Melissa Taylor, Proverbs 31 Ministries

My thoughts tell me to give up.
God's Word tells me to be committed. Matthew 5:33-37

My thoughts tell me “I need it now!”
God's Word tells me to exercise self-control. Galatians 5:23

My thoughts tell me I deserve to come first, be selfish.
God's Word tells me to have humility and put others first. Philippians 2:3-4

My thoughts tell me to get mad and hold a grudge.
God's Word says forgive as many times as it takes. Matthew 18:21-22

My thoughts tell me to seek revenge.
God's Word tells me to be a peacemaker. Romans 12:18-19

My thoughts tell me take all the credit.
God's Word tells me to glorify Jesus Christ. John 17:5

My thoughts tell me I need to look good on the outside and no one will notice the ugly inside. God's Word tells me to be pure on the inside and the outside won't even matter. Proverbs 31:30

My thoughts tell me I'm ugly.
God's Word tells me I'm wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14

My thoughts tell me I'm all alone and no one understands me.
God's Word tells me He will never leave me and He knows the plans He has for me. Deuteronomy 31:6, Jeremiah 29:11

My thoughts tell me that I'm just not good enough.
God's Word tells me that I'm His gift to the world and that I was created in His image. Psalm 127:3, Genesis 1:26

The Secret Connection

Here is one fun way to stay connected to your children.  This idea was past along to me and the kids and I came up with our own way of extending the idea that we just can't seem to stop!

Purchase a journal the two of you keep together.  Start the first page by listing the rules.  The kids and I set 2 rules...you can ask anything and everything is kept a secret.  They ask a question, I come back and answer it.  I ask a question, they come back and answer it.  Before you know it, you have months and even years of journals the 2 of you have shared.  Believe me, there are ALL types of curious questions!

My favorite thing about the journals is not not having a particular time you write in them.  The two of you just keep checking it periodically, writing back and forth.  Each one of my kids found a special place to keep their journals (which is funny they are not hidden).  If I happen to walk past their room, while they are out playing, I simply check it, read it, answer and ask.  And they do the same when I'm not looking.

I think you will find this to be a cool connection with your kids to add to all the others you have.  And the most fascinating thing is the years of growth you will find in your children when you look back on all the years you wrote together.

Manner Magic

I started posting manner cards on the kitchen table once a week as a reminder to the kids to keep up the practice. Things like.....knock before you enter a room, do not interrupt adults while talking, wash your hands before dinner, and so on. This week they are to "say hello and smile when greeting our guests." We also get a chance to talk about it at dinner.

I like focusing on all areas, not just table manners!!

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

7 Days A Week

To make bible reading fun, purchase a weekly medicine box. In each slot, place a short scripture. During your devotion time with your children, have them open the day of the week and read the scripture. This makes a great family devotion while sharing the word of God with your children!

I found the boxes at the Dollar General. Its work sitting down each week and replacing new scriptures, so save the old ones to use again!

Depending on the age of your children, you can also just add the verses.  During their quiet time, they can look up scriptures each day. This might also be a good opportunity for them to start a journal and relate scripture to their lives.

Here are a few that I have used in the past~

James 1:19-20
Father, help us to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. Remind us that our anger does not bring about the righteous life you desire.

Colossians 3:8-9
Lord, guide us to rid ourselves of any anger, rage malice, slander or any language that does not lift each other up.

Psalm 19:14
May the words of our mouth and the meditation of our hearts always be pleasing in your sight towards each other at all times.

Hebrews 12:14-15
Father, help us to make every effort to live in peace with each other becoming holy through your word. May no bitter root grow between us to cause trouble not only in this relationship but also others within our family.

Hebrews 12:2-3
Lord, may we fix our eyes upon you, the author and perfecter of our faith. May we keep our hearts in your word so we do not grow weary or lose heart.

Isaiah 55:11
Heavenly Father, keep the words from our mouth returning empty. May we accomplish what you desire and may we achieve the purpose for which you have sent them.

James 3:17-18
Lord Jesus, may the wisdom we receive from you be pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Help us to sow in peace and raise a harvest of righteousness.

James 1:22-25
Dear Jesus, show us your word so that we may listen and do what it says. Remind us that when we read your word and walk in your path, we will be blessed in relationships.

James 3:9
Lord, with our hearts we worship you; with our mouth we praise your glorious name. With our hearts and mouth we have created bitterness and resentment. May we honor you with our hearts and our mouths in how we treat one another.

James 1:2-4
Thank you Lord for blessing us with hardship. Through this we will develop perseverance which will guide us to be mature and complete in our spirit and relationship not lacking anything.

2 Chronicles 7:14
Help us Lord to humble ourselves and pray, seeking your face. Help us to turn from anger and bitterness and resentment of any kind. Bring us healing.

Psalm 19:12
Lord forgive our hidden faults. Help us to forgive each other.

Matthew 18:21
Father, just as you forgive us each time, may we forgive each other.

Matthew 18:3-4
Bring us to our feet before you Lord. May we continue to humble ourselves and our hearts. Change our hearts and our ways. May we surrender all to you and become as innocent and loving as a child.

Proverbs 14:10
Lord, you know what rests in our hearts as well as we know ourselves. Remind us that bitterness and anger steals our joy and it is not of your spirit.

Proverbs 17:22
Father, keep our hearts from drying up with bitterness and anger. May our hearts become cheerful and happy from the medicine of your joy and peace.

Proverbs 16:23
May we gain wisdom from you who leads us to wise words and instruction towards one another.

Matthew 6:14
Remind us that when we forgive others you also will forgive us. As we come to you daily Lord, help us to confess to you anything that is not of you in our hearts towards others.

Ephesians 4:32
Help us to always be kind and compassionate to one another always forgiving just as you do.

Psalm 4:4
May we search our hearts daily giving to you all that is in our own will. Lord keep our hearts from anger.

Jeremiah 29:11
Lord you know the plans you have for us. We call upon you and seek you in prayer to heal our hearts and protect our hearts from weakness.

Philippians 13:3-4
Father guide us to press forward forgiving what is behind and straining forward to win the prize of healing and new beginnings.

Ephesians 5:21
Lord may we submit to each other our reverence for you.

Philippians 4:8
Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, may our hearts think these things towards each other. If it is not excellent or praiseworthy, may we give them to you and seek forgiveness.

Proverbs 17:17
A friendship loves at all times.

(Please forgive me if I have incorrect verses)

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

A Mirror and An Expo Marker

Purchase a colorful packet of expo markers and write encouraging words or scriptures on the bathroom mirror for the whole family to enjoy!

Daily Devotions for Kids

I was looking for a daily email devotion for my daughter now that she has her own email address. I came across a site I thought looked interesting. I signed up to receive the emails for a few weeks to see what they are like before I add her to the list. Looking through some of their archives, they seem pretty good and pretty easy for her to understand. I want to start seeing her study God's word on her own some and I thought this would be a great way to start. (It also makes great forwards to her friends)!

I thought it would make a good sit down devotion at breakfast before school too if your kids are not yet at email stage. They are little short stories and ask great questions for kids to think about.

Check it out: http://cbhministries.org/kfk/home.php

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.