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August 28, 2023 by Tricia Goyer 2 Comments

How to Breathe God-Messages and Find Inspiration

How to Breathe God-Messages

Where do you go for inspiration? Sometimes I sit down with my journal. Other times I take a walk or take a bath. Today I found inspiration from Facebook and hymns. Honestly!

Facebook is always interesting, but when I read through my feed today I noticed a few things:

Death, loss, and moms struggling with anxiety. I saw needs . . . lots of needs. I saw friends and acquaintances who need a fresh dose of encouragement and hope.

Inspiration means “breath of God.” Sometimes when inspiration hits I’m able to do fun work. I’m able to write a moving chapter in my novel or pen a short story for a magazine. But sometimes God’s breath takes me to harder places where I feel others’ hurt deep in my chest.

Inspiration isn’t always light and fluffy. (Don’t we wish it was!) And sometimes creativity comes so that we can offer just the right words, messages, or images to hurting friends.

Here are 5 ways to breathe God-messages:

Start with God’s Word. God’s Word is truth and is where all creativity comes from. Read meaningful passages and delve into the creativity of God’s Word. I love the poetry of Psalms. The word images always inspire me!
Pray for God’s inspiration. “The Sovereign LORD has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed,” Isaiah 50:4 (NIV). Pray that God will give you a well-instructed tongue to inspire and bless someone else.
Fill yourself up first. Before I even opened Facebook I spent time with God. I read numerous chapters from the book of John. I marveled at the compassion Jesus had for those who dared to trust Him. My heart grew thankful over His compassion for me, and soon my full heart was ready to spill out.
Pray for words, messages, or images that can be a gift to others. “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver,” we read in Proverbs 25:11. Those “words” can be shared in numerous ways!
Find creative ways to share God’s truth. This morning my heart was drawn to creating a visual message for so hurting friends. This is what I came up with:

I don’t know who is going to see this graphic. I don’t know how these words will speak to hurting hearts. All I know is that God inspired me this morning, and creativity flowed. From the stirring that I feel deep within, I imagine it’ll keep flowing. That’s how creativity works, isn’t it? Once you prime the pump, it’s amazing what comes out!

What about you? How do you get inspired? How many God-messages has He given you lately to share?

Steps You can Take

Spend time with God, praying for God’s inspiration.
Do something to feed your creative soul.
Let the creativity spill out through words, through music, through art.
Share your message (God’s message through you) with others.

Daily Prayer

Dear Lord,

Thank you for the creativity and inspiration you give us. I pray that you would continue to inspire me daily so that I can breathe your messages to those around me in need.

In Jesus name, amen.

Resources You Might Like:

The Creative Life
A Million Little Ways

July 17, 2023 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

It’s Time to Get Creative, Mom.

As a writer, I know all about creativity. I know how essential it is to be creative. I know how fun it can be. I also know what it’s like to be at a loss for creativity. Even as a mom, creativity is important. Combine the needed creativity for being both a mom and a writer . . . well, it’s tough to come by.

When there are people and paperwork and piles to manage…
When I look around my house and see the walls that need to be painted and the cupboards that should be organized…
When my inbox is cluttered with notes I need to answer about work stuff and volunteer stuff…
When output is more than input…
…my creativity well often runs dry.

What can you do when you need an extra “spark” of inspiration?

Here are a few things I do.

Call a funny friend.

Sit outside. Breathe in fresh air.

Listen to birds sing. Watch busy ants.

Open a book of poetry or rent an audio book of poetry from the library. Absorb the symbolism and fresh word combinations.

Open a cookbook to a random page, then go shopping for the needed ingredients. (And then cook it!)

Go to YouTube.com and watch old dance numbers like this one.

Visit Etsy and take their taste test. This is one of my favorites. I love the fresh colors, textures, and ideas.

Play with Visuwords. Follow word trails and see where they lead you.

Have a visual feast on iStock Photo. (It’s also a great place for gathering inspiration for novel settings and characters or blog ideas.)

Pray and thank God for His creativity. Thank Him for your favorite places, people, tastes, and the beauty of nature.

Read your favorite Bible verses in a translation or paragraph you normally don’t read. Here is my favorite Bible verse in The Message (Zephaniah 3:17): “Don’t be afraid. Dear Zion, don’t despair. Your God is present among you, a strong Warrior there to save you. Happy to have you back, he’ll calm you with his love and delight you with his songs.”

Write a greeting card verse and e-mail it to a special person. Or better yet, browse creative sites (like MarthaStewart.com) for card ideas and make your own.

Sometimes what we need is simply a break in our day from the mundane tasks of life.

These tips are perfect for breaking up a routine. Who knows? You might end up inspired to finish writing that blog or to tackle that inbox.

Prayer

God, thank you for being the source of all creativity. Allow today to be inspired with fresh ideas and new creativity.

Looking for More Ways to Get Creative?

Check out my book Balanced: Finding Center as a Work-at-Home Mom!

More Resources

A More Beautiful Question: The Power of Inquiry to Spark Breakthrough Ideas by Warren Berger

Creativity by Matthew Fox

Creative Block: Get Unstuck, Discover New Ideas. Advice & Projects from 50 Successful Artists by Danielle Krysa

Creativity Workout: 62 Exercises to Unlock Your Most Creative Ideas by Edward De Bono

May 1, 2023 by Tricia Goyer 12 Comments

6 Ways to Find Joy in Your Day {Printable!}

6 Ways to Find Joy in Your Day {Printable!}

As a homeschooling mom, I’ve had kids at home for 32 years. This means noisy days, busy days, and these kids-are-giving-me-a-headache days.

I’ve been homeschooling for 28 years and still have another seven years to go! Does that seem overwhelming? It would have been if I hadn’t discovered something amazing: JOY!

Over the last year, God has spoken to my heart and encouraged me to find joy in everyday living.

Joy, even though the laundry is piled high.

Joy, even though the kids are cranky.

Joy when work deadlines are pressed.

Joy when I have a headache when my feet hurt, and when I just want a nap. (Which happens often!)

But how do you find joy in your day?

Here are 6 ways … and a Scripture verse for each!

1. Thank God for each new morning.

A thankful heart goes a long way. Daily when I wake God, instead of looking at everything I have to do, I thank him for who I am and what I have.

Thank you, God, that I’m your daughter, and I have a place in your eternal home.

Thank you, God, that I’m a wife and mother.

Thank you, God, for the pile of laundry and all the clothes you’ve provided for us.

Thank you, God, for the dishes still in the sink from last night. We went to bed with full bellies.

2. Turn on worship music.

I love listening to worship music as I read my Bible and journal in the morning. I put on popular Christian songs as we homeschool. I also listen to Christian music as I write. I love using apps like Spotify or Amazon Prime Music to help me find great music. I also sing along! Singing songs of joy helps sorrows (and frustrations) to disappear!

3. Ask God to remind me what His kingdom is all about.

In life, I want to be comfortable. I want my house to be Pinterest-worthy. I want my kids to shine. But when I think about God’s kingdom, He helps me understand Kingdom Work. Opening my door to neighbors. Sharing God’s truth with young moms. Calling a friend who’s going through a hard time. Playing a board game with my kids instead of putting away the laundry. The Kingdom is about people and hearts–not tasks!

4. Seek the Holy Spirit.

When did I ever start thinking that I have to handle life alone? God has given us His Holy Spirit to fill, work through, and give us peace. Stopping to pray and ask for God’s Holy Spirit to help me makes a huge difference. The Holy Spirit gives me joy when I have none.

The Holy Spirit gives me joy when I have none. @TriciaGoyer

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5. Join the kids in praising God.

The best thing about having three little kids is that they LOVE to praise God. We have “Jesus dance parties” often. We put on kids praise song, clap our hands and dance and sing. They love it, and seeing their joy makes me more joyful.

6. Thank God for troubles.

The honest truth is that without troubles, I wouldn’t need God. If everything went smoothly in life I wouldn’t pray or praise as often. When I thank God for troubles, I remind myself that He has everything in control. As the Scriptures say, troubles are an opportunity for joy!

I hope you print and use these Scriptures in your day. I’ve found them very helpful.

Download here.

How about you? What do you do to find joy in your day? What’s your favorite Scripture about joy?

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, today I pray for my friend. I pray that she may find joy in you. I pray that Your Word will draw her heart to you. I thank you for your Holy Spirit that can plant joy deep in our hearts, even when there are struggles all around.

More Resources

14 Ways to Create a Joyful Family
How to Joyfully Share a Life
3 Ways to Lose Guilt and Find Joy
Heart Happy by Tricia Goyer
When I Don’t Desire God: How to Fight for Joy by John Piper
A Faith That Will Not Fail by Dan Lord

June 25, 2019 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

How to Transform your Life in 5 Minutes a Day

It may sound impossible, but I can tell you how to transform your life in 5 minutes a day. I know because it worked for me.

What has completely changed my life? God’s Word! All I am and all I’ve done are a result of spending time reading God’s truth.

It’s easy, simple and it works. To help you I’ve put together my top three tips for Meditating in God’s Word:

Start Small

If you are just starting out and you are not used to reading God’s Word, you can set your timer for at 5 mins a day. Pray beforehand and ask God for understanding and wisdom for His Word. Pray afterward that God will help you to retain His Word in your heart and correctly apply it and learn from it throughout your day. Create time for His Word, either in the morning or in the evening, just make sure that you are consistently reading God’s Word every day.

Go Slowly

The worst thing you can do is speed read through the Word of God. You want to meditate, capture and ponder on the thoughts and Words of our Almighty Creator. After a verse or two, stop and ask yourself: “What did I read? Did I understand what I read?” I suggest getting a notepad to write down some questions you would like God to answer.

Stay Committed.

The fact is that we are all super busy most of the time. We are drained from many areas of our life, but the commitment we make when we spend time in the Word of God is a life changer. The Word of God is a life sustainer. When you are feeling discouraged or frustrated, write it out or talk it out with God. We need Him! When we stopping eating God’s Word, that meal gets replaced with something else that is not beneficial to our Christian growth. Nothing can replace the Word of God!

Reading the Bible is one of the things God wants each of us to do. It’s not enough to hear the Word from others–we must read it for ourselves. That’s how to transform your life.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work,” 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

When we read the Bible, we learn more about God and His ways. We learn how to live life more effectively. When you sit down to read the Bible pray, “Lord, help me to understand.” Also, ask someone who has been reading the Bible for a while to help you to understand better.

The more you read, the more you will understand God’s will and see His leading in your life. As you grow to understand His will better, you will thirst for His word even more!

Of course, the best part of knowing God’s Word is the transformation that will happen in you. As Isaiah 55:11 (NLT) says, “It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.”

Isn’t that amazing that God will accomplish all He wants to do in you as you dig into His Word?!

Praying Through the Bible in One Year

Have you ever wanted to read through the Bible but found yourself giving up? Or even worse, you read the chapters and at the end question how they apply to your life. I understand. For years I felt frustrated that I couldn’t stick to my commitment to read God’s Word all the way through. Things changed when I found a doable plan and wrote out a daily prayer. My heart changed. My life did, too.

God can bring real transformation into your heart and life when you daily commit to reading your Bible and praying through God’s Word. Praying through the Bible in One Year offers a guided reading plan and a daily prayer starter to help you make God’s Word applicable to your life. Discover the inspiration for real-life transformation.

Purchase a copy of Praying Through the Bible in One Year HERE.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. 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.” Read full privacy policy here.

January 3, 2018 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

18 Ways to Jump Start Your Quiet Time in 2018

Recently I was talking with a friend about spiritual growth. Out of everything I’ve done in my journey in drawing closer to God, the one thing that has brought me closer to Christ than anything else was spending daily time in God’s Word. Yet as mom it’s not easy to do! The wonderful thing is there is no right way to do it. I’ve tried different methods during different seasons. The point of all of it is spending time reading the Word of God and being present with Him.

Click HERE for 18 ways to jump start your quiet time in 2018!

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July 13, 2017 by Tricia Goyer 20 Comments

A Super-Simple Way to Effectively Study the Bible with Your Kids! {Guest Post by Amber Lia}

Make sure to enter below for your chance to win a copy of Study Buddy!

The church service ended and we made the mad dash to all four classrooms to pick our four sons. My husband Guy and I divide and conquer. After our third son was born, we realized that man to man combat would need to be replaced with zone defense. Now that we have four kids, we are seriously outnumbered. Even something as routine as picking them up from Sunday School classes requires a game plan.

In the car ride home, the boys shared small fragments of what they could remember from the Bible lesson. Often, a truth really sinks in and it’s a total joy to hear about it, but over the last year I began to feel a conviction that the disjointed way I approached teaching my kids about the Bible was not cutting it. Deuteronomy 6:-7, says, “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” This wasn’t happening as much as I wanted it to.

I needed something I could do with my kids that was engaging and fun—and that didn’t feel overwhelming to me as a mom! I just couldn’t find that resource for doing a Bible study my kids would love. Over the course of several months, God prompted my heart to craft it for them, so I spent a good while studying and writing a Study Buddy Bible Study Guide. I began with the book of Proverbs and then moved on to writing a study for Psalms.

Then, I tested it out on my kids ages 5-10. I couldn’t believe it. The time was the most special family time we had ever had. Truly. The boys begged me for more and I was certainly not going to disappoint them. God was working in their hearts, and mine!

And now, the first topic in the series is available for parents like you too—just in time for summer!

The Study Buddy Bible Study series is for every parent who wants their child to develop the life-long habit of studying Scripture. Full of simple yet practical applications, this study on the book of Proverbs focuses on 20 key verses about wisdom that teach kids how to use good judgment on a daily basis. Designed to take just 10 minutes a day, this collaborative study is a wonderful way to reach your child’s heart without being overwhelming. Each day includes:

– A verse from God’s Word to study
– Space to write and commit Scripture to heart
– A big idea to remember
– Several interactive questions for reflection
– Parent/child questions to spark lively conversation.

This study guide doesn’t follow a “teacher-student” format — instead, you’ll learn side by side, as Study Buddies!

This Proverbs study covers ideas like protecting your heart, doing good to others, taking care of animals, avoiding gossip, not starting a fight, and obeying parents. It’s ideal for ages 7-12, but can be adjusted for younger kids too.

You can grab your own copy here on Amazon!

I’m so grateful for Sunday School, but there is nothing better than being the one to teach my kids and grow alongside them. I hope that becoming your child’s Study Buddy blesses you deeply as it has done for me.

Are you looking for a way to develop the life-long habit of studying Scripture in your child? Check this out on @TriciaGoyer!

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More about Amber: A former high school English teacher and best-selling author, Amber is a work-at-home mom of four little boys. She and her husband, Guy, own Storehouse Media Group, a faith and family-friendly television and film production company in Los Angeles, CA. When she’s not building sand castles with her boys on the beach in Santa Monica or searching for Nerf darts all over her house, you can find Amber writing here to spur others on with biblical truth and practical insights!

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February 15, 2017 by Tricia Goyer 17 Comments

3 Ways to Stop Being a Control Girl Mama | Shannon Popkin

When I arrived home late one evening after attending a ladies’ event at church, I heard both of my babies wailing. Dropping my purse, I ran up to their bedrooms in a panic. The poor little dears had been crying for quite some time! They were red-faced, hot, and mad. I immediately picked them up, soothed them with pacifiers and stuffed animals, then had them back to sleep in minutes.

Back downstairs, I found my husband on the couch. I shook him out of a deep sleep and he sat up, startled, asking, “What? What’s wrong?”

I said, “Honey! The kids were crying!”

He said, “Oh! Are they okay?”

I said, “Well, they are now.”

“Oh, good,” he said with no further comment, and drifted back to sleep.

Oh, but it wasn’t good. Not good at all. I paced the floor fuming for a very long time, while everyone else slept peacefully.

A Controlling Wife

Instances like this caused me to have what I considered “reasonable doubt” about my husband’s competency with our children. He would do things like let them toddle beside him in the parking lot without holding their hand, feed them food that wasn’t chopped up small enough or forget their jackets on a chilly day.

I worried constantly that he wouldn’t worry about something really important!

I started seeing myself as the “lead parent,” the one responsible for us all. Yes, he was out there making the money and paying the mortgage and electric bills, but I was definitely the one holding down the fort, even when he was home.

A Passive Husband

About ten years into marriage, God began opening my eyes to something I hadn’t seen before. My constant fretting and anxious frustration were actually tied to my deep craving for control. The same with my anger. When I erupted over something silly like my husband not screwing on the sippy cup lids tight enough, my anger was really a response to losing the control that I craved.

Family life got crazier, I got more controlling, and my husband became more passive. He was fine with me grabbing the knife and cutting up the hotdogs in smaller chunks. He didn’t mind if I marched the kids back into the house to get their jackets on. And he slept even more peacefully on the couch, knowing that I would hustle around and worry enough for the both of us.

That might seem harmless, protective or even maternal, but I assure you that becoming a Control Girl mama was not a positive for any of us. Having the control I crave does not bring out the best in me. Nor does it bring out the best in my husband. The more I take control, the more condescending, rude, and disrespectful I become toward him. His response to this behavior from me is to “opt out” and go do his own thing.

The last thing my family needs is a passive husband and dad. God designed husbands to be leaders for their families. He wants dads to be involved in parenting. God laid out the blueprint for families in Ephesians 5:22-25, saying wives are to submit to (not control) their husbands, and husbands are to sacrificially lead their wives (not take the back seat in the marriage). So according to God, I can’t be a Control Girl wife and mom and living in surrender to Him at the same time. The two are mutually exclusive.

How to Stop Being a Control Girl

Breaking the patterns that we put into place during those early years has not been easy or immediate for me. If you, like me, want to stop being a Control Girl mama, here are three things I’ve found helpful:

1. Meditate on truth. The truth is, God is in control! That means I don’t have to be. So many of the things we try to control in the moment have to do with trying to protect our future and make everyone happy. But I could spend a lifetime lunging for control over big things and small and never safeguard the people I love from heartache. God wants me to find assurance from knowing He sees me and loves me. He wants me to have settled peace about the future, believing He holds all of the contingencies in his hands. He wants me to have security, knowing He is working all things together for good.

2. Purposefully Surrender. Surrender doesn’t come naturally for me. I have to choose it. When I feel the anger or anxiety rise inside me, I ask, “Ok, Shannon. What are you trying to control here?” or “What do you feel like you’re losing control of?” Whatever it is, it must be surrendered to God. That’s the only way to have peace and the victory!

3. Invite my Husband to Lead. I naturally want to take control, and my husband naturally wants to let me. The last thing he wants to do, after a challenging day of leading at work, is to come home and argue with me about whether the kids can have a snack. So to draw out the leader in him, I have to stop challenging him on insignificant things. I must invite him to lead, and then respect his decisions. When the kids are little this means saying, “Let’s ask Daddy.” When they’re older, it means saying, “You’re going to have to check with Dad about that.”

Now that our kids are all teenagers, something surprising has happened: In many ways, my husband has become the lead parent! He’s much more even tempered than I am, and doesn’t get drawn into emotional debates. He’s wise, consistent, and fun with our kids. Oh, how thankful I am to have him engaged in parenting!

I’m definitely still on a journey, but when I invite the man I love to lead our family and meditate on the ways that all of us are held securely by the big, wise hands of God, I can relax and not worry or stress out so much. I can find freedom from being a Control Girl mama.

For your chance to win a copy of Control Girl, leave us comment letting us know how your week is going! Winner will be announced next week!

For a free set of downloadable Control Girl Meditation Cards, go to www.ControlGirl.com.

3 ways to stop being a #controlgirl mama from @ShannonPopkin + #giveaway. @TriciaGoyer

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Shannon Popkin is a writer, speaker and Bible teacher who combines her gifts for humor and storytelling with her passion for Jesus. She is a regular contributor for the Revive Our Hearts’ True Woman blog and author of the book Control Girl. Popkin and her husband live the fast-paced life of parenting three teens in Michigan. Connect with Shannon Popkin by visiting www.shannonpopkin.com, following her on Facebook (shanpopkin) or following her via Twitter (@ShannonPopkin).

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September 8, 2016 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

Go from Good to Great

“For the Law never made anything perfect—but instead a better hope is introduced through which we [now] come close to God.” Hebrews 7:19 (AMP)

My friend Kayleigh is 15 years younger than me, but 15 times more serious in the kitchen. While I am an adequate cook, Kayleigh pours through recipe books to discover the next great recipe. When our church had a dessert contest for a lady’s event, Kayleigh spent all day making chocolate ganache tarts and she won first prize!

When it came to encouraging believers to display the name of Jesus Christ well, the apostle Paul wanted Christians to move beyond “good” to become “great.” Ephesians chapter four is a recipe for how believers should live. “Thieves must quit stealing and, instead, they must work hard. They should do something good with their hands so that they’ll have something to share with those in need” (Ephesians 4:28, AMP). Stealing is bad, working hard is better, doing good and sharing with others is great!

In the Old Testament God gave the Law—rules and regulations to guide the Israelites in doing good. In the New Testament, as followers of Jesus Christ, good is not good enough. We must go a step beyond. We must allow Jesus to fill our hearts and guide our lives. While I’m a fine cook, it’s the great cooks and bakers who win contests. While I can live a good life on my own, with Jesus strengthening me, I can give beyond my desire, share beyond my ability, and love beyond myself.

Jesus knows we can’t go from good to great without Him. All we have to do is ask Him to take over control of our lives on a daily basis. And the most wonderful part is not the great things He guides us to do… but the deepening relationship with Him through the process!

Faith Step: Think of something great a friend has done—something that you know was only accomplished through Jesus Christ. Then write a note letting your friend know that his or her model is one you are thankful for and strive to follow.

Hebrews 7:19 encourages us to go from good to great! Find out why & how here:

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Read the original post at Guideposts.org. Want more devotions? Check out Mornings with Jesus 2016.

Put the world on hold and step into the presence of Jesus, who gladly takes our burdens and stress and restores them with “the peace that surpasses understanding.”

This uplifting daily devotional book includes 366 short five-minute readings that help you rest and recharge your spirit by putting your focus on the Living God. Each page begins with a Scripture quote, followed by and uplifting devotion that demonstrates how Jesus’ life and teaching apply today. With humor, humility, and grace, the writers share insights that are easily relatable. A Faith Step is also included for you to practice throughout the day. The Faith Step will inspire and challenge you to apply the day’s message to your life.

For those who are seeking a deeper experience in their relationship with Christ, Mornings with Jesus 2016 offers a fresh perspective of who Jesus is and what that means for day-to-day life. As you focus on His truth, you will experience an abundance of blessings that spring from your ever-growing personal relationship with Him.

With a warm and friendly voice, 366 short devotional writings on the character and teachings of Jesus encourage you to greet each day by drawing near to Him and inviting His presence into your day. Spend time with Jesus at the beginning of each day and experience His nearness and peace in a new way throughout the year.

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October 1, 2015 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

3 Ways to Include Devotions in {Any} Family’s Busy Schedule – Rhonda Owens

We’re all busy.

Whether we have one child or eight; whether we homeschool or public school; whether we work at home, work part-time or full — we are busy! In fact, most of my friends, in response to the question, “How are you?” usually respond, “Busy!!”

So in a day and age when we feel harried, as if we couldn’t possibly add one more thing to our schedules, how are we doing at following God’s directive to diligently teach our children about Him? How are we doing at “impressing God’s precepts on their minds and penetrating their hearts with His truths?” How are we doing at speaking His precepts when we sit in our homes and when we walk on the road and when we lie down and when we get up? (Deuteronomy 6:6-7)

My guess is that most of us would say that we aren’t doing a very good job of it at all. Why? Because we’re too busy!!

But this isn’t a post about how we need to re-evaluate crowded calendars or trim away overabundant obligations. The fact is this: some seasons of our lives are busier than others. But also? Whether steeped in a busy spell or not, God’s command remains: we are to imprint God’s Word on the hearts of our children.

Whether busy or not, we are to imprint God’s Word on the hearts of our kids @TheRhondaOwens

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But when??

Here are three ways to include devotions in any family’s busy schedule:

1. Dinnertime Dialogue

Honestly, this point could include not only dinner, but also breakfast, lunch, or snack.

God made our bodies to need nourishment several times a day, so it is completely feasible to select one (or all!) of those times to discuss God’s word — together.

But what does this look like? It could be as simple as printing out a Bible verse that sits in the center of your table — a verse that you read out loud each time you sit together to eat. After reading it out loud, you could see if anyone can remember it without looking or you could ask someone to explain the verse in their own words or you could ask a child to describe how the verse could be applied in her current circumstance at school.

The possibilities are endless and easy, involving nothing more than sitting down to eat and discussing some Scripture!

2. Car-Time Conversation

For at least 16 years (and sometimes longer), kids are literally strapped into the seats in your vehicle — a captive audience for conversation starters on drives to and from school, to and from practices, to and from rehearsals, to and from Grandma’s house… you name it! What a PERFECT time for us to speak truth into their hearts!

You can sing Scripture or talk about a Bible verse or listen to a Bible story on CD or recite memorized verses… and follow any and all of it with simple questions such as these:

Tell me about that verse/story (in your own words).
How can you apply that verse/story to your life?
What is God teaching you through His Word?

3. Sleepy-time “Sermonizing”

We need sleep.

Everyday.

That said, that sweet snuggle time when putting kids to bed and/or when getting them up in the morning? It’s the perfect time to whisper to them about Jesus and His saving grace and how much He loves them and wants for them to live lives worthy of His calling.

So do you see what I mean? Weaving soul-talk into the everyday fabric of our lives can be as natural as eating, driving and sleeping.

We’ve complicated what it means to share Scripture with our kids, I think. It doesn’t have to be fancy or long-winded, elaborate or entertaining.

But if you’re still a little leery? My husband and I wrote a little family devotional called Undivided: Living FOR and Not Just WITH One Another. It is a simple, fun, easy-to-use resource you can read with your family — at the table, in the car (uhm… unless you’re driving), or while snuggling in bed.

Each short chapter focuses on a “one another” verse found in the New Testament, and in just a few paragraphs, you will — together with your kids — unpack truths such as what it looks like to encourage, rejoice with, accept, forgive and be devoted to each other.

But whether you choose to use our resource or not, the bottom line is this: God commands us to pass along His truth to our kids. The question, then, is not “if” we should include devotions in our day… the question is “when!”

@TheRhondaOwens shares 3 ways to incorporate devos into your family time:

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Gifted with one beautiful daughter for her tenth wedding anniversary and another for her twentieth, high school English teacher turned homeschooling mom Rhonda Owens is passionate about the Word. She loves nothing more than to study it, talk about it, write about it, apply it, live it and teach it… all preferably accompanied by deep community and good chocolate. Exploring with husband Mitchell and her two girls is a favorite pastime, and you might find them snorkeling, hiking, or kayaking in a remote corner of God’s world — or simply walking in the woods behind their home in little Bryan, Ohio. She writes regularly at Ungrind.org.

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September 18, 2015 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

Last Day to Enter Ray Vander Laan’s Experience the Bible Giveaway!

Our task as Christians is to bring “lost sheep” back into the love and safety of His kingdom. How are you doing at welcoming the strangers and prodigals the Lord longs to embrace? Learn how to work on your task with Ray Vander Laan’s Israel’s Mission, volume thirteen in the That the World May Know® DVD series. Discover the mission that can give your life—and the lives of those around you—greater meaning than you ever imagined. Filmed on location in the Middle East and elsewhere, the series will transform your understanding of God and challenge you to be a true follower of Jesus.

Celebrate the release of Israel’s Mission by entering to win the entire That the World May Know® series—perfect for working through with your family, Bible study, or Sunday school class!

One grand prize winner will receive:

All 13 DVDs in the That the World May Know® series

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on September 18th. Winner will be announced September 21st on the Litfuse blog.

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September 8, 2015 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

The Power of Digging Deeper into God’s Word | ‘That the World May Know’ with Ray Vander Laan

What I didn’t learn in Sunday School

I grew up in church, but I learned very little about the Bible during those early years. My Sunday school teacher was awesome. I enjoyed the lessons and learned Scripture verses. And while I could tell you that David toppled Goliath, and Sarah laughed when she was told she was going to have a child, I didn’t understand how the Bible was put together as one cohesive story.

I discovered my lack of understanding one year after I was married. John and I signed up for Bible school classes, and before the class started we took a quiz to see how much we knew. I discovered it was very little. I couldn’t tell you if David lived before Abraham or vice versa. During the months of Bible classes I learned so much. I understood the Bible more, and I fell in love with God more, too. I craved spending time in God’s Word.

To understand Bible you need to read the Bible. You also need to understand how the parts make the whole, and sometimes this means turning to wise people for help.

Lately, my family has been working through That the World May Know® DVD series with Ray Vander Laan. His newest DVD is Israel’s Mission. Ray believes that to more greatly understand and appreciate the Bible, one has to have a sense of the land and the culture from which it sprang.

The more fully we can appreciate the times and places of the Bible, the better we can respond to the Word of God. Check out this video and stop by the website to learn more about the series:

We’ve used his material as a family and in small group settings and have learned so much. The message Ray Vander Laan emphasizes is simple, yet powerful. He encourages us to bring lost sheep back into the Father’s loving arms, while further understanding the lands and times of the Bible. (I would LOVE to go on one of RVL’s trips!).

From 9/2 – 9/18, you can enter to win the 13-DVD set of That the World May Know®! Click here to learn how you can enter to win the series for your family, small group, or church.

Isn’t that amazing that God will accomplish all He wants to do in you as you dig into His Word?!

Discover the power of digging deep into God’s Word with @RVL_ON’s ‘That the World May Know’ series!

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How to Breathe God-Messages

Here are 5 ways to breathe God-messages:

Steps You can Take

Daily Prayer

Resources You Might Like:

It’s Time to Get Creative, Mom.

What can you do when you need an extra “spark” of inspiration?

Here are a few things I do.

Sometimes what we need is simply a break in our day from the mundane tasks of life.

Prayer

Looking for More Ways to Get Creative?

More Resources

6 Ways to Find Joy in Your Day {Printable!}

But how do you find joy in your day?

Here are 6 ways … and a Scripture verse for each!

1. Thank God for each new morning.

2. Turn on worship music.

5. Join the kids in praising God.

6. Thank God for troubles.

How about you? What do you do to find joy in your day? What’s your favorite Scripture about joy?

Prayer

More Resources

Start Small

Go Slowly

Stay Committed.

Praying Through the Bible in One Year

Click HERE for 18 ways to jump start your quiet time in 2018!

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Make sure to enter below for your chance to win a copy of Study Buddy!

A Controlling Wife

A Passive Husband

How to Stop Being a Control Girl

1. Dinnertime Dialogue

2. Car-Time Conversation

3. Sleepy-time “Sermonizing”

What I didn’t learn in Sunday School

From 9/2 – 9/18, you can enter to win the 13-DVD set of That the World May Know®! Click here to learn how you can enter to win the series for your family, small group, or church.