Good Character

iMOM: ABC's of Good Character

Train a Child

Flipping through my study bible, I came across a wonderful devotion from Proverbs 22:6, "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."

"No parent, regardless of dedication or skill, can control a child's every move.  All individuals are given freedom by God to make choices about how they use their will.  Even if a parent could control a child's behavior, they could not determine the hidden thoughts.  Still parents are given a mandate to exert strong positive influence over their children.  The word train includes a Hebrew connotation of "dedicate."  Parents are to throw themselves wholeheartedly into the task of raising their children.  Parents can't fix or control everything and every situation involving their children.  But the general principle holds true:  parents are responsible to shape their children's wills and to direct their children in God's ways so they will know the truth and be equipped to make wise choices throughout life." 

~Women of Faith Study Bible

Dart Prayers

Here are 3 small prayers to pray over your children this week!

Give____a wise and discerning heart so that he can distinguish between right and wrong.
~1 Kings 3:9, 12

Guide____'s heart away from complaining and arguing.
~Philippians 2:14

May____ love you Lord with all his/her heart.
~Deuteronomy 6:5 

See the "Little Dart Prayers" tab at the top for more!

iMOM - Tools and Resources - 16 Inspirational Quotes

iMOM - Tools and Resources - 16 Inspirational Quotes

Thriving Family Magazine

This is my new magazine that I just love! It is right up my alley with parenting and marriage. I ordered it through Focus on the Family and it is awesome!! Here's the link if you are interested in subscribing....

http://family.christianbook.com/thriving-family/pd/0TFUSA6?item_code=WW&netp_id=649976&event=HPT&view=details

Little Teaching Tools

I found some more great books for bible lessons with the kids! I chose The Ten Commandments, but check out your local Dollar General for more! For just a dollar, you get a real powerful teaching tool.

A Praying Heart

I have found comfort in these prayers over my son. Maybe you might in a similar situation with your children...

Give Richie a wise and discerning heart so that he can distinguish between right and wrong.
~1 Kings 3:9, 12

Set guard over Richie's mouth; keep watch over the door of his lips. Do not let his heart be drawn to what is wrong. Keep him from those who delight in making bad choices.
~Psalms 141:3-4

Guide Richie's heart away from complaining and arguing.
~Philippians 2:14

May the words of his mouth and the actions of his heart be pleasing in your sight.
~Psalms 19:4

Help Richie to pay close attention to your words with an obedient heart.
~Proverbs 4:20

Direct Richie to obey his parents and his teacher for this is right.
~Ephesians 6:1

Manners Matter

It is important to me to teach my children manners! This week we are discovering Psalms 19:4 "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight O Lord." Saying things like yes mam, please, thank you, your welcome, may I and excuse me are words I pray they keep in their vocabulary. Being aware of how they speak is definitely a lesson in manners.

A Parents Checklist

Hugged my child and told him, "I love you and so does God."
Luke 15:20

Prayed specifically for my child

Listened carefully when my child wanted to talk
Matthew 18:5

Read to my child
Proverbs 4:1-4

Discussed God with my child
Deut 4:9-10

Exhibited patience with my child
1 Corin 13:4

Expected obedience from my child
1 Tim 3:4

Sang or listened to music with my child
Psalm 8:2

Spoke about his daddy/mommy with love and respect
Col 3:18-19

Did not expect behavior beyond his age capabilities
1 Corin 13:11

Punished his disobedience with appropriate measures
Jeremiah 17:10

Helped my child learn something new about Jesus
Luke 2:52

Encourage my child to do something for someone else
Gal 6:10

Protected my child from evil and harmful influences
1 Corin 13:6-7

Challenged and helped my child to do something
1 Thess 5:14

Did not punish my child when I was angry
Psalm 103:8-14

Exhibited good manners for my child to model
Matt 7:9-12

Commended my child for Christ-like quality
Gal 5:22-23

Read the bible to my child
2 Tim 3:15

Prayed with my child
Matt 18:19-20

Modeled attributes I want my child to emulate
1 Corin 4:16

Laughed with, not at my child
Romans 12:15

Thanked my child for something he did
1 Thess 5:18

Gave my child some responsibility
Titus 3:14

Did not talk negatively in his presence
Proverbs 12:18

Praised and thanked my child more than I criticized him
Proverbs 16:24

Asked my child's forgiveness when I was wrong
James 4:6

Forgave my child immediately
2 Corin 2:7-8

Encouraged my child to trust God
Proverbs 3:5-6

Did not make a promise that I cannot keep
Ecc 5:5

~BSF INTERNATIONAL

Ginger Plowman

One of my favorite authors is Ginger Plowman. I have read 2 of her books and fell in love with Don't Make Me Count To Three. This book centers around heart oriented discipline. I would love to tell you more, but you have got to read it and see for yourself!

If you are interested in reading her book and decide you love it just as much as I did, she offers a little cheat sheet called Wise Words for Moms. It is AWESOME! This is one method I have adopted in full confidence.

Here is a link to all three of her items. I highly suggest them all.

http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/easy_find?Ntk=author&Ntt=Ginger+Plowman&action=Search&N=0&Ne=0&event=ESRCN&nav_search=1&cms=1&Go.x=18&Go.y=18

Becoming A Prayer Warrior

Being a Prayer Warrior in our daily thoughts as a mother:

Folding socks~Pray for their steps in life.
Folding clothes~Pray they are clothed in God's armor
Packing lunches~Pray for them to be fed in God's word
Passing bedrooms~Pray they make time for God
Putting away shoes~Pray they follow God's path
Leaving for school~Pray for wisdom and knowledge
Using band-aides~Pray the seek God to heal and restore

Daily Prayer Calendar

Here is a link to a daily prayer calendar for your children. There is nothing more peaceful than knowing we have our children covered in prayer.

http://broomfieldumc.org/clientimages/35460/pictures/prayforchildren.pdf

Secret Keeper Girl

Hanna and I ventured through an amazing book together called Secret Keeper Girl by Dannah Gresh. It creates 8 great dates with your daughter while teaching true beauty and modesty. We loved this study so much, we are doing it again this summer! If you have a daughter, this is a must!!

http://www.secretkeepergirl.com/




"The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."~1 Samuel 16:7

Praying Power Tool

Praying The Scriptures For Your Children by Jodie Berndt

This book guides you in powerful prayer over your children through scripture!

Praying The Scriptures For Your Children~Link