families — Page 11 — Woman to Woman Mentoring

7 Tested Tips for Moms of Teens by Letitia Suk

Letitia Suk is a guest on the Monday Morning Blog today with some great advice for moms of teens and tweens from her book Need-to-Know Tips for Moms of Tweens and Teens. This is a delightful and practical guide for grandparents too. As I was reading, I thought about my thirteen-year old granddaughter who was coming with her friend to stay with us for a week. Our tendency is to fall back on our own parenting style with the next generation, but I knew I could learn a few tips, and I did. Leave a comment for a chance to enter the drawing to win this precious book!

My new book Everyday Brave: Living Courageously as a Woman of Faith is now available for preorder on Amazon. Mothering tweens and teens is a courageous and brave endeavor that I know we would all agree we couldn’t do without the help of God. Chapter 7 is “Brave Mothers.”

7 Tested Tips for Moms of Teens

by Letitia Suk

Parents and teens will clash, often! If you are a parent of a teen, you have been on both ends of the clash at some point in your life. Remember?

As much as it feels challenging to get through this roller coaster season of parenting, choose the long view. This current crisis will pass but your relationship with your teen lasts the rest of your life.

[Tweet “One of the primary tasks of parenting teens is to establish a bond of closeness that can be drawn on for the long journey ahead.”]

Your pediatrician might not have mentioned it, butone of the primary tasks of parenting teens is to establish a bond of closeness that can be drawn on for the long journey ahead.

Hard as it is to believe, most of the years spent with our child in our lifetime will be in an adult-adult relationship that will outlast these exciting, fun-filled, and often challenging years.

[Tweet “Most of the years spent with our child in our lifetime will be in an adult-adult relationship”]

Looking for help?

If you need some help today, 100 Need-to-Know Tips for Moms of Tweens & Teens is a grab and go guide to read along the way. Each short, stand-alone tip provides an immediate opportunity to strengthen your relationship with your teen for both now and for the decades ahead.

Here is a sample of some of the tips you can try right now.

Keep Texts Friendly.

Chances are your teen prefers texting to most other forms of communication. Choosing to use this tool in a friendly way is a great way to stay in touch. Tell them you love them and are praying for their test. Ask them if they need anything from Walmart or send fun tidbits of information. TM can also be used to ask questions like when will the car be back? Will you be home for dinner? Could you please pick up a gallon of milk?

Decide that you will only use this creative tool for positive thoughts or simple questions. This is not the vehicle to complain (the kitchen is a wreck), criticize (you never leave gas in the car), or accuse (you were out too late last night). Keep it upbeat and they’ll want to keep opening their inbox.

Ditch the Dread.

“Wait till they’re teenagers!” was the foreboding warning that awaited me on almost every turn of the stroller. “Wait till they start mouthing off” or “Wait till they get to high school” or “Wait till they get their driver’s license” have been part of the mom to mom network from the playground to the boardroom. It was never clear what the wait was for, it didn’t have the same hopeful note as waiting to go on vacation.

[Tweet “Instead of expecting the worst, start the day with a hope and a prayer that your teen is going to be OK.”]

Instead of expecting the worst, start the day with a hope and a prayer that your teen is going to be OK.

Talk back to your inner critic and tell her you’re doing just fine as a mom. Don’t let moments of doubt turn into dread-fests. Be the voice of the yay-sayer instead of the naysayer to other moms. Expect the best and wait for it to come!

Wave the White Flag.

If you are the parent of a teen, you have engaged in some conflict. In fact, you might have instigated it or inflamed it. It is never too late to wave the white flag and start a round of peace talks in your family. Someone needs to step up and stop yelling, door slamming, or silent treatment. Might as well be you!

Calling for peace is not glossing over incidents but acknowledging your part in the current conflict. “I was angry, and I insulted your character, I’m sorry.” “I was tired, and I yelled at you. That wasn’t fair.” Asking for forgiveness is also a huge step but necessary to move on.

[Tweet “Conflicts will come and go but the relationship is forever.”]

Conflicts will come and go but the relationship is forever.

What your teen sees from you in the way of how to do resolution will shape their future interactions as well.

4. Leave on a positive note.

When your teen leaves the house for an outing with friends, make a point to say have a good time, you look great, I love you.

[Tweet “The last few minutes of your interaction with your teen can set the tone for the rest of the evening.”]

The last few minutes of your interaction with your teen can set the tone for the rest of the evening.

If your teen leaves the house feeling good about you and about themselves, they will carry those positive feelings with them. Likewise, if they leave home angry, feeling misunderstood, or belittled, those feelings may shape their evening. If you really want to make a lasting impression, occasionally slip a little unasked-for cash!

Avoid Micro-Managing Your Teen’s Faith.

It has been said that “God has no grandchildren” meaning we each have our own faith experience separate from our parents. In our spiritually aware culture, most teens are searching for something/someone to believe in. Your teen’s faith journey might parallel yours, lag behind, or leap ahead. Most likely, it will not be identical just as your faith experience is not the same as your parents.

[Tweet “Your role as a parent is to provide spiritual training for your children, but not to force their faith development.”]

Your role as a parent is to provide spiritual training but not to force their faith development.

In these teen years, you can nurture your teen’s faith by your prayers, your example, your encouragement, and trust God to work out the big picture. Keep in mind, his timing is rarely the same as ours.

Differentiate Between Rules and Policies.

Try less rules, more policies. A policy has flex to it, a rule is fixed. Use policies for the minors of life such as room cleaning, late phone calls, attendance at family events, established study times, etc. A policy can be changed by request, “I need to talk to Sara tonight, but she won’t be home till 10:30. Can I call her later?” You: “OK, thanks for asking.” Exception given, policy still in place.

Rules, however, cover the majors and are not flexible. No point in your teen asking if they can have a party when you’re out of town. Ditto, there won’t be an exception as to whether they can drink and drive or have a sleepover with their boyfriend/girlfriend. Policies can be created on the spot and revised often. Keep the actual rules very few and very clear.

Remember, rules without relationship can lead to rebellion.

[Tweet “Remember, rules without relationship can lead to rebellion in children.”]

Bless their Friends, Even the Ones You Don’t Like.

You won’t like all your teens’ friends. Usually announcing that you don’t like a friend quickly elevates this person into sainthood in your teen’s life. The secret is not to let your feelings be known unless your teen is in danger or serious risk from a “friend.”

Find something, anything to comment on positively about the friend. “I like the way ____ is passionate about causes, knows a lot about music, isn’t afraid to be different.” then you might say something casually like, “I am a little concerned about his/her ____(driving?, ditching school? lying? poor relationship with parents, etc.” (choose only one) then follow with, “What do you think about that?” Listen and don’t comment. Very hard tactic to follow but so worth it. Wait it out and see if your impression was wrong or your teen recognizes it’s not a healthy relationship. It almost always happens.

Interested in reading more?

Ninety-two more tips are available in 100 Need-to-Know Tips for Moms of Tweens & Teens (Ellie Claire/Hachette, 2019.) Beautifully designed with inspirational quotes on motherhood interspersed throughout, this book makes an excellent gift for yourself or a friend.

Which of these tips did you need today?

Have you used any of these tips successfully?

Please leave a comment here for a chance to win a free sign copy of 100 Need-to-Know Tips for Moms of Tweens and Teens.

About the Author:

Letitia Suk invites women to chase the intentional life. She is the author of 100 Tips for Moms of Tweens and Teens, Getaway with God: The Everywoman’s Guide to Personal Retreat & Rhythms of Renewal. Letitia’s Amazon page

She and her husband, Tom, live in the Chicago area and are parents of four grown children. Letitia’s Website

August 5, 2019

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Where Have All the “Ladies” Gone?

woman sitting on ground

Do you remember a time when men showed respect to women?

They held doors open for her.

Opened the car door and then stayed around to close it after she was settled inside.

Helped her on with her jacket.

Weren’t afraid to give her a compliment when she looked nice and she appreciated it.

Cleaned up their language around her.

Made sure buddies cleaned up their language too, and didn’t tell off-color jokes.

Would never speak disparagingly to her or about her.

Acted like a gentleman in her presence.

Asked her out on dates and paid for it.

Then came the feminist movement . . .

Women asserted that they could open doors and car doors themselves thank you very much. She could struggle into her own jacket, a compliment was sexual harassment, and she could swear and tell dirty jokes with the best of them. And don’t insult her by offering to pay for the date. She could pay her own way! Oh, but she will hookup with you.

And the feminist women got just what they wanted. Men no longer respect them; they treat women as one of the guys. Nothing special. Feminist replaced feminine.

Men aren’t gentlemen anymore and women stopped being ladies.

[Tweet “With the feminist movement men aren’t gentlemen anymore and women stopped being ladies.”]

So we come to today when the women’s soccer team who, whether they like being women or not, represented the United States in the World Cup Championship. They were impressive on the field and repulsive off the field. One of the vocal team members used vile language in interviews and wanted everyone to know she hated the President, the flag, and being a heterosexual woman.

[Tweet “The USA women’s soccer team were impressive on the field and repulsive off the field.”]

And she’s not the only one. Most feminists today are constantly denouncing men, motherhood, conservatives, traditional marriage, and American traditions—even womanhood—especially acting like a lady. Some have decided they’ll try to be a man or at least act like one.

[Tweet “Most feminists today are constantly denouncing men, motherhood, conservatives, traditional marriage, and American traditions—even womanhood.”]

They’ve embraced the liberal agenda that is molding and making them frustrated and angry. How many liberal feminists do you know who aren’t screaming and mad about something? They’re not happy people, even though they got what they thought they wanted—to feel equal to or better than men.

[Tweet “How many liberal feminists do you know who aren’t screaming and mad about something? They’re not happy people!”]

What do you think God’s thoughts are on feminists? Did he make Adam out of Eve’s rib or Eve out of Adam’s rib? Did he say Adam would be Eve’s helpmate or Eve would be Adam’s helpmate?

So Where Are the Mentors Helping Young Women Become Ladies Today?

Remember when young girls followed the Hannah Montana image. I read that Mylie Cyrus said she was done with Hannah Montana after she had her first sexual encounter, and off she went on a radical transformation to smuttiness. So where did that leave the young girls who had idealized Hannah? Mylie felt no responsibility to them.

[Tweet “In today’s culture, I can’t think of one “famous” person I would want my granddaughters imitating. Can you for your daughters or granddaughters?”]

In today’s culture, I can’t think of one “famous” person I would want my granddaughters imitating. Can you for your daughters or granddaughters?

Where are all the ladies?

That puts the responsibility on home and the church to influence our future women. It’s where God has always said one generation should teach and train the next.

Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power. Psalm 145:4 NLT

God inspired Paul to understand the dire need for mentoring when Paul wrote in Titus 2:3-5

³Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers.^[a] Instead, they should teach others what is good. ⁴These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, ⁵to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes,^[b] to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God. (NLT)

Parents and the church cannot let the culture mentor our girls or the lost art of being a kind, respectful, modest, God-honoring lady will be lost forever. How our girls dress, talk, act, date, live . . . is your and my God-directed responsibility.

[Tweet “Parents and the church cannot let the culture mentor our girls or the lost art of being a kind, respectful, modest, God-honoring lady will be lost forever.”]

In my book, Mentoring for All Seasons, I stress the importance of mentoring our young girls as early as pre-teens. We need to take an interest in the girls and young women God puts in our life to help them understand how special it is to be a woman after God’s own heart.

Let’s resurrect lady-likeness and make it fashionable again. It starts with every Christian woman acting like a lady.

[Tweet “Let’s resurrect lady-likeness and make it fashionable again. It starts with every Christian woman acting like a lady.”]

Let’s have a discussion to help each other be ladies of the 21^st Century! What image does that conjure up to you?

Note: When I ran spell check on this article, it didn’t even recognize “lady” and wanted to change it to “woman.”

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July 15, 2019

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What Kind of Person Kills a Newborn Baby?

My daughter’s birthday was last week, February 26. Since she posted a picture with candles on her cake, I think she’ll be OK with me telling you I gave birth to her forty-six years ago. But like all mothers, when our children have birthdays no matter how old they are, we reminisce about their birth.

Where it took place.

How long or short was our labor?

Hearing our newborn’s first cry.

The nurse laying our precious gift from God on our chest as we kiss his or her cheek.

I remember like it was yesterday. Back then, we didn’t know if we were having a boy or girl, so I still have memories of the doctor holding her up and announcing, “It’s a girl!”

Then the nurse pronounced time of birth at 11:00 AM.

This year, Kim’s birthday fell on the day after Democrats in the US Senate blocked the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which would mandate that doctors must try to save the life of a baby born after attempts at abortion.

[Tweet “Democrat endorsed legalized infanticide. Republicans voted in favor of bill to save innocent baby’s lives.”]

All Democrats, except for three, endorsed legalized infanticide: killing an infant. While all Republicans, except for three who didn’t vote, voted in favor of the bill to save innocent baby’s lives.

Without the passage of the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, the doctor can legally ask the parents if they want their newborn baby to live or die. If the parent’s give the death sentence to their new baby, the nurse removes the baby and lets this precious creation of God . . . cry or choke to death.

Then the nurse pronounces the time of death.

[Tweet “Doctors can ask parents if they want their newborn baby to live or die.”]

What kind of doctor, who took an oath to save lives, looks at a newborn baby, and asks, “Should we let him or her live or die?

What kind of nurse participates in this barbaric killing?

What kind of mother who gave her baby life, carried her baby in her tummy, went through delivery, and heard her baby’s first cry instructs the doctor to kill her baby?

What kind of Senator knows that this bill has absolutely nothing to do with abortion laws, but everything to do with saving the life of a newborn baby, votes for infanticide?

What kind of “political base” could these Senators be trying to please, who expect them to vote against a Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which would have required that “any health care practitioner present” at the time of a birth “exercise the same degree of professional skill, care, and diligence to preserve the life and health of the child as a reasonably diligent and conscientious health care practitioner would render to any other child born alive at the same gestational age.”

What kind of country tolerates infanticide?

What kind of church leader doesn’t denounce infanticide?

My friend Patti Smith asks this same question in her blog Where is the Outrage of Church Leaders and Infanticide?

What kind of Christian does nothing?

Some friends who are speaking out have said they’ve taken a lot of online abuse from Christians who call this a “moral quandary” – and we should not judge others. I suggest they ask their critics, “So do you consider it judgement or a “moral quandary” to try and stop someone from being murdered?”

Then ask: “If abortion wasn’t legal, would you still think it was okay for a woman to have her baby burned, poisoned, or torn apart? Is it a moral quandary for that baby with a beating heart, who feels pain and is trusting his mommy’s tummy is the safest place in this world, to have a chance at life?”

Our job as Christians is to live by God’s ways, not compromise because they’re not popular.

[Tweet “Our job as Christians is to live by God’s ways, not compromise because they’re not popular.”]

Anyone who says they’re a Bible-believing Christian and refuses to take a stand against abortion, late-term abortion, and now infanticide is falling into Satan’s trap: “Did God really say that we shouldn’t kill, inside or outside the womb, His babies made in His image?” Yes, He did.

Christians must fight for the sanctity of life at all ages! With many Democrats threatening Socialism in America, how long will it be before the government decides how long you can live before you become a burden or inconvenience to society?

The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act didn’t effect abortion; it was designed to protect the life of a baby that survives abortion. But here’s the fear of the liberal left and why they voted against it. If they agree that a baby is a human when it’s born after a botched abortion, it leads back to the argument that a baby is a human when the abortion was attempted in the womb. The Democrats couldn’t take the chance that the public might start thinking of unborn babies as humans, so they can’t recognize that the born infant is a human!

The Democrat’s rationale: If parents wanted assisted killing of their baby in the womb, they should be allowed to also have assisted murder of the baby if the abortion failed, and horror of all horrors, their baby lived!

We need to keep reminding the public that from the moment of conception in the mother’s womb, each baby has a unique genetic code with its own personal DNA and fingerprint. Scientifically, no one can deny that humanity is not determined on a sliding scale of whether you’re wanted or not wanted. The March for Life theme this year was “Unique from Day One!”

[Tweet “The Democrats couldn’t take the chance that the public might start thinking of unborn babies as humans”]

It’s unimaginable that we’ve arrived at a time in a supposedly civilized society where we’ve reverted to barbaric times when babies were drowned or left on a hillside to die if they weren’t wanted. Or like in the days of the worship of Bael, burned alive.

⁴“‘For Israel has forsaken me and turned this valley into a place of wickedness. The people burn incense to foreign gods—idols never before acknowledged by this generation, by their ancestors, or by the kings of Judah. And they have filled this place with the blood of innocent children. ⁵They have built pagan shrines to Baal, and there they burn their sons as sacrifices to Baal. I have never commanded such a horrible deed; it never even crossed my mind to command such a thing!” Jeremiah 19:4-5 NLT

When I visited with my daughter on her birthday, she said that before going to bed the night before, she had read the final Senate ruling on the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. She, like many of us, couldn’t sleep. She kept thinking of all the birthday wishes she would receive celebrating her life, while thousands of newborn babies would never see their first day of life because they were unwanted, an inconvenience.

No celebration of his or her life. No funeral. Their coffin a trash can. Nameless. The abortionist was supposed to murder the baby before it was born. Now they’re live human beings left to die, and maybe even dismembered and body parts sold.

Kim realized she has life because I wanted her and loved her. She has three children that she dearly loves, and her first child was adopted from a teenage mom who didn’t abort but chose to give her baby life and give our family a blessing.

[Tweet “How could a mother who gave birth to her child choose death for that child?”]

It was hard for Kim to reconcile, as it is for any of us mothers, that a woman could give birth and then choose death for her child.

With states like New York passing laws that a baby can be aborted up and through delivery, and now infanticide, the one hope we can cling to is that the public will become outraged and no longer able to ignore the atrocities of abortion.

A civil society doesn’t kill its babies in the womb or in the world.

[Tweet “A civil society doesn’t kill its babies in the womb or in the world.”]

And yet, Abortion is the Leading Cause of Death in 2018 with 41 Million Killed.”

“Globally, just under a quarter of all pregnancies (23 percent) were ended by abortion in 2018, and for every 33 live births, ten infants were aborted. There were more deaths from abortion in 2018 than all deaths from cancer, malaria, HIV/AIDS, smoking, alcohol, and traffic accidents combined.”

Listen to this interview of Ainsley Earhardt with a former abortionist as he describes why he stopped “murdering” other people’s baby boys and girls. You need to hear this. Have a Kleenex ready. Then support the upcoming movie Unplanned in which he plays the part of an abortionist. He’s not an actor, but who knows better how to portray the horror than someone who has experienced it firsthand.

I encourage you also to listen to an interview with Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act’s, chief sponsor.

Listen to a mother who almost aborted her baby until told by Planned Parenthood practitioners that if her baby was delivered alive, they would break it’s neck!

I hope the interviews and the movie trailer keep you up at night too. I hope you’re asking God what He wants you to do about this travesty. I hope you’re not thinking who are you to make a difference. You are a believer, that’s who you are, and that makes all the difference!

I hope you’re championing for life, because anyone of us could be related to a baby who was left on a cold metal table to die and ended up in a trashcan, maybe torn apart.

What to Do With Your Anger Over Evil

Don’t Just Cry, Do Something!

I’m just a baby, without a voice
Life interrupted by another’s choice
My heart was beating…but now it has ceased
And my precious life didn’t end in peace
I cried and I cried…but to no avail
Couldn’t you hear me? Why did you fail?
To give me a chance to sing my own song
I could have dreamed dreams, but now they are gone
I was a baby…but now I’m no more
Life interrupted by a vote on the floor
But I hold no grudge for the wrong that you’ve done
For I’m now in the arms of Jesus, God’s son
With millions of others, who had the same plea
I’m just a baby…please look out for me.

Merissa Lee Kelley
Feb 28, 2019

“Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained
for me were written in your book before one of them came
to be.” Psalm 139:16

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March 4, 2019

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In Today’s Culture, I Might Have Been Aborted

“I wouldn’t have had you if I knew I would be passing on health issues to you!” My mom said to me.

As states are rapid-fire passing abortion laws that allow babies to be aborted for any “health” reason, even up through and after delivery, my mother’s words echo in my mind. I was just a young girl and I tried to frame her words in love. But I wondered then, as I do now, why wouldn’t she want me? Were her words coming from a point of regret or concern about my future? She’s gone now and I never asked.

[Tweet “Ultrasounds have made strides in helping to determine when a heart starts beating as new parent’s excitedly watch the development of their baby in mommy’s tummy.”]

Ultrasounds have made strides in helping to determine when a heart starts beating as new parents excitedly watch the development of their baby in mommy’s tummy. There are so many benefits of ultrasounds, especially in letting hesitant mommy’s know their baby is not just tissue or a fetus, but a kicking, smiling, yawning, sleeping, squirming baby boy or girl.

Ultrasounds and amniocentesis also detect early developmental issues. Often a baby’s life can be saved by intrauterine surgery or detecting that the mommy needs to be on bedrest.

[Tweet “Before ultrasounds detecting problems babies would have a chance at life. Today doctors encourage fearful parents to abort “and try again.””]

But these same tests can detect problems that can’t be treated until the baby is born, or maybe not treatable ever.

Before intrauterine technology, those babies would have a chance at life. Today doctors might encourage fearful parents to “abort and try again.” Even though we read story after story of the doctor and the tests being wrong and a beautiful baby boy or girl surprises everyone. A baby almost killed because he or she might not be perfect.

I would’ve been one of those imperfect babies.

Today’s technology could probably detect that I would have a spine with severe debilitating congenital scoliosis. Doctors might have told my first-time parents that without treatment I would be deformed and why not “get rid of me and try again for a better baby next time.” But my mom was pregnant before ultrasounds. Parents had to anxiously wait until their baby was born to even know if they were having a boy or a girl. So I lived.

But as I grew, my mother continually told me to stand up straight and had me standing for hours with my back against the wall hoping my spine would straighten on its own. But it only got worse until doctors told her if I didn’t have surgery to put a metal rod down my spine or be put in traction and wear a plaster cast from just under my ears to my hip bones until I finished growing, my left arm would eventually drag the ground. There was no way to correct the S-shaped curvature, only stop it from getting any worse and I would endure a lifetime of back pain.

She probably repeated in her mind, “I shouldn’t have had you.”

In Today's Culture, I Could've Been Aborted Because I had a deformed spine

At Christmas with my younger sister. The plaster cast you see around my neck went all the way down to my hip bones. I’m bracing myself with my left hand because I could barely sit up.

Or maybe she would’ve started experiencing many of her “health issues,” and when she became pregnant, she didn’t want to pass them on to me. I would be better off not being born. Aborted.

When I had breast cancer three times after she was gone, had she been alive, she might have said again, “I shouldn’t have had you.”

But praise God . . . she did have me.

[Tweet “God had a plan for me like He has for every one of His creations and none of us are perfect.”]

God had a plan for me like He has for every one of His creations and none of us are perfect.

Mothers often express in delight, “My baby is perfect as they count ten toes and fingers, four limbs, two eyes, two ears, one nose and a mouth, but no one really knows what awaits each of us. And that’s a good thing. If we knew a two-year old was going to get cancer, would we not want to have those two precious years with our child? What about if doctors could predict asthma or allergies? Would those be considered enough “health issues” to abort?

Now that they can detect Down’s Syndrome and cleft palates, should those darling children not have a chance at life? Savagely, doctor’s give parents that choice today.

[Tweet “Every life has a purpose, and while we’d like our life to be pure joy and happiness, we’re all going to have challenges.”]

Every life has a purpose, and while we’d like our life to be pure joy and happiness, we’re all going to have challenges. God’s plan is for all His children to be a part of human history for however long or short our time on earth or how imperfect our bodies or minds.

It’s not our call to play God.

[Tweet “It is not our call to play God.”]

Here’s some ways God has used my less than perfect body.

I had a beautiful baby girl, who could’ve possibly had scoliosis, but she doesn’t. I tried so hard to have her while I struggled with infertility and not once did I ever think, “Maybe God doesn’t want me to have a baby.” I love being a mother.
My daughter has three beautiful children. I love being a grandmother.
I have a godly husband who is devoted to Jesus and to me. I love being a wife.
I had the opportunity to start the Woman to Woman Mentoring Ministry over twenty years ago and only God knows the number of women throughout the world who have been, and continue to be, blessed by mentoring relationships. I love being About His Work.
At the age of 50, I became an author! September 2019 will be the release of my twentieth Christian nonfiction book, all written to the glory of God. I love being an author.
I’ve had the opportunity to speak and encourage women throughout the United States and Canada about how to live a life for Christ. I love speaking and mentoring.

It’s true I’ve had, and continue to have, many health issues, but I’m so glad my mother did choose to give me life.

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.

Psalm 139:13-14

In a recent post Don’t Just Cry About It, Do Something, I said one of the things we can do is put a face to the inhumanity of abortion by telling our stories. I’m sure all of you have a story to tell too of someone, maybe you, who might’ve been aborted today. Share with us your story in the comments and tell someone else today! You might just be saving an unborn life.

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*Opening picture is from the Christian Conservative

February 18, 2019

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10 Ways To Teach Babies, Toddlers, And Young Children Biblical Principles by Lee Ann Mancini

Our guest blogger this week is Lee Ann Mancini whose new book Forever With Jesus released earlier this month. Lee Ann shares my heart for reaching the next generation for Christ, and the earlier we start with our children and grandchildren the better. She offers some great ideas complete with websites of ways to introduce young children to the love of Christ in ways they will understand and appreciate. Enjoy and share with everyone who has children in their life! Also a chance to enter a drawing for a free copy signed by Lee Ann. Just leave a comment. Would make a great birthday, Christmas, or baby shower gift!

10 WAYS TO TEACH BABIES, TODDLERS, AND YOUNG CHILDREN BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES USING TOOLS CHILDREN WILL LOVE!

By Lee Ann Mancini

All of us want our children and grandchildren to grow up to be filled with hope, joy, and love rather than the negativism, despair, and pessimism that is so prevalent in the modern era.

[Tweet “Young children have the ability to develop a sense of confidence, trust, and truth that comes from God.”]

Do your children have a strong foundation in Jesus? Do they exhibit the fruit of the Spirit? Young children have the ability to develop a sense of confidence, trust, and truth that comes from God. They develop this from watching their parents respond to the daily challenges of life.

When I was young, there was a picture of Jesus that hung on the wall of our tiny house. My mother would often pray to Jesus and ask him for help. Although I was just a little girl, I remember watching her and feeling happy because I knew that Jesus would take care of all our needs. I developed this strong confidence in God from seeing my mother live out her faith.

At a young age, my mother placed me in Sunday School. I recall that I adored my Sunday School teacher. Like my mother, she was also a woman of great faith. She expressed the love of Jesus to me through her every action. I could tell she loved me dearly, and that love she had for me solidified my desire at a young age to know Jesus.

[Tweet “10 ways for teaching babies and preschoolers about the love of Jesus”]

Here are 10 ideas for teaching babies and preschoolers about the love of Jesus:

The “Jesus Loves Me” Lullaby Teddy Bear by Gund is an adorable baby gift. By the time your child enters preschool, they will be familiar with the words and excitedly exclaim, “I know this song!” when they hear the teacher play it in class. This happened with my son!
Babies love board books that are filled with colorful pictures and fun pages to touch and feel. All God’s Creatures by Karen Hill is a really good example. It concludes, “Thank you for animals, big and small. Heavenly Father, you made them all!”
Wee Believers https://weebelievers.com offers an adorable stuffed animal lamb that says prayers. BibleToys.com and ThePuppetStore.com also have some great Christian toys for young children.
Breath prayers are wonderful. These are prayers that are short and can be said within one breath. For example, while you are out walking, find a pretty flower to show to your preschooler and say, “Thank you, God, for this beautiful flower!”
Kneel with your child at bedtime and pray with them. Let them see and hear you pray often.
Tell your children how much you love both them and Jesus. I remember telling my kids, “I love you and Jesus so much!” You want your children to learn to say, “I love Mommy, Daddy, and Jesus!” all in the same sentence. As parents, we should never miss an opportunity to help our children build a strong foundation in Christ!
Do arts and crafts projects together that revolve around biblical concepts. You can find a wonderful list of biblical ideas for arts and crafts at http://www.truthforkids.com/crafts-for-bible-lessons.
Throw a Bible-themed birthday party for your kids. Turn their special day into an opportunity to have some godly fun. Make goody bags filled with religious candy and stickers. (Oriental Trading is a good source for these.) Play Christian card games that are educational. ChildrensMinistry.com has a nice list of biblical games for preschoolers ().
Read Bible stories to your kids. There is a plethora of Bibles geared towards young children. Also, read picture books that teach children to pray to Jesus in real life situations. My series, Adventures of the Sea Kids, helps children build a foundation in Christ and learn to love others as Christ loves us. My books are available at.
Most importantly, make sure your children know how much you love Christ. Try to show the love of Christ to everyone you encounter. Remember that your actions speak louder than your words!

Which of the above 10 Ways do you think the young child in your life would enjoy the most?

[Tweet “Lee Ann Mancini has an award-winning series titled, “Adventures of the Sea Kids” that helps children learn how to have a relationship with Jesus,”]

In my mission to help build a strong foundation in Christ for children under seven, I have an award-winning series titled, “Adventures of the Sea Kids” that helps children learn how to have a relationship with Jesus, and how to be like Jesus during difficult situations that children face.

[Tweet “Forever With Jesus by Lee Ann Mancini deals with sin, salvation, and death. Children learn there is nothing to fear about death for those who believe in Jesus!”]

Please visit http://glmpublishing.net/for trailers and more information. Each book has discussion questions, word search, quizzes, and coloring sheets to help parents integrate the biblical principles taught. Also, there is a hidden symbol on each page that the children and parents love to find! Our latest book, Forever With Jesus, deals with sin, salvation, and death. Children learn there is nothing to fear about death for those who believe in Jesus!

We would love to hear about any new ideas or questions you may have!!

It is the responsibility of all adults to help raise the next generation in Christ!

[Tweet “It is the responsibility of all adults to help raise the next generation in Christ!”]

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of Forever with Jesus. If you received this blog by email, leave a comment here.

http://www.leeannmancini.com

Lee Ann Mancini’s series Adventures of the Sea Kids, published by GLM Publishing LLC, has won numerous accolades. Lee Ann Mancini graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies from Regent University, a Masters in Biblical and Theology Studies from Knox Seminary, and a Masters in Christian Studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. In addition to writing Christian children’s books, Lee Ann is currently an adjunct professor at South Florida Bible College and Theological Seminary. Lee Ann also speaks to women groups regarding the redemptive power of the gospel represented though the types of brides of the church.

Lee Ann is married and has two children. She loves to read, jog, and teach the Word of God.

Adventures of the Sea Kids Facebook link

https://twitter.com/GLMPublishing

August 27, 2018

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Caregiving Lessons Aren’t Just for Caregivers by Cheri Swalwell

I have a big favor to ask. Would you take a short quick survey to help my publisher and me with the title of the book I’m currently writing! It won’t take five minutes. Thanks so much. Here’s the link.

This week’s guest blogger is Cheri Swalwell. I know you’ll enjoy her lessons learned from caregiving that we can apply to all areas of our life.
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Caregiving Lessons Aren’t Just for Caregivers by Cheri Swalwell

This past spring, I co-lead my first life group. While we studied the book Caring for the Caregiver, God used the time to teach me multiple truths, which apply to many areas of life, not just caregiving.

I’m Not in Control

One lesson God has been teaching me through the study is “I’m not in control.” So true when providing care for another. While I may be able to control when I offer food, rest, medication, and/or bathroom privileges, I cannot force someone to eat, drink, sleep, use the bathroom, or take medication. I’m not in control of the other person agreeing and following through.

The same is true whether dealing with friends, family, or just strangers on the street. So, you may ask: What can we do when the control is out of our hands?

[Tweet “Pray – before, during, and after every situation we find ourselves.”]

Pray – before, during, and after every situation. When we invite in Jesus before we make any decisions, He takes control. I don’t have to control anything.

Knowing Who You Serve

Another lesson He taught me through caregiving: You must know the person you’re blessed to serve. Study their preferences. Introverted or extroverted? Prefer to spend time alone or crave the company of others? A high or low pain tolerance?

The same principles apply to everyday life. When we’re interacting with loved ones, friends, or strangers, pay attention, listen, and ask questions.

I like to start each day asking God to use me in whatever way He wants. I ask Him to help me slow down and see opportunities where He wants to use me as a blessing.

Approaching life this way, God will provide opportunities for us to bless others. He will give the “wiggle room” in our schedules to take the time to get to know others so our interactions with them are genuine.

[Tweet “We’re here on earth to share about God’s plan with those who don’t know Him and to encourage brothers and sisters in Christ who feel like giving up.”]

We’re here on earth to share God’s plan with those who don’t know Him and to encourage brothers and sisters in Christ who feel like giving up. Best done through relationships. Taking a genuine interest in those God puts in our circles.

Know Your Own Limits

Equally as important as knowing the person you’re called to serve, is staying close enough to God to know your own limits.

This past spring was a busy season for our family. We were dealing with a few serious health crises of family members, emotional burdens of other family members, and added busyness of “end-of-the-school-year activities.” Our oldest graduated from high school, with the added joy of planning his party.

One day, I was attempting to juggle a doctor’s appointment while fielding updates from another family member’s serious illness, while gathering prices at various stores for the party we were planning. While running errands, I looked up when a urinal caught my eye – I had walked into the men’s bathroom!

Two stores later, I “woke up” from my thoughts with enough time to stop from nearly shoplifting three containers of juice. I’d hit my limit. I couldn’t put one more thing in my brain. I shouldn’t make major decisions until I allowed myself time to rest and recover, if only for a few hours.

[Tweet “Fill up with God before you allow yourself to get completely depleted.”]

Know your limits and fill up with God before you get completely depleted. Sometimes, life hits hard and fast and we can’t fill up as fast as we have to pour out. That’s when relying on God’s strength is the best decision we can make.

My recent busyness has included obligations not usually on my plate. Most are good things like celebrations to enjoy and cherish. However, busy is busy and there are still only 24 hours in each day.

[Tweet “Too busy leads to stress. Stress can make a person act differently. Stress can give license to unleash their “crazy.””]

Too busy leads to stress. Stress can make us act differently. Stress can give license to unleash our “crazy.” During the busy, stressful times is when people around us take notice. How will she act in this situation? How will she handle such and such? Especially, if one professes to be a Christ follower.

[Tweet “When we’re at our busiest or when we’re faced with the worst trials, people tend to look the closest and our true character shines through.”]

When we’re at our busiest or when we’re faced with the worst trials, people tend to look the closest and our true character shines through. I had to look in the mirror and decide if I liked the character traits I saw, or if I needed to make some adjustments. More than anything, I want people to see more of Jesus and less of me at all times, but especially in the times of busy.

Busy seasons will always be a part of life. How we prepare ahead of time for them determines how much of Jesus others will see in us during those times. I, for one, want others to see more of Jesus and less of me as I mature and become closer to Jesus’ likeness.

What Characteristics Does Caregiving and Busy Bring Out in You?

I’m Not In Control?

Knowing Who You Serve?

Knowing Your Own Limits?

If you received this blog by email, leave a comment here.

Cheri Swalwell is a Christ follower who thoroughly enjoys her calling to be a wife, mother, and writer, in that order. She enjoys writing regularly for Book Fun Magazine. Her Spoken from the Heart Series is available through Amazon in both eBook and paperback versions. Her book, Hope During Heartache, a compilation of 13 men and women’s stories told from their viewpoint about hope after the loss of a child, is also available at Amazon in both paperback and eBook versions as well as her Bible study, Caring for the Caregiver. To read one of her many articles on life from a Christian perspective, visit her blog. She loves to interact with her readers and would love for you to visit her website or send an email to [email protected] or “like” her on Facebook or interact with her on Twitter, LinkedIN, or Goodreads.

August 13, 2018

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Grandparents Uniting in Prayer on Grandparents’ Day

Today’s guest blogger is my dear friend and fellow author, Lillian Penner, the author of Grandparenting with a Purpose: Effective Ways to Pray for Your Grandchildren and national co-director for Christian Grandparenting Network’s prayer ministry. The 2018 Grandparent’s Day is coming up September 9! Lillian has ideas and suggestions for how your church can participate in promoting and honoring grandparents and grandchildren in your church. Whether or not you’re a grandparent or parent, every church has grandparents and grandchildren. We all need to be in prayer for families and children facing today’s culture.

Grandparents Are Uniting in Prayer on Grandparents Day of Prayer

Grandparents Day of Prayer September 9, 2018

Grandparents’ Day was designated, by a Senate proclamation signed by President Jimmy Carter in 1978, to be observed the second Sunday in September. The mission of Christian Grandparenting Network is to promote effective grandparenting, with the aim of helping our grandchildren to know and follow Christ wholeheartedly. That is why Christian Grandparenting Network is asking grandparents all over the world to join in prayer for their grandchildren and the parents of their grandchildren on, Sunday, September 9 of this year, making it a Grandparents’ Day of Prayer.

[Tweet “The mission of Christian Grandparenting Network is to promote effective grandparenting, with the aim of helping our grandchildren to know and follow Christ wholeheartedly.”]

[Tweet “Christian Grandparenting Network is joining in prayer with grandparents and churches on Sept. 9, for a Grandparents’ Day of Prayer.”]

It’s not easy for our grandchildren to navigate in a world hostile to truth in this post-Christian culture. Satan is relentless in his aggressive attack to desensitize our children to truth and righteousness. The enemy wants to disintegrate and divide our families, rendering them chaotic, restless, and unfruitful. Let’s not let the enemy distract us or dull our desires to pray for our grandchildren and their parents intentionally.

[Tweet “Let’s not let the enemy distract us or dull our desires to pray for our grandchildren and their parents intentionally.”]

We are in a spiritual battle requiring spiritual weapons. Prayer is our best weapon to defeat the enemy. It’s our place as grandparents to get on our knees, humble ourselves, seek God’s face, repent of our sin, and intercede for our nations, our children, and grandchildren. Then having done all, we stand firm in our faith that God has heard and will answer our prayers according to His will.

[Tweet “We are in a spiritual battle requiring spiritual weapons. Prayer is our best weapon to defeat the enemy.”]

“Do not be afraid or discouraged . . . . For the battle is not yours but Gods.” II Chronicles 20:15

Our grandchildren and their parents not only need our support, but they also need our earnest prayers. They need our united prayer for our hopes and dreams for the next generation to be realized. Jesus declared, “Again I say to you, that if two believers on earth agree [that is, are of one mind, in harmony] about anything that they ask [within the will of God], it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in My name [meeting as My followers], I am there among them” (Matt. 18:19-20).

We believe praying grandparents can win the battle for the hearts and minds of our precious grandchildren and their parents. Many years ago, when the Israelites’ lives were threatened physically, Esther stood in the gap for her people. Today, grandparents can stand in the gap for their grandchildren and their parents as their spiritual lives are threatened.

Christian Grandparenting Network (CGN) would like to invite all praying grandparents to come before God’s throne of grace, to obtain mercy and find grace in our time of need for our grandchildren and their parents. In the past, united prayer has always bridged the gap between a great need and a great awakening! We hope that thousands of churches and groups around the world will participate in this intentional day of prayer on behalf of the next generation.

This event could be held in your church, in your home, in a retirement complex, or any meeting location of your choice. CGN will provide step-by-step guidelines, resources, and online tools to help you create a successful event that will engage grandparents in prayer.

You may want to host a prayer breakfast or a luncheon following your morning worship. Or you may want to offer an afternoon tea or evening dessert in your home. Perhaps your minister is willing to address the importance of praying grandparents and set aside a particular prayer time during the worship service. The possibilities are endless. It is imperative; no matter the format, that grandparents gather to pray for their grandchildren.

Larry Fowler, the Founder and Executive Director for Legacy Coalition writes,

The Legacy Coalition is honored to join the Christian Grandparenting Network in promoting Grandparents Day 2018 as a day devoted to praying for grandchildren. We strongly recommend that in our churches and in our homes, we take this day to encourage grandparents to intentionally exercise this powerful spiritual discipline. We commend CGN for their leadership in encouraging grandparents everywhere to participate in the Grandparents’ Day of Prayer, and we will be enthusiastically supporting their efforts.

We’re looking for grandparents who believe in the power of prayer to participate in this event. Will you help us call grandparents to join in prayer on September 9th?

To learn more and indicate participation in the movement, or organize a time of grandparents praying, go to our website, http://www.grandparentsdayofprayer.com. You will see endorsements, testimonials, promotional materials, and free downloads.

For additional information, contact Grandparents’ Day of Prayer, Coordinator, Lillian Penner, at [email protected].

Lillian Penner

Lillian Penner is the author of Grandparenting with a Purpose: Effective Ways to Pray for Your Grandchildren and national co-director for Christian Grandparenting Network’s prayer ministry. An avid blogger, Lillian breaks into smiles if you ask about her 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She and her husband, John, live in Portland, Oregon, where they are active in church ministries.

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July 2, 2018

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Oh Be Careful Little Ears What You Hear!

My granddaughter and her friend picked out the DVD, Jumanji. I’d never heard of it. My mistake was not checking that it was PG 13 and reading the reason for that rating.

When we got home, the girls settled in to watch the movie and I started dinner. Not even fifteen minutes into it, I heard, “What the hxxx” three times and “Daxx.”

The girls were engrossed in the movie, but to their alarm, I walked over and turned it off. I took the opportunity for a teaching moment. I told them why I didn’t want them to watch it:

“We don’t say those words in our home so why would I want to bring them in through the TV. You’re at Vacation Bible School this week, have you heard anyone talking like that there? Do you think Jesus would use those words?”

Their protests were things like:
“We don’t say those words.”

My answer, “Not now, but if you hear them used enough you will, especially if no one tells you they’re wrong. They’ll become normalized to you.

“It’s a good movie.”

My Answer: “It’s just lazy writing and completely unnecessary. No movie is good that relies on bad words.”

They realized I wasn’t going to budge on this and quickly found something else to do. Our children need our guidance, consistency, and mentoring to learn right from wrong.

[Tweet “Our children need our guidance, consistency, and mentoring to learn right from wrong.”]

We see bad language and worse in the media, talk shows, from bullying celebrities, TV, movies . . . people keep moving deeper and darker into vial, foul language because we let them. We pay to go watch movies where our ears, eyes, and minds are repeatedly assaulted. Disgusting profanity has become normal. Samantha Bee moved on to the cxxx word in assailing another woman because other profane words no longer cause a shock or reprimand.

It’s Just a Movie

I’m told that profanity is laced into PG 13 and even PG movies so adults will watch them! Seriously, adults need to hear potty mouth to watch a movie?! Have we sunk so low into a dark culture and society that without filth in a movie, adults won’t watch it?

And who decided that “some” nudity, sex scenes, profanity, and violence was acceptable for teenagers starting at thirteen? Why is the public OK with lowering that bar? Then we wonder why teenagers have potty mouths, sex, and are prone to violent acts!

Some will say, “They had to do that to depict how it really was.” So people really talk dirty when they’re fighting evil or saving the world or voicing an animated movie or in everyday life? Our son is an officer in the Navy and fighting for our country for over twenty years, and he doesn’t find it necessary to curse to save our country or “fit in.” I like to say, “He’s an officer and a gentleman!”

Or they try to rationalize: “Bad language was used to make a good point.”

As I told the girls, no good point ever comes from doing bad and vulgar things.

All attempts to justify viewing, maybe even laughing nervously, vulgar filth are empty rationalizations. Yes, I call it filth. But don’t just listen to me…what does God have to say about it? After all, we’re Christians so shouldn’t we be following God’s Word and His ways in our life and in what we teach our children by example of what we watch and say.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen .Ephesians 4:29

The Bible even goes so far as calling it a sin to listen to vulgar language. A wicked person listens to deceitful lips; a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue. Proverbs 17:4

We can carefully and lovingly teach our children not to sin:

[Tweet “We can carefully and lovingly teach our children not to sin:”]

Now then, my children, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways. Proverbs 8:32

The Ephesians 5:1-14 Test

[Tweet “Run every movie you plan to see through the Ephesians 5:1-14 grid”]

How about running every movie you plan to see through the Ephesians 5:1-14 grid.

¹⁰Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. ¹¹Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. ¹²It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. ¹³

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. ²Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

³Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. ⁴Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. ⁵You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.

⁶Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. ⁷Don’t participate in the things these people do. ⁸For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! ⁹For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.

¹⁰Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. ¹¹Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. ¹²It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. ¹³But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, ¹⁴for the light makes everything visible.”

Is listening or saying profanity “following the example of Christ” (v. 2)?
Does the movie contain “sexual immorality, impurity, or greed? Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes”? According to God: “these are not for you . . . Such sins have no place among God’s people” (verses 3-4).
Are you thinking it’s just a movie and won’t influence my life? Think again—watching is participating: “Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. ⁷Don’t participate in the things these people do” (verses 6-7).

How Does God Speak to Us?

“OMG” has become a slang phrase that you or your children might casually say or text as an exclamation. The only time “Oh my God” is appropriate is in worship and prayer. If it’s become a slang habit in your house, break it now. If you hear other people saying it, you can respond, “God is my Lord and Savior, is He yours too?”

“You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” Exodus 20:7 NIV

Pay attention to what the Bible tells you whether you heard it in Sunday school or Vacation Bible School as a child, or learned later in life as a believer. You will NEVER find a verse that justifies listening to or saying profanity or taking the Lord’s name in vain.

[Tweet “You will NEVER find a Bible verse that justifies listening to or saying profanity or taking the Lord’s name in vain”]

^1-2So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. Romans 12:1-2 The Message

Maybe some of you sang this Bible song as a child. We never outgrow its message. As adults, we probably need to sing it regularly.

[Tweet “As adults, we probably need to sing O Be Careful, Little Eyes what you see and ears what you hear!”]

O Be Careful, Little Eye

O be careful little eyes what you see

There’s a Father up above

And He’s looking down in love

So, be careful little eyes what you see

O be careful little ears what you hear

There’s a Father up above

And He’s looking down in love

So, be careful little ears what you hear

O be careful little hands what you do

There’s a Father up above

And He’s looking down in love

So, be careful little hands what you do

O be careful little feet where you go

There’s a Father up above

And He’s looking down in love

So, be careful little feet where you go

O be careful little mouth what you say

There’s a Father up above

And He’s looking down in love

So, be careful little mouth what you say

Oh be careful little ears what you hear

For the Father up above is looking down with love

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June 11, 2018

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Protect Our Children from Groupthink!

I woke up the morning after the school walkout and wondered,

How did the word about this walkout at a specific time and date spread to children in schools across the nation?

Yes, they’re on social media, but not every kid could be reached that way?

Whose original idea was it?

Who organized it?

Who took it to my grandchildren’s middle school?

Pondering these questions, I made a cup of coffee and opened up the online FOX news page. There was the answer to all my questions. I had missed the Laura Ingraham’s show the previous night where this was the topic of her opening monologue.

Then, it all made sense.

[Tweet “Teenagers don’t have the capability to pull off a national walkout, but politicians and the Women’s March do! They organized the walkout.”]

Teenagers wouldn’t have that capability on their own to pull off such a national event, but politicians and organizations like the Women’s March do! They organized the walkout.

I wonder how many of the boys who participated realized they were being manipulated by liberal women who march in pink hats?

[Tweet “The Women’s March formed Women’s March Youth Empower indoctrinating our children with liberal views.”]

Remember the Women’s March group? Well, they also have an arm called Women’s March Youth Empower and they’re going after our children with their liberal views. Not just girls, which is bad enough, but all children.

You don’t have to look far back in history, or even today, to see other radical groups who indoctrinate the young.

[Tweet “March 14, our children and grandchildren were manipulated by politicians and the Women’s March”]

March 14th, our children and grandchildren were manipulated by a liberal activist group and politicians, who used the kid’s naïvetés and youthful emotion and energy to further their political agenda.

If you look at clips on Laura Ingraham’s report, you’ll see left-wing politicians like Nancy Pelosie and Bernie Sanders speaking, and New York’s liberal Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Chuck Shummer clapping hands, chanting, and high fiving the students in front of the White House. Of course, they all had their armed bodyguards! Local liberal politicians and school administrators and teachers promoted the walkout in their district schools.

This walkout was supposed to be seventeen minutes to honor the seventeen lives lost in the Parkland, FL. tragic school shooting a month ago. But I didn’t hear or see any news clips recognizing these victims. The purpose of the walkout was lost amongst yelling and political rhetoric. Interestingly, no one protested the FBI or local sheriff’s department for ignoring all the obvious clues and warnings of impending tragedy.

[Tweet “The purpose of the walkout was lost amongst yelling and political rhetoric.”]

In many cases, the walkout went on for hours and was more of a political, anti-Trump rally. In California, it even turned violent. How ironic is that . . . a protest to find ways to be safe, results in causing danger!

Walk Up, Not Out

And the walkout wasn’t just in high schools. To my daughter’s surprise, she received a text from my 12-year old, middle school granddaughter Katelyn asking if she should walkout. Mom realized they should have talked about it the night before, but Kim never expected it to touch middle schools. Here’s a transcript of their texts and see below it for the challenge mom gave daughter:

Here was the Walk-Up challenge posted on Facebook by Amy Flynn that mom gave to Katelyn and she refers to in the above text:

On March 14, encourage students to walk up. Walk up to the kid who sits alone at lunch and invite her to sit with you. Walk up to the kid who sits quietly in the corner, smile and say hi. Walk up to the kid who may be disruptive in class and ask him how he’s doing. Walk up to teachers and school staff and say thank you. Walk up to someone who has different views than you and get to know him/her. Walk up to 14 students and 3 teachers and say something kind. Honor the lives of those lost by walking up, not out.#walkupnotout

One of Katelyn’s teachers read this aloud to the whole class!

Katelyn and her friend took the challenge, and they complimented eight kids and two teachers!

The girls had the courage not to follow the crowd and submit to groupthink. They walked up instead of out.

[Tweet “Tucker Carlson “The show that is the sworn enemy of lying, pomposity, smugness, and group think.””]

The theme of Tucker Carlson’s program on FOX news is, “The show that is the sworn enemy of lying, pomposity, smugness, and groupthink.” He often emphasizes, “Especially groupthink!” Ah, that every parent would incorporate this motto into their family values.

Katelyn said most of the kids just hung out with their friends and were looking for a way to get out of class.

Walk With God

Laura Ingraham shared conversations from her radio program where some parochial schools walked into churches to pray for the victims and their families.

Here’s how one group of school kids chose to make a difference in schools and our culture. Click on this link. Watch and be inspired!

http://www.imsoblesseddaily.com/young-boldly-pray-school/

Whether or not you agree with more gun control or kids protesting, who do you think will have the most positive effect on our culture? Kids who, walk out or kids who walk up, in, and with?

“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” Matthew 18:6

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Picture courtesy of Amy Flynn posed on Facebook

March 19, 2018

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10 Ideas for Simplifying Christmas

Jesus is God's Best Gift at Christmas and Ten Ways to Simplify Christmas

We’re now in the countdown days to Christmas and many of you might be in panic mode. I remember those days well. I even remember crying to my husband that I just couldn’t do it as our family continued to grow with our four children’s marriages and grandchildren. I needed his help, but he had a bewildered, “I don’t know what to do?” look in his eyes.

I wanted to enjoy Christmas. I was excited about having a large family and grandchildren. When Dave and I married, I went from having one child to four. That was manageable. When the four got married, we doubled. Still doable. Then the precious grandkids started coming and coming and coming, and I was still trying to do all the things I did when we were a small family!

Added to the mix was leading Woman to Woman Mentoring Ministry, my career, attending seminary for the first few years of our marriage, and writing deadlines!

I was trying too hard to make everything perfect. I was assuming all the responsibility and thinking I could do everything with a family of 21 that I did with a family of two!

As much as I tried to keep my focus on Jesus, the Reason for the Season, I was focusing on:

trying to keep the same number of gifts for all the grandkids,
getting everyone the perfect gifts,
decorating the entire house,
sending everyone I knew a Christmas card,
making amazing Christmas goodies,
hosting Christmas parties,
trying new recipes,
pulling out all the best dishes . . .

You get the picture because you’ve been there . . . maybe you’re there now.

We also had an annual birthday parties for Jesus, and one year 300 people attended in our 1800 square foot home! I tried parceling out some of the work, but you know how that goes when it’s at your house. I loved it. Everyone loved it and still talks about them. But every year I tried to add a new element to the party and come up with even better party favors and different food than I had the year before.

[Tweet “If you’re trying to make every Christmas better than the last, could you be competing with yourself?”]

Looking back, I was competing with myself. Could I top the last party? Could we give the grandkids the best gifts? I worried that we weren’t giving them as many pricey gifts as the other grandparents?!

Then it all came to a screeching halt the year I was diagnosed with breast cancer and started radiation December 17, 2002, two days before our 10^th wedding anniversary. Oh yes, did I forget to mention I also planned our wedding on December 19! It seemed like a great idea the first few years, but then adding in an anniversary getaway or celebration in the middle of Christmas preparations added another activity to my already overbooked schedule.

The unexpected breast cancer diagnosis coincided with a kitchen and living room remodel and all the family “coming home for Christmas.” No kitchen counters or sink because they cut the counter tops wrong. The dishwasher was still in its box in the middle of the kitchen! The new hardwood floors were in, but I had no energy to figure out how to protect them with our traditional live Christmas tree. That year changed everything and actually brought sanity to our Christmas.

Here are some changes I made that “radiation Christmas” that might help you too. Don’t think you have to do all of them, but maybe pick a few that give you more time with Jesus and reduces Christmas stress.

We used decorative paper plates, plastic silverware, and paper cups. Everyone loved how easy cleanup was after a meal. (We put a tablecloth over the dishwasher box and the kids joked that I had always wanted an island in the kitchen.)
We set up a small manger scene instead of putting up a Christmas tree. After that year, we switched to a beautiful artificial Christmas tree, but also added a manger scene to emphasize the real meaning of Christmas. The grandkids decorated the tree. To this day, I let the grandkids decorate the Christmas tree. They do a great job!
First grandchildren usually get many presents. You’re so excited to have a grandchild. As more came, we decided on three presents each like the three Wisemen. But as we hit eleven . . . we had to scale down to one nice present each.
Instead of doing the full birthday party for Jesus, which I wrote about last week and in a blog last year, I ordered online children’s costumes for the Christmas story and had the grandchildren play out the manger scene while I read it from a Children’s Bible. Here’s a YOUTube of a live enactment. Then we kept the Birthday Bag for Jesus under the tree and maintained the tradition of having guests fill out a card with a gift they would give Jesus. On Christmas we have a birthday cake and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus.
5. Scale down your Christmas card list or send by email. I love getting Christmas cards, but noticed we received so many with just a signature, nice but not personal. So I had been writing a poem every year for our Christmas card, but our list seemed to double every year.

[Tweet “As the price of stamps increased and time and energy decreased, I stopped sending Christmas cards. An alternative is to send out a Christmas greeting by email.”]
When we have a dinner party, it’s potluck. When we first moved to Idaho, we had a small dinner for our “neighbors” in the mountains. Then as we met more people, we started inviting neighbors and friends. Soon, I was back to having large groups that didn’t fit into our house! It’s hard to curtail a sanguine. So now we’re back to small, intimate groups.
I mentioned in the blog post Love Your Body: How to Survive Holiday Eating, that I curtailed the baking frenzy. I make something when we’re invited to a party, but now that we’re empty nesters, we don’t need all the goodies sitting around to tempt us.
I still love to decorate the house and have lights. But I don’t feel like I have to bring out every box, every Christmas, and have something in every crook and cranny of our house. Even still, I always get the comments that our house looks Christmassy, warm, and cozy.
Since we now live an hour from town and shopping, we order many gifts online. I say “we” because I include hubby in the shopping. We also wrap presents together, after all, they are for “our” family, and he’s actually a better wrapper than I am. We put something on TV and sit in front of the fireplace by the Christmas tree. Two are definitely better than one!
Start everyday reading a part of the Christmas story or a Christmas devotional. It helps you focus all the day’s activities around the ONLY reason we celebrate Christmas. It reminds us that Jesus doesn’t want us stressed or in a frenzy. He came into the world for one reason, to offer those who believe in Him eternal life, not to add a burden to our life but to lighten our load: “Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

[Tweet “Start everyday reading a part of the Christmas story or a Christmas devotional. It helps you focus all the day’s activities around the ONLY reason we celebrate Christmas.”]

I’d love to hear how you lighten your burdens and simplify Christmas. Please share with us.

I’ll close with a timeless poem I wrote in 2004. You may have read it in previous years, but sit down with a cup of coffee or tea and read it again.

[Tweet “Do you make time to sit with Jesus during the Christmas season?”]

“Time To Sit With You”

CHRISTMAS POEM 2004

Lord, so many things to do,

No time to sit with you.

There’s presents to buy,

And I must bake a pie!

But isn’t it all about Me?

What’s closed your eyes to see.

The purpose of Christmas day,

Isn’t how much you pay?

Lord, each year we hear that said,

Yet, still it comes with dread.

Anticipating all to do,

No time to sit with You!

This is MY day.

Don’t I have a say

In how you spend your time?

Remember, you are chosen…Mine!

But Lord, relatives will soon be here,

And the lawn Santa still needs reindeer!

There is so much to do,

Still no time to sit with You.

Relax and enjoy Me this season,

Let your activities have a reason.

This is My Birthday celebration,

And all I want is your attention.

Oh, Lord, we’ll make it all about You.

Do You think we should have fondue?

We’ll read the Christmas Story,

And give You all the glory.

Sit down and read My Word.

Your craziness is absurd.

Come spend some time with me,

Forget the Christmas tree.

Oh, Lord the cookies are all baked,

I have such a headache.

I know I need to pray,

But I’ve had such a day!

Lives are waiting to be saved.

Did you hear Me when you prayed?

It is certainly no wonder

Your world is all asunder.

No, God, I didn’t hear a word,

I was busy stuffing the bird.

I want to just slow down,

But I feel I’m losing ground.

You’ve made it all about you,

And all your parties too.

My message to the lost,

Overshadowed by homemade cranberry sauce.

Lord, that’s not true,

You know I do love You.

It’s just I feel a call,

To make this the best Christmas of all!

You’re wasting your time.

Do you think you could top Mine?

I had a virgin birth,

As my entrance to earth.

Oh, Lord, I’m beginning to see,

How You want to use me.

Telling Your story to all who will listen,

Is the true Christmas mission.

Spending time with Me,

Is the only way to flee

The world’s strangling control

On your time and very soul.

Oh, Lord, Your music softly plays,

As the candle glow displays,

The beauty of time spent

With our Gift heaven sent.

You’ll go against the flow

Taking time to help a lost soul.

But when the day has come to end,

You’ll have the joy of a new friend.

Oh, Lord, forgive me please.

Help me put down my car keys.

It really is so true,

There’s ALWAYS time to sit with You.

Our prayer for our friends and family is that you focus your life on only those things that will have Kingdom value. It’s the only legacy worth leaving. Merry Christmas, Janet & Dave

If you received this blog by email, please leave a comment here.

December 11, 2017

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