It's Called Parenting!


A lady that was in the same store as me and my daughter had been listening to my 3yr old daughter sing Jesus Loves Me, sing her ABC's and talk to others around us while we shopped. Come to find out she was a Kindergarten teacher and she was amazed my daughter knew her ABC's among many other things she could sing several songs, quote the fruits of the spirit, tell Bible stories and tell someone about Jesus. She thought this was some extraordinary child and gifted and told me she will go far.

It was sad.....you might be saying "Why would that be sad?" Well, it is sad because all it is, is simply PARENTING!!!! Spending time with your child, teaching them the Bible and things they need to learn. Constantly talking with them and letting them help in the house, etc. However in today's society it is not so popular to really raise your children. Send them to daycare.....send them off to preschool to let someone else teach them what you YOURSELF could teach them in those young and moldable years.

Why is the average mother not doing her role? Why have a child in the first place if you were not going to raise them yourself? It mind boggles me all the time when I hear comments about my daughter being gifted.......when in reality, she is a normal 3yr old who has her parents loving her and teaching her and constantly praising her. Children NEED praise. Children NEED enthusiasm. One thing I always want my daughter to have is enthusiasm. It is one of the greatest gifts you can give your child. They have interest in life......and others simply by enthusiasm.

Instill in your daughters (by your example).....the role in which they were made for. Show them the value of what God has made them to be. Don't let the world and all its ideals, be the motivating factor in your daughter's life! Train them at home........teach them what the Bible says! Guard your children from outward influences which would be harmful......get rid of your TV!

I went home to visit my family and just being there for 12 days.......I saw enough on TV to reaffirm me not having one, going on 9 years now. I thought to myself "well it is a cartoon channel, so what could be so bad, right?" Then I saw the commercials and some of the cartoons had horrid things in them! How could this be?? Do parents leave their children to sit and watch this day in and out? WHO IS MOLDING YOUR CHILD'S BRAIN?????? Hollywood?? Is everything you put in front of your child what you want them to learn and mimic? If not, then THROW it out! ; )

We occasionally let my daughter watch a cartoon that we have screened on our computer, most are Bible DVDs and learning tools. My daughter mostly does puzzles, plays instructional computer games (yes she can use a computer very well), and loves learning and playing. Children's minds are impressionable and we must filter what is put before them, things we can control.

God has given you children and entrusts them to your care. Don't disappoint him.......train them up in the way they should go!! It's YOUR job, not anyone else's.........

Proverbs 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Discipline

Just what is discipline?

Discipline - training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character; control gained by enforcing obedience or order; orderly or prescribed conduct or pattern of behavior; SELF CONTROL

I also looked up the definition of self control and it is defined as restraint exercised over one's own impulses, emotions, or desires! That is exactly what I need......some restraint exercised!! Also in my daily life with home things and cleaning and cooking, etc. Even spiritual.......we all need more discipline and self control somewhere in our lives. Or maybe I'm talking to an elite group of readers who are the epitome of discipline and self control.

Discipline makes your flesh do what it doesn't want to do and restrains your flesh from doing things that would cause undesirable consequences.

It is biblical as well! How about these verses, do they not display the discipline and self control quality?

Romans 6:19

I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

Romans 8:13

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Romans 13:14

But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

2 Cor 7:1

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

You can see the words that I put in bold describe things that we must do. All through scripture we find that it doesn't stop at salvation......we must CONTINUE to walk in God and practice discipline to keep our flesh under control. It doesn't just happen.......you have to follow God's word. Notice the bold words that we must do, these are action words:

yield
mortify
put ye on
make not provision
let us cleanse

There are MANY more scriptures but I just shared the first few that I found. If you truly are a Christian and love God, you will continue to walk in the Spirit, practice self control and discipline in your life and do those things outlined in the Bible that God has COMMANDED for us to do as his children. His commandments are not grievous to the Christian.

1 John 5:3

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

A Man's Needs

Below is a list from men around the country that either spoke or sent the comments in to Dr. Laura. They are great and every married woman should strive to meet her husband's needs! We are selfish when we constantly think about our needs and our feelings and forget that MEN have feelings and needs too and in reality.......if you meet his needs, yours will be met in return. ; )

A Man's Needs

  • A man needs to feel strong and needed as a protector for women - basically, to conquer the beast and rescue the fair maiden.
  • What every man wants is for his woman to make him feel that he is strong and the head of the household. I am not talking caveman-style, dragging the woman around by her hair, but just as the leader of the family.
  • A man wants respect, kindness, and love from his woman.
  • A man wants to be put on a pedestal, not so that he can look down on everyone, but to show him that he is the most important thing to his woman.
  • A man needs his woman to show him that she needs his strength to help her through life.
  • The man should be the major breadwinner in the family. Every man needs a battle or war to win to prove to himself that he is strong and capable of conquering any and all dragons that life throws his way. Taking care of his family by working and providing are his battles.
  • A man needs enthusiastic approval, appreciation, and respect from his wife for being a competent man, husband, and father.
  • A man needs his wife to show some interest in his interests, especially when it's an activity she may not "get" or like. Just being there is important.
  • A man needs his wife to greet him after work with love and enthusiasm.
  • A man needs his wife to care about the day he's had.
  • A man needs to know that his wife is sexually satisfied by him.
  • A man needs his wife's encouragement in order to be a man.

These are all tried and tested! They work....he WILL treat you like a queen if you start treating him like a man and let him be the leader of the home.

Our Words; Conclusion

I hope you all enjoyed the study, here is the last part and this will finish it up!

The Power Of Words To Hurt And To Heal

Have you ever heard the expression: "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." Is this really true? Of course words will not break your bones or hurt you in a physical way, but can words really harm and hurt a person? Let’s see what the book of Proverbs says.

What damage can words do according to Proverbs 11:9? ______________________________________

According to Proverbs 11:11? ____________________

Do you think you would be hurt if someone pierced you with a sword? _______ Can the wrong kind of words hurt a person (Proverbs 12:18)? _______ (It’s possible for a person to speak daggers!)

According to Proverbs 16:27, in the lips of the ungodly man there is as a _______________________ (scorching) fire. A fire brings destruction everywhere it goes (think of a forest fire). So also the words of the ungodly bring destruction and ruin wherever they go!

Who is the person who has destruction and comes to ruin (Proverbs 13:3)? __________________________

What causes a fool to be destroyed and trapped (Proverbs 18:7)? _______________________________________

Not only can words harm and hurt, but they can also help and heal.


The tongue of the wise is _______________ (healing)
Proverbs 12:18
A wholesome tongue is a ___________ of______
Proverbs 15:4, and this tree brings forth good and healthy fruit!


Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, ________________ to the soul, and
_________________ to the bones.
Proverbs 16:24

As honey is to the taste, so good words are to the ears and to the soul!


The lips of the righteous ______________ many.
Proverbs 10:21

The lips of the unrighteous constantly bring forth GARBAGE, and who would want to feed on garbage? But the words that come forth from righteous lips are healthy and wholesome and good for the soul!

Can you think of any time in your life when you have been helped and strengthened by someone’s words? Have you ever been encouraged or cheered up by someone’s words? Have the words of concerned people ever kept you out of trouble?

How can a person keep his life according to Proverbs 13:3? _____________________________________

How can a person keep his soul from troubles (Proverbs 21:23)? __________________________________

Every believer needs to guard his mouth. It is like the gates of a city. If the gates are well guarded, the city is safe!

What should the believer’s prayer be (Psalm141:3)? ___________________________________________

What is another good prayer that the believer can pray (Psalm 19:14)? ________________________________________________

Words are very powerful, whether for good or for evil. May God help us to use the powerful weapon of words for Him!


Take my voice, and let me sing

Always, only for my King.
Take my lips, and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.

~ FRANCIS RIDLEY HAVERGAL

Wrong and Wicked Words; Part 5

Slanderous Words

A person who slanders is one who makes false charges or false statements (or half-true statements) about another person, and these statements are meant to do harm! See Proverbs 16:28.

Did Joseph and Potiphar enjoy a good friendship (Genesis 39:1-6)?________

Did a slanderous woman ruin this relationship (Genesis 39:7-20)? ______

May we be careful to never accuse someone falsely. Would you want someone to attack you with words? If not, then don’t do this to others (see Matthew 7:12)!

Excessive Words

There is a real danger in the use of too many words:

In the ______________________ of words there wanteth (lacketh) not ______but he that refraineth his lips is__________

(Proverbs 10:19).

The wise man learns to S________________ his words (Proverbs 17:27). The wise man learns to close his mouth (see Proverbs 17:28). HE IS A FOOL, NOT WHO HAS UNWISE THOUGHTS, BUT WHO UTTERS THEM. If you close your mouth they might think you are a fool but if you open your mouth you prove it!

Before we answer with our mouth we should ___________ with our ears (Proverbs 18:13)!

In James 1:19 we are told to be _________ (quick) to hear, ____________ to speak. God has given each person two ears and only one mouth. This seems to indicate that God wants us to do more listening than talking! It is very easy to interrupt someone and answer someone before we have really listened and thought carefully about something. Better to be a fool than to be a person who is ___________________ in his words (Proverbs 29:20). Some people are quick to open their mouth and let it all spill out (like when you turn over a garbage can!). How much better to close the mouth and guard very carefully that which comes out!

When it comes to talk, a good rule to follow is this: WEIGH IT BEFORE YOU SAY IT! (Think before you speak!) If after weighing your words, you determine that what you are about to say is true, kind, necessary and helpful, then say it. Remember, once the words go forth, you can never bring them back!

Next - Conclusion of Our Words; "Our Words". Hope you enjoyed it and learned something about words, I sure did!

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Wrong and Wicked Words; Part 4

Boastful Words

Boasting is telling how great someone is. There is nothing wrong with boasting in and of itself. For example, we can boast in the Lord and tell how great He is! The problem comes when we use words to praise ourselves and tell others how great we are! This is sinful pride!

Some very helpful advice about boasting is found in Proverbs 27:2

Let another man _______thee, and not thine own _____________.

Praise is a beautiful garment, but though you may wear it, ANOTHER MUST PUT IT ON! Here is an example from the New Testament. Humble John the Baptist called himself "UNWORTHY" (Matthew 3:11) but Jesus called him the "GREATEST" (Matthew 11:11). John wore the garment of greatness, but he did not put this garment on himself. The Lord Jesus put this garment on him!

Flattering Words

What is better and more needful, rebuke or flattery (Proverbs 28:23)? _____________

The person who flatters always says nice things. He says things that a person wants to hear and he is unwilling to say things that a person needs to hear. He would rather speak smooth things than rough things (he does not want to cause any waves or create any problems). Often a flatterer praises another person too much (and often the praise is untrue or exaggerated).

Suppose you had cancer. What do you think the doctor should say?

You are in excellent physical condition. Everything seems fine.
You have a deadly cancer growing in you that must be removed immediately!

The nice things and the pleasant things are not always the things we need to hear! In His Word God always tells us what we need to hear even if it is not what we would want to hear. A good friend is someone who tells us what we need to hear even though the truth sometimes hurts.

Next - Part 5 Wrong and Wicked Words; on Slanderous and Excessive Words.

ABC's of Being a Helpmeet

A - Admit when you are wrong
B - Be positive
C - Cuddle
D - Do it his way
E - Encourage him
F - Fix his breakfast
G - Give back rubs
H - Hug often
I - "I love you" should be said many times daily
J - Joke around in a playful manner
K - Know his needs
L - Listen to him
M - Manage your home well
N - Never hold grudges
O - Open your eyes in the morning and smile
P - Pray for him
Q - Quit nagging him
R - Reminisce about good times
S - Show respect and honor
T - Trust, and earn his trust
U - Understand his need for reverence
V - Vulnerability is a feminine trait; cultivate it
W - Wink at him
X - X is for private times
Y - Yearn to please him
Z - Zealously guard him with your love

This list was sent to me, by my friend Shannon. Author is unknown.

Wrong and Wicked Words; Part 3

Today's interactive Bible study is going to be on Gossip! This is one area, where women especially, will need help on and prayer for. I started a study on Gossip a few posts ago and you can find it here:

http://christianhomekeeper.blogspot.com/2007/08/gossip-study.html

Before we start this study, I think it should be added a very valuable truth. If you pray a guard about your mouth daily, with the Lord's help you can keep your tongue in control! Not only will you not be guilty of the SIN of gossip, but your house will be cleaner and more organized, simply because you won't have much to gad around town about! What a concept.......mind your own business and do your work. (1 Thess 4:11)

Gossipy Words

Gossip is a terrible weapon of destruction. The person who uses this weapon loves to reveal very personal or sensational facts about a person (and of course this person is never present when the gossiper spreads these rumors). The gossiper loves to do anything except mind his own business!

According to Proverbs 11:13, a talebearer _________________ secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit ______________________ the matter.

There are some things that we are told or that we know about that are not meant to be repeated. There are some things that if said would only hurt and harm. Have you ever heard someone say to you,

Don’t tell anyone that I said this...?

If it is not worth repeating then it is probably not worth saying in the first place! In spreading gossip, sometimes the gossiper pretends that it is with great reluctance that he speaks--that he is

grieved to even repeat this, but...!

If he were really grieved, then he would keep his mouth shut!

Are there some things that we should not repeat (Proverbs17:9)?__________

Have you ever bitten someone in the back (see Proverbs 25:23)? Of course when the Bible speaks of a "backbiter" it does not mean this in a literal sense. It means that you talk about a person in a bad way when his (or her) back is turned (when the person is not present). Would the backbiter dare say those things if the person were present? _______

Can words of gossip hurt someone (Proverbs 26:22)?________ In this case a wound is inflicted even though no blood is drawn and no outward hurt is seen.

There is a simple way to kill gossip. Gossip can never survive unless there is someone to listen to it. The problem is that most people enjoy hearing the latest rumor and they eagerly devour the latest gossip. They are as guilty as the one who gossips.

Here’s a suggestion the next time someone begins to share gossip with you. You can say,

My friend, let’s go to this person that you are talking about and let’s share this with him (her), and then after we share it all three of us can get down on our knees and pray about it!

Do you think this person would make it a habit to share gossip with you?

We must be careful never to gossip and never to receive gossip from others. Don’t give it out and don’t take it in!

Next - Part 4 Wrong and Wicked Words; includes Boastful and Flattering words.

Wrong and WIcked Words; Part 2

This is the continuation in our interactive Bible study.

Perverse (Filthy) Words

The person who is P_________ in his lips is described as a _________ (Proverbs 19:1).

What kind of words flow out of your mouth? corrupt words? improper words? swear words? rotten words? Do you swear and use filthy language in public? in private? Do you copy the language of your unsaved friends or are you a testimony to them by the words which you use and which you do not use?

In the New Testament God tells us that no C________________ (Ephesians 4:29) or F_______________ (Colossians 3:8) communication should come out of the believer’s mouth! Don’t let the garbage and filth fly all over the place! Remember, our language reveals our heart! Filthy words come out of a filthy heart. Have you ever allowed God to do a "heart-cleansing" job within you (compare Isaiah 1:18 and 1 John 1:7)?

Harsh and Angry Words

Have you ever seen a person EXPLODE like a volcano in a fit of anger? When the human volcano blows, it usually explodes through the mouth! Usually the angrier the person gets the louder the words get and the louder the words get the angrier the person gets!

Have you ever heard an argument get louder and louder until the two people begin talking with their fists?

A __________ answer turneth away ______________

(Proverbs 15:1).

Next time try using the weapon of soft words! Soft words quench anger’s fire! Have you ever tried the soft answer approach when talking to your parents (especially during those times when there is a difference of opinion over something)? Loud, angry words only stir up wrath.

Next - Part 3 of Wrong and Wicked Words, which is Gossip.

Wrong and Wicked Words; Part 1

Words are important. How much can you say in a three-minute phone call? Much can be said! In three short minutes slow talkers can get in about 450 words. It is possible to whiz through 750 words in three minutes. How many words do you think come out of your mouth during an average day? _____________________

Words are powerful. Words can create close friendships or destroy friendships. They can prompt laughter or motivate tears. Words can hurt and harm and words can heal and help. Let us now consider how words can be used in the wrong way.

False Words

What does the Lord think of a lying tongue (Proverbs 6:16-17; 12:22)? ________________________________________________

This sin caused Ananias and Sapphira to be hurried away into eternity (Acts 5:1-10).

Who is the liar’s parent (John 8:44)? ______________________

Will the liar be punished (Proverbs 19:5,9)? How will he be punished (Revelation 21:8)? __________________________________________________________

Those who love lies are showing that they do not love the God of truth. If liars will turn to Christ they too can be saved. The Lord Jesus Christ came into the world to save _______________, including liars (1 Timothy 1:15).

Are you a practicing liar today or are you a former liar who is now saved______________

Liars and deceivers hide the truth, twist the truth, misrepresent the truth and lead others away from the truth. How truthful are you?
What always came out of the Saviour’s mouth (John 8:45-46)? _____________________


Next - Part 2 of Wrong and Wicked Words

Our Words; Introduction

This is the start of an interactive Bible study. The information provided is free to print but should not be taken over as ownership or changed. It is provided by a group who wishes to help others and edify the body of believers, and is free to distrubute.

That which comes out of the mouth is an expression of what is really in the heart. In Matthew 12:34 the Lord Jesus clearly stated that it is not really a MOUTH PROBLEM, but it is a HEART PROBLEM:
for out of the abundance of the _____________ the _____________ speaketh.

See also Matthew 12:35.
Words are like FRUIT ("the fruit of our lips"). If the fruit is bad, something must be wrong with the root (MAN’S HEART). Remember, when wrong or filthy words flow out of a person's mouth, he is showing everyone a picture of his heart. The words that a person speaks reveal much about the state of that person’s heart.
The book of James has a great deal to say about the tongue and especially how important it is to "bridle" that little member (James 1:26; 3:1-12). A bridle is used to control a horse and hold him back and keep him in check. A man’s tongue is like a wild horse that must be controlled and held in check and restrained. We must not let it run loose! God is the One who can help us control the tongue as we trust Him and seek to please Him in all that we say.
Like James, the book of Proverbs is a very practical book and has much to say about the use and abuse of the tongue. The first thing we want to do is to look at some of the wrong and sinful ways that words are used.

Next - Part 1, Wrong and Wicked Words