Field Day Dawning

It was perfect weather for Field Day.  Slightly overcast, but sunny and warm.  The threat of a shower was in the air, but never really developed into anything except a refreshing sprinkle near the end of the day. My mind, however, wasn’t on the weather.

Epoxy for the Heart

My preteen and I just returned from a Mom/Daughter Conference in Katy, TX.  The one-day event was titled You and Your Girl featuring Author/Speaker Vicky Courtney from Virtuous Reality, a ministry dedicated to promoting and preserving the virtue of teen and young girls.  Although my own girl was initially apprehensive about a weekend of lectures and intentional bonding, she was won over by a hotel slumber party with her friends and the opportunity to meet Singer/Songwriter Lindsay Kane.  It turned out to be a great weekend of fun, fashion, and forming foundations!

Vicky Courtney spoke on such topics as Guarding Your Heart, Putting the Brakes on the Rush to Grow Up, and The Top Three Lies About Beauty. 

Closer than You Think

After a decade in this house, I still ponder the intent of that half-circle pane at the apex of our bedroom window.  Structurally, it serves no purpose; it must have been created for purely aesthetic value.  These are the things I ruminate while attempting to fall asleep at night.

The Closing Door

As I finished rebuking my pre-teen, again, for the harsh way she used her words with her little sister, I turned to leave the bathroom.  I had no sooner stepped outside the threshold when I heard the door shut behind me . . . a little too hard.  SLAM!  “That’s it!” I thought to myself as I spun around on my heel.

“But Mom, I didn’t mean to shut it that hard!” were her defensive pleas as I dished out the corresponding consequence for her defiant behavior.  “You don’t understand!”

She claims she didn’t intend to slam the door; and, however naively, I believe she’s telling the truth as she sees it.  But what I responded to was not how hard she closed the door; it was the fact she closed the door at all.  The bathroom door was simply an outward expression for the door I sensed she was closing in her heart.  As she marched away, God convicted me as well.  I thought to myself, “Oh honey, I understand alright.  I understand all too well.”

Trust . . . in Word or in Deed? (Part 2)

This week, as we continue to look at the basic elements of developing our “trust” in God, I’d like to summarize what I have found in my own search for answers. If you are just joining us, you may want to read my previous post which introduced the question, “How do you trust God, practically speaking?” In other words, how do you develop a trust in God in an area of your life where none exists?

When I want answers that stand the test of time and circumstance as well as surpass the wisdom of men, I turn to the only place that has proven itself as reliable: Scripture. A simple word search on Biblegateway.com was all it took to reveal several pertinent pieces of information. Let’s look at them together.

Trust . . . In Word or In Deed?

Recently someone posed a question to me that I’ve found rather difficult to answer.  Given the astute nature and the sharp intellect of my readers, I thought I’d share this brain-teaser with you.  So, strap on your theological/philosophical thinking caps, limber up your typing fingers, and let’s see where this takes us.

When faced with a troubling issue or circumstance, it is not uncommon as a Christian to receive advice encouraging a greater “faith in God.”  But, practically speaking, it is not as simple as it seems.  “Faith”, or to more simply put it, “trust” is one of those intangible concepts that is evident in it’s results, maybe even definable in it’s necessity, but how do you put words to it’s invocation?  To create trust where trust does not exist is a perplexing practice.  Which bring us to our question: How do you “trust God,” practically speaking?  How do you instruct someone in the art of “growing your faith?”

The Battlefield

Would you rather have an expensive gift you didn’t deserve or a medal of honor you earned?

Truthfully, I don’t know how I’d answer this question.  But I think it’s one, in the Christian life, we all need to ask and answer.  Let’s get back to that in a minute…

A Firm Foundation

I’m trying a new parenting tool, of my own making, on my guinea pigs . . . I mean, kids.

Actually, I have combined a few existing ideas to make something new.  Let me explain.  A friend of mine carries a list of godly character traits in her Bible.  She desires to see this traits manifested in her children, so she prays over the list on a regular basis.  Additionally, another friend of mine rewards her children’s positive efforts in a unique way.  She has a glass vase for each one and places a stone inside each time her children show remarkable growth or effort.  Once the vase is full, that child receives a special honor or privilege of some kind as a blessing.

I am taking both of these ideas, combining their purpose, and (hopefully) magnifying their impact.