The 5 Do’s and Don’ts for Black Friday

  I LOVE Black Friday. Kind of weird for a woman who really hates to shop, I know. I used to hate it! Absolutely hate it! But one day it occurred to me that 99% of the Black Friday shoppers were people who were willing to get up at wee hours to get a gift for someone they loved. I realize The MOM Initiative is a ministry to moms and this is where I’m supposed to give you all those wise warnings about NOT getting caught up in all the hullabaloo and materialistic madness that begins when the Black Friday …

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A Mother’s Persistent Prayer

Desperation can lead to unusual actions. Many were the days that I locked myself in the bathroom or closet after a crazy day just to have a few much needed minutes of peace and quiet. Other times, I unashamedly made a special trip to our town’s grocery store to grab a bag of spicy gumdrops thinking they would relieve the mom-stress I was dealing with. (That doesn’t work, by the way!) But, nothing leads me to more frantic and determined action than seeing one of my children in deep trouble. I’ve had my moments of sheer panic for my children. …

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MATRIARCHS: Elizabeth – Mom Knows Best or God Knows Best?

Welcome to Week 10 of MATRIARCHS! Study God’s Word with us online or use them in your small group or Sunday School class!  Each lesson includes: Teaching video every Monday (15-20 minutes) Short lesson provided as the content of the post In-depth downloadable PDF to deepen your study Worksheets that take you even deeper ALL LESSONS ARE FREE AND YOU CAN MAKE AS MANY COPIES AS YOU’D LIKE! Week 1: Eve – A Mother Like No Other Week 2: Sarah – Mother of Nations Week 3: Rebekah – Mothering Through Barrenness Week 4: Mary – Stubbornly Inflexible or Sacredly Flexible Week 5: Naomi – Not …

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The Secret Trick to a Brainy Yet Swanky Homeschool Table

Whether your kids’ classroom space is the kitchen table or in another room, here is your secret trick to a brainy yet swanky homeschool table! Covering your school table with educational prints then protecting it all with clear plastic is sure to expand your school space as well as generate learning enjoyment!   Let’s get started! First, gather these supplies: Clear vinyl table cover. I find mine in the craft section at Walmart. Choose the right size to fit your table.  I also like to buy the thicker vinyl–it costs a bit more but lasts much longer. Clear packaging tape. …

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Bite Your Tongue

  My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, James 1:19 NIV Sometimes it is better for everyone involved if you just bite your tongue. Oh, I know, it’s not easy to do and believe me, this is something that I struggle with as a mom, wife…and well, as a person, but hear me on this- there is strength in not saying everything that comes to your mind. There is strength in not saying everything that comes to your mind. Bite Your Tongue. Click To …

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Mama, Don’t Rush Your Babies Growing Up

Do you remember the old song by Willie Nelson called “Mama, don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys?” In it the song says over and over why they shouldn’t let their babies grow up to be a cowboy. It gives lots of reasons why the cowboy life isn’t a good one and tells mamas to let them be “doctors and lawyers and such”. What I’ve always wanted to scream is mama, don’t let your babies grow up…and then reality hit me, and I realized that no matter what you do they are gonna grow up. So, instead of …

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Is Your Girl Dieting?

In my interactions with moms, many have shared with me that this really is a scary topic; one many even see as taboo to some degree. I truly believe God when He tells us in James 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” He can give us the wisdom we need to speak truth and life into our children, even about those oh-so-tough topics like body image!  You might be thinking, “My daughter is young; I don’t need to be thinking …

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Hold On Loosely, Don’t Give Up Hope

Moms of teenagers and adult children, oh how I would love to pull up a chair beside you, pour a cup of coffee and commiserate over this new season of parenting you’re in. It’s not an easy transition by any means but I’m hoping that as we sit and visit that you and I both will learn a little bit about how to hold on loosely in this season when you feel like giving up hope. Chances are if you are a child of the 80’s, you’ll remember a song from the band 38 special called, “Hold On Loosely.” In …

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Honoring Your Mom and Your Mother-In-Law This Mother’s Day

Guess what is right around the corner? This year instead of all the gifts, let’s do something a little different and take some time to honor your mom…and your mother in law this Mother’s Day. Listen, I’ll be the first to admit, I wanna claim Mother’s Day as “my day.” I work hard all year long and I need, scratch that, want a day for me–but I’m gonna let you in on a little secret, your mom and your mother in law want that too. I’m not saying you give up your title of “Queen for the day” or anything like …

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Attention Boy Moms! Make Room In Your Heart For Their Special Girl

Copyright: Olena Bilion / 123RF Stock Photo  Attention boy moms, there’s going to come a time when you need to make room in your heart for your son’s special girl. Ouch, I know, that’s a tough one, especially if you have little boys at home right now. As a matter of fact it took me a long time to wrap my head (and my heart) around this, but I’m hoping that through my trial and error your transition might be a little smoother. Over the years it’s not always been easy, as any boy mom can attest to. They are …

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