Fruitbearers

" What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? " (Matthew 16:26) Our sons' salvation should be our most important concern and most urgent prayer need. If they succeed in everything, receive praise and approval from all men, gain the riches of the world, yet they are not saved... that would be the greatest tragedy I could ever think of. My husband and I prayed for our children's salvation before they were born...even before they were conceived. In fact, I believe I prayed that God would not allow us to have a child if that child will not be saved by Him/will not choose Christ; I just could not (still cannot) bear knowing that any of my children's souls will end up in hell for eternity. Study Questions 1. Can you recall a time when you sensed your son's heart was soft to the message of the Gospel? Describe what happened here. They realized they needed a Savior. They repented and desired to obey God's Word. 2. Do yo...

Today, I read about Daniel, a man of faith and integrity, on pp. 20-21. I prayed the Scriptures about avoiding foolishness for my sons. Study Questions 1. Take a moment and think about your dreams for your sons. Be honest. Do you dream of having sons who are “without blemish, of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding, learning, and competent to stand in the king's palace?” Of course :)! Seriously, I dream of having sons who love and trust God completely and live purposefully for Him. " The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge ." (Proverbs 1:7a) " For the Lord gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding ." (Proverbs 2:6) 2. While attending a homeschool conference, Brooke heard Ken Ham, of Answers in Genesis, say “I would rather my children be ditch diggers and love Jesus, than PhDs and go to hell.” What is your response to this quote? I agree. " What good will it be for a man if ...

Today, I read pp. 17-18. I prayed the Scriptures on integrity for my sons. " Integrity can be defined as firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values or the quality or state of being complete or undivided. Someone who stands up for what is right no matter who is around. " (from the Warrior Prayers Leader Guide) I would like to add that integrity also includes standing up to defend what is right and fight what is wrong...come what may. " A person with inte grit y has 'grit'....Never mistake respectability for integrity. Respectability can come because of fear, power, position, or wealth. Integrity requires none of these. It stands on its own character. " (~Brent D. Earles) I made up an acronym for I.N.T.E.G.R.I.T.Y. I mitating Christ N o compromise T ruthful E arnest G rounded in God's principles R eliable I mmovable in righteousness T rustworthy Y ielding to Christ Study Questions 1. At the beginning of this chapte...

I'm participating in the 21 Days of Prayer for Sons based on the ebook, Warrior Prayers : Praying the Word for Boys in the Areas They Need it Most  by  Brooke McGlothlin . This prayer challenge officially starts today. We are assigned to read pp.13-14 in the ebook. The topic for today is The Importance of Obedience. I prayed the Scriptures on obedience and submission to authority on pp.15-16 for my sons. Study Questions 1. Describe the first time your son(s) deliberately disobeyed you. Did you recognize it immediately? How did it make you feel? I honestly don't remember the first time my sons deliberately disobeyed me. I'm sure I recognized it immediately :). I probably felt sad and upset. I've heard before that even if your children did what you told them to do but chose to do it later (not when you indicated) or do it a different way than you told them to (thinking they knew better = pride) or do it grudgingly (wrong attitude), then they still have not ob...

I'm participating in the 21 Days of Prayer for Sons based on the ebook, Warrior Prayers : Praying the Word for Boys in the Areas They Need it Most  by  Brooke McGlothlin . This prayer challenge will officially start tomorrow. Our group leader, Haelie, is giving us a head start. Today, she recommended we read pp.10-11 in the ebook. Brooke expressed concern that people even in the church have no idea what it means to be godly men. I shared my thoughts about that here . I prayed the Heart Change prayers on p.12. Study Questions 1. In this chapter, Brooke says that “all it takes to lose the truth of the Word of God is one set of parents who fail to teach it.” Did your parents raise you in a Christian home to know and love the Lord? What kind of impact has your upbringing had on the way you parent your sons? My parents were Buddhists. My father was hardly ever home and eventually left permanently. My brother and I were raised by our mother. By the grace of God, I ca...

I'm participating in the 21 Days of Prayer for Sons based on the ebook, Warrior Prayers : Praying the Word for Boys in the Areas They Need it Most  by  Brooke McGlothlin . If you're interested, please leave a comment here including your Facebook URL. I can add you as a friend (I'm "Fruitbearer" on FB) and then add you to the group led by my online friend and sister in Christ, Haelie . The 21 Days of Prayer for Sons  will officially start on June 8th. Haelie has eased us into it slowly. I will share here from time to time what I learn or experience from this prayer challenge and some pictures of my boys :). Study Questions 1. Describe your current relationship with your son(s). Are they young? Teenagers? All grown up? Is your relationship with them what you want it to be? We are all close although my sons spend more time playing sports and doing guy stuff with my husband than with me :) (which I'm very thankful for). My sons are 12 and 9 (will be 13 and 1...

I have seen and heard several homeschool moms getting discouraged, burned out, or overwhelmed. I've been there, done that :). I think it's important for us moms (and dads) to encourage one another and learn from one another in our homeschooling journey/adventure! I'd like to share what I've learned... I am still learning and relying on God every single day. I hope what I share here may encourage some. My "top ten tips" are: 1. " Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight ." Proverbs 3:5-6 2. Pray, pray, and pray continually. 3. Instill in your children love for God, passion for His word, and desire to please & serve Him. 4. Focus on building your kids’ character, training their attitudes, and tying heart strings. 5. Lead by example; walk the talk; be real and humble. Give grace and forgiveness (there will be plenty of opportunities to ...