redemption in me, I am deeply loved, completely forgiven, fully pleasing and totally accepted by You.  Because of Jesus Christ in me, I am equipped and empowered to do all that You have called me to do.  Now, LORD, help me act like it.   In Jesus' Name, Amen

Now It's Your Turn
Go back to that first sentence in today's devotion.  What would you put in that blank?  Is that the truth?  What do you think God would say to you about what you have written in that blank? 


More From The Girlfriends   Are you ready to begin walking in the truth rather than stumbling over the lies?  Are you ready to begin seeing yourself as God sees you?  Then you'll want to read Sharon's new book, I'm Not Good Enough...and Other Lies Women Tell Themselves. Visit her website to read an excerpt. But be warned. This book could change your life!










Note from Lois:
Nancy Leigh DeMoss has written a valuable book for women, entitled, Lies Women Believe.  She also wrote one for teens, Lies Young Women Believe.  Look for these books to get a biblical viewpoint on the truth about yourself and life.

A great gift for teen girls as well!

That Wonderful, Dazzling, Dangerous Jouney of Life

by Bethany Hargett  - Used by permission

(Note from Lois:  Ladies, you may want to print this article for each of the special young people in your life.  This is an excellent article from one of our "Heart to Heart" ladies!  Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family has also written a powerful book entitled Life on the Edge which goes into even more detail for youth in choosing the right path for life during this crucial time.  "When you stray from God's plan, you can have your "kicks," but you can't control the kickbacks for you or those you love!"   Instead, why not camp on James 1:17 where we read, "Every good gift is from above."   It would be wise to refocus on the One who promised to give you every good gift.)

Bethany's Introduction: This is written especially for one very special young person in my life, but is appropriate for all of you or for someone you may know.  So I send it to you this early morning, after laboring much of the night, with love and concern for the pitfalls before you.  This is for each young person in the family to have their own copy, if the parent so desires.  Please, read, and consider deeply this parable of life.

You have begun your journey of life, and it has been wonderful!  At every bend, it seems, new scenes of wild beauty flash before your eyes.  You have thrilled at gorgeous sunsets and breathtaking dawns.  You've seen the lovely and graceful doe with her speckled fawn by her side lift her head and look at you as you glide on by,.  You have tilted back your head at the regal flight of the eagle, soaring with astonishing ease above, and then plunging abruptly into the crystal stream  and rising again to bear the prize of a flipping, dripping fish to her young ones.  There is so much to see and learn. 

You are not alone on your journey, although you do paddle your own canoe now.  You have had your life greatly enriched by the earliest guides of your life.   Although these guides are the earliest, and bear a great responsibility to you, and desire everything that is good and right for you, even they can lead astray if they lead without the guidance of the Great Guide.

The same is true of the other, more distant guides of your life.  Some of these have passed in and out of your life, leaving a mark, but not staying there for long.  Some have even been the earliest guides of your earliest guides.   One or more are special guides that have, by reason of the value of the guidance they give, been given permission by your earliest guides to give detailed directions, and even warnings of the many pitfalls along your path of life.  These special guides are dedicated to one thing, that of pointing you to the most important Guide of all.  This is a Guide that never fails, that never lies, that never sleeps, and that never errs in judgment.  This is the only Guide that will ultimately bring your journey to a successful end.

This Great Guide has entrusted you with a paper Guide with no beginning and no end, and with every answer for every perplexity you will ever face on your journey of life.  What a treasure it is to have this, as many have had to paddle their canoe without this Guidebook that never fails.  And there is another Guide, one that cannot be seen!  This is an amazing one, and although it is there for all, few will ever receive it.  It can never leave you once it is yours, and as long as you keep your own canoe free from mud, debris, pleasures, and the weight of possessions, you can hear this guide saying, "This is the way, walk ye in it."

You see, all is not beauty and glory along this river.  There is often great danger, and that of varied sorts.  In the river itself are rapids, waterfalls, cataracts, and whirlpools, jutting rocks and fallen trees that block free access.  The seasoned guides specially assigned to you have passed this way already and will usually know where these dangers lie, and if they are alert, and reading the Guidebook themselves, can give timely warning.  But there are dangers that are not predictable as to their location.  Along certain long, wild stretches of the river are pirates, thieves, enemies of virtue and goodness.  If you were to pass through their infested areas without protection, and they were ready for you, you could not fight them off yourself, but would be sure to be overcome and wasted, perhaps even destroyed.  There are snakes of the poisonous kind, and vicious creatures of the deep, that would drop on you as you pass under trees, or come up against your fragile canoe from the bottom to tip you into their gaping jaws.  You need the help of your guides to escape them, and especially that of the Great Guide.  

I have not yet described  your companions.  These are given to enrich your life.  Some bear a family resemblance to you, and share the same earliest guides.  Some come along side for a season, share some adventures with you, and then disappear into fond memories.  Some share many adventures, and paddle beside you a great distance.  Some are living, breathing, and have often been on the river of life about the same amount of time that you have.   But there are other companions who are not living.  They are shadows of lives that have lived, and that usually you have never known.  They would have been preserved on paper, or on screen, or on some sort of memory device that allows you to listen.  They can come in different forms as well.  They can be stories, texts, songs, music, advice, dramas, even just narrations.  These shadows act the same as living companions, since they are the fruits of the labor of those who have once lived, or who are still living outside your acquaintance. 

There is a great danger in companions.  While there are several kinds of guides, there are only two types of companions.  Those that point you to your personal guides and those that pull you away from them.  The first of these may not understand all the dangers themselves, but they follow their own guides as well as they can, sometimes failing and receiving injuries from not listening, but always trying.  They would encourage you to do the same.  They have never been this way before either, so cannot know the dangers intimately.  But, knowing their own failures, and desirous to share their own small successes, their life and words both point you the Great Guide.  

The second type of companions will entice you away from your guides, and before long, actually become your guides, by your own permission.  Sometimes these companions can just be happy-go-lucky, never really listening to their guides because they are having too much fun and they don't want correction.  It may seem they are very happy, and thus attractive, but they are foolish and will get hurt.  But other companions have a motive for what they do in winning your allegiance.  Companions of this caliber are very subtle.  They may come along beside your canoe a little at first and make you think they follow all their guides as you try to follow yours -- your earliest guides, your valuable guides, your paper Guide, and your invisible Guide.  You may not even realize until it is too late, that their veiled words have divided you from all that have willingly and lovingly called out warnings, sounded depths, fought off the thieves, shielded you from lurking living creatures, charted your course, guided you around treacherous waterfalls, and sometimes even physically carried you when you were too weak to paddle your own canoe.   They make you doubt your own guides.  Since you can never gloriously finish this journey without your guides, those second type of companions are actually deadly.  They would sever you from the only way to success you have.  

There is an even greater danger in the shadows of lives you read, view, or listen to, since you cannot know whether they made their journey successfully or not.  You cannot know how many whirlpools almost got them, how often pirates attacked and what they lost to them, or what quality of trip they chose.  You cannot know their end.  They only share what they choose to share and they may not be truthful.  There is no counting the shipwrecks who have used these shadows as their guides.  The earnest one on the journey of life will examine these carefully and discard most of them.  For you are not left without guidance in your paper Guide, for it says you will know them by their fruits, as even these shadows of lives will either encourage you to your guides or away from them.

So how are you on your journey of life?  Are you still listening to your guides and your Guide? Or have you exchanged the guides mentioned previously with these who were meant to be companions?  How can you know when that is the case in your life?  

Have you been turned away from the Great Guide and have you lost the sweetness of the inner Guide?  Has the paper Guide lost its value to you, so that you no longer eagerly search it for answers and warnings?  Have your earliest guides become your enemies in your thinking?  Has your valuable, special guide, who labors in nothing else but to point you to the Great Guide, received attacks from your companions?  Does it seem that when you look at your guides they are covered with mud and slime, that they have evil intentions, and that they are faulty and mistaken?  Have you received accusations against them?  Has your own canoe become loaded down with contention and strife, a place of nettles and thorns, discontent, and anger?  Have you listened to your companions' assurances that there is no real danger in the places where your guides have insisted there is?  Have you mocked your living guides by showing them how close you can come to the pirates and thieves without being attacked?  Or how near to the whirlpool you can paddle without being sucked in?  Do you laugh at their warnings?  If not openly, then behind their backs and with your companions-turned-guides.  These are sure signs that you will be destroyed, unless you make a change of counselors, for you are refusing to hear the voice of instruction and consenting to the enticement of sinners.  

Remember, you are paddling your own canoe.  It is your choice how you do it. 

But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.  (James 3:14-16)

Tips and Tidbits

Bird Photography Worth Seeing ~ www.markhancoxbirdphotography.co.uk   This is amazing!

Bringing Up Girls ~ A brand new book (April, 2010)  by Dr. James Dobson is available to purchase, beginning this week!  (www.focusonthefamily.com) He said it took much longer to write this book than his book on boys, since girls are so much more complicated.  Bringing Up Boys was published over seven years ago, just in time for our first grandson, so there is good help for all parents and grandparents of boys or girls.  Dr. Dobson had more than 3,000 pages of research for his book on girls!  Wow!  Did you know we were such complicated creatures?  I suppose our husbands know that by now!
Great Resource for Parents and Teachers ~ Dancing in the Dessert is a new release by Mary Rice Hopkins -- a CD for the entire family!  Children will learn about Moses and the Israelites through songs such as:  "Put 'em in a Basket," "Plagues," "Grumble," and "Ten Commandments."  Adults will be encouraged to hold steady in their own desert journeys by listening to:  "God Made A Way Through," "God Can Do," "Up This Mountain," and "What Seems Impossible.”  Order by phone (818-790-5805) today!  You may also want to receive Mary's monthly newsletter which contains a complete Bible lesson with story, activities, and projects which can be used either at home or at church.  Visit www.MaryRiceHopkins.com.

Tips for Good Skin and a Lovely Complexion ~ Protect your skin from the sun, stay away from sweets, and never smoke.  Wash your face each morning and night.  Use a good moisturizer.  Drink plenty of pure water and eats lots of fruits and vegetables.  These tips will go a long way to having good skin.

Teach Yourself How to Sew a Felt Jewelry Bag ~ http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/12951/teach-yourself-to-sew-make-a-felt-jewelry-bag   There is no edge finishing to this easy project, since felt doesn't unravel.

Abstract Flowers Inspired By Georgia O'Keefe ~ A fun way to draw flowers.  Beautiful and colorful too!

Great Gardening Site ~ http://www.gardenguides.com has all kinds of good information, including how to deal with unwanted critters in your lawn and garden.  For garden crafts and fun things to do with your children such as butterfly and bird watching, and more, go to http://www.gardenguides.com/garden-crafts-activities/

Why Doesn't My Hydrangea Bloom? ~ http://www.creativehomemaking.com/gardening/hydrangea-bloom.shtml

How Girls' and Boys' Brains Are Different ~ http://www.babycenter.com/0_brain-development-is-the-difference-between-boys-and-girls-a_10310673.bc?scid=preschooler_20100323:3&pe=2UfZZbo

Need a reason to skip spring cleaning? ~ Many substances we come across every day might actually increase a person's risk of developing breast cancer. The main culprits seem to be bleach, flame retardants and some plastics.  www.thebreastcancersite.com 

Which Plastics are Safe and Which Are Not? ~ www.thebreastcancersite.com  
Women who are concerned about their risk of breast cancer could choose to avoid plastics which are numbered 3, 6 or 7. Plastics that are reported to be safe include those with a 1,2,4 or 5 stamped on the bottom.  Make a note of this!

Dangers of the Twilight Series ~ What's all the fuss over Edward and Bella?  Listen to these very enlightening radio broadcasts: Helping Parents Navigate the Vampire Phenomenon (Part 1 of 2)   http://www.listen.family.org/daily/A000002527.cfm

http://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/protecting_your_family/book_reports/t/twilight.aspx

More on The Twilight Saga ~ Escaping the Vampire Within.  Addressing The Twilight Saga, this brand new book by Kimberly Sweet Powers, offers young women a real immortal hero through Christ.  Kimberly, a graduate of Cedarville University, is the executive director of Walk the Talk Ministries, a national nonprofit youth ministry.

How to Receive Double Gas Points at Kroger ~ Gift cards purchased at Kroger count toward double gas points (sometimes four times the amount spent), so if you know you will be spending money at any of these stores or restaurants, purchase a gift card the day before.  It takes about 24 hours after your purchase to activate your gift cards. 
        The following gift cards are available to buy at Kroger: J.C. Penney, Kohl's, Target, Macy's, Joann's, Sears, Belk, Home Depot, K-Mart, Best Buy, Office Max, T. J. Max, Bath and Body, Michael's, Old Navy, Gap, Baby Gap, e-Bay, Foot Locker, Barnes and Nobel, Toys R Us, Babies R Us, Marshalls, Disney, Cabellas, Pottery Barn, Land's End, Overstocked.com, Shell Gas, and others.  Restaurants include Cracker Barrell, Bob Evans, Charley's, and Red Robin.
        Kroger's Gas policy rules allow up to a 35 gallon purchase in one transaction, with a possible savings of $1 discount per gallon of gas, so the savings is substantial.

Disney Park Discounts ~ Mary Hunt at www.cheapskates.com suggests saving money by heading over to www.MouseSavers.com.  She says it is a wonderful website that is without a doubt the best source for discounts at all of the Disney Parks as well as the others in the Orlando area, including Universal Orlando.  At www.MouseSavers.com, type in the park you are interested in visiting.

Make Your Own Word Search Game ~ Miranda Ching in Hawaii says, This is the neatest "gadget."  You can make word puzzles with this just by typing in your title and list of words.  It will even make an answer key for you!  I just made a valentine puzzle, but you could put any word list you want here.  Through this page, you're limited to "Heart" graphics, but there are probably other pages at this site set up for other holidays with appropriate graphics.  What a time saver if you need a "custom" word search game!  Have fun!  http://www.awesomeclipartforkids.com/worksheets/valentinewordsearch1.cfm

Make Your Own Personal Coloring Pages from Photographs you have taken!  Our daughter-in-law, Rachael, sent us a coloring page of Paw Paw and Grammie with our three precious grandchildren!  Rachael colored the picture herself and almost two year old Daniel added his own creative touches!  It was sent with my birthday card, along with a DVD of lots of fun videos of Daniel, which we both really loved!  I proudly hung the colored picture on our refrigerator!  Rachael used www.crayola.com/colorme for this personalized piece of art!

Lies Women Believe ~ Nancy Lee DeMoss wrote a book by this title, as well as another edition for young women - Lies Young Women Believe.  You will find a blog, videos and biblical help, especially for young women. http://www.liesyoungwomenbelieve.com/


Help for My Life is a ministry of Radio Bible Class.  You will find biblical help for any struggle in your life.  www.helpformylife.org

Christian Courses is a service of Radio Bible Class - www.christian courses.com  Take courses free or as certificate courses.

Make Your Own Personal Alphabetical Website List ~ Arrange in Alphabetical order according to topics, and keep in your Inbox to click when needed.

Never Ever Give Out Bank Numbers, Social Security Numbers, or Other Personal Information Over the Phone! ~ Not even if you get a call from someone saying they are with your bank, your insurance company or anyone else.  This happened to my husband today.  He asked that a certified letter be sent asking him for that information.  Never, never give out that info over the phone!  People are desperate to get their hands on your money!  Don't fall for that trick, and if you have Caller ID, report them.