How to Have a Birthday Party for Jesus

Our Christmas Tree I posted the above picture on my Facebook timeline and received many questions about the Birthday Bag for Jesus in front of the Christmas tree. At our house, that Birthday Bag is a reminder that we are celebrating the birthday of Jesus. Christmas is Jesus’ Birthday! Celebrate Click To Tweet A Christmas Party with Purpose Have a Purpose for Your Christmas Party Click To Tweet The tradition of celebrating Jesus’ birthday at Christmas started early in our marriage. Since our anniversary is December 19th (22 years this year!), it’s already a packed month for us, but we …

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When Baby Jesus Goes Missing (And good news of great joy… for real)

I’ll never forget the year that baby Jesus disappeared.  One day he was sleeping peacefully in that cute plastic stable, and the next day he was gone. Mary and Joseph were still lingering in Bethlehem and the shepherds were still hanging out with the sheep. But the baby in the manger was nowhere to be found. We hunted all over the house for that pudgy plastic babe. And we wondered how the synthetic star of our Fisher Price nativity set could have gone AWOL before we’d even lit our first Advent candle. We looked in the kitchen and in the toy box, under the Christmas …

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Breaking Bread on Christmas

Eating with family and friends is such a great tradition and a huge part of what makes Christmas day so special. But did you know that breaking bread with others has a lot to do with Jesus? In Matthew 9:10 NIV, Jesus had dinner at Matthew’s house, “with many tax collectors and sinners …and his disciples.” He also ate with His disciples at the Last Supper. Jesus took the opportunity to eat and have conversations with both followers and sinners together. This gives us an opportunity to invite people over to our homes at Christmas who may not have anywhere else to go, …

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Will You Give Today? (An Amazing Opportunity to Help Us Reach a MILLION MOMs for Christ & Partner with Churches and Organizations Around the World)

We know that Jesus changes everything. And we know that God’s Word holds the answer to the questions of every heart. We also know that if we reach the moms of this generation, we can reach the heart of the next generation. A MILLION MOMs is our goal MOM Groups is our tool The CHURCH is our partner The MOM Initiative is a 501(C)3 that rely on the support of God’s people to help us reach moms for Christ, to reach their children for Christ, and to minister to moms who know Christ. In 2015… Moms in 30 states and …

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When the Christmas Season Hurts

What happens when the Christmas season hurts? Usually just saying the word Christmas brings up a bounty of fun family memories – snow, family, the smell of a fresh cut tree and yet this year, for many people just the thought of the Christmas season brings tears to their eyes. What happens when the Christmas season hurts? Practical tips to make it through this Christmas. Click To Tweet It’s a powerful parallel, on one hand there are millions of people everywhere that are full of the Christmas spirit. You know who they are, they just can’t help themselves, they have …

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How Not to Be a Scrooge This Christmas

And the winner of Amy Carroll’s new book, Breaking Up with Perfect AND a copy of The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree, is…. TERESA! Teresa, please email us at info@themominitiative.com and let us know where to send your books! AND…CONGRATULATIONS!!! Okay… so some of us struggle with being a bit of a SCROOGE this time of year. When the lines get long at Walmart or at the grocery store, it can be tough to hold your patience and keep your JESUS. So, for all you scrooges out there, here’s a few tips to keep you straight: 1.  Take a deep breath and call on …

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Pointing Our Children to Jesus This Season

God gave us the best gift in Jesus Christ. Sometimes I think we miss it. We miss the Gift. We miss Him, forgetting to point our children to Jesus. Rather, we get caught up in the gifts we want to give and get this year–the best one ever to fill up perceived needs. Commercialism has sold us a bill of goods that tells us we must give our children what they want, what they ask for or they will be scarred for life. Well, I can tell you truly. We have gone several years NOT getting them what they asked for, …

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Finding a Fit for Passing On Your Faith

I can’t remember if it was 2 or 3 years ago when I met Amy, but when we connected, I instantly loved her heart! Amy has a new book out. And her heart for God to minister to the hearts of women is evident!  Today, I’m honored to have her as a guest on The MOM Initiative AND… she is graciously giving away one of her books, Breaking Up with Perfect AND a copy of The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree, a Christmas story for your whole family.  BE SURE TO COMMENT FOR A CHANCE TO WIN! Now… without further adieu… here’s Amy …

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5 Reasons I Quit Minding My Own Business

I have a confession to make. I’m just a tad nosey!  When I was a little girl, my mom would tell me to mind my own business. I’m guessing your momma told you that too. But a few years after I became a Christian, I discovered that minding my own business wasn’t as good or spiritual as it sounds. Philippians 2:4 says, “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” I remember thinking, “God actually calls us to get in each other’s business.” Did you know that God calls us …

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Did Jesus Have a Nickname

Did Jesus Have Nicknames?

Lovey. Sweetie. Little Bean. Bubs. I have so many nicknames for my kids, it’s a wonder they answer to their Christian names. Some parents get their children’s official monikers mixed up. I remember my mother tripping over her three choices when she was angry or in a rush. Robin—Becky—Sarah—whatever your name is! Get in here! Me? I even get my girls’ pet names confused. “How’s your breakfast, Sunshine?” “Mooooom!” my eldest scolded. “My sister is your Sunshine. I’m your Joy!” Which begs the question, is it time to ix-nay the nicknames? “For to us a child is born, to us …

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