Looking at the calendar, I can see that there is newness in the air as September is near...which means the start of activities, committees and of course, school. My heart panics to think my oldest lil one is going to school full-time this year but we will get through this. I am really enjoying summer and I'm not trying to rush the season. But in my mind, it kinda feels like New Year's. Is anyone with me???
As this new season begins , I want to make sure that we have a solid start to our days as parents, as children, as a couple and as a family.
This is why I am asking you moms who are raising your families for HIS glory, do you have any devotional material you can recommend from your family to mine? I would love to know what you do with your kiddos/family.
Is there any great women's material that has encouraged you? I do love reading http://proverbs31devotions.blogspot.com/. How about for couples? I do love having devotions that compliment the WORD but I just feeling stagnant with what I have.
I am really trying to get prepared so that when our 'new year' starts, our family will be excited for this season, with the right focus as we shine through Him in whatever we do, and wherever we are.
I'd just love to hear your thoughts on how you teach and encourage your family.
12 comments:
To hard to decide.
For my daughter
Gods little princees devotional
My first read and learn Bible Verses
Right now I am doing Beth Moore Jesus Study
A woman after Gods own heart by George
I love the Five langauges of love by Chapman
Moments together for couples by Rainey
I have ot many to type I think but these are some good ones
Great post..
At our place it is a tad crazy in the mornings so devotionals happen at night but in the morning before school they are sent off with a prayer and a reminder to BE A BLESSING....seems to be a good thing for them. The kids each have their own devotional book that they read as they are a bit older.
For myself I really enjoy Starting Your Day Right- Joyce Meyer Devotional and I also watch Joyce Meyer on tv daily(when I am back into routine).
As for me and Conrad we don't have a book that we are working on currently , also looking for one. But a few that we have done is
Sex Begins in the Kitchen - Kevin Leeman and
Divorce Proofing your Marriage - can't remember the author.
If you have any suggestions for couples I am all ears!!
What age are you children? I have a few but it depends on the age?
wow! ...i'm looking forward to checking them out soon!
jmbmommy- my kids are 16 months, 3 1/3 years and 6(first grade)i'd love to hear your ideas too!!!
My children are 1,3,5 -- so really close in age to your children :) One of our favorite resources to use is "Great Bible Adventures" -- They are expensive new but a friend of mine got them on ebay -- a whole set for cheap! Anywhere they are bible stories that come on these cards that you sit on the floor and then the cards are put together to make a small puzzle as you read -- my 3 & 5 year old love them. They are questions with them, etc.
Our favorite Bible for the kids is "My Favorite Bible Storybook for early readers" by Carolyn Larsen -- the kids usually choose one story each and we read it and talk about it. They love it. When we 1st started they resisted -- they would have rather read Dr. Seuss :) But now they ask us to read it all the time. Even my little boy who seems to have an attention issue -- knows the stories and they seem to be on his heart throughout the day.
I am all for good resources but I think more importantly just practicing reading God's Word (through whatever resource) with your kids is important. And teaching them it is about a relationship not just a quick reading time. We pray all through the day -- not just at meals and night time. We pray quick ones, we all lie down on the floor face down and pray longer ones. It is pretty cool when I see my 5 year old going through a touch moment during the day and she ask me "hey mom can you pray for me right now?" or when she sees someone else going through something -- and stops her play to pray! That is way cool!
I personally don't like all the "How to fix your marriage" books. :) I think for the most part they are a big to-do list for husbands and wives and leave us feeling terrible. I have seen more growth in my marriage when we read the Bible either together or separately and books about our personal relationship with Christ and then just get to share with each other what Christ is doing in us. Forever, I tried to choose books that would change my husband but never focused on abiding in Christ. I didn't trust the Spirit to convict and transform--I was looking for a book to do it.
Our latest to both read as far as books go -- Crazy Love, Grace Walk, and the Shack. We both have gotten a TON from them! (He is just starting the Shack). We are both doing a Bible Study through Setting Captives Free too -- mine is on the sin of overeating (lovely, I know) and He is doing one about Glorifying Christ.
Love your heart and your dedication to your family.
Families Where Grace is in Place- it's an awesome quick read for couples/parents...
We like to take our kids through "God is" and "I am" lists-teaching them the character of God and who He makes us...
The Rest of the Gospel: When the Partial Gospel Has Worn You Out-is a life changing book. The "Good News" for believers! The author, David Gregory also writes short little fiction books that are awesome...Dinner with a Perfect Stranger, A Day with a Perfect Stranger, The Next Level.
Lifetime Guarantee-this book is an incredible life changing book as well.
I'll give The Shack a second vote, too!
I've got 5, 3, and 8 months! Pretty close!
Also...I love your new layout!
Right now we're reading the Miraculous Adventures of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo, which is not a Christian book, but is very deep and our older two love it. She also writes a few other excellent books.
Devotionals for the kids, Psalms for Kids By Baden and Big Book of 5 Minute devotions by Pamela Kennedy.
For couples, loved the Five Love Languages, and Nightlights by Dobson.
For me, reading the bible and Women of the Bible by Ann Spangler.
Plus, prayers before bed saying things we are thankful for and what we need help for the day ahead.
growing up i remember my parents had a little container that had photos of people we knew (about 60 photos) and we would go through them and every day choose one and pray for those people. i remember it being super exciting wondering who we would get to pray for that day.
Oh yes, it does feel like a sort of New Year's!!
I can't imagine how bitter sweet it must be that he is going to school full time soon!
Good imagination on how to use the white play dough, too! :)
One thing I've heard of that I'm considering.... reading 5 Psalms and 1 Proverb every day. You go through both books each once.
Psalms deals with our relationship with God.
Proverbs deals with our relationships with others and living right.
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