Expect the Unexpected

"Have no expectations of others - only yourself.

That way you can only blame yourself when things don't go as expected."

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Every time Dave says this to me, I'm reminded of the scripture in the Book of Proverbs that says, trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path. This is an area of weakness for me, and I have recently learned it stems from pride. When I feel out of control, the last thing I think of doing is letting go and letting God take over. I thrash around trying to tighten my grip, only to have it yanked away from me. This has to do with the trusting part of faith, and the will-power to do what is right. Scripture says in the Book of James, that to know to do good and not do it, is sin. So I can't be worrying about everyone and everything else. Scripture says in the Book of Matthew that there is enough trouble in one day, so I shouldn't worry. Scripture in James also says worrying gives way to anger and anger, if not controlled, gives way to sin. Sin unrepented leads to death - a calloused heart both spiritually and physically.

Nurture and Admonition

1. Subdue self-will in a child and thus work together with God to save his soul.

2. Teach him to pray as soon as he can speak.

3. Give him nothing he cries for and only what is good for him, if he asks for it politely.

4. To prevent lying, punish no fault which is truly confessed, but never allow a rebellious, sinful act to go unnoticed.

5. Commend and reward good behavior.

6. Strictly observe all promises you have made to your child.

~ Susannah Wesley

I found this quote within the book, Children Are Wet Cement - by Anne Ortlund. Having grown up Presbyterian, I was familiar with John and Charles Wesley, Susannah's sons. While working in the Church Library, I had the priviledge to read her biography. It is difficult to read biographies of people from times past when things were very different. It helps to see it enacted in film - but if one has a great imagination, one can try to imagine what the author is describing.

I have grown very concerned with two approaches that many young mothers have taken in parenting, both in the present and in the past: 1) Children should be disciplined strictly regardless of gender and age, and 2) Children should be coddled affectionately all the time, regardless of gender and age.

I have not seen in the Bible, both Old and New, that a mother is to do either. We are to follow God's example to us. He is not a tyrant who rules with an iron fist, nor is He a mamby-pamby nanny who plays patty-fingers. He is just and compassionate to all his children in equal measure. A mother is supposed to use wisdom and discernment in her approach to motherhood. She is to show respect to her children and assume they are growing into young adults. She is to coach her sons to follow their fathers' example, and to be an example herself to her daughters. She is to encourage a healthy mentoring relationship to her sons and coach her husband how to mentor his daughter. There are stages where sons and daughters need different things from fathers and mothers, and it takes a cohesive partnership on the part of the parents to identify these needs in their children, and monitor them as they mature, modifying their techniques as necessary.

The Mind of Christ

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death. Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

~ Phillipians 2:5-11

F.E.A.R.

Fear is: False Evidence Appearing Real.

I Would...

“I would be true, for there are those who trust me;
I would be pure, for there are those who care;
I would be strong, for there is much to suffer;
I would be brave, for there is much to dare.”

~ Uncle Arthur’s Bedtime Stories

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My daughter loves the story this quote is found in. It follows the line of thinking in scripture in the book of Phillipians on thinking about positive and lovely things, because we teach by example.

What A Friend

Friends Don't Make Friends Feel Stupid
~ J.M. Laskas (Reader’s Digest)

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This goes right along with another anonymous quote I've heard: Friends know your deepest faults, and love you just the same. It reminds me of Jesus words in John 15, that there is a friend that is closer than a brother.

My Life Is In Your Hands

~ by Kirk Franklin's Nu Nation Choir

You don't have to worry
And don't you be afraid
Joy comes in the morning
Troubles they don't last always
For there's a friend in Jesus
Who will wipe your tears away
And if your heart is broken
Just lift your hands and say
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Oh
I know that I can make it
I know that I can stand
No matter what may come my way
My life is in your hands
.
With Jesus I can take it
With Him I know I can stand
No matter what may come my way
My life is in your hands
.
So when your tests and trials
They seem to get you down
And all your friends and loved ones
Are nowhere to be found
Remember there's a friend in Jesus
Who will wipe your tears away
And if you heart is broken
Just lift your hands and say
.
Oh
I know that I can make it
I know that I can stand
No matter what may come my way
My life is in your hands
.
With Jesus I can take it
With Him I know I can stand
No matter what may come my way
My life is in your hands

The Lost Get Found

~ by Britt Nicole

Hello my friend

I remember when you were

So alive with your wide eyes

Then the light that you had in your heart was stolen

Now you say that it ain't worth stayin'

You wanna run but you're hesitatin'

I'm talkin' to me

Don't let your lights go down

Don't let your fire burn out'

Cause somewhere, somebody needs a reason to believe

Why don't you rise up now?

Don't be afraid to stand out

That's how the lost get found

The lost get found

So when you get the chance

Are you gonna take it?

There's a really big world at your fingertips

And you know you have the chance to change it

There's a girl on the streets, she's cryin'

There's a man whose faith is dyin'

Love is calling you

Don't let your lights go down

Don't let your fire burn out'

Cause somewhere, somebody needs a reason to believe

Why don't you rise up now?

Don't be afraid to stand out

That's how the lost get found

The lost get found

Why do we go with the flow

Or take an easier road?

Why are we playin' it safe?

Love came to show us the way

Love is a chance we should take

I'm movin' out of the way

Don't let your lights go down

Don't let your fire burn out'

Cause somewhere, somebody needs a reason to believe(Stand out)

Don't let your lights go down

Don't let your fire burn out(Stand out)'

Cause somewhere, somebody needs a reason to believe

Why don't you rise up now?

Don't be afraid to stand outT

hat's how the lost get foundThe lost get found

So when you get the chance

Are you gonna take it?

There's a really big world at your fingertips

And you know you have the chance to change it