Reposting: A Must Read For ALL Women!

Our family has been so blessed by My ABC Bible Verses I had to write to Mrs. Susan Hunt and thank her sincerely for such a wonderful book!!! So I emailed her and she emailed me back very quickly. She is exactly what she makes herself out to be and was so gracious and humble, just such a wonderful example of a Titus 2 Woman that I had the audacity to write her back several times and finally asked for some book recommendations that had encouraged and helped her in her calling as a wife and mother. She very simply said Stepping Heavenward and Aunt Jane's Hero both by Mrs. E. Prentiss. As I had already read Stepping Heavenward, and although I absolutely loved it, I was a little disappointed at first by such a short list.

Then for Christmas my little sister, okay younger, asked me what I wanted and on a whim I suggested Aunt Jane's Hero, never thinking she would remember that title, I mean how many 21st century girls remember a mid-nineteenth Century title....But she did! So I got it and my noisy husband opened it and I was excited and began reading!

IT IS PHENOMENAL!!!

I wish now that I had a reading book club going for any women who read this blog, they would all benefit so much simply by this quote that I will share! I want to challenge every woman who is married or unmarried to read this and I bet that if this quote doesn't stop your heart dead in it's tracks, you are already fully sanctified or something else entirely! Read what follows and then don't buy the book--I dare ya!

They were living to themselves: self, with its hopes, and promises, and dreams, still had hold of them; but the Lord began to fulfill their prayers. They had asked for contrition, and He sent them sorrow; they had asked for purity, and He sent them thrilling anguish; they had asked to be meek, and He had broken their hearts; they has asked to be dead to the world, and He slew all their living hopes; they had asked to be made like unto Him, and He placed them in the furnace, sitting by "as a refiner of silver," till they should reflect His image; they had asked to lay hold of His cross, and when He had reached it out to them, it lacerated their hands. They had asked they knew not what, nor how; but He had taken them at their word, and granted them all their petitions. They were hardly willing to follow so far, or to draw so nigh to Him. They had upon them an awe and fear, as Jacob at Bethel, or Eliphaz in the night visions, or as the apostles when they thought they had seen the spirit, and knew not that it was Jesus. They could almost pray Him to depart from them, or to hide His awefulness. They found it easier to obey than to suffer--to do than to give up--to bear the cross than to hang upon it: but they cannot go back, for they have come too near the unseen cross, and its virtues have pierced too deeply within them. He is fulfilling to them his promise, "And I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto me."

"But now, at last, their turn is come. Before, they had only heard of the mystery, but now they feel it. He has fastened on them His look of love, as He did on Mary and Peter, and they cannot but choose to follow. Little by little, from time to time, by flitting gleams the mystery of His cross shines upon them. They behold Him lifted up--they gaze upon the glory which rays forth from the wound of His holy passion; and as they gaze, they advance, and are changed into His likeness, and His name shines out through them, for he dwells in them. They live alone with Him above, in unspeakable fellowship; willing to lack what others own, and to be unlike all, so that they are only like him.

"Such are they in all ages who follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. Had they chosen for themselves, or their friends chosen for them, they would have chosen otherwise. They would have been brighter here, but less glorious in His kingdom. They would have had Lot's portion, not Abraham's. If they had halted anywhere--if He had taken off His hand, and let them stray back--what would they have lost? What forfeits in the morning of the resurrection? But He stayed them up, even against themselves. Many a time their foot had well-nigh slipped; but He, in mercy, held them up; now, even in this life, they know all he did was done well. It was good for them to suffer here, for they shall reign hereafter--to bear the cross below, for they shall wear the crown above; and that not their will but His was done on them."

-Aunt Jane's Hero By Mrs. Prentiss, page 3-5.

Kace, The Hero

Just remember to turn off the music on the bottom.

Reposting: Quote From a Favorite Book! What a Great Encouragment!

I asked Mrs. Brown, our hostess, the other day if she did not envy me my four little pets; she smiled, said they were the best of children she ever saw, and that it was well to have a family if you have means to start them in the world. For her part, she lived hand to mouth, as it was, and was sure she could never stand the worry and care of a house full of young ones.

"But the worry and care is only half the story," I said. "The other half is pure joy and delight."

"Perhaps so to people that are well-to-do," she replied; "but to poor folks, driven to death as we are, it's another thing. I was telling my husband yesterday what a mercy it was there weren't any young ones round under my feet, and I could take city boarders and help work off the mortgage on the farm."

"And what did your husband say to that?"

"Well, he said we were young and hearty, and there was no such tearing hurry about the mortgage, and that he'd give his right hand to have a couple of boys like yours."

"Well?"

"Why I said supposing we had a couple of boys, they wouldn't be like yours, dressed to look genteel and to have their genteel ways, but a pair of wild colts, into everything, tearing their clothes off their backs, and wasting faster than we could earn. He said 'twasn't the clothes, 'twas the flesh and blood he wanted, and 'twasn't no use to argufy about it; a man that hadn't got any children wasn't mor'n half a man. 'Well,' says I, 'supporting you had a pack of 'em, what have you got to give 'em?' 'jest exactly what my father and mother gave me,' says he; 'two hands to earn their bread with and a welcome you could have heard from Dan to Beersheba.'"


"I like to hear that!" I said. "And I hope many such welcomes will resound in this house. Suppose money does come in while little goes out; suppose you get possession of the whole farm; what then? Who will enjoy it with you? Who will you leave it to when you die? And in your old age, who will care for you?"


"You seem awful earnest," She said.


"Yes, I am in earnest. I want to see little children adorning every home as flowers adorn every meadow and every wayside. I want to see them welcomed to the homes they enter, to see their parents grow less and less selfish and more and more loving because they have come. I want to see God's precious gifts accepted, not frowned upon and refused." (Italics added for emphasis.)



-Mrs. E. Prentiss, in Stepping Heavenward pages 321-323

Note: I had to put a pictures of my kids on this post simply because I wanted to show them off a little bit.



From the first posting of this quote, Easter 2007

Right before the birth of our lovely daughter, August 2008


At Christmas this year, December 2008.

Petra's Workout

she won't sit up but she will do crunches!
remember to turn off the music on the bottom if you want to!

Reposting: Parenting Resources

This was first posted last spring after I spoke for a group, these books though are still my favorites on motherhood, parenting, and our role as home-keepers. I hope it benefits!

I was lucky enough to have the great privilege of speaking at a local MOPS group for a friend of mine on campus. We discussed the reasons for discipline, whether or not the Lord disciplines and how he disciplines, what is the heart of discipline and how we're to get at it. It was a wonderful time of learning and transparency on my part especially since whenever I share on this subject I am brought lower because of my own weakness in this area. So when others ask me "I just seem to yell all the time." I can honestly say that I yell at my kids too. They often hear "What are you doing??!!" with a large dose of impatience and anger mixed together. I can honestly speak to this topic of discipline because it is always happening in my home and in my heart. Very often when I rebuke my son for impatience with his brother, in my heart I am rebuked by the Spirit for my own impatience and lack of love for the members of my family. At the end of the evening I went over several books that I had brought with me to recommend to these wonderfully real women. I decided to make a list here and post it for everyone's benefit and reference.



Teach the Diligently By Lou Priolo

If for no other reason you must buy this book for the charts and indexes in the back of the book. Definitely family changing and informational, great tool!










Withhold Not Correction by Bruce Ray

A good publication by Presbyterian and reformed publishing that is a great encouragement to continue being diligent in shepherding your children toward the Savior.






The Mother at Home By John S.C. Abbott

Great and practical ideas and encouragements and even rebukes in teaching children what is right and who is the Lord. Very good just a chapter at a time when you need some much needed encouragement and fuel to continue this season.








Shepherding a Child's heart By Tedd Tripp

Okay, so this is probably the best parenting book out on the market today! You have to read this very wise and very gentle minister to know that his words are truly guided by wisdom, grounded in scripture and centered on the cross. You must have this book in your own personal book collection and you must read it. There are also videos you can purchase which are so profitable and encouraging even for the price, which is a little much, but well worth it!!! Great, great book!!







Where's Mom: The High Calling of Wives and Mothers by Dorothy Kelly Patterson

This book is super short and super encouraging. Mrs Patterson is such a wise woman and very clear on the role of a woman and her invaluable importance in the home. It was such a good balm to my heart which is often discouraged, especially at times of weakness. Get it, read it, profit from it!







"Don't Make Me Count to Three!" BY Ginger Plowman

This book was recommended to me by a very close and trusted friend, who has been such an encouragement to me in my mothering, and is probably my favorite of all because she is so funny and easy to read and very real and practical. Now it does need to be often reread because our memories are so short so often and it takes a long time for truths of scripture to become truths in our everyday lives. This book is wonderful, even for a father who needs some good advice and encouragement.







Wise Words for Moms By Ginger Plowman

This is a chart of all the sins our children basically have, us too for that matter, with heart probing questions and also scriptures to reference to your children. Very pithy and essential. Great buy for a small price.







My ABC Bible Verses By Susan Hunt

As I have recommended before this book is wonderful in family devos, but also in reinforcing the truths you have already been planting. Great scriptures to get to the heart of your child and you! Read and enjoy the cutting that His word will do in your heart and your child's.







Peacemaking for Families By Ken Sande and Tom Raabe

This book, which I have only read a little of, is a guide to resolving conflict in the home. Between husband and wife, parents and children, brothers and sisters. It is a good way of giving us a godly way to argue and disagree without sin and more importantly with repentance and forgiveness. Read it!








Later I will add a list of books that we have worked though as a family in our devotionals. We have had some great times going through some neat books! Have a great afternoon!

Blessings!

Reposting: Are you a Fault Finder or an Aprobationist?

Since our family has been sick for a week now, we thought we would just repost some old stuff, while we try to recover and attempt to catch up on sleep. First posted on Living In Liberty by Larissa.

The Judicious exercise of approbation is of the first importance in promoting obedience, and in cultivating in the bosom of your child affectionate and cheerful feelings. Let your smiles animate your boy's heart, and cheer him on in duty. When he returns from school, with his clothes clean and his countenance happy, reward him with the manifestation of a mother's love. This will be the strongest incentive to neatness and care. An English gentleman used to encourage his little children to early rising, by calling the one who first made her appearance, Lark. The early riser was addressed by that name during the day. This slight expression of parental approval was sufficient to call up all the children early enjoyment of the morning air. A child of ten make a very great effort to do something to merit a smile from its mother. And most bitter tears are frequently shed because parents do not sufficiently sympathize in these feelings.

The enjoyment of many a social circle, and the disposition of many an affectionate child are spoiled by unceasing complaints. Some persons get into such a habit of finding fault that is becomes as natural to them as to breathe. Nothing pleases them. In every action, and in every event, they are searching for something to disapprove. Like venomous reptiles, they have the faculty of extracting poison from the choicest blessings. Children are very much creatures of sympathy. They form their characters from those around them. And we must cherish in our own bosoms those virtues we would foster in theirs. If we would give them calm and gentle and friendly feelings, we must first show them, by our own example, how valuable those feelings are.

--John S.C. Abbott, The Mother At Home, page 80-81


I am certain that each one of us struggles to see the good side in all things. Our hearts are naturally not inclined to be satisfied even in the sweets of graces offered us by our gracious savior, but you know how it poisons your own heart when you are engaged in complaints or you are surrounded by those who are consumed continually by complaints. We all know people who are continually finding fault, those who are rarely satisfied with anything or anyone for that matter. I heard a quote on a movie once that went something like this "I believe that not even the Lord would entirely meet with her approval." I can imagine that we can each picture an individual we have likewise thought of thus. Yet how often has their attitude killed our tenderest feelings toward them? It is the same with our sweet children. We have been entrusted with the care of their tender souls and a child of three, no matter the parents, has a heart that is softened to the things of the Lord. Yet when the attitudes and affections of the world are habitually visited on that child their hearts become just as their experience has taught them, hardened to the world, idolatrous and dissatisfied with all things.

I struggle in my own home to be one who is not negative over many if not all things. I think as women we are in greater danger of being nags, at least I know I am. Nagging the children and my husband more for that matter. But what does that teach my children, are they taught to love and to be selfless? Are they encouraged toward a sweet and gentle temper? Are the led toward a greater measure of self control? NO! They are led to be just what you are; unhappy, dissatisfied, depressed, negative, selfish....and I believe the list could continue on and on (at least when reflecting on the nature of my own heart!). But does that soften our child's heart to the gospel of Grace? It will only harden your child's heart from that which is so good--Our Great and Glorious Savior--Jesus Christ! I want to share with my my own conviction of being a fault finder and pointing my children away from the truth and toward themselves, but also encourage you to engage in approbation frequently not simply with your children, although they are your greatest ministry, but also with co-workers, friends, extended family and especially spouses. What might happen to your heart and the hearts of those around you when you are actively involved in inclining their hearts to you and there by the God who changed you? What a wondrous ministry that would be!