Mothers and Fathers!

If you’re reading this and are as tired of the nonsense we see promoted in the media on a daily basis, then you understand why we need to address–mothers and fathers.

No matter how often we talk about family–we must understand God’s plan for family. He intended for the mothers to be mothers–to be role models for the daughters they might have and to guide their sons–not only in being a good person, but in understanding the role of a man by encouraging a right relationship with fathers.

Fathers are needed in every little girl’s life. Little girls are born with an inherent need to be loved by their fathers and when fathers are not around, that need is easily influenced by predators and the girls are drawn into situations that could cause them irreparable harm. That first love of a man should be from a father and every little girl should know–that a father molded and motivated by God is their protector–not their persecutor. A father who loves God will never molest his own daughter or the daughter of anyone else. When a father molests a child–of either sex–they are setting that child down a path that could turn disastrous--and they may never live the life God intended them to live. Fathers–O Fathers–you have failed your daughters.

Every little boy needs their father in their lives to teach them how to be men of courage and valor and honor and integrity. When boys don’t have an appropriate role model in their fathers to teach them, they go astray–angry, bitter, and frustrated, seeking vengeance and will take out their frustrations upon anyone they come across. This is why we have gangs attacking senior citizens and robbing them. This is why we have males breaking into homes and beating older residents to death. This is why we have males thinking they have a right to carjack people. This is why males think they have a right to pick up a gun and take someone’s life and expect no repercussions. Fathers–O Fathers–you have failed your sons!

Mothers–I’m not letting you off easy either. A daughter needs to understand how men should treat her and if you’re allowing every Tom, Dick and Harry into your homes and putting your children in jeopardy–your daughters may never know what a man’s love is really all about. Love–is not lust and has nothing to do with physical aspects of sexuality. Teach your daughters to respect themselves–in how they dress and how they talk–to others and to think of themselves the way God sees them--more precious than jewels. Be the role model God intended for you to be and don’t allow society to dictate to you–how to be a Godly mother. Don’t fail your daughters–the enemy seeks to destroy her and make her feel worthless and unwanted. By being a Godly example of motherhood–as God intended, you can foil the enemy’s plans for your daughter’s life.

Mothers–stop talking about absent dads–running them into the ground just because you’re frustrated about a failed relationship.  When you decide to have children, your children must be your first priority and if by chance you hooked up with the wrong man and made a baby–deal with it. Seek God’s wisdom to raise that child and to handle the disappointment of the relationship that probably never should have been. Don’t allow your sons to become so bitter about their fathers they refuse to hear them–especially when they’re telling them the right thing to do. Don’t fail your sons–the enemy already has plans for him and you’re the only one who can foil the enemy’s plans!

One final cautionary note for both–mothers and fathers.  Don’t allow the disappointments or the horrible events in your own life to flow over into the lives of your children. Seek help and get over it so your children can lead, full, productive lives–knowing they are loved, by you and God!

Let’s change this culture of inconsideration and disrespect by training our children in the ways they should go so when they are older, what they have been taught, won’t leave them.

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And A Mother Is…

But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. I Thessalonians 2:7 NKJV

There are so many references in The Word regarding a mother or mothers that I had difficulty choosing one, but I think this one is a stand-out, for more than one reason.

A nursing mother holds her child close and dear,

Desiring only for the child to be healthy and know love,

She cares for herself because everything she eats or drinks,

Flows into the child in her arms–lovingly and the child grows.

As the child gets older, a mother’s love never stops,

But regroups her methods to make sure the child knows,

Right from wrong and wrong from right, disciplining, teaching,

Loving no matter what happens, knowing when the time is right,

To allow the child to take steps on his/her own, praying, seeing them grown.

And when they are grown, her love never stops, but spreads deep within

Without, making room for the grands and great-grands, the fruit of the child,

Once nestled in the curve of her arms, now strong enough to hold his/her mother

As they begin their own journey into parenthood.

 

At every stage and age a mother is whatever we need for that moment,

So we must cherish the time we have with them so memories will never fade,

And we share with our children’s children all the sacrifices she made,

For us to live life–loved and challenged to be all we can be–making a difference.

Every Once in A While!

Every now and then, I stop and think

About my life and where I am, on the brink

Of greatness or mediocrity, full of joy or sadness

Thinking about world events and all the madness

That makes no sense, has no rhyme or reason

And then I reflect, all the more this season,

Getting close to Mother’s Day!

Even though mine is gone–over 20 years now,

I can’t help but remember, her living and how

She kept us line, taught us morals and work ethics

Provided a basis of faith, though she sometimes wavered,

And deep in my heart, I knew I was not who she favored,

But she loved us–each and everyone–not with words,

So much, but her actions were loud and no one misunderstood,

What she meant, with hugs or with the short end of wood

Of a switch we had to choose for her to use when we foolishly

Disobeyed or created chaos and unrest in her home.

So, every once in a while, I sit and ponder, the life she made

For us–not wealthy in material things, but we learned so much more

And she find excuses not work, two jobs and we were still poor,

Materially, but spiritually we thrived and survived and two of us

Are yet here to remind each other,

About our idiosyncratic mother–may she rest in peace.

Every once in a while, give mothers their due and think about how

You can show them some love; especially if they are still here-wow

Them and if not–send some love to those up above

In the heavenlies, reminding self–nothing like a true mother’s love!

 

Lord Jesus, help us to be mindful of our mothers–here or gone and help us to better at being a mother after Your heart, so our children and grandchildren will think about us–every once in a while!

Who Called You?

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28 NIV).

“Johnny, take out the garbage!”

“Carlos, go find your brother!”

Remember when you heard someone calling you; especially your mother? You could tell by her tone what mood she was in. And God help us if we were called by our ‘full names’. We knew we were in trouble. But mothers are not the only ones who call us to do something.

God calls us to do specific things in life and when we do what He wants us to do, He honors our efforts and good things happen. What has He called us to do? That depends. Every believer is called to promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but some have been gifted to operate in specific offices of ministry. “He gave gifts for some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and some teachers (of The Word)” (Ephesians 4:11). Here’s something to think about God’s gifts–they are without repentance. In other words, whether we live right or not, the gifts He has given, will not be taken from us; they simply won’t be as effective as they could be.

When God “has called us” into a ministry office, it does not matter what others think since we should only be concerned about pleasing God. If God is pleased, nothing and no one else matters.

The real problem with ministry in the church is when “other people call someone” into an office. Some fathers call their sons into ministry; some mothers call their sons into ministry; some pastors call their children into ministry; some showing favoritism call people into ministry that God has never even considered. When this happens, the gifts are counterfeit and the anointing is manipulated to make it appear as though God had a hand in it. How do we know?

Listen to those with “counterfeit gifts” and see if what they say aligns with The Word. Can we find anywhere in The Word of God, preachers condemning people for how they dress or other such nonsense? Can we find the preachers of the bible, lining people up to give an offering based on the amount for which “they” are asking and then belittling those who have nothing to give? Can we find preachers in the Bible who promote dancing and shouting over hearing The Word, so by the time they stop dancing and shouting, they are too  tired to hear The Word? Can we find preachers in the Bible who promote worldliness over godliness? Can we find preachers in the Bible who always “have a word of wisdom” for the people they know, but never have anything to say about those they don’t know? This list could go on and on, but there is not enough space or time to continue. Do you get the point?

God knows those He has called–He knows what gifts they have been anointed with to help move the body of Christ forward; not backwards. Those who God has called may not pastor a mega-church, but they have mega-influence over all who know them. Those who God has called, always give God credit for everything they accomplish in life. Those who God has called, understand the importance of only saying or teaching what God has already said. Those who God has called, “Study the Word so they can rightly divide (explain) it to others”. This is how we recognize the difference between those who God has called, from those who others have called.

Who called you? Or better yet, who called the person to whom you’re listening and following?

Father, grant us all the gift of discernment this day so we will not make a mockery of the gifts You have given us, to promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

Called by Name!

Do you remember when, if your mother was really upset with you, she’d call you by your full given name?

I remember it well, as a mother–calling my son by his full name if I walked outside and couldn’t see him.

If he did something really stupid and I happened to discover it–hiding dirty clothes, putting a pan he didn’t want to wash under the sink to keep from having to really scrub it–oh yes, I called him by name!

I remember my high school graduation and others that I attended, as well as college graduations–we were called by our full names and it was wonderful to hear our names for doing something positive.

Well, God knows our name–and He calls us to remembrance of His Word, His promises, and what He’ll do for us! In Isaiah 43:1  He reminds us not to be afraid because He has redeemed us and called us by name–we are His!  Glory to God!

He knows the very number of hairs on our head, He knows when we’ve done our best and when we haven’t tried, He knows the moment we’ll come to ourselves and realize we can do nothing apart from Him, and He is calling us by name–right now–to live according to His Word, defend the rights of the poor and the needy, love those who not that lovable, and promote the gospel wherever we go.  He’s called us by our full name–the righteousness of God, worthy of redemption, a royal priesthood, sons and daughters of the most high and we should live the life He has given us to His Glory!  Walk in the name He has called you–faithful servant–and listen for Him to say, “well done.”

Taryn–Excerpt from Trapped

When I moved into the first grade, there was no more play time in class, now all the play time took place outside on the playground.  While the girls were playing their games, I was playing tag and hide-and-seek with the boys.  One day, while we were playing, one of the boys asked me why I always played with them.

“Why?” I asked him.  “Is there something wrong with me playing with you?”

“No,” he said, shrugging his shoulders.  “I just wanted to know.”

I didn’t think any more about it until later that day when I got home and I decided to ask my dad about it.

“Dad, is there anything wrong with me playing with boys?”

“No, not if that’s what you want to do.  Why?”

“A boy at school asked me why I always played with them rather than the girls.”

“Are they bothered by your playing with them?” he asked, intently.

“I don’t know.  He just asked.”

I thought that ended the conversation, but then I noticed that my dad started doing things differently.  He bought fashion magazines home and dolls with wardrobes and silly girly pajamas.  When I asked him why he was doing all that stuff, he just smiled and said, “no reason.”  I didn’t think much more about it until he started sending me to spend time with my aunts more often than usual.  That was okay with me—their kids had lots of cool stuff to play with and I could even beat one their sons wrestling.

It wasn’t until I was in the second grade that I knew something was different about me.  On the outside I was a girl, but I wasn’t interested in any of the girl stuff.  I wasn’t sitting around giggling about boys or the silly things they did; I didn’t want to do things with them. One day when we were outside on the jungle-gym, I climbed to the top and one of the girls asked me if I knew that my panties could be seen.  I was horrified!  It had never occurred to me that I shouldn’t climb things while wearing a dress.  After all, my dad spent a great deal of time picking the dresses out for me.  I climbed down, petrified that the boys I had been playing with would laugh.  One snickered, the others just looked away.  When I got home that day, I told my dad I never wanted to wear a dress again. He asked me why and I told him what happened.  While I was talking, his face puzzled—crinkled with indecision and concern.  He told me not to worry about it and he would buy me more pants.

When I came home the following day, Dad had gone shopping for pants, but they all zipped on the side.  I wanted pants with a fly.  I didn’t know why, I just wanted pants that looked like the other boys’ pants. My tantrum about the pants brought us both to a new awareness.  I didn’t want to be girl; I wanted to be a boy.  Not knowing what else to do, he sat on my bed staring at the picture of my mother.  I didn’t know what to say, so I just waited.  He looked toward the ceiling, tears flowing down his face and he said, “I’m sorry, Elena, I did the best I could without you.”