The Power of Prayer

Monday, April 25 Adley and I woke up like we always do and snuggled in bed for a little while before we got up and ate breakfast. After breakfast we watched disney channel for a bit, got dressed and began to leave our house to go pick up our dog, max, at the animal shelter because he had ran away afew days earlier. Once we picked up max we got in the car and started heading back home. About 10 minutes later and older gentleman pulled out of a car dealership, turning left as we were driving down the two lane road he attempted to turn left onto. Unfortunately, as we were afew feet in front of his truck he also began to turn causing us to slam on the brakes, but that wasnt enough. We hit. It was almost ass if the whole wreck were in slow otion. I saw it coming. I shouted out, "Oh Lord" as the front of our car hit into the side of the ans pick up. It was the longest prayer i could get out. As soon as our car stopped i jumped out an ran to get Adley. Praise God, she was okay. Max, who had flown from the back of the car to the back seat was okay too. I was a little shaken up, but was fine. As i stood there looking at Adley waving at the firemen and laughing at the sirens I realized that prayer had saved us. Right after Aldey was born I began reading the book Power of a Praying Parent. After reading a chapter on protection I began to pray daily for God to watch over my baby. I lifted her safety up to the Lord in prayer, and was satisfied in knowing that no matter what may come our way she would always be protected. There was an Angel with us that day, and I convinced it was because of all my protective prayers and faithfulness in knowing Gods hand was always on y baby girl. If the timing hadn't been exactly what it was during the accident the an would have crashed into Adley's side of the car. I would hate to even imagine what wouldve happened if that were so. Thank you God for being all knowing. Your timing is perfect. I a 100% convinced that y prayers saved us. Prayer is a powerful thing.

Happy Birthday Aunt Megan

Happy Birthday to Adley's Aunt Megan! You are such a blessing to our family. Hope your day is wonderful. Wish we could be with you to celebrate!

A thought to share

As I was watching my daughter walk and toddle around, not having a care in the world i began to think about God. God sent his only son to this world to be loved, hated, mistreated, persecuted,killed, and rise again. This act alone shows the strength of our God. As a parent i could not imagine sending my child to a place such as this, knowing their destiny, and watch it play out. How obedient is our God to us that he would go through this for you and for me. I wish i could be so strong. Here is a scripture i would like to share with you:

(God to Abraham)"Take your son, your only son, Issac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of those mountains I will tell you about." Genesis 22:2
(After Abraham had taken Isaac to the mountain and was about to sacrifice him)"Do not lay a hand on the boy, he said. Do not do anything to him. Now I Know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son." Genesis 22:12

God gave Abraham a glimpse of what it may feel like to sacrifice his only son, so that we may know the ultimate sacrifice God himself would have to make. Yet, the Lord stopped Abraham before the sacrifice was made. God does not want us to suffer such as he or his son had to. How amazing is our God?

Chapter 2: Shaping Influences

Shaping Influences: the events and circumstances in a child's developmental years that prove to be catalysts for making them the person they are.

The disciplines of childhood will harden into concrete, adult lives.

The person your child becomes is shaped by two things:
1-life experience
2-interaction with that experience (or response to the experience)

THE Shaping Influences:
-Structure of family life
-Family Values (Col 2:8)
-Family Roles
-Family conflict resolution (Prov 12:15-16)
-Family response to failure
-Family history

scripture readings:
Col 2:8
Prov 12: 15-16
Jeremiah 2:12
Prov 4:23

Application Questions:
1)What would your children identify as the values of your family? What are things that matter most to you?
I am hopeful that my daughter will identify our Christian lifestyle as the values that our family sees. you must always sensor your words and modify your actions so that your child may see Christ though you. The things that matter most to me are modesty, spirituality and kindness. These are characteristics/values i hope my child sees in me; and maintains herself.
2)What constitutes success or failure in your home?
Our definition of success: to live your life as God sees fit, and to pursue all things you believe God has in mind for you. Our definition of failure: living your life in a way that is disappointing to God and his commandments. Material things do not determine success of failure to us such as money or grades. Success and Failure, to us, is determined by how you live your life according to Gods vision for you. Yes, everyone sins and makes mistakes. We are not blind to the fact that our child will. But, we want our child to live for God. That will be a lifelong success.

Shepherding a Child's Heart & Chapter 1

i have begun to read a book by Tedd Tripp titled Shepherding a Child's Heart. Adley is to the age now where discipline is a factor in every day. Therefore, i have began to read this book as a disciplinary guide. We want to discipline the right way and it all beings with God; as do all things. So, please join me as i study this amazing read on biblical childrearing. This is a blog for you to read, as well as notes for me as i read through the book. I strongly suggest purchasing it and reading along with me!

Part I: Foundation of Biblical Childrearing

Chapter I: Getting to the Heart of Behavior

The heart is the control center of life

Prov. 4:23 "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."

The behavior a person (even children) exhibit is an expression of the overflow of the heart.

Your childs needs are far beyond what they express in their outward behaviors.

You must look at the heart that drives the actions.

Matthew 15: Jesus denounces the pharisees who had honored him with their lips while their hearts were far from God. He prescribes that they are people who wash the outside of the cup yet the inside is still unclean.

In disciplining our children we must not only address the outward issue but get to the root of the problem within.

Your concern is to locate your childs sin, helping them to understand how their actions reflect a heart that has strayed from Jesus.

You must go to the scripture for answers.

You must understand your children in relationship to the two broad sets of issues that affect them:
1) The child and his relationship to the shaping influences of life.
2) The child and his relationship to God.

Questions from Tripp at the end of Chapter I:
(my personal answers)
1) Explain the importance of dealing with the heart in discipline and correction of children.
If you read through Matthew chapter 15 you better understand that it is not the outward actions that make a person clean or unclean it is what is on the inside-or in your heart. A childs problem goes deeper than a single action, it is a matter of the heart.
2) Describe the centrality of the heart in directing behavior.
The root of every issue is embedded in the heart. To use a key you must find a door. The door to your childs behavior is the heart, the action is merely a key. Just like a lock changes so does the action.

Scripture readings;
Prov 4: 23
Mark 7:21
Luke 6:45
Matt 15