THE POWER OF YOUR INFLUENCE

“You can never really live anyone else's life, not even your child's. The influence you exert is through your own life, and what you've become yourself. – Eleanor Roosevelt

In last Monday’s blog, Lost Voices in the Church, I commented on the first of several questions I received from a Millennial sister (those born in the 1980's to early 2000).  She shared with me some concerns of young women in her age group.  I’d like to continue the conversation with a second question: How can we model to our kids what it means to be Salt and Light in the world today?  Referring to that familiar passage from Matthew 5:13-16; I believe she inadvertently answered her own question.  “Model” being the operative word.   Many experts agree that the most influential person in a child’s life is the parent and more specifically the “same sex” parent.

One can complain all you want about the negative impact of music, media, and movies on the changing youth culture, as adults and parents we still hold the “Trump card.”  Here are some personal thoughts.  Join the conversation by adding to or expounding on these in the comment section of this blog:

 --  Be the Parent not a Friend – Commit to rearing your child with godly principles. (Deut.6:4-9)

·     -- Be Present in Your Child’s Life. Talk to them about their interest, and friends. Listen to them.

·        -- Be Consistent but fair especially when you discipline.  (Matthew 5:37; James 5:12)

·       --  Be Careful of the people and places you expose your children to. (I Corin. 5:9-11)

·        -- Beware of the temptation to force your aspirations onto your child. Shape your child’s life. Glorify God in both yours and theirs.(Proverbs 22:6)

LOST VOICES... In the Church

For some time now my heart has been burdened for young sisters. Their lives are so different than mine at their age.  I bemoaned once that they had so many more conveniences, opportunities and freedom than I did.  But as one politely told me, “We also have many more issues.”  She was right!  So I asked a sweet Thirty-Something sister of mine, a divorced, single mom, and devout Christian, one question: What's on the minds of women your age and what can I as a "seasoned" woman bring to the table that would be helpful?  She responded with a list of topics and questions I hope to address in this blog.. Here’s the first one: Many women attending and serving in our churches have been the victim of rape; have had one or more abortions, or divorces.  How can the church help these wounded women to heal? ...Sister Girl, I pray the following will be helpful

 1.      WHAT YOU CAN DO:

a.      Forgive Yourself! (Rom. 8:1; 38-39; I Cor. 5:17) The only one who can condemn you is God. Find peace in knowing that He doesn’t.

b.      Lose the Shame! (I Peter 2:6; Isaiah 43:25; Rom.12:1-2)) Renew your mind daily with prayer, scripture and meditation.

c.       Choose to Live Free!  (Jer. 29:11; Philippians 3:13-14) Refuse to live in the past. Surrender your life and will to God.

d.      Watch your associations and past times (Prov. 13:20; I Corin. 15:33; Ps. 119:37) Live your life with wisdom.

            2.  WHAT CHRISTIANS (CHURCH) SHOULD DO:    

a.      Provide a safe, nurturing place of acceptance

b.      Start and/or support a “Soul Care” ministry

c.       Don’t criticize or demean women who bravely share their past.

d.      Schedule frequent times of prayer and encouragement specifically for the Emotionally Wounded.

For all, read this excellent article, Eight Ways to Show Hurting People You Care.  Click on this link.     http://www.lifeway.com/Article/eight-ways-to-show-hurting-people-you-care

Why A Marriage Boot Camp?

"The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears her down." (Proverbs 14:1)

This week begins what our dear pastor is calling, Marriage Boot Camp Week! For one hour, each evening for five straight days, We will engage in intensive prayer, scripture, and teaching to help strengthen our marriages.The timing is  PERFECT. With brutal attacks on Traditional Marriage by outside forces and the rise of divorce among Christians. It's Time To Battle! (Ephes. 6:10-18) 

Let me tell you why after 43 years of marriage I've decided to go!  It wasn't an easy choice. My husband and I don't attend the same church so we rarely worship together. I dread being one half of a couple. We're also very comfortable in our marriage.  We've a strong commitment based on faithfulness and respect.  Battling years of  marital storms  you just figure you''ll be together "until death do us part." Finally, after seeing so many jacked up relationships (random hook-ups, same-sex, freaky sex, open, down-low),  although not perfect.we surely couldn't do any worse than those!! Yet, for these reasons and more I feel compelled to go...even as the song goes..."If I have to go  by Myself."  

1. Every marriage is worth fighting for if you truly "love" your mate.  But you've got to have the          right weapons.  Boot camp is for TRAINING!  

2. Never take your marriage or mate for granted...people and things change in a moment. 
     Marriages have seasons, you need to know them and how to flourish when they change. 
     Boot camp is for PLANTING AND GROWING!

3.  If you want to thrive and survive in marriage we need check-ups, tune-ups and often
     "total overhauls" in our thinking about ourselves, our spouses, and other people 
       who might impact our relationship.   Boot Camp is for NURTURING!

So Here's the Deal...This Wise Woman is on her way to Boot Camp ... My house could use a few more repairs... How about Yours?

Is Anybody Out There? Discovering Communication In This Brave New World

Honestly, when "2014" rolled in, I promised myself two things:  I would face my technology fears and get on "FACEBOOK" and REALLY start writing this blog consistently!  Neither has happened although now I'm properly ashamed.  My 76 year old brother just informed me over Christmas that he uses Facebook!!  Maybe I will do better on this blogging adventure.

I  love writing and most of the time I feel I have something important say.  I mean I think I'm reasonably intelligent so why is this so difficult for me?  I don't even understand the blogging lingo half the time and this morning after being away from this blog site for several months, it took me 30 minutes to figure out how to create a  new post (it took me several minutes to locate the piece paper with my password on it and then I got blocked from the site because I was using an old version of Internet Explorer).  Thank God for my niece, Nicole who in September created the link that  I  hopefully  can share this post  with you and my s on Gary who loaded Google Chrome on my computer last year.

So now that I'm committed to doing this my question to you is (should you get this darn thing!) IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE?  I'm sending this old school since I haven't learn yet how to put you in these dog gone circles!!!  Give me a shout back and if there's someone out there looking for a "slightly seasoned Saint" to tutor ...I'm game!