Sarah Geringer's Blog, page 92
November 14, 2016
Peace in My Marriage: Day 11 OBS
Welcome to the third week of the online Bible study for Christmas Peace for Busy Moms! I have prayed over you and this study for months, and I’m so excited to meet with you here.
Our theme verse for this week:
Find the printable Bedside Reminder Card of this verse here.
Without a doubt you’ve already seen plenty of Christmas advertisements. You know busy December is soon approaching along with mountains of stress. If your mind is at peace before the season begins, you will have the strength, energy, and focus to move forward through the chaos. That’s why I want to study peace with you here in November, before the full swing of the holiday season begins. If we work to find peace now, we will be more prepared to share it with others who need it so desperately. Let’s open the virtual pages of Christmas Peace for Busy Moms together and continue our search for peace.
Please refer to Day 7 of the book as we discuss Peace in my Marriage.
How often do you go out on dates with your husband? Once per week, once per month, or once every few months? In my marriage, we usually have one date per month, but since our relationship is what I would call “high-maintenance,” twice per month is really best.
I am looking forward to several December date nights, since our parents love to keep our children over Christmas break. I’ve been looking for creative holiday date ideas, and I found several in the book $10 Great Dates. Here are five ideas I’m trying:
Gifts on a Budget. Go to a big box store together and spend only $5 per person. I would love to try this at Kohl’s since they have great clearance deals.
Just Desserts. Share a fancy dessert instead of a whole meal. I still remember the decadent, grown-up banana split we shared at a St. Louis chocolate bar a few years ago.
Breakfast. My husband and I are both morning people, so weeknight dates aren’t typically ideal. This will be a cheaper-than-dinner date when we are both fresh.
At-Home Spa. We hardly ever use our whirlpool tub…December is a great time to soak in warm, bubbly water.
Solid Gold. Collect unused jewelry, turn it in for cash, and spend the money on a nice date. I have a few single earrings and he has a damaged gold chain, which may transform into a lovely evening.
This book is filled with other ideas and conversation starters. I’m using the ideas in this book as a tool to create peace in my marriage. As you well know, nothing communicates love better than time spent together. The more loved we feel, the more peaceful our attitudes are toward each other, even in busy December.
In this stressful season, the best action I can take for our marriage is to schedule a date night. I encourage you to share in the comments how past December date nights have created more peace in your marriage.
Questions for you:
By scheduling a date night with your husband, how are you putting our week’s theme verse into action?
What other holiday date night ideas can you share?
Please share your thoughts in the comments section below or on my Facebook author page for your chance to win two giveaways!
Your comments this week enter you to win a copy of Tracie Miles’ book, Your Life Still Counts, which will help you develop peaceful habits. The giveaway for this book will be held Friday, Nov. 18.
Comment on my blog through Dec. 1 and you will be entered to win the grand prize Mom’s Pampering Set, pictured below, to be announced Dec. 2!
This Friday we will share holiday side dish recipes. Please pull out your favorite recipe and be ready to share with the group!
Did you experience greater peace from this post? Please share it on social media!
On Mondays I linkup with #MommyMoments, #MondayMusings, and #MomentsofHope. Please go to my linkup page to visit these wonderful sites!
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November 11, 2016
Peace in My Day: Day 10 OBS
Welcome to the Friday Fun edition of the Christmas Peace for Busy Moms online Bible study! Today we’ll have a devotion, giveaway announcement, and appetizer recipe swap. Let’s get started!
Please refer to Day 10 of Christmas Peace for Busy Moms for the following discussion.
Let’s talk about settling down to sleep. Good-quality sleep in busy December is crucial for the preservation of your physical health and mental well-being. If you can practice some of the techniques I described in the book, I will guarantee you will experience greater peace at lights out.
Here’s another technique I use when my thoughts are racing and I can’t fall asleep: I count my heartbeats. I used to count breaths but it threw my rhythms off and agitated me more. If I listen carefully and count the pulse I hear in my head, I rarely get to 100 before I drift back to sleep. Try this and see if you sleep better tonight.
No matter how tired you feel, you can use the last few moments before sleep to thank God for his daily blessings. Thanking God in your last lucid thoughts of the day settles your mind into a peaceful thought-pattern before your dreams begin. If you have a suggestion for peaceful lights out routines, please share in the comments section so we can all get a better night’s sleep tonight!
Questions for you:
How can a bedtime routine keep your mind steadfast, and therefore grant you more peace?
What kind of conversation with God do you have when the lights go out?
Please share your thoughts in the comments section below or on my Facebook author page for your chance to win the grand prize Mom’s Pampering Set, pictured below, to be announced Dec. 2!
Congratulations to Michele Morin, this week’s winner of Nicki Koziarz’ book, 5 Habits of a Woman Who Doesn’t Quit! Thank you for commenting this week, Michele!
As promised, here is the Friday appetizer recipe:
Mom’s Pastrami Cheese Ball
This cheese ball is a family favorite, not just at Christmas but year-round. We like it on whole-wheat bagels, but it is equally good wrapped up in soft tortilla shells, then rolled up and sliced into swirly rounds. The pretty reddish-and-green colors are perfect for Christmas appetizer trays.
12 oz. Neufchatel cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 small package pastrami, chopped (we use Buddig)
Green onions, chopped
½ teaspoon garlic salt
½ teaspoon seasoned salt (we use Penzey’s 4S, a must-have in our home!)
Combine all ingredients. Shape into ball; roll in chopped pecans, if desired. Refrigerate a few hours or overnight to allow flavors to develop. Serve with crackers or sliced bagels.
Please share any appetizer recipes in the comments section below, thanks! I always love hearing new ideas from readers. Pull out your favorite side dish recipe to share in next Friday’s post.
This week’s theme verse:
Find the printable Bedside Reminder Card of this verse here.
Next week’s theme is Peace in My Relationships. I look forward to seeing you here!
I shared this post with these sites: Susan Mead’s #DanceWithJesus, Crystal Twaddell‘s #FreshMarketFriday, Dawn Klinge‘s #GraceAndTruth, and Deb Wolf‘s #CountingMyBlessings. Please visit these sites for more encouragement!
Subscribe to my mailing list and receive 7 Ways to Find and Share Encouragement (e-book) and an autumn Scripture coloring page!
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November 10, 2016
Peace in My Day: Day 9 OBS
Welcome to Day 9 of the Christmas Peace for Busy Moms online Bible study! Today I have a special interview with Jill Hoven, blogger at Follow His Footprints.
Q: How have you found peace in your faith journey? Share part of your story with us.
I have always known Christ as my Savior and draw upon His strength and unconditional love. However finding His peace that surpasses all understanding has flowed from springs of pain and grief. Unexpected illnesses of loved ones caused me to dig deeply into my faith. I never questioned His presence through these difficult times. However, surrendering to Him in these moments allowed His indescribable peace to flow and carry me. I am forever in awe of the power of His peaceful presence and now draw upon it daily.
Q: This week we are discussing peace in our days as busy moms. Which daily rhythms bring you the most peace, and why?
My most powerful, peaceful moments come as I seek and connect with God through reading my Bible and prayer each morning. I get up early before the rest of my family and these moments provide me with a centering peace. I also then share a verse or two with our children and we pray before they head to school. If the morning is less than peaceful, I try to bring back our peace through prayer and asking God to guide our days.
Oddly, I also find God’s peace in the mundane of cleaning up the kitchen in the evening. It’s a time I often silently seek Him and find direction.
Q: Do you have any tips on preparing well in the evenings for a more peaceful start the next day?
In those moments of grief and pain, I began this process of seeking Him while doing the dishes in the evening. I found His peace in the obedience of maintaining and cleaning my kitchen. It’s soothing for me to awaken to a clean kitchen as I reach for my early morning coffee!
I also try to prep for my day and encourage my children to prep their things at night as well. If ideas/concerns come as we wind down in the evening, I either try to take care of them quickly or write notes to remind myself of it the next day. It allows for a more peaceful night’s rest.
Q: What tips or links from your blog will help moms order their days for more peace?
My blog journals my efforts to Follow His Footprints seeking His path for my life. To that end, I often write about the peace that flows from following Him. Currently on my blog I am doing a Holiday Wellness Plan where I am sharing tips and strategies on how we can all seek God for our wellness in soul, mind and body this upcoming holiday season. I love memory techniques as this is what I do at my business MemoryMinders so I’ve come up with an acronym to help us remember.
O=Overflowing Life (Time Management Tips)
A= Appreciation (running this week-this may actually be the most Peace filled post of this series-please visit the blog to see!)
Y=Your Plan–stay tuned for this on Nov. 17.
Jill Hoven is nurse who loves to write faith-based encouragement on wellness. She is founder of MemoryMinders, providing memory wellness services to motivated adults. When not cheering her teens at their sporting events, she can be found golfing, cooking or by the water. Her writing has been published by Proverbs 31 Ministries and can be found on her blog Follow His Footprints where she shares her efforts to follow His path for her life. Connect with her on:
Questions for you:
What one step of preparation will you take tonight to ensure a more peaceful morning?
Which of Jill’s suggestions will help you keep your mind steadfast to result in greater peace?
Please share your thoughts in the comments section below or on my Facebook author page for your chance to win!
Your comments this week enter you to win a copy of Nicki Koziarz’ book, 5 Habits of a Woman Who Doesn’t Quit, which will help you develop peaceful habits. The giveaway for this book will be held Friday, Nov. 11.
Comment on my blog through Dec. 1 and you will be entered to win the grand prize Mom’s Pampering Set, pictured below, to be announced Dec. 2!
This Friday we will share holiday appetizer recipes. Please pull out your favorite recipe and be ready to share with the group!
Did you experience greater peace from this post? Please share it on your favorite social media!
This week’s theme verse:
Find the printable Bedside Reminder Card of this verse here.
Subscribe to my mailing list and receive 7 Ways to Find and Share Encouragement (e-book) and an autumn Scripture coloring page!
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November 9, 2016
Peace in My Day: Day 8 OBS
Welcome to Day 8 of the Christmas Peace for Busy Moms online Bible study! Today’s lesson about Peaceful Afternoon is in video format. Enjoy!
I highly recommend Dr. Charles Stanley’s Finding Peace as a peaceful resource for you. Dr. Stanley’s teachings have had a profound effect on my faith walk, and this book is a wonderful example of how Dr. Stanley unlocks biblical truths for everyday application.
Find the Peace Scripture Memory Page I spoke about in the video here. It lists many of the verses on peace that I discuss in Christmas Peace for Busy Moms. Use it to hide God’s word in your heart and multiply your peace without having to refer to a Bible.
Questions for you:
How can memorizing scriptures keep your mind steadfast, and therefore grant you more peace?
Which verse from the Peace Scripture Memory Page is most relevant to your life now, and why?
Please share your thoughts in the comments section below or on my Facebook author page for your chance to win!
Your comments this week enter you to win a copy of Nicki Koziarz’ book, 5 Habits of a Woman Who Doesn’t Quit, which will help you develop peaceful habits. The giveaway for this book will be held Friday, Nov. 11.
Comment on my blog through Dec. 1 and you will be entered to win the grand prize Mom’s Pampering Set, pictured below, to be announced Dec. 2!
This Friday we will share holiday appetizer recipes. Please pull out your favorite recipe and be ready to share with the group!
Did you experience greater peace from this post? Please share it on your favorite social media!
I shared today’s post on jenniferdukeslee.com and holleygerth.com. Visit these sites for more encouragement.
This week’s theme verse:
Find the printable Bedside Reminder Card of this verse here.
Subscribe to my mailing list and receive 7 Ways to Find and Share Encouragement (e-book) and an autumn Scripture coloring page!
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November 8, 2016
Peace in My Day: Day 7 OBS
Before we begin our study today, let’s pause and lift up a Peaceful Prayer for America on this important Election Day, based on this week’s theme verse.
Find the printable Bedside Reminder Card of this verse here.
Heavenly Father, we praise you for your perfect knowledge of our hearts and of this country. You hold our country’s future in your hands. We praise you that nothing surprises you; nothing happens outside your foreknowledge, and we can place our trust in your transcendence and sovereignty.
Jesus, no matter what happens today or in the days ahead for America, we pray you will turn our hearts to you. We pray for a new spiritual awakening across our great country. We ask that you will unite the plans and purposes of your church, that we may serve you and our fellow Americans with love and peace.
We pray for the Christians serving in government, that they will be empowered by your Holy Spirit to be effective witnesses to the elected officials who desperately need your truth and grace. Bless our leaders, Lord. Soften their hearts toward you. Give them the desire to accept your message of salvation and follow you wholeheartedly. Grant them your perfect wisdom in these difficult times.
Holy Spirit, we ask for revived hearts in this nation which grows darker by the day. Empower us to serve as salt and light in our communities. Give us your words so we may reach future generations with your hope, your truth, and your peace.
We turn this day over to you, Lord God Almighty. We choose to put our full trust in you; therefore our minds will be steadfast and kept in perfect peace.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Please refer to Day 7 of the book as we discuss Peace at Mid-Morning.
See that little stack of sticky notes under the computer screen in the quote card? I like to use them as bright reminders (neon colors are my preference) for high-priority actions in my planner. To cut down on chaos, I use my day planner instead of little papers to make lists. No matter what system you prefer, lists are crucial to creating peace in busy December.
I enjoy reading certain scriptures written in list-like fashion, because they show me God values order. Here are a few examples:
The creation account in Genesis 1 and 2 is a masterpiece of God’s design in perfect order.
Leviticus 16 is an orderly directive for the Day of Atonement, when the sins of the people were removed. This day pointed toward the ultimate sacrifice of our Savior, the Prince of Peace.
The book of Romans is a systematic unfolding of the heart of the gospel message, the gift of God’s grace.
I believe God gives us the gift of order to settle our hearts and minds into peaceful rhythms. Our theme verse this week talks about having a steadfast mind, and lists can create steadfastness in our routines.
Since it’s November and the season of giving thanks, I am keeping a list to remind me to be thankful. I downloaded my thankfulness list here from Jennifer Dukes Lee’s inspiring post.
In the book I talk about having several kinds of lists which help create Christmas peace. Here’s a look at what’s on my list for this week:
Daily to-do list for blogging
Daily to-do list for household chores
Listing of evening activities and appointments
Websites to visit
Dinner ideas
Anything that doesn’t get crossed off the list moves to the next day’s list. I like that the planning system I use has both a weekly view and a monthly view, so I can change my perspective based on my needs.
Referring to a list several times a day helps keep me on track. I don’t function as peacefully without a list, as I described in the book. If you have ideas for how lists create peace in your mornings, please share in the comments section.
Questions for you:
How can making lists during your mid-morning routine keep your mind steadfast, and therefore grant you more peace?
What list-making tools do you prefer?
Please share your thoughts in the comments section below or on my Facebook author page for your chance to win!
Your comments this week enter you to win a copy of Nicki Koziarz’ book, 5 Habits of a Woman Who Doesn’t Quit, which will help you develop peaceful habits. The giveaway for this book will be held Friday, Nov. 11.
Comment on my blog through Dec. 1 and you will be entered to win the grand prize Mom’s Pampering Set, pictured below, to be announced Dec. 2!
This Friday we will share holiday appetizer recipes. Please pull out your favorite recipe and be ready to share with the group!
***
Did you experience greater peace from this post? Please share it on your favorite social media!
I shared this post at purposefulfaith.com #raralinkup, hollybarrett.org #testimonytuesday, and jenniferdukeslee.com #tellhisstory. Please visit these wonderful sites for more encouragement!
Subscribe to my mailing list and receive 7 Ways to Find and Share Encouragement (e-book) and an autumn Scripture coloring page!
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November 7, 2016
Peace in my Day, Day 6 OBS
Welcome to the second week of the online Bible study for Christmas Peace for Busy Moms! I have prayed over you and this study for months, and I’m so excited to meet with you here.
Our theme verse for this week:
Find the printable Bedside Reminder Card of this verse here.
Without a doubt you’ve already seen plenty of Christmas advertisements. You know busy December is soon approaching along with mountains of stress. If your mind is at peace before the season begins, you will have the strength, energy, and focus to move forward through the chaos. That’s why I want to study peace with you here in November, before the full swing of the holiday season begins. If we work to find peace now, we will be more prepared to share it with others who need it so desperately. Let’s open the virtual pages of Christmas Peace for Busy Moms together and continue our search for peace.
***
Please refer to Day 6 of the book as we discuss Peace at First Light.
For the past month, I’ve been getting up around 4:00 a.m. to work on my blog before I get ready for my day job. As soon as I wake, it’s very tempting to rush forward into my to-do list for the next two hours.
But Jesus quietly calls me to sit with him at my table and listen to his words in my One Year Bible before I begin my busy day. I brew my tea and open up to the day’s reading, and I feel peace steal over me in those hushed early morning moments.
On the days I skip my ten minutes of first light Bible study, I feel off-kilter all day. Restless, crabby, more easily irritated with others. Rushed…tense…the opposite of peaceful.
Moving forward into busy December, I want to begin my days as peacefully as possible. I want to sip slowly from God’s word, waking to his truths at first light, so I can move forward as the Prince of Peace’s ambassador in my community.
I challenge you to join me on this journey of first light communion with God. If you prefer a smartphone app, try First 5 from Proverbs 31 ministries. There you will find a daily devotion, an opportunity to record your thoughts, and a community of women sharing how God’s word is transforming their lives. I use this app when I’m letting my body lotion absorb or when I have a still moment at my work desk. Easy as pie!
Questions for you:
How can beginning your day with God keep your mind steadfast, and therefore grant you more peace?
What tools or resources will you use this week to spend first light with the Lord?
Please share your thoughts in the comments section below or on my Facebook author page for your chance to win!
Your comments this week enter you to win a copy of Nicki Koziarz’ book, 5 Habits of a Woman Who Doesn’t Quit, which will help you develop peaceful habits. The giveaway for this book will be held Friday, Nov. 11.
Comment on my blog through Dec. 1 and you will be entered to win the grand prize Mom’s Pampering Set, pictured below, to be announced Dec. 2!
This Friday we will share holiday appetizer recipes. Please pull out your favorite recipe and be ready to share with the group!
***
Did you experience greater peace from this post? Please share it on your favorite social media!
I shared this post at lifeoffaithblog.com #MommyMoments, whatjoyismine.net #MondaysMusings, and countingmyblessings.com today. These are wonderful sites and I hope you check them out!
Subscribe to my mailing list and receive 7 Ways to Find and Share Encouragement (e-book) and an autumn Scripture coloring page!
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Book Review: Girl Talk
This is the kind of book I wish I had when I was young. It covers a range of real-life situations in a loving, caring manner, gently addressing girl issues with biblical truths.
The book has 52 readings, which contain a Bible verse, a short story, seven questions, and a prayer. A girl can answer one question per day, as the book outlines, or at her own pace. This book would be a good Bible study for a mom and her daughter to go through together.
The characters in the short stories are drawn with realistic feelings. They aren’t perfect people. They break the rules, complain, feel insecure, and don’t always treat others right. They come from all different backgrounds; some are from troubled homes, others are in traditional families. I appreciate the effort the author made to write these stories with realism and compassion. Even if a girl reading this book can’t relate to the situation being described, I believe these stories and questions will give her greater understanding for peers in different situations.
The discussion questions help a girl examine her own situation and apply God’s Word to her problems. I like that in each section, the author writes a question that helps a girl come up with a game plan about each issue. If a girl applies these questions to her daily life, her faith will be strong in the challenging teenage years.
I chose to review this book because I thought it would make a good Christmas present for my eight-year-old daughter. After reading the book, I think the subject matter is more appropriate for girls ages 10 to 14. I will hide it away and plan to study this book alongside my daughter when she’s a little older, and I will buy a copy for myself as well.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
November 4, 2016
Peace in My Heart, Day 5 OBS
Welcome to Friday Fun on Day 5 of the online Bible study for Christmas Peace for Busy Moms. Today’s topic is Peaceful Actions, and we have a giveaway winner and a special holiday recipe!
Let’s look at this quote from the book:
Before you write your shopping lists, plan your parties, and prep your recipes, will you think carefully about how to be a peacemaker this Christmas?
I am approaching Christmas with a different attitude this year: trying to spread peace wherever I go.
If my peaceful words don’t match my actions, people won’t see me as an ambassador for peace.
So I am practicing these peaceful actions now:
smiling more often
giving people the benefit of the doubt when a challenge arises
working hard to treat others how I’d like to be treated
This peacemaking attitude in November will help me spread peace in December.
I have noticed that by “faking” peaceful actions even when I don’t feel like it, I experience a peaceful feeling in my heart. Maybe peace fills in the space where guilt and condemnation used to reside, after I felt regret for not acting in peaceful ways. I feel lighter, happier, and more in line with God’s will for my attitude.
The Scripture I’m savoring today as I prepare my attitude:
Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
James 3:18
This is our theme verse for Week 4, when we will discuss more practical ways to serve as an ambassador for peace. If we put on a peaceful attitude now, we will be ready to share our peace with others when busy December arrives.
Questions for you:
When is it hardest for you to show peace through your actions?
How does your attitude needs to change so you can serve as a peace ambassador?
How can we pray for you to gain peace?
Comment below or on my Facebook page to be entered for the grand prize drawing for a Mom’s Pampering Set, to be drawn Dec. 2. Here it is!
Three books, bath gel and lotion set, strawberry lip balm, and rosewood & freesia wax melts!Congratulations to this week’s winner of Cynthia Heald’s I Have Loved You:
Thanks for your comments this week, ladies! I look forward to hearing more from you next week.
Friday fun recipe: Festive Strawberry Drink
I make this drink every Christmas morning from the local strawberries we pick in June. It’s a taste of summer in the dead of winter, and a great source of Vitamin C for your family.
Fill a blender with 3 cups frozen sliced strawberries.
Zest one orange with a Microplane tool and put all the zest in the blender. Then cut the orange in half and juice it; pour the juice into the blender.
Add 1-2 packets stevia, or 1-2 teaspoons sugar.
Pour ginger ale almost to the top of the strawberry mixture.
Blend until smooth, adding more ginger ale if needed.
Taste and add sugar to preferred sweetness.
Garnish with strawberries or orange slices as desired.
Yield: four 1-cup servings
Do you have any kid-friendly holiday drinks to share? Please post them below or on my Facebook author page.
Our theme verse for this week:
Find the printable Bedside Reminder Card of this verse here.
Subscribe to my mailing list and receive 7 Ways to Find and Share Encouragement (e-book) and an autumn Scripture coloring page!
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November 3, 2016
Peace in My Heart: Day 4 OBS
Let’s begin Day 4 of the online Bible study for Christmas Peace for Busy Moms. Today’s topic is Peaceful Words, and we have a special guest interview with Micah Maddox.
Let’s look at this quote from the book:
God has set peace on my tongue in place of condemnation. He has rehabilitated my heart as his peaceful dwelling place, and his peace has carried over into my speech.
Think over the past 24 hours and consider how you’ve spoken to yourself. Have you used words of condemnation? This has been my primary thought-life struggle for years. As I think over the past day, I can remember a time I was tempted to self-condemn, and I used Scripture to counter the lies.
When I made a social blunder with my words, I began beating myself with the familiar internal chastisement: “You are so stupid.”
But I took a deep breath and confronted the inner judge: “I am not stupid. I am human and imperfect. I am a daughter of the King. I am chosen, cherished, and deeply loved.”
The Scriptures which give me the basis for my beliefs:
See what love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God!
1 John 3:1
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
1 Peter 2:9
My blogging friend Suzie Eller is writing about delighting God’s heart in prayer today. I believe we delight God’s heart when we use his holy words of Scripture to battle against the enemy’s lies.
I have a glimpse of how God delights in us when we use his words in battle. Few things bring me more satisfaction as a mom than when my child uses my words to gain victory over a problem. My daughter is struggling with a friend relationship at the moment. (I didn’t expect girl drama at age 8! Sigh…) She recently recounted a story to me and said, “I remembered what you told me, Mom…” and she proceeded to act with grace instead of nastiness.
I felt so proud of my girl! I felt that she had taken my words, words spoken in love and wider perspective, and applied them to her own unique situation. I felt affirmed and respected as a mom too!
That’s how God wants us to use his words. He wants to rehabilitate our hearts as his peaceful dwelling place, by hiding his word in our hearts. He wants us to take his powerful word of Scripture, apply it to our situations, and gain more peace in our own hearts to share with others. He feels loved, respected, and delighted when we allow his words to bring us life and peace.
Questions for you:
How can you delight God’s heart today in the way you speak to yourself?
Think of a person who needs your words of peace. What specific way can you speak peace to them today?
How can we pray for you to gain peace?
Comment below or on my Facebook page to be entered for the weekly and grand prize drawings!
Our special guest today is Micah Maddox. I’m so excited to introduce this lovely lady to you!
Q: How have you found peace with God because of who he is? Share part of your story with us.
There were times in my life when I questioned who God really was. Was He a loving Father? A powerful controlling force that was waiting to zap me the moment I made a bad decision? Would He turn His back if I was not perfect or holy? All of these questions came from deep within a broken heart of a little girl. After my dad abandoned our family, I began to search for God in a new way – a desperate way. Throughout my life I’ve learned that desperation is a beautiful gift although it’s difficult. When I learned to seek God with all my heart, I found Him. And when I did, I learned God is holy, but He gave Jesus to cover my un-holiness. I learned God is faithful even when my faithfulness fails. I learned God is gracious when I don’t deserve grace and He is my strength when stress seeps into my life and makes things complicated. Because of who He is, I am able to live a life of freedom, faith, and I know my future is in His hands – because of who He is.
Q: How have you changed the way you see yourself through God’s eyes?
No longer am I a victim of abandonment. I am a victorious daughter of the Most High King! He is my intimate Leader, Comforter, Healer, and Peace-giver. I am His, and He is mine. It’s a wonderful way to live, the only way.
Q: Christmas is a season of outrageous expectations. Do you have any advice for other moms on how to revise our expectations this year?
One thing I have learned is that striving for perfection never brings peace. There are so many ways that we add pressure in our lives especially during the Christmas season. For me, Pinterest and Facebook add a tremendous level of pressure that I could never live up to. I’ve pinned countless ideas, recipes, and table settings that will never be executed. I’m learning I will never execute perfection. Rather than scrolling newsfeeds and thumbing through Pinterest this season, I choose to use the décor I already own, make the tried and true family recipes, and let the rest of the world stress over pinning, producing, and perfection. I would say, the most memorable moments usually will not include matching napkins or a table filled with the perfect burlap. Memories are made in face to face moments with the people we love no matter what everything looks like.
Q: In what ways have you changed the words you speak to yourself as a woman of God?
This question makes me laugh out loud. I talk to myself a lot. Haha! I’m sure I have plenty of self-talking friends out there. For me, the best way to change the self-talk is to take more time for soul-talk. What I mean is, get in the Word everyday. When I dive into God’s Word each day, I am more prepared to speak words of peace to myself rather than words of condemnation. I still struggle like we all do with feelings and thoughts of not being enough and I will never be able to convince myself otherwise without the power of God’s Word. His Word is the only way.
Q: As a mom, how will your actions bring peace to your family this Christmas?
Well, I can’t make any promises, but I will do my best to live by the lessons I’ve learned. I won’t stress over decorations. One thing we do to combat this is we decorate early. I won’t give you the date, but it might be before the December calendar changes. I hope we can still be friends! I will choose to keep the focus on Jesus. So many things will fill up the calendar, but if we leave Jesus out we are missing everything. We will talk about Jesus daily. We will focus on Him instead of stuff – It’s amazing the peace this brings. The only way my actions will bring peace to my family this Christmas is if I am abiding in Jesus every single day. As soon as I get off track, everyone around me knows it. I’ll be doing my best and I will rest in God’s peace as we walk through this Christmas season. I am cheering each of you on too! Remember peace is so much better than perfection!
Thank you Micah for these wise words! Head over to Micah’s blog and let her know what part of her interview has inspired you. I am savoring this quote: The only way my actions will bring peace to my family this Christmas is if I am abiding in Jesus every single day.
Our theme verse for this week:
Find the printable Bedside Reminder Card of this verse here.
Your comments this week enter you to win a copy of Cynthia Heald’s I Have Loved You, a book that helps you find peace with your Heavenly Father. The winner will be announced Friday, Nov. 4.
On Friday we will share kid-friendly holiday drink recipes. Please pull out your favorite recipe and be ready to share with the group!
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November 2, 2016
Peace in my Heart: Day 3 OBS
Christmas Peace for Busy Moms day 3 OBS is here. We’re talking about peaceful expectations today. First, I want to tell you about a couple changes to make this study easier for you:
I’ve revised and updated the Online Bible Study Guide. Please download the new version and use it to follow along.
Some of you had problems posting comments, and I’m so sorry! I changed some settings and hopefully fixed the problem. If you can’t comment here, please go to my Facebook page and comment. Either way, you will be entered in the drawings, and you will bless others by sharing your thoughts.
Now that we’ve got business out of the way, here’s today’s lesson in video format. Enjoy!
Please refer to Day 3 of the book as we discuss peace in our expectations.
So, here’s the funny photo I referred to in the video, from Christmas 2009:
I showed this to my kids last night, and here are their comments. Drake, my oldest, said, “Yep, that’s me, the good one as usual.” (Mmhmm.) Lauren couldn’t believe how squirmy and how small she was, since she is “the good one” now. Ethan, Mr. Attitude in the photo, laughed and said, “There was no way I was sitting on his lap that day.”
But here’s a photo that exceeded my expectations of total cuteness.
Friends, I’m praying God will help you adjust any off-the-charts expectations this year. Christmas is a season of incredibly high expectations, as you know. I’m lowering my own expectations and looking for ways to help other moms see Christmas will be just fine, maybe even better, if expectations are lower. I believe we can create peace for others by telling them how we let go and thrived.
Feel free to post your stories of photo fails in the comments! 
