Follow the link to get registered for 2010's RefresHER! It's going to be another great day!
Monday, September 6, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
RefresHER 2010 is coming!!
September 18, 2010
$20 early registration
$25 after date or at the door
Price includes lunch
I will have more details soon...
$20 early registration
$25 after date or at the door
Price includes lunch
I will have more details soon...
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Growing Grateful Kids ~ Susie Larson
Growing Grateful Kids
Susie Larson
http://www.susielarson.com/
The #1 thing you have to know is:
We can not impart what we do not possess. We have to be grateful and humble, thankful and caring to teach our kids these things. Our strife and stress show them that we don’t believe God is who we say He is. Remember, more is caught than taught.
It is possible to go upstream against modern culture, we have a mighty God. Speak His truth. We have to model thankfulness. (don’t parent out of anxieties and fears).
“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18
We take so much for granted, then are surprised and disappointed when our kids do the same thing.
Also remember, comparison is a sin. Focus only on what you have.
Practice gratitude (Thankfulness)
Do I complain and talk about struggles in front of the kids?
Modeling gratitude makes us credible to our kids.
Don’t guilt your children. Teach them gratefulness through prayer – for everything.
a) Refuse worry (it will steal your grateful heart) I could worry but I choose not to so that I can glorify God.
b) Spend time with God (get His perspective)
c) Keep a thankfulness journal (read it out loud)
d) Let your kids hear you thanking God over simple things
e) Teach them to pray out loud
f) Ask your children: “What are you most thankful for?” ask them all the time
g) An attitude of entitlement is to be treated like a sin.
2. Practice Restraint
a) Just because we can afford it doesn’t mean we should get it
b) Learn to say: “Your character matters more to me than (activities, plans, items), and this attitude needs addressed immediately.” You must address things immediately, no matter what. If this means leaving the cart at the store, cancelling long-planned for outings etc. do it. Your child’s character is more important than those things.
c) Addictions to games/toys/activities … etc. Nothing should have that power over you but God.
1. Put them on mini-fasts from toys, candy, movies, games, activities – until the grateful attitude is achieved.
2. Pampering ourselves shouldn’t be a way of life. “Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.” Proverbs 25:28
3. We need to say no to ourselves and teach our kids that same valuable self-tool.
4. Spoiled, over-indulged children show the same characteristics as drug addicts
5. Some disappointment and struggles are needed for your child to grow into a healthy and capable adult.
Personal application
• Ask: What in my hand do you want so you can have more of me?
• Establish: a partial fast
• Say “no” to yourself, and then deal with it.
Parental application
• Ask God to give you a heightened sense of where your child will struggle
Teach them to practice self-control
Is there anything you feel you should lay down for a little while?
Take time to play
• It shows our children that more rests on God’s shoulders than our shoulders.
• In good times and bad, life is a gift worth celebrating.
• It communicates “Everything will be all right”.
• “There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because the LORD your God has blessed you.” Deuteronomy 12:7
• “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” Psalm 34:8
• Play like a kid.
Personal application
• Make time to laugh
• Do what’s fun
Parental application
• Play with the kids
• Forget the chores and spontaneously do an activity
• Ask them what they enjoyed about their day. Every night.
Teaching Forgiveness
This has everything to do with gratefulness. Forgiveness is the *structural support of gratefulness.* Showing love, respect and forgiveness shows the thing and the situation are not as important as the person. Teach them to make amends to the person and that there are consequences to their actions.
“Forgiveness is not an occasional act. It is an attitude.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
Teach mercy, truth and grace.
• Own and admit an offense.
• Humbly ask for forgiveness.
• Take responsibility and make reparation.
• Embrace Jesus’ grace with humility.
Teach them and model them.
Personal application
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24
• Pray daily for those you can’t forgive.
• Deal with un-forgiveness
• Daily receive fresh mercies- leave the past behind you.
Parental application
• When you blow it- tell your kid and then tell them how you should have handled it and repair it.
• Walk them through it when they blow it
• You are a gate-keeper of your family. What you allow is allowed into your family.
Give a blessing
•One day a year, have a family dinner. “Eve of Eve” dinner. Tell what you were taught by God over the past year, what you will bring with you into the new year, and what you want to learn in the new year.
This is only a suggested way. Find what works best for your family.
Work together as parents to come up with a blessing to speak over your child. During the eve of eve dinner, the father will stand behind each child, place his hand on their shoulders or head and speak the blessing over each child. This should only be done after much prayer and searching of Scripture. Each blessing should be personal to the child receiving it, not an all-encompassing blessing for all the children at once.
• Separate who they are from what they do.
• Never let your child walk away with a closed spirit. When you blow it, fix it immediately.
• Telling the truth- love them enough to confront and give correction. Teach them it’s because we want the best for them.
Personal application
• Ask God to speak a blessing. Ask Him to send someone to do it for Him.
• Remember, I am the object of God’s affection.
Parental application
• Put your hands on their face and speak blessings into their life on a regular basis.
• Let them know, “I SEE YOU”.
• During difficult seasons cast a new dream and blessing over their life.
“God has a big plan for you and I can’t wait to see what it is!”
These are my notes from Susie's workshop. Any mistakes are mine. Please check out her website (link above) for tons of resources, a great monthly email, ways to connect to her ministry and for more information about where she will be next.
Susie Larson
http://www.susielarson.com/
The #1 thing you have to know is:
We can not impart what we do not possess. We have to be grateful and humble, thankful and caring to teach our kids these things. Our strife and stress show them that we don’t believe God is who we say He is. Remember, more is caught than taught.
It is possible to go upstream against modern culture, we have a mighty God. Speak His truth. We have to model thankfulness. (don’t parent out of anxieties and fears).
“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18
We take so much for granted, then are surprised and disappointed when our kids do the same thing.
Also remember, comparison is a sin. Focus only on what you have.
Practice gratitude (Thankfulness)
Do I complain and talk about struggles in front of the kids?
Modeling gratitude makes us credible to our kids.
Don’t guilt your children. Teach them gratefulness through prayer – for everything.
a) Refuse worry (it will steal your grateful heart) I could worry but I choose not to so that I can glorify God.
b) Spend time with God (get His perspective)
c) Keep a thankfulness journal (read it out loud)
d) Let your kids hear you thanking God over simple things
e) Teach them to pray out loud
f) Ask your children: “What are you most thankful for?” ask them all the time
g) An attitude of entitlement is to be treated like a sin.
2. Practice Restraint
a) Just because we can afford it doesn’t mean we should get it
b) Learn to say: “Your character matters more to me than (activities, plans, items), and this attitude needs addressed immediately.” You must address things immediately, no matter what. If this means leaving the cart at the store, cancelling long-planned for outings etc. do it. Your child’s character is more important than those things.
c) Addictions to games/toys/activities … etc. Nothing should have that power over you but God.
1. Put them on mini-fasts from toys, candy, movies, games, activities – until the grateful attitude is achieved.
2. Pampering ourselves shouldn’t be a way of life. “Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.” Proverbs 25:28
3. We need to say no to ourselves and teach our kids that same valuable self-tool.
4. Spoiled, over-indulged children show the same characteristics as drug addicts
5. Some disappointment and struggles are needed for your child to grow into a healthy and capable adult.
Personal application
• Ask: What in my hand do you want so you can have more of me?
• Establish: a partial fast
• Say “no” to yourself, and then deal with it.
Parental application
• Ask God to give you a heightened sense of where your child will struggle
Teach them to practice self-control
Is there anything you feel you should lay down for a little while?
Take time to play
• It shows our children that more rests on God’s shoulders than our shoulders.
• In good times and bad, life is a gift worth celebrating.
• It communicates “Everything will be all right”.
• “There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because the LORD your God has blessed you.” Deuteronomy 12:7
• “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” Psalm 34:8
• Play like a kid.
Personal application
• Make time to laugh
• Do what’s fun
Parental application
• Play with the kids
• Forget the chores and spontaneously do an activity
• Ask them what they enjoyed about their day. Every night.
Teaching Forgiveness
This has everything to do with gratefulness. Forgiveness is the *structural support of gratefulness.* Showing love, respect and forgiveness shows the thing and the situation are not as important as the person. Teach them to make amends to the person and that there are consequences to their actions.
“Forgiveness is not an occasional act. It is an attitude.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
Teach mercy, truth and grace.
• Own and admit an offense.
• Humbly ask for forgiveness.
• Take responsibility and make reparation.
• Embrace Jesus’ grace with humility.
Teach them and model them.
Personal application
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24
• Pray daily for those you can’t forgive.
• Deal with un-forgiveness
• Daily receive fresh mercies- leave the past behind you.
Parental application
• When you blow it- tell your kid and then tell them how you should have handled it and repair it.
• Walk them through it when they blow it
• You are a gate-keeper of your family. What you allow is allowed into your family.
Give a blessing
•One day a year, have a family dinner. “Eve of Eve” dinner. Tell what you were taught by God over the past year, what you will bring with you into the new year, and what you want to learn in the new year.
This is only a suggested way. Find what works best for your family.
Work together as parents to come up with a blessing to speak over your child. During the eve of eve dinner, the father will stand behind each child, place his hand on their shoulders or head and speak the blessing over each child. This should only be done after much prayer and searching of Scripture. Each blessing should be personal to the child receiving it, not an all-encompassing blessing for all the children at once.
• Separate who they are from what they do.
• Never let your child walk away with a closed spirit. When you blow it, fix it immediately.
• Telling the truth- love them enough to confront and give correction. Teach them it’s because we want the best for them.
Personal application
• Ask God to speak a blessing. Ask Him to send someone to do it for Him.
• Remember, I am the object of God’s affection.
Parental application
• Put your hands on their face and speak blessings into their life on a regular basis.
• Let them know, “I SEE YOU”.
• During difficult seasons cast a new dream and blessing over their life.
“God has a big plan for you and I can’t wait to see what it is!”
These are my notes from Susie's workshop. Any mistakes are mine. Please check out her website (link above) for tons of resources, a great monthly email, ways to connect to her ministry and for more information about where she will be next.
Fresh Brewed Life ~ Nicole Johnson
Fresh Brewed Life
What is a “fresh brewed life”?
Taking the “whole bean” essence of who we are, knowing it will be finely ground by the world. But when the warm love of God pours over us, we will give a wonderful aroma to the world. We have to recognize that the “daily grind” is very dulling. We tend to get to the place where we ask, “Where did I go?”
We spend our life postponing happiness, then we will turn around and wonder, “What was I waiting for?” Today is the day to say yes to God. I will not postpone abundant life anymore.
When we go through struggle and challenge, we become pretenders in our own life. The higher level of our pretending, the further we will fall before we get to our real life. Through pain we either become spectators or evaluators.
Spectating: Standing outside of our life and watching others live theirs. We try to manage it all, but at some point we have to take time for our self.
Evaluating: We become a criticizer of everything.
With spectators and evaluators we tend to live the “If everyone is ok, then I guess I am ok too” attitude. With this attitude we run the risk of losing ourselves.
Interviewing Your Anger
· It’s hard to admit we are angry: we don’t want to be angry so we pretend we aren’t. We don’t own it. (high level of pretending = far to fall) We must own it.
· What is the issue? At the very root, why am I really angry?
· We have to take responsibility for our anger and not blame our spouse, our kids, our co-workers, etc. when they ignite it. Ask yourself:
o Am I critical consistently of other people?
o Are my friendships peppered with angry incidents?
o Are the kids constantly doing something wrong?
o Does my family frequently ask why I am mad?
o Do I brake things in anger?
o Does my spouse feel praised by me?
· Righteous anger is ok when it is dealt with and not covered over.
· When pain and hurt are covered over they become anger
· Anger comes from compromising our self (not the health sense of compromise, but at a deep core level)
· Learn to ask yourself, where have I compromised, or been compromised? This could be values, beliefs,
· We have to take responsibility for our anger and not blame our spouse, our kids, our co-workers, etc. when they ignite it. Ask yourself:
o Am I critical consistently of other people?
o Are my friendships peppered with angry incidents?
o Are the kids constantly doing something wrong?
o Does my family frequently ask why I am mad?
o Do I brake things in anger?
o Does my spouse feel praised by me?
· Righteous anger is ok when it is dealt with and not covered over.
· When pain and hurt are covered over they become anger
· Anger comes from compromising our self (not the health sense of compromise, but at a deep core level)
· Learn to ask yourself, where have I compromised, or been compromised? This could be values, beliefs,
goals, desires.
· We spend more energy covering up anger than dealing with it.
· God is not afraid of my anger.
· Remember, I want to be the face of love to my children.
· We spend more energy covering up anger than dealing with it.
· God is not afraid of my anger.
· Remember, I want to be the face of love to my children.
Listening to Your Longings
· We were made for more than this world has to offer us.
o Bad news: We will spend the majority of our lives unfulfilled
o Good news: I am not crazy feeling this and I am not alone feeling this (“holes”)
· We try to fill that longing with “things”. We say we don’t want more (rationalize); we say we are
o Bad news: We will spend the majority of our lives unfulfilled
o Good news: I am not crazy feeling this and I am not alone feeling this (“holes”)
· We try to fill that longing with “things”. We say we don’t want more (rationalize); we say we are
complete in God (spiritualize) but the holes remain, as does our sense of being unfulfilled
· The holes are place-holders for God. He will meet us in them; we cannot fill them with things or people.
· The holes are place-holders for God. He will meet us in them; we cannot fill them with things or people.
They draw us to Him.
· Don’t use this feeling of un-fulfillment to isolate yourself from those that matter most.
· The world doesn’t stop for our pain and suffering. We can’t just unplug from life. Others depend on us.
· Don’t use this feeling of un-fulfillment to isolate yourself from those that matter most.
· The world doesn’t stop for our pain and suffering. We can’t just unplug from life. Others depend on us.
~ Practical way to “find myself” in a busy world ~
List 15 things that I really love to do (and if I can’t come up with 15, then I need to find new things to try) that I can do in 30 minutes or less. Do them at least 3 times a week. Remember, you are worth having a life!
God doesn’t always get us out of our life or our situation, but he always sits next to us as we live through it. Remember: We are not where we were, we are not where we will be yet, but we are further along.
What about the damage that’s already been done?
- Humility before our children will help to heal the damage.
- Help them to see a mother who struggles with anger instead of an angry mother. There is a difference.
- Ask yourself:
What am I angry about? A circumstance or a situation? Step back, take a time out and get clarity. Is it an Issue? Issues take longer and need investigation and work to resolve. (prospective)
Four easy things I can do to be proactive in not losing control of anger:
Never become too
H. (hungry)
A. (angry)
L. (lonely)
T. (tired)
These are my notes from Nicole's workshop. Any mistakes are mine. Please check out her website (link above) for tons of resources, ways to connect to her ministry and for more information about where she will be next.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
War Wounds ~ Lessons from the book of Joshua
Battle Plan from the book of Joshua
All of our war wounds have a common trait:
wrong focus ~ we are focused on ourselves instead of on God)
1. Be strong and very courageous (1:5, 6, 7, 9)
- How?
2. Know the S.O.P. (Standard Operating Procedure) (1:8)
- The Bible
3. Know your Leader (1:16)
4. Be an Army of One (servant of God) (1:12-13)
- We follow and serve God only
- We are not alone- we come together as individuals to serve a common purpose- unity- regardless of our differences
5. Everyone and everything is usable (2)
- People are flawed-God is not, he can use everyone everything to his purpose (Rahab)
- We see with our eyes- God sees with His eyes
6. Don’t rest when you’re blessed (1:12-13, 16-18)
- Comfort brings complacency, when God brings blessing let it spur you on instead.
- Let God lead you out of your comfort zone- and go willingly.
7. Get your feet wet! (3)
- Risk and faith go hand in hand. Go where faith takes you.
- Trust God to do the miraculous. God is still the mighty miracle worker he was in Old Testament times.
- We can’t control God (let go of control and need for informed service (knowing the outcome ahead of time)
8. The three R’s: Remember, Rejoice & Reveal (4-5:1)
- Rejoice in God’s faithfulness
- Remember all He has done for you
- Reveal our commitment to God to the enemy
9. Disinfect (5:13-15)
- Ego has to be defeated by the One True God
- 5:14 ~ no excuses, no disclaimers, no limits to what we submit to God, then we are strong in Christ.
10. Extreme Warfare (6)
- Don’t be held back by what is rational and reasonable (by the world’s standard)
- Trust in God-sized solutions (God doesn’t have to show us he is working. Faith is just trusting that He is because He says He is)
11. Don’t give up or give out (6)
- It’s ok to be weary, trust God and give him the things that are wearing you out.
- The joy of the Lord is our strength, even when we can’t feel his strength or comfort and conformation. Be obedient!
12. con-fidence vs. God-fidence (7 &8)
- Confidence = failure (it’s not about us)
- Godfidence= success (trust in God working through us to complete his plan)
- Don’t take the easy way out – take responsibility for mistakes
14. The task of God is always greater than an individual in the purposes of God. (13:1)
- We have to empower the next generation (spiritually, the next person for the next step in the Plan)
15. Faithfulness (14:9)
- How long, oh Lord, Must I wait? God’s time is not our time
- Faithfulness is how we serve in the waiting
- He is always faithful to fulfill his purpose and plan through us.
16. The significance of refuge (20:1)
- We are pursued by evil, when we cannot take any more, God will provide refuge (people, Scripture, home)
- Times of rest are times of stepping away, not stepping completely out
17. recall the 5 laws (22)
1. Love the Lord your God- head knowledge and obedience to love that controls our entire being
2. Obey His commands- day by day, moment by moment, choose to use God’s power
3. Hold fast to God- He does not intend fo us to go alone. He is always with us, we have to reach for him and not let go
4. serve with all your heart and soul- when it hurts and tears us apart, God will bless us in eternal ways
5. (I missed this one.. SORRY!)
18. Take care of relationships (22:6-34)
- Rash judgments cause negativity that is unfounded, brings disunity, discontent and hurt
- Don’t judge- respond with humility and a heart that seeks truth
19. Take time to assess (23)
- 23:14 ~ stop to think if we are on track with God
20. PRAISE GOD (24:27)
Calluses, Blisters & Fungus: Oh My!
Calluses, Blisters & Fungus: Oh My!
Protecting our feet from war wounds
Section 1 ~ Calluses
Definition: A hardened area
Caused by: irritation, pressure, friction
Do I have a callus?
Do these affect my ability to carry the Good News? When I am hardened God can not use me.
Section 2 ~ Blisters
Definition: A raw spot (tender)
Caused by: friction, repetitiveness, hot & cold (being under fire or the cold shoulder), chemical exposure (opposing views), irritation
Do I have blisters?
Blisters leave us open to infection. We get hurt so we disconnect.
Section 3 ~ Fungus
Definition: contagious, spreading germs that cause disease
Caused by: availability of a warm, dark place
Do I have fungi?
Occurs when our defenses are down, moves on to stinking thinking, then gossip, and ultimately to disunity.
Cycle looks like this:
Starts out feeling included
Something doesn't feel right (gossip, strife, or disunity)
Division
Cover it Up, Hide it (no truth in love)
Things have to be cleaned up
This was just a general overview of things to be watchful for. As with any of these issues, if you notice one starting to develop, you have to stop it immediately.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Expanding on the conference
I am trying to get my notes from Beth Moore typed up so I can get them entered on here. There are so many and I was all over the place trying to keep up so it is hard for me to sort them out. I consider that a good problem!
I am also heading to Hearts at Home next weekend, so I will be adding all my notes from breakouts as well.
Finally, I have some notes from a volunteer breakaway that I went to for my work (I work at my local crisis pregnancy center, and every year, the centers in our area create a day conference for all the wonderful volunteers that serve so that they can be refreshed) so I will be adding that one as well.
I am blessed each and every time to be allowed these times away to focus on God. I know that not everyone has that blessing, so I hope that God will lead them here...to my little blogference blog. I know what it is to be desperate for a Word, some refreshing, or just to know that I am not alone and that yes, God sees me. If I can use this blog to offer any of those things, I consider this the BEST use of my time and energy!
Keep checking back!
I am also heading to Hearts at Home next weekend, so I will be adding all my notes from breakouts as well.
Finally, I have some notes from a volunteer breakaway that I went to for my work (I work at my local crisis pregnancy center, and every year, the centers in our area create a day conference for all the wonderful volunteers that serve so that they can be refreshed) so I will be adding that one as well.
I am blessed each and every time to be allowed these times away to focus on God. I know that not everyone has that blessing, so I hope that God will lead them here...to my little blogference blog. I know what it is to be desperate for a Word, some refreshing, or just to know that I am not alone and that yes, God sees me. If I can use this blog to offer any of those things, I consider this the BEST use of my time and energy!
Keep checking back!
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