Weight of Glory

Well, in the midst of packing with 4 little boys my spirits have not been at their highest :0). But good music sure helps! One terrific song that I wanted to share is Weight of Glory by Jamie Soles. Click here and scroll down to the song Weight of Glory (The entire album has the same name) and you can read the lyrics and listen to a sample. I love the whole album and have most of Jamie's other albums as well. Highly recommended! They made me smile and sing today!

Don't do everything for your kids...

This article by Mrs G is a terrific reminder to stop doing everything for our kids. The kids are happy to accomplish things, we don't have to do it all alone, and they learn their "life skills." And here is a cute way to do some photo chore cards. I did this when Aiden was little and he loved it. Why am I not doing it right now?!? I'm thankful I was reminded of this and will be putting it back into practice very soon...I hope.

Many Children Saved From Sex Trafficking

This is an article about 52 children being rescued from sex-trafficking. This was part of the Innocence Lost National Initiative. They have rescued nearly 900 children since the Initiative began in 2003. Praise the Lord!

I would die for that

This made me want to go wake up my babies and just love on them!

Pray for them...

Please pray for this family. The father was just killed in a bicycle accident and he left behind a wife and 7 daughters. They are faithful Christians, but this will be such a difficult time.

Want. Need. Wear. Read

I first saw this link over at Simple Mom. What a terrific idea for Christmas gifts! A little direction, variety, and a check to keep things from spinning out of control! Check out Dandee's idea here. I'm not sure if we will do it, but I love the idea!

Ditch a subject you don't like?

I read on the Sonlight forums about a homeschooling mom that really wanted to ditch science with her 10 year old. Well, Colleen had a terrific comment in response:
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I'm of two minds. On the one hand, I certainly don't think doing "formal" science (or not) at age 10 is going to make or break a kid. On the other, I cringe when homeschooling parents jump at the first chance to drop a subject that ~ surprise! ~ happens to be an area s/he doesn't partiularly enjoy. I think it's a cop-out more often than not. I also think homeschooling is a job and dropping part of one's job isn't right, imo. To that end, I'd encourage you to be more diligent about getting to the work set before you, particularly for the sake of your daughter, who considers science a favorite subject. Don't get me wrong. I have nothing against interest-led learning. But I doubt much is going to happen based on your track record so I think you should make a pointed effort to keep science at the forefront of your days and apply a dose of stick-to-it-iveness.

Picky Chicken Momma?

This article is TERRIFIC! It describes how we can correct our children while pecking them to death. The alternative is to discipline and encourage them to be more godly at the same time. I don't want to be a picky chicken momma!

The Mother You Want to Be?

Here is a WONDERFUL post about being "the mother we want to be". What if you are not the mother that you wish you were? What do our children really need from us afterall?

Everything's Amazing and Nobody's Happy

Cloistered Homeschool Syndrome

I just read these great articles that I'd like to save here. They are by Michael Pearl and have a great deal to offer. I do not agree with every jot and tittle that the Pearls write, but I did appreciate his perspective on this issue.

Cloistered Homeschool Syndrome
Patriarchal Dysfunctional Families
The Balanced Patriarch

I have not read all of the last one yet.

Learning From Infants

Here is a great article about how children are our examples in the faith. What a great reminder!

Shannon Quotes Lewis

Head on over to Shannon's Blog to read a great quote from Mere Christianity. I must finish that book...and about 100 other ones. But really, that one needs to be near the top of the pile.

Depression

Here is an account of a pastor that is worth listening to.

TPC Update Quotes

As I have mentioned before, Pastor Lusk sends out some great links and quotes sometimes and I like to post them here to keep track of some of my favorites. Here are two that I liked a lot:

NT Wright on how individuals and churches honor God in everyday life:

You must always come back to prayer, worship, and Bible study. Make sure that Christians are not going hollow in the middle individually or corporately. But, then let it flow out. First, focus on mission. Second, grow leadership. Third, encourage discipleship. Then, act collaboratively. That means the church helps the local education authority, the local housing committee, the police force, whatever it may be. Let’s work with everyone who we can.

Paul Tripp on reconciliation:

The shattered relationship between Father, Son, and Holy Spirit at the cross provides the basis for our reconciliation. No other relationship ever suffered more than what Father, Son, and Holy Spirit endured when Jesus hung on the cross and cried, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ Jesus was willing to be the rejected Son so that our families would know reconciliation. Jesus was willing to become the forsaken friend so that we could have loving friendships. Jesus was willing to be the rejected Lord so that we could live in loving submission to one another. Jesus was willing to be the forsaken brother so that we could have godly relationships. Jesus was willing to be the crucified King so that our communities would experience peace

Affliction

I want to remember this one as well. It is about trials and affliction.

Bearing Fruit

Here is a great post about fruitfulness. There are more types of fruit that babies...