Trying Again: Exchanging Bad Communication Patterns for Good Ones

Parenting is tough. And I can easily fall into terribly patterns with my kids. Times when just the mention of a topic causes my blood to boil and I can barely speak a civil word because I am annoyed. Annoyed at poor attitudes. Frustrated that I cannot communicate clearly with them. Irritated that they don’t just take my word for it. And those sensitive topics like math can send both my child’s and my hearts pounding and blood boiling. So how do we try again? How can we remove the bad habit of frustration over difficult topics? “Everyone should be …

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How to Find Significant Purpose in Your Grandparenting by Lillian Penner

I received the special gift of grandparenting as I approached my midlife season. It was exciting to become a grandparent! However, I learned that along with this gift came a sacred trust to imprint another generation with the message of God’s faithfulness. Reflecting on my new responsibility, I realized my prayers were too general and vague and I became frustrated with how I was praying for my grandchildren. After I asked God for wisdom and read several books about prayer, my praying changed dramatically. I discovered God’s Word was a great resource to help me with my praying, not only …

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Lavish Grace Week 3: Acts of Love, Humility and Selflessness Create Graceful Relationships

Welcome to Week 3 of  The Mom Initiative’s Lavish Grace Bible Study! Today, we’re going to look at ways to lavish grace onto friends, family and even strangers. Do you need a fresh awareness of  God’s lavish grace? If so, you’re in the right place! This is the third week of our new Bible study based on Kathy Howard’s book, Lavish Grace. This study will help you recognize, rest in, and share the glorious grace of God.  We have built in four levels of involvement, so you can participate as much or as little as you are able. (See this previous post for a full explanation.) Here’s the …

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Because a Smile Can Make a Difference

Hi y’all, Did you know that this team of MOMs thinks and prays for you often? Did you know that you’re not alone as a mom, or a grandma, or a ministry leader, or a missionary, or all the above? We are here for you and we are passionate about reaching the moms of this generation and reaching the heart of the next generation. It’s why we exist. But we can’t do it without your help! With MOM Groups in 30 states and 10 countries, we encourage, equip, and train ministry leaders, missionaries, and mentors how to create a unique …

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When God Says No

Have you ever wondered why sometimes you desperately want to do something for the Lord and you start moving in that direction, only to realize that your good idea was not really a God idea? Yeah…me too!  And it’s very painful! Isn’t it? At least it is for me! Recently, I was faced with the opportunity to do something I really wanted to do. I thought it was a great idea. I thought it was even an open door. It was a good thing. A really GOOD thing! But God said NO. And as I look back on it, I think He was saying NO the whole time. …

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3 Ways to Pray Consistently

This past Saturday, I had the whole morning to myself. My intent was to write.  I’ve had posts welling up inside of me for weeks and I couldn’t wait to sit at the computer in a quiet house and get those words on the screen. But, God had other plans. He asked me to kneel at his altar and pray. It wasn’t one of those rushed prayers of obligation. No, it was one of those flat on the floor, tears streaming, questions asking, heart-pounding prayers.  It was exhausting, dramatic, and releasing. Have you ever had a moment like that? When …

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When Mom is Sick: 10 Brilliant Survival Tactics

When mom gets sick her magic of juggling a gazillion tasks comes to a screeching halt. But, we all know these responsibilities are never allowed a sick day. How can mom and her busy household survive when fever, aches and chills knock her off her feet? Use these ten brilliant survival tactics this flu season: Click To Tweet Hunker down with your kiddos in a safe, small space in the house. Bring your little ones in the bedroom with you and lock your door, or make your bed on the couch near their play area. Staying close will help you …

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Raising Sweet Smelling Boys (and Praying One Another Through)

 I was sniffing men’s deodorant when our eyes met. Her grocery cart was piled high with diapers and baby wipes, and the toddler in the front seat was pulling tissues from her purse and shredding them into tiny scraps of homemade confetti. But she was too busy staring at me to notice her little one’s antics.   I don’t blame her for gawking.  After all, it’s not every day that you spy a forty-year-old woman sniffing pit protection in aisle twelve. It’s crazy what a mom will do for her kids. I’m not sure what made me think of that awkward moment …

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Making Plans to Succeed

A few years ago on a Sunday, we decided to stay home and have home church. Everyone was feeling OVERWHELMED, and I felt a strong leading to do a family assessment, individually and as a whole, and with that came a couple of pieces of insight that I believe will help YOU, too. We all have a nature that, when put in a passive mode, slips back into places that are like quick sand or even thick, muddy clay. Sometimes, we wake up and realize we are stuck or even worse, sinking! So whether it is a new school year or …

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10 Things Moms Savor – Come add your own!

Things moms savor that will make your mom heart smile! 🙂 This past week we shared some fun things that make a mom’s heart smile in our Million Moms Newsletter. So we wanted to share it here for you. Be sure to add your own.  And…OH… if you haven’t joined the MILLION MOMS Team, please click this link and sign up! We are looking for a million moms who want to raise their children to know Jesus! If that’s you, join the team! 1. That moment when your child realizes your real name isn’t ‘mom.’ 2. That moment when you realize …

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