http://heartsofmoms.wordpress.com/

http://heartsofmoms.wordpress.com/

Shared via AddThis

Find us at Our New Wordpress Blog

Dear Friends,

We are no longer updating this blog here.

We have moved to Hearts of Moms Blog at http://heartsofmoms.wordpress.com/

There are many more new posts and resources there. Visit us at Hearts of Moms Blog.

God bless.

Hearts of Moms Blog at Wordpress :)

Latest Update

Dear Friends,
We have moved!!

Please check our new blog at http://heartsofmoms.wordpress.com/ for the latest post and recommendation of resources. All our old posts are there as well. So you won't be missing anything.

God bless.

We have Moved

We have moved to http://heartsofmoms.wordpress.com/

Please visit us at Hearts of Moms Blog

We are in the process of moving. So do bear with us. Meanwhile, you still and check the latest 2 postings there on the recaps from our previous session at Heart2Heart.

See you there :)

Choices Recap

Visit us at our new blog on wordpress.com at : Hearts of Moms Blog :) We are no longer updating this blog.

Who would have thought that Psalms 1 can be applicable to us moms? And what's more to our children as well.

Below is Mom JW's takeaway from the session. There was so much she took home with her. She said ti can't be summarized in a paragraph :)

We were made to reflect on the verbs in Psalms 1 - sit, stand & walk vs meditate & delight.

I liked this approach as it showed many of us the many practices, lifestyle & ways we can go wrong when we are unaware of our actions when we adapt to society's standards.

Christians should WALK to a different rhythm in the secular world, seeking righteousness and knowing God's will through the Bible and from fellow people of God. However, it is critical that we need to learn to recognise the moments and rise up for the LORD.

Together with the Holy Spirit, He will give us discernment and wisdom when to STAND against the subtle ways of evil thinking and outside influences.

We need to be aware not to just SIT down or become apathetic to worldly habits that may creep into our lives through work culture and worldly standards and ambitions.

We have to remember to be alert to our own weaknesses and to always have an attitude of self-checking.

God gave us the freewill to choose and these choices will determine our own path and ultimately, our children's path.

Thus we must choose to PURSUE HOLINESS...

As such, we need to discipline our MINDS - by MEDIDATING bible verses, and by looking for God in everything. Dont be lazy, dont ignore, dont procrastinate, dont be self centered, dont be too busy- have self control! Change our attitude!

Most importantly, we must find DELIGHT in being with the Lord and enjoy dwelling in His presence.

Finally, our personal growth benefits us with the wisdom and discernment in teaching, training and distinguishing our children's choices that are Christian values.

The type of tree we are will determine the type of FRUIT they are!

We concluded with Phil 4:6-7 "DO NOT be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the PEACE of God that surpasses all understanding will GUARD your HEARTS and MINDS in Christ Jesus."

Choices Galore!

Visit us at our new blog on wordpress.com at : Hearts of Moms Blog :) We are no longer updating this blog.

We are faced with many choices today - choice of things to watch .. to read .. to listen ... to do...

Some of these choices are just simple everyday stuff, but some of these choices we make today will impact the outcome of the future.

Some of these choices we make today lay a foundation for what we become later on in life.

Come join us this Friday, 17th July 2009 as we look into God's word and find out what it means to be intentional in the choices we make today, and how that will impact our lives and our children's.

Topic : Choices

Date : 17th July, 2009 - Friday

Time : 9:00-11:30am

Place : Conference Rooms 1 & 2

Greater is HE !!

Visit us at our new blog on wordpress.com at : Hearts of Moms Blog :) We are no longer updating this blog.

This is sure one very powerful testimony of the love and power and the NAME of Jesus.

Chief ShoeFoot was a shaman of the Yanomamo tribe in the deep dark forest of the Amazon. In this testimony he shared how he was in bondage to the spirit world and how Jesus set him from his bondage.

Truly, Greater is He who is in us, than he that is in the world.

This audio testimony really opened my eyes to what a GREAT BIG WONDERFUL GOD we have!!

• Finding the One True God (Part 1 of 2)
• Finding the One True God (Part 2 of 2)

For trailers and review and book, look at these links :

• The Enemy God (The Movie)
• Plugged In Review: The Enemy God(Summary & Review of Movie by Focus on the Family)
• Book: Growing Up Yanomamo: Missonary Adventures in the Amazon Rainforest (Exciting book written for the teens in mind)
• Spirit of the Rainforest: A Yanomamo Shaman's Story(Testimony of a former shaman)

Bautista Perez, also known as Shoe Foot, was a shaman of the Yanomamo tribe when some Christian missionaries came to his village and shared the Gospel with him. Perez became a Christian and has since been actively involved in reaching his own people with the love of Christ. He has traveled extensively in the United States, speaking in college campuses about his people and his experiences in the spirit world. He and his wife, Marilu, have 8 children.

Dedicated to All the Dads!

Visit us at our new blog at Wordpress : Hearts of Moms Blog :)

We missed putting up this post for Father's Day.

Nevertheless, this post is dedicated to all the dads of our precious kids.

Beautiful and powerful tributes and testimonies of fathers touching lives of their kids.

For all the Dads .....

Winning Strategies for Successful Fathers

Carey Casey offers encouragement to dads in a discussion based on his book, Championship Fathering: How to Win at Being a Dad.

• Winning Strategies for Successful Fathers (Part 1 of 2)
• Winning Strategies for Successful Fathers (Part 2 of 2)

In Honor of Dad

In commemoration of Father's Day, comedian Dennis Swanberg offers encouragement to dads as he shares humorous stories about his father

• In Honor of Dad (Part 1 of 2)
• In Honor of Dad (Part 2 of 2)

Step Up to the Plate, Dad!

What do you remember about your childhood? Evangelist RV Brown, author of the book Step Up to the Plate, Dad!, reminisces about growing up in a family of 17 children and fondly recalls the integrity and fortitude of his father, Eddie "Fish" Brown. .... What words would you use to describe a father--faithful, hard-working, strong? Evangelist RV Brown, author of the book Step Up to the Plate, Dad!, talks enthusiastically to Dennis Rainey about what it means to be a father.

• Reaping the Family Blessing
• What is a Father?

Manhood

How would your wife rate you as a husband? Hear a message by Matt Chandler, pastor of the The Village Church in Highland Village, TX, on what it means to be a man who initiates, nourishes, and cherishes his wife.

• Men as Husbands

Dads are the burden bearers of the household. Pastor Matt Chandler talks to men about the responsibilities they bear as fathers. Hear him explain why fathers shouldn't provoke their children to anger, and how the discipline of the children squarely falls on the father's shoulders.

• Men as Fathers

Children & Friends

Visit us at our new blog on wordpress.com at : Hearts of Moms Blog :) We are no longer updating this blog.

)

We had a very lively discussion last Friday regarding our Children's Relationship with Others.

Through the DVD, we learnt from Reggie Joiner that as our children grow, friends begin to play and exert a greater role in their lives, especially during the teenage years.

We concur with Reggie Joiner and also learnt from our own experiences & that of our family's and others that friends do influence the quality and direction of our lives. We learnt that often the greatest successes and biggest regrets in our lives are directly influenced by our friends. Proverbs 13:20 says "He who walks with the wise is wise, but the companion of fools suffers harm."

Hence, it is important that we look into the friends our children mix/hang out with and we must also make an effort to influence our children's choice of friends.

Some key points on ways we can influence our children's choice of friends :

1. Set up play groups for our children.
2. Encourage our children to pray that God will bring friends into their lives - this builds the child's faith to when he/she sees God answering the prayer. One mom testified this to God's glory.
3. Get kids involved in some team sports - where they can learn to interact with team mates and through playing together, build strong bonds with each other. Being involved in a sports will also take away idle time from our kids spending too much time playing computer or console games.
4. Encourage them to join ccas or uniform groups that encourage team building. CCAs like the Boys' or Girls' Brigade really draw the kids together through their team building exercises and camps and outings.
5. Plan outings or holidays together with family friends with kids of similar age group on a regular basis. Do it together with families with similar values.
6. Help your children start a bible study or small group with their friends even when they are in primary school. When they study God's word together and pray together, they will learn and grow together. And as they grow up together in this small group, they can hold each other accountable to the values and truth of God, in their teens years and adulthood. The bonds and ties build up during these years will last them through their life time as seen by many of us in our own lives and that of our spouses'.
7. Get our children to participate in church or youth camps
8. Know the friends our children hang out with. Invite them to our homes, talk to them, encourage them and help guide them.
9. Empower our children to be discerning in choice of friends. Teach them through God's word.

Perhaps you have more ideas than what we have discussed. You can also share it with us by posting a comment at the end of this posting :)

Good friends are very important to all of us. No man is an island, so they say. And it is true. Good friends are the ones who stand by us and with us in times of our trials and help us get through a difficult time. Many of us can testify to that.

Through all these, we see that we must be intentional in shaping these precious relationships of our children and do not leave them to chance. Having said this, we must also remember that we cannot micro-manage but must guide and empower our children to be wise, sensible and discerning. Remember, we will not and cannot be with them at their universities or workplace. And we really don't want them running back to us when they are 20/25/30 asking if that is a good friend for them.

So it is very important to pray - pray for them and their friends.

Some additional thoughts on praying for our children and their friends :

Reflections (taken from 2004 Heart2Heart Prayer Workshop for Our Children)

· Even as we pray for our children to be surrounded by good friends, we should ask ourselves – what sort of friend will our child be to another? Friendship is a two way street.

· When we pray for our children’s friends, we are building safety nets below these children, preventing them from slipping into the hands of satan. In this way, we are also extending God’s kingdom as well. Sometimes, we may need to pray for removal of a bad influence (2 Thess 3:2-3) but other times, God may want to use our child to influence this other child and bring him/her to Christ.

· We can also pray against the following to reduce the risk of them falling into bad company:

o Low self-esteem

o Loneliness

o Adverse influence

o Negative Influence

· Pray for wisdom and a way of escape when caught in a difficult situation

· Proverbs is a good place to look up when praying for our children’s relationships and walk with God

It had been a fruitful session that Friday! Each of us present that day realised that in order for us to help guide our child and influence him or her, we must first have a good relationship with them. We also saw that we are so finite in our thinking and ability and we really need God - we need to build our foundation upon our Lord before we can help our children.

Where is God?!?

Visit us at our new blog on wordpress.com at : Hearts of Moms Blog :) We are no longer updating this blog.

Where is God in all my pains and suffering?

Doesn't He see? Doesn't He care? Where is He?

There are times in our lives when we may have asked these questions and we struggled with them and with God.

Listen to or read some of the testimonies of these people who have been through pains, sickness and deaths... Listen and learn of how they exchanged despair for hope and grace in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Beautiful, powerful, moving and faith building and inspiring testimonies. Each family, each individual has a story that will prick your heart and move you to tears.

Take time to listen or read some of these beautiful stories.

When God Breaks Your Heart

Where is God when we suffer? Ed Underwood, a pastor and loving family man, found himself asking this same question as he became gripped by a form of chronic leukemia. Ed shares how he was first diagnosed, and how the intense pain and agony of the disease brought him to such a low point that he told his wife he was finished with praying. Hear him tell how his wife's unshakable faith brought him through his dark days. ... Are the brokenhearted near the Lord? Absolutely, according to pastor Ed Underwood, a man who has battled a rare and chronic form of leukemia. Ed tells how he seriously contemplated suicide as a way out of his debilitating pain until he began to study John 11 and the story of Lazarus' death. Join us to hear what Ed learned from that story about praying dangerous prayers. ...Where is God when it hurts? Pastor Ed Underwood shares what he's learned about God and life as he's walked through the valley of the shadow of death battling chronic leukemia.

• Trusting in the Truths of God
• Understanding the Story of Lazarus
• Reflecting God's Glory

A Symphony in the Dark

Rebecca Mutz wanted to be a mom ever since she could remember. Hear Rebecca tell how her dreams came true in a labor and delivery room in a small Colorado hospital. When baby Molly didn't cry for four minutes after delivery, however, a new mother's worst fears began to materialize. .... It was a one in a million stroke of bad luck--or was it? Molly Mutz, infant daughter of Rebecca and Jake Mutz, was born with an exceptionally rare and terribly damaging defect in the blood vessels supplying her brain. Jake and Rebecca tell how they waited to hear the diagnosis that could mean life or death for their firstborn daughter, Molly. Hear how they considered what God would have them do in response. .... Molly, born with a rare brain disorder, demanded constant care just to stay alive. But little Molly was used by God to work great things. Hear Molly's parents, Jake and Rebecca Mutz, tell how Mighty Molly Mutz brought two families even closer together in the circle of the fellowship of suffering - and how both families were strengthened in the midst of tremendous adversity. .... When life and death are at stake, where do you turn for answers? For Jake and Rebecca Mutz, that decision was easy--they turned to God. When they did, they found the strength to face the final moments of their infant daughter's brief life with dignity and compassion. ....Who can measure the power of a life? Molly Mutz lived just seven days, but the influence she exerted during her brief life stands as powerful evidence of God's infinite creativity. Today, we celebrate the homegoing of Mighty Molly Mutz.

• The Joy of Birth in the Shadow of Fear
• Something is Terribly Wrong
• The Circle Forms
• The Death Angel
• Mighty Molly Mutz: A Legacy of Hope

Into the Deep

Sometimes the unimaginable happens. Robert Rogers shares how an ordinary Labor Day weekend turned into an unbelievable tragedy when his minivan carrying his family of six was swept off the freeway in a turbulent flashflood. Hear him reflect on what he was thinking and feeling in those final moments before the van was totally engulfed in the raging waters.... Where do you turn when all hope seems gone? For Robert Rogers, watching his van quickly fill with water, the only place to turn was to God. Robert talks about his last-ditch effort to save his family by kicking out the window of his van as it submerged into the murky waters, only to find himself carried away by the swift current. Find out who survived and why Roberts still believes in God's sovereign grace. ... What does it mean to trust God in all circumstances? Robert Rogers recounts the awful flash flood that claimed the lives of his wife and children. Hear Robert share how a mustard seed of faith and his resolute trust in a sovereign God carried him through his family's tragedy.

• Tumbling Into the Dark
• Swimming Against the Current of Grief
• Catching Your Breath

Shame Lifter

Author Marilyn Hontz talks about her painful childhood and explains how she found freedom from the shame of her past through her relationship with Jesus Christ.

• Overcoming the Shame of the Past 1
• Overcoming the Shame of the Past 2

Being the Church in Tough Times

Where do you turn when life gets tough? Dave Wilson, pastor at Kensington Community Church in Troy, Michigan, tells Dennis Rainey how the economy is affecting his church and state. With layoffs happening weekly, Dave encourages the body of Christ to not only pray for people, but to provide much needed community and support for those affected by job loss. ... Hardship often leads to discouragement. Dave Wilson, a pastor at Kensington Community Church in Michigan and chaplain of the Detroit Lions, talks about the economic climate facing the state of Michigan, and tells those affected by the economy to take courage and to trust in God's faithfulness.

• Facing Job Loss
• Staring Down Discouragement

Unexpected Journey

You can't always see what's around the corner. That was certainly true for Joe and Cindi Ferrini as they prayed for God's direction for their lives and marriage. Joe and Cindi recall the happiness that the birth of their first child, Joey, brought them, and the despair they felt later when their precious baby was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and mental retardation. ... Sometimes one single incident changes the course of your life. Joe and Cindi Ferrini tell how their lives have changed since the birth of their first child, Joey, was born with severe disabilities. Having decided to raise Joey themselves despite his challenges, Joe and Cindi share what they've learned about unconditional love as they've nurtured and cared for Joey. ... Caring for a handicapped child isn't easy. Joe and Cindi Ferrini talk about the challenges they've faced as they've raised their mentally retarded son, Joey, to adulthood.

• Facing a Painful Reality
• Embracing Life's Changes
• Love: A Day-by-Day Assignment

A Beautiful Love Story

Visit us at our new blog : Hearts of Moms Blog :)

In honour of what would have been his late parents' 75th wedding anniversary, Dr James Dobson reminisces about the loving marriage that his mother and father enjoyed and the impact it had on him.

This is a beautiful beautiful and touching love story of Dr James Dobson's parents as written and told by the good Dr himself.

You can sense and hear the emotions in the voice of Dr James Dobson as he recounted this beautiful splendid love story.

It's a very powerful testimony to God's glory and honour.

• In Memory of My Parents' Marriage
• Slideshow: A Love Story Remembered

You will be blessed listening to it. Warms the heart and brings tears to the eyes.

Share it with your husband and family and friends :)

We meet again :)

Hey, we will be meeting again this Friday, 3rd July. I am sure you missed us during the school hols :) We too : We missed all your smiles and fellowship.

This Friday, we will learn from Reggie Joiner of North Point Ministries via DVD about the importance of friends and mentors in the lives of our children.

It doesn't matter whether our children are teens now or still in the toddler stage. It is good for us moms to pay attention to this aspect of our children's lives - to lay down foundation of choosing the right friends and to guide and influence them to choosing the right friends.

Proverbs 13:20 says " He who walks with the wise grows wise, but the companions of fools suffers harm."

So come and join us this Friday, 3rd July 9.00-11.30 am at the conference room for "Our Child's Relationship with Others"

Raising Joshuas

Visit us at our new blog : Hearts of Moms Blog :)

As I listened to the concluding session of the Life Lessons of Joshua, one thing that stood out for me is that Joshua was a man of great influence and he left such a great impact on the lives of the Israelites.

Joshua 24:31 & Judges 2:7 say "Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua and had known the work that the Lord did for Israel."

• Joshua lived a godly life, lived and walked the talk and had a very close relationship with God such that under his leadership, all of Israel served the Lord.

• His life also impacted the elders of Israel who continued his legacy of godly living and leadership even after his death.

• And he was very sure of the devotion of his household as he declared boldly to rest of Israel in Joshua 24:15b "...choose this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!" There is no two ways about it.

All these made me think about my own walk with the Lord - whether I am walking my talk and I wonder if my life will have such an impact on my children and others around. And what about my children? Will they also live lives that impact others for Jesus? Will they be like Joshua? Can others say the same of them?

It really made me think about what I need to do to raise the Joshuas in my family - to be godly servant leaders who make great, profound and godly impact on the lives of their friends and peers and wherever God has placed them in.

This series - Lessons on the Life of Joshua has taught me much indeed. And I pray that we will take time to listen and read through the broadcast/transcript again and take note of what God wants to teach us and show us in raising and training/nurturing the Joshuas that are placed in our care so that they can be men and women of influence for God, making great impact for Him wherever they may be! May God grant us the wisdom to do so.

(Do go back to the older postings on Joshua to read up again :

• Joshua & Motherhood
• Overcoming the Giants
• God's Promises / God's Word
• Our Battles
• Leaving a Legacy)

Leaving a Legacy

Visit us at our new blog : Hearts of Moms Blog :)

How has your journey with Joshua been? Are you learning precious lessons from this series?

Lessons from the Life of Joshua can be a life changing series if we do take time to listen and digest and allow God to speak to us - bit by bit, little by little - it can change your life and will change your life.

Nancy Leigh DeMoss had just concluded the whole 12 part series of Lessons from the Life of Joshua. And with the concluding part 12, she got us thinking about the kind of life we are living now, the kind of legacy we leave our children. Nancy Leigh DeMoss challenged us with these words - "After your death will your children inquire of the Lord? Will those who have been influenced by your life, will they be influenced to seek the Lord because they have seen you do it?"

So where do we begin to make a change in our own lives? You can begin right here with Joshua in God's word :

Lessons from the Life of Joshua (Part 12) : Leaving a Legacy

• A Beautiful Inheritance
• New Assignments Late in Life
• All the Way to the Finish Line
• Overflowing Abundance
• Making the Most of What You Have
• Promoting Peace
• Flourishing in Later Seasons of Life
• God Comes First
• As for Me and My House
• The Death of a Saint--God's Purpose in This
• The Lord Is with You

Our Battles

Visit us at our new blog : Hearts of Moms Blog :)

What battles are you facing at this season of your life?

Can we learn anything from Joshua and apply the lessons in our life as mom of newborn, or mom of teens?

Our battle maybe with a testing two year old, or a child who is struggling in school or a 'angsty' teen who is in the process of self-discovery.

Or it could be our own personal battles - with pride or over indulgence or some other secret sins.

Let's go find out from Joshua what we can do to fight these battles.

Lessons from the Life of Joshua (Part 9) : Defeating Your Jericho

• Lift Up Your Eyes
  
• A Humble Response
  
• Facing Your Obstacle
  
• The Perfect Justice and Mercy of God
  

Lessons from the Life of Joshua (Part 10) : Rising from Defeat

• No Private Sin
  
• The Consequences of Coveting
  
• A Door of Hope
  

Lessons from the Life of Joshua (Part 11) : Waging and Winning Spiritual Battles

• A New Beginning
  
• Two Mountains
  
• Joshua's Battle after the Battle
  
• God Grants Stamina
  
• The Right Time to Rest
  
• The Earth is the Lord's
  

God's Promises / God's Word

Visit us at our new blog : Hearts of Moms Blog :)

Have you begun your journey with Joshua? If you haven't, you are missing out on some very very precious treasure. Go back to Joshua & Motherhood and get onto Part 1 of Lessons from the Life of Joshua and start your journey with this courageous biblical hero.

We continue our journey with Joshua as we learn how he took God at His word and trusted in Him to lead this rebellious group of people.

Read or listen and see what gems you can glean for yourself and family.

Lessons from the Life of Joshua (Part 5) : Celebrating Victory

• A Foundation You Can Trust
  
• No Empty Words

Lessons from the Life of Joshua (Part 6) : Grace in Loss

• A Changing of the Guard

Lessons from the Life of Joshua (Part 7) : Indispensable Ingredients for Life

• God Will Never Leave You
  
• God's Presence in Your Life
  
• Keeping God's Word at the Center
  
• Planting Your Life in God's Word
  
• Infusing God's Word into Your Day

Joshua was told to meditate on God's word day and night and to keep God's law. How can we follow his example? Nancy Leigh DeMoss took time out from Joshua to focus on studying and meditating on God's Word :

How to Study the Word : An Interview with Kay Arthur

• Get Into the Book
  
• Grounded in God's Word
  

Lessons from the Life of Joshua (Part 8) : Before we Conquer

• Be Strong and Courageous
  
• Set Apart to God
  
• It is Not Impossible
  
• Preserving a Memory
  
• Mark of the Covenant
  
• You Have a Story
  

Teens & Rules

Visit us at our new blog on wordpress.com at : Hearts of Moms Blog :) We are no longer updating this blog.

It is so tough to be a teen these days. And it is just as hard to be a parent of a teen.

Teens struggle to find their identity in a world that is fast changing on them. And we, parents are also groping along as we try to understand our teens and what cause all these changes that are taking place in them.

Mark Gregston of Heartlight Ministries says "We have a generation of kids in their teens who are confused and disillusioned. They've lost their innocence and they've lost what should be carefree days of adolescence. And kids from good Christian families are falling victim just as much."

It really doesn't help that we parents are struggling to help our struggling teens. Our teens get depressed, we get depressed too.

But I am really thankful for some of these wonderful Christian resources that are available on the internet to help shed some light into our teens' world and their struggles. Just this little glimmer of light is good enough for us, parents to hold on and take this journey of helping our teens navigate the dangerous world and find their identity in Christ.

Once again, a good investment of your time, just checking out these resources, reading them or listening to the messages.

One very help resource is from : Parenting Today´s Teens Radio with Mark Gregston

Here you will find very relevant topics with very practical help such as :

• The Author of Reconciliation (5-30-2009)
  
• Parental Controls and the Internet (5-23-2009)
  
• Keeping Marriage Going Amidst Teen Struggles (5-16-2009)
  
• Your Kids, the Internet, and Pornography (5-09-2009)
  
• Teen Accountability and Parental Grace (5-02-2009)
  

From FamilyLife a sampling of the broadcasts :

Mothers of Teens - Are you finding the teen years to be a challenge? If so, then join the crowd! Today on the broadcast, Dennis Rainey talks with a mother of three, Jana Morrison, who encourages moms to keep their focus and build into the lives of their teens.

Teaching Teens to Follow Rules :

Are your kids testing your boundaries? Today Dennis Rainey tells parents about the benefits of healthy boundaries, and what they need to do to pass on a legitimate faith in Christ to the next generation.

• Teaching Teens to Follow the Rules, Part 1
  
• Teaching Teens to Follow the Rules, Part 2
  

Preparing Your Teens for Launch

Your high school senior is about to leave home, but you still have time to invest in his character! Dennis and Barbara Rainey are joined by their son Benjamin to challenge parents to finish the race well.

• Putting the Finishing Touches on Character
  
• Launching Your Teen Into Life
  

Re-Create : Building a Culture in Your Home Stronger than the Culture Destroying Your Kids

What is it about the culture that is so irresistible to our teens? Ron Luce, co-founder and president of Teen Mania Ministries, tells Dennis Rainey about the need for parents to talk to their kids about the culture around them and to train them to see through the lies that are paraded as truth.

• Keeping Your Kids From Craving the World
  
• Connecting With Youth Today
  
• Instilling Values in Your Kids
  

From Focus on the Family :

The Importance of Heroes - A discussion about the importance of heroes and how they are especially influential to kids.

For Moms of Toddlers

Visit us at our new blog : Hearts of Moms Blog :)

Toddlers are great fun to be with. Their curious minds are always at work, asking the whys and the how comes and testing the boundaries with their favourite word "NO!" They can also wear a mom down very quickly.

Here are some good resource for moms with toddlers from Focus on the Family.

Toddlerhood:

Listen to Dr. James Dobson as he offers advice to parents of toddlers, covering a number of subjects that include separation anxiety, potty training, refusal to eat and more.

• Toddlerhood: Dr. Dobson Answers Your Questions

Articles from Focus on the Family

• Toddlerhood (A comprehensive overview of the many issues parents of toddlers face.)
• Separation Anxiety (A mom shares some strategies parents can use to help their children overcome separation anxiety.)
• When Older Kids Suck Their Thumb (Parenting advice from Dr. Bill Maier.)
  

Overcoming the Giants

Visit us at our new blog : Hearts of Moms Blog :)

Do you want to be able to face the giants (troubles/trials) in your life like Joshua did? Do you think he was born with a natural talent to lead a whole nation of Israel without any doubt or fear?

Well, even before Moses passed on the baton, God had told Joshua what the people of Israel would do under his leadership. Yep, they would disobey God and rebel! How was Joshua able to have that courage to lead the people despite knowing that they would rebel and be difficult to lead? What would we do, if we were in Joshua's position?

There are many practical principles and bible promises that we can learn and hold on to from this study. And these are precious principles you can start working on in your children and and great treasure to pass on to our children.

Do take time and slowly chew on God's word in this study of Joshua.... As you feed on God's word daily, you will find your faith as tall as or taller than the giants you face...

The more we listen or read, the more we hunger for God's word, the more we will find God's word to be real in our lives and our devotional time with the Lord exciting.

So what are you waiting for?

Lessons from the Life of Joshua (Part 2) : Learning to be Teachable

• Starting the Race Well
  
• A Sustaining Vision
  
• Down From the Mountain
  
• Loyal to God's Leader
  

Lessons from the Life of Joshua (Part 3) : Trusting God for the Promised Land

• The Faith to Take a Step
  
• Focusing on God's Promises
  
• Getting Past Your Obstacles
  
• A Brave Look at Bad News
  
• Into the Face of Fear
  
• The Trap of Unbelief
  
• Courage to Experience God's Best
  
• Finding True Rest

Lessons from the Life of Joshua (Part 4) : Following God's Lead to Lead

• Follow Me
  
• From a Learner to a Leader
  
• Passing on the Baton
  
• Developing a Godly Character
  
• The Value of Consistency
  

Will post rest of the links during the school holidays!

God's Wisdom for Raising Kids

Visit us at our new blog : Hearts of Moms Blog :)

Moms, don't despair! There is just an abundance of help and treasure found at Focus on the Family and FamilyLife Today to help us in our journey as a parent.

You will have missed out on a lot of precious gems if you just skim through this posting without first checking out these links.

Reading some of these or listening to the message can change our mindsets on some parenting perspective. These resources can also lift our sometimes dreary and heavy spirit. I am just so very encouraged by these resources.

Don't take my word for it. Try it for yourself !

God's Wisdom for Raising Children

Author John Rosemond, a family psychologist who currently devotes much of his time to public speaking and writing, offers biblically-based advice to moms and dads in a discussion based on his recent release Parenting by The Book.

• God's Wisdom for Raising Children (Part 1 of 2)
  
• God's Wisdom for Raising Children (Part 2 of 2)
• John Rosemond's "Bill of Rights" for Children (PDF document)
  

I learnt so much from these podcast. Child psychology and child rearing fads may come and go, but God's biblical principles for raising children never change, even with technology advancement and change of times.

Wisdom from Susannah Wesley, mother of John Wesley

How to Conquer the Will of Your Child - An article from Focus on The Family - Good behavior from children makes parents happy. But children often don't behave the way we'd like them to because they need our help.

Article from Focus on the Family : Help Your Child Behave

Teaching Teens to Follow Rules :

Are your kids testing your boundaries? Today Dennis Rainey tells parents about the benefits of healthy boundaries, and what they need to do to pass on a legitimate faith in Christ to the next generation.

• Teaching Teens to Follow the Rules, Part 1
  
• Teaching Teens to Follow the Rules, Part 2
  

Big Truths for Young Hearts

• Introducing Your Child to God - Are you helping your children know God? Bruce Ware, professor of Christian theology at Southern Baptist Seminary, urges parents to use the ordinary moments of life to introduce their children to God and grow disciples in the faith.
  
• Sandbox Theology - Do your children sense God's awesome power? Professor Bruce Ware, author of Big Truths for Young Hearts, encourages parents to use God's wonderful Creation and other everyday examples to give their children a sense of awe at the thought of God.
  
• Helping Your Child Understand the Holy Spirit - How, and what, do you teach your children about the Holy Spirit? Today Professor Bruce Ware helps equip parents to teach their children about the Holy Spirit in terms that even boys and girls can understand.
  

The Minivan Years - Do you sometimes feel like motherhood has you stuck in a rut somewhere between carpool and laundry? Olivia Bruner encourages mothers to get passionate about their role as moms, realizing that the time they have with their children is fleeting and precious.

Encouragement for Stay-at-Home Moms

Dr. Laura Schlessinger talks with Dr. James Dobson about the value of moms staying at home during the childrearing years in a discussion based on her new book, In Praise of Stay-at-Home Moms.

• Encouragement for Stay-at-Home Moms (Part 1 of 2)
  
• Encouragement for Stay-at-Home Moms (Part 2 of 2)
  

Yours, Mine, Ours, Whose?

Visit us at our new blog : Hearts of Moms Blog :)

His, Hers.... Yours, Mine ... Ours ...

Tithing ... Giving ...

Money no enough?

Inflation ... stretching the buck... high oil prices ... pay cuts ...

How do we manage the resources God has given us? What does God want us to teach our children regarding finances and money management?

It is good to take time and listen to some of these speakers, pastors and authors share their take on money and our faith, money and marriage, money and our kids ...

Money and Your Mate

Should you hand your money any differently now that you are married. Tommy Nelson, pastor of Denton Bible Church in Denton, Texas gives couples advice about handling money in marriage in these 2 part broadcasts at FamilyLife Today.

• Money and Your Mate, Part 1
  
• Money and Your Mate, Part 2

Resolving Money Conflicts in Marriage

Author Mary Hunt explains how couples can establish and maintain financial harmony in their marriage. In this 2 part broadcast, you will hear of Mary Hunt's personal testimony of how she got into a USD 100,000 debt and how she and her husband worked their way to clearing this debt over 12 years. You will also hear of Dr James Dobson's sharing on how his father's generous heart impacted him as a young boy.

• Resolving Money Conflicts in Marriage (Part 1 of 2)
  
• Resolving Money Conflicts in Marriage (Part 2 of 2)
  

The Treasure Principle

Listen to the interview on Revive Our Hearts with Randy Alcorn, author of The Treasure Principle. This may just change your perspective of eternal living.

• The Joy of Giving
  
• Treasure in Heaven
  
• Giving Back to a Generous God
  

Practicing the Treasure Principle

It's been said that money is the root of all evil. But is it really? Randy Alcorn, author of The Treasure Principle, reminds us that we can't take our material possessions with us to heaven but that we can send them ahead to heaven.

• You Can't Take It With You ...
  
• ... But You Can Send It Ahead ...
  
• ... To Heaven, Your Eternal Home

You Paid How Much for that?

Why are money issues so challenging for couples? On today's broadcast, Dennis Rainey talks with marital researcher Scott Stanley about the root issues behind financial conflicts in the home.

• The Hidden Issues Behind Money Conflicts
  
• How Gender Differences Affect Our Finances
  
• Laying the Ground Rules

Debt-Proof Your Kids

Mary Hunt, creator and editor of "Debt-Proof Living", a monthly newsletter formerly called the "Cheapskate Monthly", talks to Dennis Rainey about her former life as a spendaholic. Hear how Mary's spending led to her being $100,000 in debt, and what she did to crawl out of her money pit into the light of sweet financial freedom.

• Debt-Proof Your Kids, Part 1
  
• Debt-Proof Your Kids, Part 2

We're in the Money... Now What?

Why are money issues so challenging for couples? On today's broadcast, Dennis Rainey talks with marital researcher Scott Stanley about the root issues behind financial conflicts in the home.

• There's More to Money than Spending!
  
• How to Become a Great Giver!
  

Generous Living

Ron Blue, founder of Ronald Blue & Co, talks with Dennis Rainey about the benefits of giving generously to advance God's work.

• Becoming a Generous Giver
  
• Experiencing Financial Freedom
  
• Why Aren't We More Generous?

Some great articles from Focus on the Family on Family Finances :

• Money Management in Marriage
  
• Pursuing Financial Unity
  
• Financial Freedom God's Way
  
• Teaching Your Teen Money Management
  
• Teaching Kids About Budgeting
  
• Should We Pay Our Kids for Doing Household Chores?