1. Start.  Yeah, sounds kind of silly, but that’s half the battle–getting going.  Decide right now while you’re reading this that you won’t let another day go by waiting for someone else to do it.  Then plan what you’ll do today.

2. Don’t make it hard – make it simple.  If the kids around your table are small, choose a Bible passage that is full of adventure and excitement like the story of Daniel or David before he became king.  If the kids are older, dare to read some passages that pertain to daily life like any chapter in the book of James.

3. Keep it short and to the point, especially to start.  Read a few verses or just one part of a story… keep them longing for more.  Choose a translation that’s easy to read and understand.  If you do just one verse, maybe read it in a few translations to see if there are any differences.  Read it, and then chat about it.  Ask good questions.  (Good questions do not have ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers.)

4. Have the kids act something out.  If you read a story, assign parts and have them act out while you read.  You might just laugh your head off, but that’s okay.  It’ll teach the kids that devos don’t have to be boring.

5. Make sure each person has a notebook or journal.  If they can’t write, give them one anyway so they can draw.  At either the beginning or end of your time together, have them write down one thing they want prayer for and the date.  Then spend time as a family praying for those things.  Watch over time for answered prayer.

6. Occasionally watch a solid Bible teaching on a DVD or podcast, do small segments of a Bible study series if the kids are old enough, or spend some time together memorizing a few verses (or even a book of the Bible).

7. If you have young kids, sit down and watch a Veggie Tales video with them.  Then bring out your Bible and compare it to the real story.  Ask them what’s different, what’s the same–and which one is true!

8. If you are worn out, sometimes the best thing to do is to turn on some praise and worship music as loud as your speakers will go (without disturbing the neighbors) and have everyone sing along.  Sing hymns and study the words to see which come from Scripture.

9. Do it when it works.  (See Deuteronomy 6.)  When you walk along the road, when you sit down to eat, when you wake up, when you lie down, when you drive in the car, when you cook dinner, when you are hanging out in the family room – whenever and wherever.  A set time is great and also necessary.  But it is not the only time.  If a few days go by and you didn’t get that set time in, not to worry if you are living a life of devotion with your kids.  A true life of devotion to God will bring you back to the joy of meditating on His Word and singing His praise because of your love for Him.

10. Remember that your goal is to help them be more devoted to Jesus.  If that means you tell your testimony and have them share theirs – do it.  It’s not so much about how you do it but that you do.  Show them Jesus in a way that they will love Him through His Word, be sensitive to His Holy Spirit and long for His return with a passion.

Here are a few cautions:

“The fruit of righteous is a tree of life. And he who wins souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30

Key #1: Consider Christ
Jesus ministered to masses. He molded and developed 12 men and challenged them to carry His message to the ends of the earth. The ministry of Jesus changed the world! We can learn everything we need to have a successful ministry by looking at the practical ways Christ conducted His earthly ministry.

How can we be like Christ?
* Define your purpose.
*Share your passion.
*Seek your people (develop a team of leaders).

Key #2: Converse with Christ
Jesus spent a great deal of time in prayer. He prayed for those that He was molding and building. He prayed for those who would come to know Him in the future. Prayer is the key to witnessing God’s productive power in your ministry.

How should we pray?
* Bathe everything in prayer.
* Pray for the small things and the big things.

Key #3: Compel them to come
Jesus called many to drop everything and follow Him. His invitation was clear and compelling.

How can we compel others to join us in following after God?
*Advertise your events in print and by word of mouth:  invite, invite, invite!
* Canvas the community.
* Invite other churches.

Key #4: Communicate constantly
Jesus used every opportunity to reach out and communicate with others. He not only spoke to and taught people; He was a Master at listening to their hearts.

How should we communicate?
* Write letters and newsletters monthly.
* Send cards for encouragement.
* Make calls and send emails.

Key #5: Compassionate concern
The compassion of Christ was evident in every move He made. He reached out to the poor and broken. He was patient with those who did not understand. He worked among the hurting to make a difference in their lives and to share the love of His Father in a real and tangible way. Everywhere we turn, people are hurting. We are called to minister.

How can we demonstrate compassion?
* Look for needs.
* Listen closely and actively. (Focus on the person speaking.)
* Pray immediately with them (out loud).

Key #6: Coach your leaders
Jesus worked with the twelve to give them the boldness and confidence that they needed to go out and share His message. He taught them as they walked the dusty roads together. He demonstrated how to minister as the twelve looked on. He poured Himself into these men in order to teach them to touch the lives of others for the Kingdom.

How can we develop our leaders?
* Choose prayerfully. (Ask God to help you match gifts to service.)
* Disciple diligently.
* Challenge constantly.

Key #7: Consistently teach the Word
The most important key to having ministry success is to effectively and consistently teach the Word of God. Jesus spoke the words of the Father. He spoke the message of the Gospel wherever He went.

How can we consistently teach His Word?
* Encourage individual study.
* Let every event draw people to the Word. (Use a theme verse.)
* Celebrate growth.

Stephanie Little, Guest Writer

MMCW is hosting a School Room Carnival! Share your blog posts and photos of how you organize your home learning environment. We will all be inspired by tips and ideas! Simply send the URL of your blog post to me at mentoringmoments@aol.com by Friday, July 30th. Yes, we’re extending the deadline to give everyone a few more days. You do not have to be a homeschooler to participate. The carnival will run on Thursday, August 5th.

For his sixth birthday party last weekend my youngest requested chocolate cupcakes with white icing. My mother was the baker and happily obliged. That is until we had a mini-crisis–she could not find her special buttercream icing recipe. Only an hour from party time, Mother pulled out an icing recipe from days gone by…7 Minute Icing. It’s in most country cookbooks for a reason–it’s simple, fast, and yummy!

7 Minute Icing
Wilma Kitchens

2 egg whites, 1 and 1/2 cups sugar, 1 and 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar, 1/2 cup cold water, dash salt, 1 teaspoon vanilla

Place all ingredients except vanilla in a double boiler. Beat one minute with an electric mixer. Cook over boiling water, beating constantly with mixer until firm peaks form. You’ll know when icing will curl a bit when you pull the mixer up. Mix in vanilla at end. Be sure to make this icing on a dry day–it will not work on a rainy day.

Family devotions can be one of the always-wanted-to-do-it-but-never-quite-got-to-it parts of a Christian family’s home life.  Many times mothers carry a pain in their hearts because we’d always hoped our husbands would be the spiritual heads of our homes.  We think that means our husbands should cheerfully lead the family without reminders (hints, kicks under the table, jabs in the ribs or ‘that look’).  We expect that the dark, tall and handsome, strong but silent macho man we married will become preacher extraordinaire, object lesson guru and prayer warrior of all time when it comes to family devotions.

We forget that God gave us to our fabulous man so we could be his conscience – oops, did I really say that?  I mean helper!  We think we need to be his conscience, and that’s why we say things like “Wouldn’t family devotions be a good idea, honey?”  Or maybe we don’t say anything at all but buy a great book entitled Family Devotions Led by Dad and leave it strategically on his bedside table or in the bathroom where he does most of his reading anyway.

Helper… helper… helper… that’s what God said we were to be! “The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”” (Genesis 2:18, NIV)

Helper does not mean nagger, manipulator, director or conscience.  It actually means helper.  Strange, huh?  According to Webster’s Dictionary¹ helper means:  “One who, or that which, helps, aids, assists, or relieves.”  Are you surprised that it actually means to help?

There are a dozen reasons we might not want to be a helper in the area of family devotions, and I’m not likely to know half of them.  However, one of the reasons that we want our husbands to do it is because we don’t want the responsibility.  What if we do it and the kids don’t like it?  What if we do it wrong?  What happens if we do it and they choose not to follow God as adults?  Will we be to blame?

Big questions – probably the same ones dear hubby is asking and part of the reason he doesn’t volunteer for the job.

Not to worry though!  Moms, you can do a great job.  This is your opportunity to be the helper your kids’ dad really needs.  Sure he loves your cooking and maybe the paycheck you bring home, but what a privilege to be his helper in the area of leading your kids to Jesus!

Perhaps the very reason God allowed you to marry the special man in your life is because you were the helper suitable for him in this exact area.  Who knows?

Join me back on Friday–I will be sharing tips on how to start family devotions.

What are some favorite devotionals your family has used?

Ruth Bell Graham was a wonderful example of the legacy that a godly woman can have as she serves her family in the sphere where God has placed her.

Ruth was born in China to missionary parents. She came to Christ at a young age and was full of zeal to reach the lost. Could Ruth’s mother have imagined the plans God had for her daughter? Ruth believed she would never marry and would stay in China as a missionary. Instead, the Lord led her to marry Billy Graham, who would become the greatest evangelist of the 20th century.

Ruth’s life was not an easy one. Billy’s work as an evangelist took him to all corners of the earth. Ruth faithfully served at home, out of the spotlight, raising their five children. Often Billy would be gone for weeks or months on end.  Many wives in Ruth’s circumstance might have become bitter.  But Ruth always seemed to think of Billy, how she might bless him and minister to him. She was not consumed with getting her husband to serve her needs. She was passionate about ministering to him as he served others.

Ruth faithfully prayed for her children, and loved them unconditionally. Two of the five Graham children were prodigals in their youth. Franklin Graham, who is now president of Samaritan’s Purse and a worldwide evangelist in his own right, credits his parents love with bringing him back to the Lord. Every one of the Graham’s five children is walking with the Lord and serving in public ministry today.  Franklin’s son Will follows in his father’s and grandfather’s’ footsteps as he preaches the Gospel at crusades around the world.

At her funeral, Ruth’s daughter said these words: “I don’t believe Mother has adequately been recognized and honored for what she had done because, without her, Daddy’s ministry would not have been possible. How does one live with one of the world’s most famous men?

“God began training my mother for this position years ago in China. Her parents exercised a profound effect upon the development of her character, and laid the foundations for who she was. What she witnessed in her family home, she practiced for herself–dependence on God in every circumstance, love for His Word, concern for others above self, and an indomitable spirit displayed with a smile.”

I wish I knew more about Ruth’s own mother. Did she live to see the fruit of her own faithfulness to the Lord as it was revealed in the character and life of her daughter, and ultimately in her grandchildren and great grandchildren?  Both Ruth and her mother spent their lives serving their families, and we see in their legacy a testimony of multi-generational faithfulness.

“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. ‘Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.’ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.” Proverbs 31: 28-31

MMCW is hosting a School Room Carnival! Share your blog posts and photos of how you organize your home learning environment. We will all be inspired by tips and ideas! Simply send the URL of your blog  post to me at mentoringmoments@aol.com by tonight. You do not have to be a homeschooler to participate. The carnival will run on July 28th.

In time past many of us would laugh off the thought of thinking ahead to Christmas in July. In July it is easy to be proud procrastinators.

Today’s economy has changed that privilege for many families. Nowadays everything we can do in advance serves not only to save money but our time too. Thinking ahead this month will pave the way for a more peaceful and rewarding holiday with family and friends. Here are some ideas to jumpstart the coming holiday season…

Special Occasions Binder.
In 2005 Anita Cramer shared the idea of creating a binder with MMCW to keep up with all the lists and ideas associated with Christmas. Taking her idea a step further, my binder includes all the events my family celebrates throughout the year. I can quickly pinpoint family holiday recipes, card lists, gift lists, or party menus without tearing the house apart. Better yet, I have a place to put ideas for family gatherings I compile during the year from magazines and online reading.

My binder is a simple $4 binder from Wal-Mart. Sections are divided with tabs and include: Thanksgiving, Christmas, Gift List, Christmas Card List, Homemade Goodie Ideas, Christmas Recipes, Christmas Parties, New Years, Valentine’s Day, 4th of July, Birthdays, and Mother’s/Father’s Day. I use page protectors to house pages torn from magazines, recipes, and gift receipts. If you do not have a binder, set one up this month. Just putting copies of your family’s favorite Christmas recipes in one spot will save you time come December.

Right on Schedule.
Take a look at your calendar right now. Odds are you have few events scheduled presently for November and December. Guard as many of those free days for your family as possible. Be intentional during the months ahead and use your time–and your binder–to stay ahead of the holiday rush. Pencil in events you know will be happening during December in the margin of the calendar. Only list essential events and feel free to set a boundary now around your December time.

Strategize Now.
Sit down and write your gift recipient list for 2010 and assign a monetary amount to each person. Be realistic–do not forget Christmas stockings gifts too! The beauty of planning Christmas in July is that you have plenty of time to find a $25 gift for $5 in the clearance section of stores. Do not put down a $25 gift amount on the list when you know that your budget is realistically $5.

Make hard decisions this month.
If you cannot afford to give gifts to extended family this year, have the discussion now. Choosing to draw names or set spending limits are alternatives. You may be surprised to find everyone else just as relieved about the change. Having a list along with a budget will help to avoid the burden of overspending in December. Keep a master list in your binder and a small copy in your purse. I keep my list on a folded piece of paper in my wallet.

Eyes Wide Open.
The key to Christmas in July is keeping our eyes alert for deep discounted summer sales. Around July 4th I visit the Disney store for 75% off beach towels and toys. During the same time period Target begins clearing out to make room for Christmas toys. By the first of August, Christian bookstores such as Lifeway mark selected home decor, books, jewelry, and CDs anywhere from 75% to 90% off. With the economy in its current state, do not be surprised to find deeper discounts than usual at the mall from clothing retailers. There are great fall and winter clothing sales to be had now at name brand stores. Just last weekend, I bought two fall blouses and a pair of jeans for $16. Finally, don’t rule out yard sales. I once bought four American Girl dolls in mint condition for $25 each at a yard sale. Never underestimate the power of the Lord to provide just what you are looking for within your budget.

Every Little Bit Counts
Do you have craft projects that would make perfect Christmas gifts? July is the perfect time to pull them together. If you like making homemade goodies, right now is the time for gathering jars for blueberry jam or maybe fig preserves. Are you a scrapbooker? Use extra supplies to create some gifts for teen scrapbookers in your family or even make an album for someone special. Make a photo CD set to music of last Christmas to give as gifts this year to family. Pick up a $5 Sonic gift card or maybe $10 iTunes cards. (Yes, $10 iTunes cards exist. They come in packs of three at Wal-Mart.)

Here are some craft projects I’m eyeing for this year:

Tea Wreaths

Washer Necklaces

Rice Bag Warmers

Framed Fabric Mon0gram

For plenty of ideas be sure to also look through our 12 Days of Christmas series. You’ll find recipes, gift ideas, devotions, and organizational tips.

How do you plan to plan ahead for Christmas 2010?

Here are five simple suggestions to help make loving your spouse a top priority, second only to your relationship with Christ.  Remember, giving your marriage the time and attention it deserves truly matters to God. He will help you implement these steps if you are willing to order your life and marriage according to His will.

1. Pray together before the day begins.
As we learned earlier, couples that pray regularly together experience less than a 1 percent divorce rate. Daily bring your marriage, children, financial needs, spiritual obstacles, and other concerns to God together in prayer. The Bible assures us heaven is always open: “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). Making prayer a priority in your marriage will invite God’s love and presence into that day’s events. It will glue your hearts together as you worship the God who created your marriage.

2. Act out love to experience feelings of love.
One of the mysteries of keeping a softened heart is that we must continue to act that way even when we don’t feel that way. When our emotions are upset or difficult to control, we need to still speak and act with a softened heart. Even if we are out of sorts, our feelings will eventually catch up with our right actions. Love is an action word in Scripture, not an emotion: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). God’s love was demonstrated by His actions, not His emotions. The same is true for us. If we will act and speak lovingly, our hearts will overcome our feelings, and love will carry the day.

3. Spend thirty minutes a day in a shared activity and intimate conversation.
It’s a truism that men communicate as the result of a shared activity, while women view communication as the activity itself. For example, if you want your husband to talk to you, then you should both engage in some simple activity such as walking, biking, or working on a project together. You’ll find that sharing an activity with your husband will open him up to interact with you in a way he doesn’t when sitting at the kitchen table. Make spending thirty minutes together a top priority so that you can stay connected through intimate conversation.

4. Give your spouse the right to access you any time day or night.
One of the important ways to communicate the priority your spouse is in your life is to allow them to interrupt your schedule. When I (Bob) was a pastor, I gave my secretary instructions to put my wife’s telephone calls through any time day or night (and that of my children as well). Regardless of who I was meeting with, I was willing to take at least thirty seconds to talk to my wife. It was my way of communicating to Cheryl and everyone else that my marriage and kids were the first priority of my life. Of course, there were moments when I had to ask Cheryl if I could call her back later, but the important point had been established that she comes first.

5. Submit your time decisions to the fifty-year rule.
It’s a good idea to stop and evaluate the way the two of you allocate your time each day. The fifty-year rule simply asks, “Fifty years from now will we be glad or regret the way we used our time today?” Will the two of you make wise choices regarding your use of time? Or will you let the tyranny of the urgent drive your schedule? How we spend our time is perhaps the surest indicator of what we value most in life.

We need to take this advice of Scripture to heart,
Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
(Psalm 90:12)

Our marriages all come with an expiration date. We may have only this day to connect our hearts; tomorrow may not come. We need to ask God to give us the wisdom to see our marriage as He sees our marriage. Once we do, we will make it the first and highest priority in our lives after our relationship with Christ.

“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts…”

Lord Jesus, thank You for making it so clear in Your Word that my marriage relationship is to be among my highest priorities, second only to my devotion to You. I ask You to forgive me for allowing other things to confuse that divinely ordered plan. Today let my marriage be a clear example and message to the world how much You love Your Church. Use my softened heart toward my mate as an avenue to draw people to the gospel. Let our heart connection in marriage make it easier for our children to come to a lifelong faith in You. Finally, may our home be a small foretaste of the joys of heaven. I ask this in Your Name, Lord Jesus, the One who is soon returning for us, Your bride. Amen.

Excerpt from The Marriage Miracle, by Bob and Cheryl Moeller.

Copyright © 2010 by Bob and Cheryl Moeller, published by Harvest House, used with permission. All rights reserved.

For more information visit www.bobandcherylmoeller.com

What if I told you there is a way to make chicken wings healthy without giving up flavor? Really.

My mother made a healthy version last weekend that can compete with any wing on the block. Besides being healthier than its deep-fried counterpart, these zesty wings are cheap to make at home. Soaked in a brine followed by a spice rub, they are marvelous for any party, served hot or cold. Mother says that you can use wings or drumettes and even chicken legs wonderful choices too.

Zesty Chicken Wings
Wilma Kitchens

14-16 wings, drumettes, or chicken legs

Brine: 3/4 cup of sea salt, 1 cup apple juice, 1/4 cup whole peppercorns, 8 cups water, 5 to 6 cloves of crushed garlic.

Mix in a large dutch oven. Bring to a boil, then allow to cool for at least 10 minutes or longer. Put wings/drumettes/legs in to soak overnight in the fridge.

Dry Rub: 6 tablespoons of Italian herb seasoning, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, 2 teaspoons of garlic powder, 2 teaspoons of sea salt, 2 teaspoons of black pepper.

After soaking overnight, drain brine and discard. Divide rub mixture between two large Ziploc bags. Divide chicken between two bags and shake to coat.

Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil and lightly spray or coat with olive oil.

For wings, broil for 8 minutes, then turn over and broil an additional 8 minutes. For drumettes and legs you will need to increase the time. Make sure chicken is cooked through.