Who?

Look "whooo" we saw on our walk through the cemetary last night. ☺



Convinced Vs. Convicted

There are a few recurring themes in my life right now. I know that when my Heavenly Father repeats a lesson, it is because he wants me to learn something from it, for my benefit...to His Glory. I also know that I can be a little slow to catch on sometimes...and stubborn. Thankfully, I also know that my Father is patient with me, loves me like no other, and will walk me through it and give me wisdom to understand it.

Two days ago, I had a conversation with a loved one that brought me to tears. I know that this person loves me and wants whats best for me, but I am trusting that God, who loves me more, knows what is best for me...even when I don't understand it.

Who am I to argue with God?

There are several areas of my life that this particular loved one does not understand.

How do you explain something you scarcely understand yourself?

I did not set out to homeschool my children...but God called me to it.

I did not set out to adopt more children...but God placed in my heart.

I did not set out to move away from family and friends...but God...well, God did.

I was not convinced to do these things, I was (and am) convicted. My obedience to the LORD and his will for me is paramount to all other "reasoning", and my heart's desire is to please the LORD.

I love to pick apart words and better understand their meaning. Here is what stuck out to me today:

con·vince (kn-vns)

tr.v. con·vinced, con·vinc·ing, con·vinc·es

1. To bring by the use of argument or evidence to firm belief or a course of action. To persuade.

2. To prove to be wrong or guilty.

3. To conquer; overpower.

con·vict (kn-vkt)

v. con·vict·ed, con·vict·ing, con·victs

v.tr.

1. Law To find or prove (someone) guilty of an offense or crime, especially by the verdict of a court: The jury convicted the defendant of manslaughter.

2. To show or declare to be blameworthy; condemn: His remarks convicted him of a lack of sensitivity.

3. To make aware of one's sinfulness or guilt.

I was not "strong-armed" into any of these things. My Loving Father brought me to them, firmly and gently, and he lovingly showed me His plan for me. He has promised to love me always, be with me always, guide me and give me wisdom. The declaration of His love for me is all I need. I have all I need in Him alone. I have ALL I need in Him alone. I have all I NEED in Him alone. I have all I need in HIM alone. Yes...Yes, I do.

No amount of "proof" or "evidence", no amount of arguing or reasoning, can convince me that I should ignore what God has called me to. Anything other than total submission to His will for me is disobedience. No matter how hard. No matter the challenge. No matter the impossibility. I know that whatever God has called me to, He will equip me for the days ahead.

I will press into Him alone...my constant companion.

Production

A friend shared this verse with me this morning. She could not have known the extent of my present trials and sufferings, any more than she could have guessed my physical and emotional pain.

But God knew...

It is so easy to want to run and hide when the going gets tough...finding a (false) sense of shelter and protection when I pull the covers back over my head. When that is not possible, I tend to seek distractions...finding comfort in my vices and self-inflicted commotion.

But God has a better plan for me...

I will rejoice.

I will not quit.

I will find my shelter in God alone.

I will seek God with all my heart.
And I will allow Him to produce His Will in my life.

All to the glory of God alone.

P4S~ DAY 21 Humility

Dearest Mothers of Sons,

Today concludes our 21 day prayer challenge. I’m so thankful for this time of dedicated prayer for my sons. I hope you have been blessed as well.

As you pray for your sons today, pray and ask God to give you at least three specific things that you can pray every day for your sons as a result of this study. Also, I would love to hear how this prayer challenge went for you and if there is any way I can continue to pray for you.

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DAY 21 ACTION STEPS 

READ | Read through “The Power of Forgiveness” (pg. 42-43) and work through any (or all) of the Study Questions that enhance your time in this challenge!

PRAY | Work through the 10 prayers on Honesty (pg. 44) and the 10 Prayers on Humility (pg. 45) using whatever method works best for you!

COMMENT | As we wrap things up, please take a moment to share how this prayer challenge has impacted your heart and the hearts of your warriors! What prayer topic hit home the hardest or where did you see God’s hand move in your home? We love to hear how He is working in the lives of our sisters! Blessings, Dear Ones.

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Day Twenty-One – Humility
Encouragement from Brooke

It's day twenty-one.
The LAST day of your prayer challenge. Are you a mixture of relieved and sad all at the same time? What an accomplishment! (What an amazing amount of work!) If you're finishing today you deserve a pat on the back! Think of all the work that has been done on behalf of your sons! Congrats mom!
You might've noticed that there are actually twenty-two prayers in the Warrior Prayers eBook. I chose humility as our last day's topic because it is such an amazing posture of the heart. Scripture just seems to scream God's favor over those who are humble in heart.
• James 4:10 says that if we're humble before the Lord, He will lift us up.
• 1 Peter 5:6 says that if we humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God He will exalt us.
• Most importantly, in Psalm 149:4 we find that it is the humble who are adorned with salvation.
Do you see that? A humble heart is required for salvation. Just as Jesus humbled Himself unto the cross, we must admit that we're sinners, admit that our own way isn't the right way, and humbly ask for forgiveness before salvation comes.
Do you show humility before your sons? Do you always have to be right? Always have to win? Pray and ask the Lord for specific ways you can show humility today so that when the time comes, your sons will know how to show it too.

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." ~Ephesians 4:2

Humility
May__________humble himself before the Lord, and be exalted (James 4:10).
May__________humble himself, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt him (1 Peter 5:6).
May God give grace to__________as he humbles himself (James 4:6).
If__________who is called by My Name humbles himself, and prays and seeks My Face and turns from his wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive this sin and heal his land (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Lord, lead the humble in what is right, and teach__________Your way (Psalm 25:9).
May__________have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind (1 Peter 3:8).
May__________take God’s yoke upon him, and learn from Him, for He is gentle and lowly in heart, and__________will find rest for his soul (Matthew 11:29).
May the LORD take pleasure in__________, and adorn the humble with salvation (Psalm 149:4).
May__________have all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with others in love (Ephesians 4:2).
May__________be subject to the elders. May he clothe himself with humility toward others, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5).

P4S~ DAY 20 Salvation

Oh, Mamas…
Today, Day 20, we pray for our sons’ Salvation. Nothing matters more than this! No matter the age of your sons, they are in need of a saving relationship with Jesus. I join you in prayer today, praying for your sons and mine, and I am lifting you up as well.

Our church will be baptizing folks soon and, I don’t know about you, but I cry tears of joy…every time! If your son has yet to make this choice for Christ, I pray that the Lord speaks his heart today and that he receives the gift offered. Blessed be the name of the Lord!

   

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DAY 20 ACTION STEPS

• READ | If you haven’t already, read through “When Hearts Soften” (pg. 38-39) and work through any (or all) of the Study Questions that enhance your time in this challenge!

• PRAY | Work through the 10 prayers on Salvation (pg. 41) using whatever method works best for you!

• COMMENT | We have many mamas in our prayer challenge community who are praying for the salvation of their sons – young and grown. If you have a son in need of a saving relationship with Jesus, leave a comment with your prayer, we’ll join you today! If your sons are followers of Christ, take a moment and leave a comment to pray for someone else who is asking God to capture the heart of their son!

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Day Twenty – Salvation
Encouragement from Brooke

There is NOTHING my heart yearns for more than my sons' salvations. To quote from the eBook:

"Day after day you will parent, intentionally seeking the heart of your son. But until the King of kings and Lord of lords turns his heart of stone to a heart of flesh, your son's actions will be motivated by what is pleasing to him, rather than what is pleasing to the Lord." p. 15

Everything hinges on this. Oh, we can pray for protection, good friends and influences and positive, fruit-bearing experiences for our sons along the way. But until their hearts submit to Jesus they will continue to choose themselves and their own way.
Elyse Fitzpatrick, in her book entitled, Give Them Grace: Dazzling Your Kids with the Love of Jesus, says “There is no easy way to say it, but it must be said: parents and churches are not passing on a robust Christian faith and an accompanying commitment to the church.”
Take a moment today to look long and hard at your parenting. Is it Gospel-centered, or have you allowed the world's “stinking thinking” to creep into your home?

"Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord
and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,
you will be saved."
~Romans 10:9

Salvation

May __________ confess with his mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in his heart that God raised Him from the dead, and be saved (Romans 10:9).
May__________be saved by grace through faith. Not of his own doing; but the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8).
May__________believe in the God who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of His own purpose and grace, which He gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began (2 Timothy 1:9).
May__________fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will work for him today (Exodus 14:13).
May the LORD be__________'s light and his salvation; whom shall he fear? May the LORD be the stronghold of his life; of whom shall he be afraid? (Psalm 27:1).
May__________take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17).
May__________work out his own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).
May__________be guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time (1 Peter 1:5).
Lord, make Your face shine on__________; save him in Your steadfast love (Psalm 31:16).
Lord, save__________to the uttermost as he draws near to God through Christ (Hebrews 7:25).

P4S~ Day 19 Anger

Dear Mothers of Sons,

Today we pray for our sons to do away with Anger…to not be filled with bitterness or malice.

 

I pray that as we approach the final days of this 21 day prayer challenge, you are staying true to your commitment and seeking God’s Will for you and your son.

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DAY 19 ACTION STEPS

• READ | Read through “When Hearts Soften” (pg. 38-39) and work through any (or all) of the Study Questions that enhance your time in this challenge!

• PRAY | Work through the 10 prayers on Anger (pg. 40) using whatever method works best for you!

• COMMENT | We’ve all been there. Anger is common to all. Share your best tips for keeping your cool when those guys grate on your last nerve!

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Day Nineteen – Anger
Encouragement from Brooke

So much of the Christian life is a choice. Every day (multiple times a day) we’re presented with a choice to choose God or choose ourselves. Anger is a perfect example.
You can just feel it coming, can’t you? Anger is an almost total body experience. Muscles get tight. Temples throb. Jaw clenches. Explosion feels imminent … wooing us into believing we have no choice but to react.
But it’s not true.
We almost always have a choice when it comes to anger. We can choose to embrace it and sin. Or choose to put it away, and instead choose kindness, self-control, compassion, and love.

"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice."
~Ephesians 4:31

Anger
May all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from __________, along with all malice (Ephesians 4:31).
May__________ put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from his mouth (Colossians 3:8).
May__________ give a soft answer, which turns away wrath, and avoid harsh words which stir up anger (Proverbs 15:1).
May__________ not be quick in his spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools (Ecclesiastes 7:9).
May__________ never avenge himself, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19).
May__________ know that God Himself is our peace (Ephesians 2:14).
May__________ make peace, and so have a harvest of righteousness (James 3:18).
And let the peace of Christ rule in __________'s heart, to which indeed he was called in one body. And be thankful (Colossians 3:15).
May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard __________'s heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).
May__________turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it (1 Peter 3:11).

P4S~ DAY 18 Self Control

Dear Prayerful Moms,

Self Control. What boy doesn’t struggle with this? In my house, this seem to be a standard…One I’d like to see mastered, but I know that this is only possible when totally committed and submitted to the LORD.

As you pray for your sons today, be sure to ask the Lord if there is any way  you can or should be modeling self control better. Thankfully, we have the Holy Spirit and God’s Word to guide us! Amen? Amen!

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DAY 18 ACTION STEPS

• READ | If you haven’t already, read through “The Fruit of the Spirit” (pg. 27-28) and work through any (or all) of the Study Questions that enhance your time in this challenge!

• PRAY | Work through the 10 prayers on Self Control (pg. 37) using whatever method works best for you!

• COMMENT | Self-Control isn’t always an easy character trait for our wild, life-loving boys to grasp and hold onto – share some tips/encouragement for others in how you handle this in your home! Any struggle you care to share and ask for some help! We’ve got a great community here to bless and encourage each other!

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Day Eighteen – Self-control
Encouragement from Brooke
What's on the throne of your son's heart? I recently spoke at a small local women’s conference on the topic of finding balance in our physical and spiritual lives. Admittedly, this is an area I’ve struggled with my entire life. I’m an emotional eater, and my weight has fluctuated over the years to prove it.
I used to think that could control it by counting calories, or walking four miles a day (yes, I used to do that). I’ve tried portion control, diet pills and running, but nothing sticks. Know why? Because I love food. I turn to it for comfort, fulfillment and joy. And until I dethrone it from Christ’s rightful place in my heart, I will continue to struggle.
It’s idol-worship, plain and simple (ouch).
Food may not be the area of self-control with which your son struggles. Maybe he has video games, sports, sex, or money on the throne of his heart. The key to overcoming our tendencies toward worshipping something other than Christ is to choose to love Him more than we love our sin. A constant laying down of our desires and picking up of Christ is the only fix.
I wrote an article once on the topic of loving Him more …
It was a hot summer night, and I sat on my bed in a heaping culmination of all I'd been taught. A moment of rare heart understanding as I realized that life with Christ was not about what I could or could not do, but about loving Him more than I loved my sin.
Loving Him more.
Anything that separates me from God is sin and anything good can be made sin if I love it more than I love Him. And now twelve years later I'm still choosing.
I love Him. I love Him less than looking my best. I love Him. I love Him less than yelling at my kids. I love Him. I love Him less than getting even with my husband. I love Him. I love Him less than having a published book. I love Him. I love Him less than time to myself. I love Him. I love Him less than a stomach painfully full of my favorite meal. I love Him. I love Him less than getting my own way.
I love Him.
I love Him less.
Every time I love Him less I love something else more.
But He loves me. He loves me always.
In the moment of choice this knowing of His steadfast, never-ending love is what gives me strength. This knowing of His great sacrifice for me … and for you. This knowing of the lengths He would go to love me more.
More than I deserve.
More than I can comprehend.
More than the power of Hell can stand against.

"My Savior's sacrifice paid for all my sin. So in my suffering I look to the Cross again. No need, no want, no trial, no pain can compare to this: The wrath of God once meant for me, was all spent on Him. Before the Cross, I humbly bow. I place my trust in the Savior. Your finished work captures my gaze. You bore the wrath, I know the grace."~Before the Cross (Sovereign Grace Music)

Now the little forever soul sits in front of me for what seems like the 20 millionth time today. And I look at him … and he looks at me. And I wonder, out loud, how he could possibly want to choose discipline over joyful obedience. After days of willful rebellion from two little men, I'm spent and I cannot understand in that moment why ANYONE would choose this chaos--this miser--when simple obedience would change everything. Don't they know the sweetness that would be theirs if they would just obey?
Just CHOOSE to obey? Sigh. There's that word again.
The choice to love Him more begins from the beginning … hearts made to worship Him … choose Him. Hearts that left to themselves will choose our own way every time.
How many times have I chosen my own way when I knew the consequences? How many times have I forfeited the sweet, peaceful blessings of obedience in order to stamp my feet, cross my arms, dig in my stubborn three year-old-like heels and have my own way?
And this from a woman who has tasted the goodness of God in the land of the living!
How can I expect my little ones to choose the good all the time when their own mama, a Jesus-follower for over 20 years, still gets it wrong?
Grace.
Grace.
And more grace.
Grace.
and choosing to love Him more.

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do,
do all to the glory of God."
~1 Corinthians 10:31

Self-Control
May__________know that he is God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in him (1 Corinthians 3:16).
May__________not let sin therefore reign in his mortal body, to make him obey its passions. May he not present his members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present himself to God as one who has
been brought from death to life, and his members to God as instruments for righteousness (Romans 6:12-13).
May__________present his body as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is his spiritual worship. May he not be conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewal of his mind, that by testing
he may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:1-2).
May__________discipline his body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others he himself should be disqualified (1 Corinthians 9:27).
Whether__________eats or drinks, or whatever he does, may he do it all to the glory of God (Ephesians 5:15).
Let not__________'s heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the LORD all the day (Proverbs 23:17)
Remove far from__________falsehood and lying; give him neither poverty nor riches; feed him with the food that is needful for him (Proverbs 30:8).
Let the words of__________mouth and the meditation of his heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, his Rock and his Redeemer (Psalm 19:14).
May__________have a tranquil heart that gives life to the flesh (Proverbs 14:30).
May__________be wise in doing right and stay innocent of any wrong (Romans 16:19).