NOT Walking in FEAR about your Children & Life!

Psalm 91:11 (NLV) - For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.

Psalm 118:6 (GNT) - The Lord is with me, I will not be afraid…

Job 3:25 (AMP) - For the thing which I greatly fear comes upon me, and that of which I am afraid befalls me.

As a believer, it is great to walk in and KNOW the promises that God has stored up for us. Often, before knowing some of these promises, I was living in fear, doubt and unbelief without even knowing it. Now as a parent, I can see where it is crucial to STAY in a spirit of FAITH and not fear. To PRAY prayers out of FAITH, based on the Promises in the Word and not pray prayers out of FEAR! Faith is from God. Fear is from Satan. John 10:10 reminds us that the enemy wants to kill, steal and destroy, but GOD has brought us LIFE and brought it abundantly! The enemy, Satan, wants me to live in, think about and meditate on fear based thoughts. BUT, when I am walking and living in fear, I am walking and living according how SATAN would have me live, NOT based upon how GOD wants me to live.

Let me give you a few examples… this morning, as I was journaling, I felt led to thank God. This was my prayer.

Bless Tyler today. Show him favor in all he puts his hands too. Thank you that he walks in divine health every day of his life AND I thank you for the angels that surround him wherever he goes!! EVERY DAY! 

I was praying a prayer based out of FAITH because the WORD has given me specific PROMISES that I can cling to and hold on to. As I was praying for Tyler, I envisioned literally an entourage of angels surrounding him as he goes out and about, as he drives in his car. The thing is, an entourage of angels lines exactly up with the WORD OF GOD! As it says in Psalm 91:11, "For He (God) will order, His angels to protect you wherever you go." In THANKING God, I am but putting HIS Word to work. I am putting Him in remembrance of His Word, a promise that has already been given to me as a believer. THAT PROMISE IS FOR ME! PROTECTION is a promise for ME and MY FAMILY!

Often, the life of Job causes many people to walk in a life of fear. They look at the story of Job, how his family, home, business and health was all stripped from him. Unfortunately, they miss the part about Job LIVING in FEAR. Job sacrificed offerings daily, out of FEAR for his family.

Today, AS A BELIEVER, someone who has the Word of God, the Bible, which we can go back to again and again to reference…. I CAN KNOW God's Promises and I can stand on them for my life and the life of my family! I can pray prayers based upon the WORD, out of FAITH because it is the WORD OF GOD. It is a PROMISE for me!

No fear for my children. I'm not immune to Satan wanting to PLANT seeds of fear in my head. I'm not immune to Satan trying to tell me something is wrong with Timothy while I lay in bed. Granted, don't get me wrong, it is good to check on your kids. But, as I lay there, I need to first check myself. Am I being led of God or led of Satan. Am I walking in faith or fear? My first response is to take every thought captive and under the obedience of Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 10:5). If the enemy is trying to get me into fear, my job as a believer is to STAY IN FAITH and stay OUT OF FEAR. I may even say out loud, "I refuse to fear. My kids are covered under the blood of Jesus. According to Ps 91:11, angels are protecting my children because that is a PROMISE God has given me. My kids are fine. I take every thought captive. Fear you must GO in Jesus Name! I refuse to walk in fear!" 

Once I have taken thoughts captive, then I determine whether I am going to check on my kids…. I may fall asleep peacefully, or I may go cover them up and make sure they are warm. Whatever it is, I'm taking faith-based actions, and not taking rushed and hurried actions because the enemy is planting fear in me about my children's safety. I heard my pastor say before, when the enemy tries to get him in fear, he'll often "cook an egg." If you think about it, fear almost always causes you to panic, rush and hurry. "Cooking an egg" tells the enemy, "NO! I WILL NOT FEAR and I WILL NOT RUSH. I'm going to just take my time! I'm not in a hurry. I choose to walk in faith. All is well."

I encourage you today, if there is something in your life that the enemy continues to try and use against you, whether it is safety for yourself, children, husband, maybe it is finances, health, whatever it is, FIND A PROMISE IN THE WORD on that issue! Find a Promise that you can USE against the enemy when he tries to get you in fear over the situation. The enemy is smart, and he WILL try and use fear against you. He is here to kill, steal and destroy. Do not let him steal your peace and joy by causing you be in fear. SHOOT BULLETS BACK at him of the WORD OF GOD! Those are sure to stop him in his tracks!


PS. Psalm 91:11 and Psalm 118:6 are BOTH two of the memory verses that Tyler Jr (age 4) and Trinity (age 2) know and can recite. If they say they are afraid, I want them to KNOW that we do not need to be afraid! FEAR has NO place in our home because THE LORD IS WITH US, WE WILL NOT BE AFRAID! And we have BIG ANGELS TO PROTECT US WHEREVER WE GO! There are not monsters in their closets, there are ANGELS in their room protecting them! 

Repenting for Not Loving.

1 Corinthians 13:1-3,11 - Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

Wow! Let's just say it was a morning for a good spiritual spanking. Have you ever gotten one of those? What conviction I received as I read this morning, all started from a book I'm finishing up. The topic of the section I was reading was "love."

The author gave the analogy of dirty pipe. In one side of the pipe, an ABUNDANCE of water was gushing in. On the other side of the pipe, only a small trickle of dirty water was coming out. The water gushing in represented the glory of the Lord. The pipe, represented "our" spirit. The trickle of water coming out of the pipe represented the presence of the Lord after going through us. The Glory of the Lord in its fullness, came out of the pipe in such minimal proportions, that it would create a dirty, yucky pond at best. Why? Because of all the dirt in the pipe. All of the sin, unforgiveness, lack of love that was in the found in "our spirits." What this was doing? It was LIMITING the Blessing of the Lord to show up in our lives, in any and all areas. 

I hesitantly allowed myself to begin to reflect. Were there any people that I held unforgiveness or bitterness towards? I allowed my mind to run through possibilities. What about love? Was there anyone who I had not shown love to? I immediately had a few people come to mind. They were people that I chose not to associate with. Why? Because they were completely different than me. Different political view, different spiritual view, different personality, different everything! Ok.... I'm airing my dirty laundry here, so put down your stones for a minute. So here this person is, I have had the opportunity to show love to, and I have not. Not even once. Instead, I put on judgmental glasses, in my heart felt more disgust towards them than anything. It makes me sad to just say that "out loud." All because they are different than me? And, of all people, the Lord reminded me as I received my spiritual spanking, 

"Amy, as it stands, _______________, is currently on the path to hell. So is her husband and children, unless people step in with love. Amy, you did nothing but in your heart condemn her because she is not like you, because her beliefs are different. Amy, I desire you to see people with MY eyes, through eyes of love. Judgement is not for you to do. One day, based upon people's decision, judgement will come, and if you have LOVED them, hopefully they will be judged as righteous, and enter into the Kingdom of heaven."

My lack of love, was not getting this person anywhere closer to coming into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. After receiving what I needed to receive, other than being thankful that I listened, I immediately had to repent. What a skewed focus I have had on people, all because of differences. My love or lack of love, may be the ONLY thing some people see that may ever draw them to the saving grace of Jesus Christ. If I look through the eyes of love, I would see people who need Jesus. Not only them, but THEIR CHILDREN!

I am repenting for NOT LOVING. It should be my UTMOST desire to show and share the love of Jesus, because the lives of FAMILIES depend on it. I think of 3 year olds and 2 year olds, newborn babies. Based upon how their parents believe is going to be how these kids are raised for the next 18 years. If the parents KNOW Jesus, the kids will grow up in a Christ-Centered home. If the parents DO NOT KNOW Jesus, these kids will grow up in a World-Centered home vs Christ-Centered home.

I need to show love.

Lord, forgive me! Forgive me for not loving! Forgive me for being judgmental. Lord, forgive me for being selfish! I will do my best to show love from now on. Lord please quicken inside me if I revert back. Please remind me, when I'm around those who are different than I am, remind me to show love. Remind me to be attentive. Allow me to hear your Voice in how to minister to them. Whether it just be listening to them, asking them questions about their life, offering to help them in some way. Lord help me to love. Help me to show Your Love to people who desperately need it. Help me to love people the way YOU want them to be loved!! Lord please CHANGE ME!!! Change ME, so that I can encompass love, so that I can show love. Please help me not to get caught up with acting like those I am around. I don't desire to be like others, Lord I desire to be like You!!! Father thank you that according to 1 John 1:9, you forgive me! Thank you for forgiving me! It is my desire to do better! It is my desire to show love! I love you Father! I praise you! And THANK YOU for loving me! Thank you for correcting me! Thank you for steering me back on course. I love you!

#245 - You Want Kids? God WANTS You to have Kids Too!

Malachi 2:15-16a - And did not God make [you and your wife] one [flesh]? Did not One make you and preserve your spirit alive? And why [did God make you two] one? Because He sought a godly offspring [from your union]. Therefore take heed to yourselves, and let no one deal treacherously and be faithless to the wife of his youth. For the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I hate divorce and marital separation....

Proverbs 31:28 - Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied); and her husband boasts of and praises her... 

I always thought Christians are the people who should have lots of children. My logic? Logical, of course! Why not the Christians? Christians having multiple children who will grow up to make an impact on this world for Christ. Christians, especially the ones who really "live the life", raise their kids up knowing about Jesus, teach godly principles... those people should have lots of kids. Our world NEEDS them! Our world needs bold believers! So... though my thoughts seemed logical... I never really had scripture to back up just "WHY" Christians should have kids! And, WAAA-LAAAA, wouldn't you know it! Here it is in black and white in the Bible! And did not God make you and your wife one flesh? And WHY did God make you one? Because He sought to have a godly offspring from your union. 


God brought YOU & your spouse together so you could have godly offspring! It is HIS desire for you to be fruitful and multiply!


A few years ago I met a couple, they were so nice (still are nice!). Well, as I got to know the wife better,  I found out how good she was with kids. But in conversation she said concretely, "Oh no, we can't have kids. The doctors told us we can't." She was pretty sold on what the doctors said. I could tell she wanted kids, and would make a great mother if she had them. She and her husband were Christians and loved Jesus. At some point I gave her the book, "Supernatural Childbirth." It listed out sooooo many of the women in the Bible who had challenges getting pregnant, but how God blessed them with children! I would anticipate, those women in the Bible, Sarah, Rachel, & many of the other women... if they would see today's doctors, I'm sure they too, would have been told, "No, you can not get pregnant." Jesus is seed of Abraham & Sarah. Jesus is in that lineage. If Sarah hadn't have gotten pregnant, if our Saviour had not come.... where would we all be?

To this day, I do not know if my friend even read the book... but wouldn't you know it, the Doctors said, "You CAN NOT have children." But in 2011 she gave birth to a baby boy! :) Praise the Lord!!! :) When doctors said, "It CAN'T be done!" God said, "NOTHING is impossible to those who believe! NOTHING is impossible with Me!"

The Word says God is no respecter of persons, if God can do it for Sarah & Abraham at 90 years old, He can SURELY do it for you!!!

#244 - Train Them Up!

Proverbs 22:6 - Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 31:27 - She looks well to how things go in her household and the bread of idleness (gossip, discontent, and self-pity) she will not eat.

How are you training up your children? Now that Tyler & I are parents, these verses take on a whole new meaning. Train up your child. 

I was "saved" at a young age, according to my parents. I grew up in a Christian home. Like many young people, I definitely had my stage of rebellion. For several years I "left" my so-called Christian upbringing to experience "life." The parties, the relationships, the language.... for a period of time, my life was one that definitely mirrored the world. At the time, there was way to much fun to be had in the world and church did not fit into my new life.

Praise the Lord for a praying mom! Can anybody relate. During the party years of my life, my mom just prayed. She stood on Proverbs 22:6. She stood on the promise that she raised me in a Christian home, she believed God would be faithful to His promise and I would come back to my Christian faith and beliefs. Praise the Lord, I did. In November 1996, I came back and this time it was for good.

Train your child.

It is amazing to watch a 2 year old and the learning curve! Right now Tyler Junior is like a sponge. He is soaking in everything! He is learning things so fast! It may be a new word, a new facial expression, a new skill like putting a puzzle piece in the right spot, but NEW, NEW, NEW! Every day he is learning something new! As I reflect on Proverbs 22:6, I am reminded of my responsibility to Train him up! It is MY responsibility to give him a Christian foundation. It is MY responsibility to teach him the Word. Teach him reverence for God. Teach him how to APPLY the Word to his life. It is MY responsibility through my actions to let him see God through me. So far... as a 2 year old a few of the things he's learned is:

• Prayer. We pray before meals and before bed. We pray for family and friends, and it is often Tyler Junior that reminds us to pray. He even specifically says who he wants to pray for. The amazing thing most recently was a time we were praying for daddy. Tyler had a 2:00 appointment with a very important, potential account. He had asked me to pray for him. Well, the day got busy. 2:00 came and 2:00 went. Around 2:12, Tyler Junior (age 2!) said to me, "Mommy, Pray Daddy?" I was shocked! Tyler Jr was not around when Tyler had asked for me to pray for him! We weren't too late! So, at 2:12, we prayed for daddy! We prayed for divine favor in his appointment. We prayed for success and wisdom. Later we found out that the secretary who scheduled the appointment had been let go, and probably right around 2:12, the CEO or COO that Tyler was meeting with was trying to cancel the appointment. (Tyler had driven a few hours, someone had also driven from Charlotte, and someone had driven from Atlanta... so on Tyler's side, much time had been put into this appt and this man was wanting to cancel it!) Well..... Tyler Junior reminded me to pray. The outcome? The man changed his mind. He agreed to meet with Tyler and his associates that came. The meeting was a success! The CEO/COO was happy with what they discussed. They even agreed to schedule a follow-up meeting to go to the next step. PRAYER! FAVOR! Tyler Junior is learning the power of prayer and may not even fully realize it. 
• Applying the Word. As a 2 year old, it has been an often experience that Tyler Jr has gotten hurt. According to the Word, it says in Mark 16:18, Lay hands on the sick and they shall recover! So, when Tyler Junior has a "hurt." He puts his hand on it and says, "Healed!" It's been cute, he saw a freckle on my leg the other day and laid his hand on it and said, "Healed. Healed Mommy!" :) 

He's learning a lot of other things too.... but those are just a few things. 

Train up your child. In the amplified, it even states to train them up in their individual gifting or bent. So literally, feeding their talents. If they are good at music, feeding that. Putting them in activities where that gift can grow. If they are good in drama, helping that gift grow. If they are good in sports, helping that gift grow. But literally, as we are training them, steering them towards their giftings. 

So... how are you doing? How is your training going? 

• Verbally? Are you training them up in the Word? Are they learning the Word and how to apply it?
• Actions? What do your actions say to your children? Do they reflect the Word? 
• Time? Do your children learn from you by the TIME you spend in the Word? With your Father?
• Example? Do you choose to be a house of prayer? Praying before meal? At bed time? Throughout the day? For friends, family, business associates?
• Conversation? Is conversation that your children hear edifying? Does it build up? Encourage them and others? Are there seeds of gossip? 

We see the Proverbs 31 woman, as always is leading by example. She is looking to her household. I would anticipate, teaching & educating her children would be included in that verse. She is also watching what she says. Making sure not to allow herself to take part in idle things such as gossip or tearing down others. Through her words, actions, deeds, she is leading her children by example. She is training them up in what to do by what she is doing and what she is not doing. 

We are growing up the next generation of Christians. Our 2 years olds, 5 year olds, 10 year old.... they will be the next group of Government leaders, entrepreneurs, pastors, business men and women. We have a great responsibility to Train Them Up in the WORD! They will be leading our country one day and by how we train them, we are setting a precedent to how they will lead our country! 

Lets train them up well!

#234 - Gifts

Proverbs 22:6 - Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 31:25b - ...she rejoices over the future [the latter day or time to come, knowing that she and her family are in readiness for it]!

Have you ever just looked at your child and thought, "Wow, they would be great at ________when they grow up!" As they develop you begin to see some of their natural giftings towards art or music, sports, interacting with people, making friends, making people laugh, being organized, being funny, being helpful, being good with animals, and the list could go on!

Here in Proverbs 22 verse 6, the amplified version gives us parents a bit more instruction and direction in "training up our children." Not just what we typically think of from the Proverbs as it relates to discipline, but also in steering our children in their giftings. What are they truly good at? As a parent, to me, this is talking about beginning the process of steering Tyler Junior towards where he is shows some natural gifts. Being that he is not even 2 yet, we will continue to introduce him to activities and new things, but as a parent, you begin to see some natural leanings pretty early on. For example.... Tyler Junior is a HAM! He most definitely a people person. Everywhere we go, he is interacting with people, making others laugh, smile, talk to him. He has a way of drawing people to him. Yesterday, we met Tyler for lunch, and as ladies were leaving the restaurant, Tyler Junior was saying directly to them, "Bye bye. Bye!" And then he proceeded to blow them kisses. These three women stopped, talked to us for about 5 minutes, commented on his pretty eyes, and Tyler Jr just "carried on a conversation" with them the best a 22 month old can! That is everyday and everywhere!

His natural bent? His natural gifting? So far, it is something with people. He lights up when he is around people. He loves making friends. As a parent, it's my responsibility to steer him towards his natural giftings. I know a lot of times parents may have a tendency to want to steer their children towards their own unaccomplished goals or dreams. It may or may not be a "natural gifting" of the child, but the parent has regrets for never fulfilling that dream, so they steer their child in that direction. We'd love Tyler Junior to pursue Track & Field when he gets older.... but, we will need to be cautious that we are not just trying to push him to fulfill some of our dreams if it is not his natural, individual gift.  A politician? Maybe! I could definitely see that in Tyler Juniors future.

Check out the Proverbs 31 woman in verse 25. She is rejoicing over the future. She knows that her family, all her children are ready for it. As she has raised them, she has most likely found gifts, talents and abilities that each of them possess. One child's gifts & talents is most likely different from the next child's gifts. As she recognizes her children's talents, she is able to point them out and begin to encourage them in that area. Then each child is not wanting maybe the older brother or sisters gift, because they know they possess a gift that is unique to them. Here would be some examples and ways that we will try to encourage our children (& future children) as we begin to see gifts they possess.

• "Wow Tyler, you make friends so easily! You are so good with people! You may just be the President of the United States one day. Maybe you'll be a politician. Your love for Jesus and ability to be so good with people, our country could really use someone like you. I'm so proud of you."
• "Trinity, you are such an amazing athlete. You are so good at so many sports. You could go on to be an amazing coach one day, or you could go to the Olympics! You are such a great little athlete! I'm so impressed Trin!"
• "Timothy - wow! Your ability to play music is amazing! Your ability to just pick up an instrument and play is such an awesome talent! Your knowledge and desire to learn is also amazing. Tyler Jr could really use someone like you to help him in politics! You two could be an amazing duo!"
• "Taylor. Wow! You have such an amazing talent at dance & art. You are so funny and easy going! What an amazing spirit and gift you have! I can totally see you helping little girls dance, and find joy, and find Jesus!" 

Finding ways to encourage and steer our children is important. The Proverbs 31 mother knows that her children are ready for their future! They have developed their gifts. They KNOW their gifts. As they get older, they are not like the "aimless wandering" high school and college students that don't know what they want to do. The children of this Proverbs 31 mother KNOW their gifts and talents, so their calling is more evident. A light has been shined on their calling and their gifts.

Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it.

I encourage you today.... find an area you can encourage your child. What is their gift? What is their natural talent? Can you speak into their life in that area? Can you encourage them with their gift? If you do, when they are old, they will not depart from it! Train them. Teach them. Encourage them. What a world this would be if ALL CHRISTIANS were actually walking in their calling and not just what would pay the bills! Begin today. Encourage your child in their gifts! :)

#187 - Excel Them All!

Good morning! It's so good to be back! I'm enjoying my screened in back porch, the breeze, the sounds of birds & the aroma of hydrangea's & gardenia's. Wow. They smell amazing! I have finally started to get my sense of smell back. Being pregnant, for about the last 4 weeks my hormones have been a bit off and I haven't really been able to smell. Don't get me wrong, that was nice when it came to changing a dirty diaper.... but unfortunate for Junior, he would probably run around a little longer with it because I couldn't smell that it was dirty. Anyways.... smell is good! Something that I definitely realized I took for granted.

We had an amazing vacation and enjoyed a lot of time in the water and in the sun! Tyler Junior has been a little fishy for the last 9-10 days, and he definitely has a cute little tan (despite the fact that he had spf 60 on all week!) I'm excited to get back into the word with you, and today seems like a perfect day. The 31st. It really allows us to dive into the whole chapter of Proverbs 31, who this woman really is, and discovering our role in it all. Let's jump in.

Proverbs 31:1 - THE WORDS of Lemuel king of Massa, which his mother taught him...

Proverbs 31:30 - Charm and grace are deceptive, and beauty is vain [because it is not lasting], but a woman who reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord, she shall be praised!

Proverbs 9:10 - The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning (the chief and choice part) of Wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight and understanding.

Proverbs 31:27 - She looks well to how things go in her household, and the bread of idleness (gossip, discontent, and self-pity) she will not eat. 

I believe as women, when we read Proverbs 31:10-31 and we begin to understand a little bit of the depth of this godly woman, our first instinct is to want to work on ourselves. As we read down through the verses, we want to work on becoming all we can be, striving to mirror the attributes of this Proverbs 31 woman, this Ultimate Woman. I think that is the first and most obvious take away as we read this chapter. One that may not be quite as obvious is one that takes us back up to verse one in Proverbs 31. Who is the speaker & who is directing these thoughts & descriptions of this woman? It is a mother speaking to her son. The obligation of a mother to share with her son what he should be looking for in a woman, ultimately his wife. King Lemuel here has taken heed the advice of his mother, he has obviously recalled it because he is able to recount it, so his mother must have made it a priority to teach & re-teach the godly characteristics that he should be looking for in his wife. The message here to us? The obvious, work on ourselves and becoming this godly Proverbs 31 woman. Secondly and often not practiced as much, teaching who this woman is to our sons. Teaching who this woman is to our daughters. Taking the time, as we raise up godly little warriors in our boys, to teach them what exactly they are looking for in their mate. Sure, it may be 20-25 years before they will really be applying the things they have learned, or looking for these qualities, but as with King Lemuel being able to easily recount what is mother had taught him, repetition in who "she" is will allow our sons to one day marry a strong partner, a godly woman, a woman who does "excel them all" (Proverbs 31:29).

Who is she? She is a woman who fears the Lord, respects the Lord, worships the Lord. As we look at Proverbs 31:30, we can see that, but more importantly, we can go back to Proverbs 9:10 and see the significance of it! Reverent & worshipful fear of the Lord is the BEGINNING of Wisdom! The chief part of Wisdom! This reverent & worshipful fear of the Lord leads our Proverbs 31 woman to gain Wisdom. To gain the most important attribute that essentially leads to almost all other things, decisions & outcomes. The fact that she has attained Wisdom, allows us to know in her daily dealings with purchasing real estate, working with people, planting a vineyard, whatever she is doing on that day she is proceeding with Wisdom. Wisdom attained by fearing/respecting the Lord.

I remember hearing a quote that is pretty powerful by Eleanor Roosevelt, one that I'm sure our Proverbs 31 woman also abides by, it says: "Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, small minds discuss people." Proverbs 31:27 tells us that this Ultimate Woman does not take part in gossip, in talking about other people. She does not take part in idle chatter, but steers clear of it. She does not even allow herself to wallow in self-pity or discontentment. She straps on her boots & just "gets over it!" Surely she addresses situations that need addressed, but self-pity is not something that she allows herself to take part of. She changes her situation. By Wisdom, she allows herself to be directed to make the necessary changes so that self-pity & discontentment does not have to be a part of her life. She is led & directed by Wisdom. The outcome? A life that she loves. A life that she can enjoy. A life that she can "taste & see" that it is good (Proverbs 31:18)!

Wherever you are at today, take an evaluation. Are you a mother? Are you single female? Single male? Father? Single women, married women, take the time to daily work at becoming this woman. Take the time to seek out and attain the reverent fear & respect of the Lord so all your dealings can be done in Wisdom. Take the time to work on becoming this Proverbs 31 woman, not just for success but to be an example. If you have children or plan to, one day your son will be looking to you for an example in what he wants or does not want in his wife. Mothers, it's never to early or to late to begin teaching your sons & daughters who this Proverbs 31 woman is. What a son should one day look for in his wife, and what a daughter should aspire to duplicate. Fathers, you're not off the hook. You can equally teach your sons  what they should be looking for in a wife and teach your daughters the values in striving to become all God has called her to be. Like the Proverbs 31 woman, aspire to excel them all! With Wisdom ALL things are possible. With God, ALL things are possible! Today, begin to teach your children the qualities of a godly young man or a godly young woman. It's never to late to teach them the godly way to excel!

_________________________

Vacation Pictures 

What fun!

#25 - "Yes Mam" - "No Sir"

Good morning! It is a beautiful morning here in SC. Enjoying my 2nd cup of coffee.... had my "first breakfast".... or "mini breakfast" already, some applesauce. Will probably have some cereal in a little bit. So, this morning... I'm just reminded of the fact that, "I don't have to figure it out." I was going back and forth with the Holy Spirit on some things, specifically which direction to go, what verses to focus on this morning.... and I partly was feeling a sense of "pressure". Sometimes I don't "feel like" going the direction that the Holy Spirit wants to go. I may think that direction is "boring" or that everyone already knows "that". So, as I was reading and meditating.... I just didn't feel a leading one way... yes I saw many options of how we could go this morning. But I just didn't feel strongly about which way to go. And, it was just a little pressure or the word "manufacturing" comes to mind. I never want to "manufacture" anything, my desire is that each morning, these devotions are Holy Spirit led. So... what did the Holy Spirit say.... can we say "Booo-Yah!" to me! He said, "So Amy, whose are these devotions anyways? Are they yours or Mine?" Yah..... booo-yah! He sure does have a way of letting Himself be known. So yes..... what did I say? (*Tail between legs) "They are Yours." - "Ok then, let me determine the direction. I can promise, My Word is not and will not be boring. I have aligned it specifically for the people who need to hear it. So though the topic may seem like something you have known for a long time, their are people who need to hear it." Alrighty then.... enough said. We are going with the topic of the Holy Spirit not topic from Amy!! And that is the way I like to keep it! 

Proverbs 29:15,17 - The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left undisciplined brings his mother to shame. Correct your son, and he will give you rest; yes, he will give delight to your heart.

Proverbs 31:27a - She looks well to how things go in her household...

Well, you are talking to a girl who grew up getting her fair share of spankings! "Whippin's" as they would say in the south. I guess in the south they also call them "Beatin's". "Girl, did you get a beatin?!" Well, I got some "beatin's" growing up! My parents were not afraid to get out the belt and show me who was boss if I did not behave. I was a very, very stubborn child growing up. I left MANY scars on my sisters.... especially my older sister, Angie. She still has a pretty big one on her leg from me scratching her. She was on the piano, and I wanted to play it.... since she wouldn't get off, I was going to MAKE HER get off! Blood, crying & probably a spanking later..... she did get off the piano, but I'm sure I didn't get to play it. 


Just because we are in the 21st century, does not mean we have to cave to how the "world" handles discipline now adays. Over and over the Bible talks about spanking your child. Aside from the scriptures listed above you can see many places in Proverbs that talks about disciplining your children... Proverbs 19:18 - ...discipline your son while their is still hope. Proverbs 13:24 - He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines diligently and punishes him early. Proverbs 22:6 - Train up a child in the way they should go and when they are old they will not depart from it. And the list goes on... rod of discipline, rod of discipline, rod of discipline. So in other words, "Mom, Dad, pull out the belt, get out the spoon, go cut down a switch and SPANK that child!" 


I am not a fan of the "Time-Out" aspect of discipline. It just seems like today's "New-Age" way of disciplining a child... it just seems like the "World's" spin on how to discipline your child. It reminds me of the child that took his/her parents to court. I would guess that child did not get spankings, they probably had "time-outs". For a child to think they have a RIGHT to second guess, or question, or to the extent of taking their mom & dad to court... the parents OBVIOUSLY missed the whole idea of discipline. Who is boss in our house? Dad. Who is next in line? Mom! And you better guaranty that I will not hesitate to give spankings, and they will hurt. 


I remember my mom spanking me.... she felt so bad. The belt left marks on my little booty and on my legs. But I was SUCH a stubborn child. My mom just had to believe, "Lord Jesus, I pray that this stubbornness will be turned for good in Amy's life. I pray that she will be stubborn after You!" Bless her heart! And, when I got saved, my stubbornness did pay off. I'm still stubborn, just in different ways. A godly stubbornness can bring success. And to be a success, you almost HAVE TO be stubborn! 


Well, our Proverbs 31 friend was not afraid to keep her household in line. I can hear her now, "Little Johnny, I told you no once, you know that is not allowed. Go, cut down a switch from the tree out back, you are going to get a whippin." I guaranty she did not threaten little Johnny with a "Time-Out". And, in Proverbs 31:27, it says SHE looks well to how things go in her household. SHE did! If her husband was on a trip, or in the field (aka: at work), it says SHE looked well to how things go in her household. She did not wait for "Dad" to get home to spank  little Johnny. It said SHE managed the runnings of the household. So, if you were bad, you better bet MAMA is putting the smack down! :-) Literally!


I believe, that was one reason why the children could rise up and call their mother blessed (Proverbs 31:28). They respected their mother because she disciplined them. She taught them obedience. She expected well-behaved children, and their was no other option but for the children to BE well-behaved! 


In the South.... that comes directly along with hearing the well-behaved, good children saying, "Yes Mam." "No Mam." "Yes Sir." "No Sir." It is expected. At least for the children where their parents PARENT them. Even in the south, some parents allow TV, DS games, and school to parent and raise their children. But, still a large majority are teaching manners. When I moved to the south, it was so sweet to hear a child say "Yes Mam" to me. I LOVED it! So sweet. So proper. My children will DEFINITELY do that. It's kind of an unfair advantage to my sisters in Indiana. My children will come home for Christmas saying "Yes Mam/Yes Sir" and "No Mam/No Sir" to all the adults and seem very polite. But I realize in the North... that is not how it is done! 


But manners.... it goes along with the responsibility of parenting. Do your children chew with their mouth open at the table? Do they use language that is not acceptable? Do they answer YOU, mom or dad, in a rude manner? If the answer is Yes. It is YOUR responsibility for them to do it properly. No one else is going to teach YOUR kids! Tyler and I have talked about some of the things he plans on teaching Tyler Jr (and Timothy when he comes along) when they are old enough. Tyler plans on having "Daddy-Day-Out" to teach Tyler Junior some important tips on manners. For example.... going to a Chick-Fil-A (my husbands favorite fast food place), and just having Tyler Junior scope out when a lady is coming to the door, going out of the way and saying, "Let me get the door for you mam." Imagine a 5 year old doing that! So cute! But, so proper & respectful! Tyler feels strongly about it because his Granddaddy taught him to do things like that. It is proper, it is respectful and it is right. School will not teach those principles. It is up to the Mom's and Dad's to take time, to plan time, set time aside to discipline when needed and to teach manners. 


The children are part of the "household", in Proverbs 31:27.... so Mom's... see that your "household" is running smoothly. Including your children. It does start with you. Do you respond in kindness? Do you eat with your mouth open at the table? Or do you "chomp" your gum? Do you tell people to "shut up"? It all starts with you. Are you setting the example that you want your kids to follow? They WILL do what you do. Like the old "LIFE" cereal commercial.... the little boy just doing everything his dad was doing. Or... when I was teaching school, I gave a girl a detention for cussing. Later her mom called me upset about the detention... and do you know what the MOM did? She cussed me out on the phone. Well.... I then could not completely blame the student. She learned from her mom. Kids will take on your positive attributes, or they will take on your negative attributes. 


What kind of kids are you raising? Are you purposefully teaching them? In their manners? In their speech? In their actions? In their behavior? 


Moms - YOU see how things are going in your household. Are things going WELL?
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