It's true, according to my kids. And looking through their eyes, I have to agree. But what they see as “mean” is really me trying to gain respect and control of my childrens' behavior, though I’m not as successful as I’d like to be. My goal is to be firm, but it comes out harsh. Not the best way to change their hearts and get them to do things my way, but it’s so easy to resort to old habits. Thankfully, God sends little reminders to help me in this area. This came in my inbox the other morning. Be Firm Without Being Harsh "Some parents believe that the only way to be firm is to be harsh. Firmness says that a boundary is secure and won't be crossed without a consequence. Harshness uses angry words and increased volume to make children believe that parents mean what they say. Some parents have ...
Dry Bones Faith
My Bible reading this morning was chapter 37 of Ezekiel, where God takes Ezekiel to the middle of a valley filled with "dry bones." Evidently, they had been there a while because Ezekiel notes that they are "very dry." Then God asks him: "Son of man, can these bones live?" The thought that popped into my head was "No," even though I have read this account dozens of times. How often do we do that? We look at our current circumstances and say "No" to God. We are frustrated and discouraged and we think: My marriage is never going to get better. My child is never going to return. My illness is terminal. My friend will never believe. Ezekiel replied the way I would like to answer God's question: "O Sovereign Lord, You alone know." Following Ezekiel's repsonse, God told him to command the bones to come ...
God Supplies the Need
"The finger of God that points the way is on the hand of God that supplies the need." I heard that quote at a Missions Conference when I was young, and I have always remembered it. The speaker was talking about those who are called to be missionaries and pointing out that if God called one to the mission field, He would provide the means to get there. As I have grown older, though, I have realized that the quote is true for me in every aspect of my life. God has called me to be a wife and mother. He will provide strength when I am tired, frustrated, and discouraged. God has called me to home school my children. He will provide the resources and the wisdom I need. Whatever God ...
God is My Shield- Psalm 3
Psalm 3: 1 O LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! 2 Many are saying of me, "God will not deliver him." "Selah" 3 But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. 4 To the LORD I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill. "Selah" 5 I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. 6 I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side. 7 Arise, O LORD! Deliver me, O my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked. 8 From the LORD comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people. ...
A Good Report
Oftentimes, when my husband leaves for work in the morning, he will tell the kids that he wants "a good report" when he gets home. It is, as you can imagine, always very helpful to me as I can remind the kids of dad's words throughout the day. No, my sons; it is not a good report that I hear spreading among the Lord's people. 1 Samuel 2:24 There was a man in the Bible, a priest, who did not get a good report about his sons while he was away. Eli, the priest over Samuel, found out that his sons were not honoring God in their offerings and they were also sleeping with women who served at the Tent of Meeting. There was a specific law in Deuteronomy 23:17 that spoke specifically against this. In my husband's and my effort as a pastor and pastor's wife, ...
Works in Progress
My email signature used to read: Gina Conroy Writer In Progress (my way of playing with the code word WIP (Work in Progress) that all aspiring and published authors know so well) But couldn't every Christian sign their email with a WIP? We're all WIPS - Works in Progress. Nothing gives imperfect, stumbling Christians more hope than the book of Philippians. Maybe that's why I love it so much. It gives me a perfect picture, a road map of how I should "carry on until the day of completion." Until Jesus comes. 2 vs. 3 "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourself." 2 vs. 14 "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation in which you shine like stars in the universe." 3 vs. 7 "...I consider everything loss compared ...
Free to be me…
“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous-and how well I know it.” Psalm 139:13-14 NLT Pretty much my entire life has been spent measuring myself up against the standards of this world, always feeling as if I am not enough. It has been a constant struggle to truly accept and appreciate who I really am. My soul thirsts for a respite from the constant media barrage of perfect models, families, and women in ministry. I watch and wonder, “Will that ever be me?” Then at that exact moment the words of the evil one start to seep into my heart and head... “No, that’s not for you; you’ll never be…” you fill in the blank. Chances are, at some ...
Allowing Joy
I'm determined to let Joy have its way in me today. There are some days that make finding that elusive internal balance a real chore. Finding a sense of balance - a way of "having it all" - has always been an issue for women, it seems, for as far back as time goes. I heard a Bible lesson taught once, and its message has stuck with me. It was all about the balance of life. The rise and fall, the lulls and the swells, that life’s ocean carries us on. Things come. Things go. People come. People go. Circumstances are bad. Circumstances are good. It’s the circle of life, and it’s only in coming full circle that balance is achieved. Good wouldn’t be recognized as ‘good’ if not for the balance of the ‘bad.’ Sweet wouldn’t taste nearly as delectable without ...
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Genny Heikka
Managing EditorGenny started her career life thinking that the business world was where she wanted to be. But after her daughter was born and she began reading books to her, she realized that what she really wanted to do was be a writer...
