The Ministry of Motherhood

Real Life Real Faith Empowering Moments: He's Refining You For Your Weal...

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl) — Sun, 11 Jan 2015 18:50:00 +0000

SORMAG's Blog: SORMAGs Open House - What's On The Shelves Now

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 14:31:00 +0000

SORMAG's Blog: SORMAGs Open House - What's On The Shelves Now

Live the abundant life God intended - #cheryllaceydonovan, #books, #peaceinthestormpublishing

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl) — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 15:35:00 +0000

Live the abundant life God intended - #cheryllaceydonovan, #books, #peaceinthestormpublishing

Mama's Got a Fake ID Conclusion

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl) — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 13:38:00 +0000

Part 3 Apply Your Findings

In her book, Rivadeneira works through the reasons God cares about our individual
identities and how God makes himself known to his people. She also shows women why
it’s not selfish to long to be known and loved for their true selves—as opposed to “just” as mom—and that in fact, revealing the complete woman God made you to be is key to doing “kingdom work.”

While acknowledging that the church hasn’t been particularly helpful in this area,
Rivadeneira also believes that if women want this change, they need to be willing to make it themselves. To help women reveal their real identities and live as God intended them to, she suggests moms need to do such things as:

* Get over the false guilt that keeps you from living as the woman God made you to
be.
* Find out what your “identity in Christ” really looks like. What misconceptions are
you harboring?

* Discover who God sees when he looks at you.

* Identify your gifts.

* Describe yourself in ways that show a piece of the real you.

* Treasure—don’t resent—your limitations.

* Become vulnerable.

She believes doing each of these things—along with drawing out and encouraging other
women—helps each of us live the life God created us to live, by blessing others and
ultimately changing the world through our God-given gifts.

Rivadeneira writes at the end of her book that this is all “pretty exciting stuff when you think that God has ordained each of us to share his grace and love and to transform the world for him! We are called to do it certainly through our children and through our roles as moms, but in all the other ways you’ve discovered as well.”

Discussion Questions

[Q] Do you find the call to transform the world through your children and other gifts
exciting or overwhelming, or both? Why?

[Q] In what ways do you believe God may be calling you to use your gifts to change the world or to show love and grace to another mom? “Mama’s Got a Fake I.D.”

[Q] What can you do today or this week to change the way others see you and your
contributions to the world?

— Ingrid Ramos is a freelance editor and writer. She lives with her family in the
suburbs of Chicago.

©2009 Christianity Today International ChristianBibleStudies.com

Mama's Fake ID Teaching Point Three: Valuing moms for their unique selves is a means

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl) — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 13:34:00 +0000

“Mama’s Got a Fake I.D.”

Any mom who’s felt subject to stereotypes and assumptions, the loneliness of not fitting in, or the hurt of not living up to those stereotypes, knows how wonderful it feels to ultimately become known—and valued. In fact, getting to know another mom as a complete, gifted, specially made child of God, and then loving her because of—and in spite of—who she is, can be a way of showing grace to that woman.

This is what God does with us (Psalm 139), and something we see Jesus do time and again in the Gospels. Read John 4:1–26 and Luke 19:1–10. Consider how Jesus’ talking to, getting to know, and extending truth and grace to the Samaritan woman and Zacchaeus transformed their lives. If we are truly following in the way of Jesus, we should follow this example with one another. This act of being known—for good or for bad—and loved is a picture of the transforming love of Jesus. Since moms want this in their own lives, it’s a wonderful, affirming way to live out the “Golden Rule.”

Discussion Questions

[Q] Think about some ways you feel you’ve been labeled with a “fake I.D.” What are some ways the church could take the lead in getting to know women beyond any one role?

[Q] How has it felt when someone asks about you as a woman—not you as a mom? What’s
the difference between the two?

[Q] What does it tell you about the heart of Jesus that he took time to chat with the
Samaritan woman and Zacchaeus—two people who didn’t fit it?

[Q] What do Jesus’ actions of reaching out to these “misfits” tell you about how we should handle women in our congregation who might not fit traditional molds? Who are some moms Jesus might be calling you to reach out to right now?

[Q] What are some questions you wish others would ask you about yourself? How willing
are you to ask the same of other women?

©2009 Christianity Today International ChristianBibleStudies.com

Mama's Fake IDTeaching Point Two: Jesus expects you to live out your gifts.

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 13:29:00 +0000

Read Luke 12:35–48.

Jesus uses startling and violent images in this passage on “watchfulness” to drive home the need for his followers to use what they’ve been entrusted with to spread his gospel until he returns. Verse 48 famously says, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”

Each of God’s children has been given much—in the way of spiritual gifts, natural abilities, tangible blessings—and moms are no exception. Children are but one of the many (and certainly, the most amazing) gifts with which God chooses to bless people. But they don’t cancel out every other gift. If they did, one might expect Jesus to follow up this powerful passage with, “Unless, of course, you have kids. In that case, don’t worry about it.”

While oftentimes mothers may wish Jesus had said that, he didn’t. And God still longs for you— expects you even—to use what you’ve been given. Because the gifts he gives—kids included—all have kingdom purposes. Everyone has been “entrusted” with a variety of custom-made gifts intended to further the kingdom of God here on earth.

At the end of chapter 13 (“How to Help Other Moms Get Real”), Rivadeneira writes,
“Remember, God made you the way he did to meet needs (feed hungry stomachs, hang with
lonely people, seek justice) and reach people (those who are hurting and suffering and desperate for saving grace) all in his name, in your own way” (p. 187).

Discussion Questions

[Q] How do Jesus’ alarming words about servants being beaten for not using what they’ve been entrusted with affect the way you feel about gifts you haven’t used or valued?

[Q] One could argue that the gift of children “trumps” our other gifts from God. How do you feel or think about that? Do you believe God expects us to put our gifts on hold until our children grow up? Why or why not?

[Q] Read Luke 10:38–42 and Mark 14:3–9. Rivadeneira uses these two stories about Mary
of Bethany to show how Jesus treasures our gifts even when they don’t fit what other people expect from us or assume we should do. What do these stories mean to you as a mother?

[Q] Have you ever tried to offer a gift and been met with ridicule or rebuke, as happened to Mary? What was your response? How do you imagine Jesus would respond?

[Q] How have you experienced your particular gifts, passions, or personality reaching the world for Jesus? How might you continue to use what you’ve been entrusted with—as a mother and a woman—to reach this needy world?

©2009 Christianity Today International ChristianBibleStudies.com

Mon's Fake I.D. Teaching Point One: God sees you as having more than one role.

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 13:26:00 +0000

Part 2 Discover the Eternal Principles

Read Psalm 139.

When David wrote these words, he was rejoicing in a God who saw him as more than any of his roles—more than a shepherd, more than a giant-slayer, more than a poet, a king, or a man on the run. He wrote beautifully of a God who knew him intimately—and who took the time to “search” and “know” him (v. 1). Certainly, this is no different for moms today. God values all of who he made you to be, and has specific purposes for the way he made you.

In chapter 4, Rivadeneira writes, “Think about the people you know that intimately: your spouse, your kids, maybe your closest friend, your parents. We know that much detail only about the people we love deeply—and are interested in the most. It’s the same with God. He knows us like that not only because he loves us but because he is vitally, untiringly interested in us. God finds you—as his creation, as his child—interesting and worth knowing. Why shouldn’t everyone else?” (p. 56).

Discussion Questions

[Q] Think of a time when you felt reduced to just one role. Did you feel that this was as God wanted it to be? Why or why not?

[Q] What does it mean to you that God takes time to search and know you? What does that say about why you may want others to do the same?

[Q] How do you feel knowing that God finds you interesting? Is that easy for you to
believe? Why or why not?

[Q] Psalm 139:16 says, “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” In what ways—if any—have you been made to feel that motherhood is the conclusion of God’s “book” for you?

[Q] What does your heart as a mother—and the way you care about your kids’ individual
identities and your desire to see them use their gifts—tell you about how God feels about you as a gifted, beloved child of God?

©2009 Christianity Today International ChristianBibleStudies.com

Mama's Got a Fake I.D.

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:21:00 +0000

Part 1 Identify the Current Issue

This study works best if you have read the book Mama’s Got a Fake I.D. , by Caryn Dahlstrand Rivadeneira.

Whether on Oprah, in magazines, or at a local MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group, you’ll hear a similar theme from today’s moms (and you know this if you are one!): they wrestle with a sense of having lost who they are in the mix of love and responsibility that comes with being a mom. As much as they love their kids and they love being moms, this loss of identity leaves many women feeling lonely, anonymous, and frustrated. This particularly frustrates Christian moms, who feel the additional sting of wondering what God has in store for them now that they are moms—especially if their gifts don’t match their new mom role. While they may once have felt solid in their God-given gifts and purpose, motherhood can reduce many women to feeling unable to do anything right—or well—and wondering if God didn’t make a mistake in the way he gifted them, or even by giving them children.

While churches do a great job of supporting the mom role in general, many moms feel they don’t do a good job supporting women who deal with these issues. In fact, Rivadeneira contends that many Christians push the idea that once you become a mom, God’s only use for you is to raise godly kids and help out in the church nursery. In the beginning of chapter 4 (“Why God Cares About Who You Are”), Rivadeneira writes that this is the reason why “being a mom who wants to be used by God in a wide variety of ways can feel so selfish even when we know it’s not. But because there are so many well-meaning Christians who really do think moms should be happy to invest everything they have in their children, I think we moms need to explore the will of God for women whom he has blessed with children. God cares about us as people, not just as mothers” (p. 53).

Discussion Starters:

[Q] In what ways have you felt a loss of identity in your role as a mom? Where or when do you feel this most acutely?

[Q] How has your sense of purpose or giftedness changed since you became a mom? Do
you now feel that God expects something different from you, or that he wants you to
“shelve” some of your gifts and abilities for a while?

[Q] What’s been your experience at church regarding your role as mom versus you as a more well-rounded woman? Are you made to feel selfish, as Rivadeneira writes, for wanting to be used by God in a variety of ways and not just in your mom role?

©2009 Christianity Today International ChristianBibleStudies.com

Make Stress Work for You Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl) — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 18:47:00 +0000

'Click the Share button to create links to this email on popular social networking and bookmarking size like Facebook, Twitter, and Digg.'

Inteview with Author and Poet Tiffany Easley

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 23:25:00 +0000

Author and Poetess Tiffany Easley is one of the forty women featured in the new release Victorious Living for Women. Worth More than Rubies had the pleasure of interviewing Tiffany. She will also be featured on Worth More than Rubies Radio Saturday, January 9, 2010, at 3:00pm CST. Log on to Blog Talk Radio and listen to her interview or call in to 646-595-3716. Enjoy!

Where are you from?

I am originally from Lexington, TN and currently reside in Nashville, TN.

Tell us how long you’ve been writing and what made you get into the literary field?

I have been writing since the age of 9. God blessed me with the gift to write poetry and from poetry I have began to write devotionals.

What was your inspiration for participating in Victorious Living for Women?

In 2006, God spoke to me and told me to share my story! Victorious Living for Women has provided me the platform to do so.

Tell us about your book?

This book is a collaborative work of 40 women from 18 states sharing their personal testimony of Victorious Living. My Chapter is entitled Refreshing Wind In the Midst of Your Storm. The chapter is intended to :

1- How to stand in the midst of the storm, knowing that God is the author and finisher of your faith (Hebrews 12:2) and how to let He who began a good work finish it to completion (Philippians 1:6).

2- How to grow and mature from the experience of the storm, seeking from God His fresh-new revelation each day.

3- How to give forth (exhale) to others by sharing your experience as a vital part of spiritual transformation and maturation.

What other books have you authored? Tell us about them.

Psalms of my Spirit is a collection of poetry which shares the message of love for God, self, and others, written in 2004.

Are you working on new material? If so, tell us about what you are currently working on and when we can expect to see it on the market?

I am working on a few projects:

1- Victorious Living for Mothers, a Suber-Pullins collaborative work due to be released in May 2010.

2-A reflective devotional due to be released in Dec. 2010. I will not disclose the name of it at this time, because it is a special project dear to me that will be dedicated to a close friend who lost her battle with cancer in December of 2009.

How can others reach you?

Facebook-Tiffany Easley
Website:Pursuing Victory
e-mail:blessedpoetess@yahoo.com

GotQuestions.org - Question of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 18:43:00 +0000

GotQuestions.org - Question of the Week

Body Soul Spirit Conference

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 01:28:00 +0000

And a Child Shall Lead Them

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl) — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 18:48:00 +0000

John 6:8-9 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?"

Seeing life through the eyes of a child can teach each of us a thing or two about standing on God's promises.

In this story Andrew obviously thought that the child's lunch was insignificant in the grand scheme of things. But Jesus took what was offered and performed a miracle.

Children have a special way of viewing life. They always tend to see the glass half full rather than half empty. Their outlook is always unlimited and free. We can learn alot from our children and their view of life.

They teach us that even a small gift when placed in God's hands can be multipled into something more than we could ever imagine.
Learn more about Cheryl Lacey Donovan at www.peaceinthestormpublishing.com

Cheryl Donovan Nominated for Award

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 22:53:00 +0000

As an author, it is a wonderful feeling to have your body of work recognized and nominated for an award. It truly makes everything worthwhile! The Ministry of Motherhood is my testimony to God's faithfulness in my life. And now, I am so very excited to announce my nomination for an African American Literary Award in the category of Non-Ficiton. In addition, my label mates Lorraine Elzia, Jackie Moore, Ebonee Monique, and S.D. Denny along with Peace in the Storm Publishing have also been nominated. We would like to congratulate all the nominees.

Finally, we would like to ask for your support. Please visit http://www.literaryawardshow.com/voting.html and vote for each of us in our respective categories. You may vote as often as you like.

Thank you so much for your support as we try to bring you the best that African American literature has to offer.

God bless.

Budgeting for the Single Mom... Can It be a Reality

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl) — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 19:23:00 +0000

By Candice Pardue

The single mother faces a dilemma like no other. She often asks the questions, "Should I find a career outside the home and leave my children with a sitter or in daycare? or "Should I struggle to work from home with my own business and skills so my children can be home too?"

These are hard questions I've asked myself many times over the years, being a single mother of two sons. These questions are legitimate, however, since many homes are broken, and without any parents home to raise the children, the children can feel neglected. Who's going to take care of their needs? I realize daycare is the "popular" solution, but leaving them all day long with strangers is not a good feeling. I've done it, and it wasn't pleasant for me or my children. Having a personal sitter is a little better, but no one can replace a parent. That's a fact.

What does this have to do with budgeting, you might ask?

Budgeting is something that is very neglected in many homes (especially with a single mother). The reason it is neglected is because usually the single mother is living on a low income and right on the edge at all times! This is sad, but true. When you combine the low income reality with the other stresses of motherhood, it makes sense that budgeting is far from her mind. Think about it - one woman handling the finances, caring for the children, putting up with stress at work, cleaning the home, washing the clothes, making sure breakfast, lunch and supper (and a snack if she can afford it) are all available to the family every day, along with training the children in the way they should go. These are a lot of responsibilities for one woman to handle.

Budgeting, then, gets put on the back burner, when it could be the very thing that could relieve stress for the mother and help the kids' every need be met.

One More Thing Before We Budget

The Internet has opened the doors wide for single mothers to use their talents and skills to work from home. Starting a business has never been easier and "cheaper". With online resources and a little extra cash, you can have a business up and running in no time, and call it your own. I've had the privilege to own and operate my own business for a little over 5 years now. Have I been able to stay home with my children all these years? No.

While I was building the business, I worked and used some of my earned money to start and promote the business. Also, in between, I worked for a couple of companies from my home doing odds and ends work such as transcription, writing and coding. I am working at home full time right now, and have been for the past year. I do understand the struggle we mothers face.

As you can see, the Internet can help you to get home with your children in the long run if this is your goal. It opens up many opportunities to work from home for other people as well. Even if you could work for several different companies part time at home, it might be worth it. Daycare isn't getting any cheaper!

Budgeting Can Help You Reach Your Goals Even if You Don't Have Much

The one thing that has helped me to gain victory over financial stress and be able to stay home is learning to budget. I found that if I budget properly, I don't really need much money to live and support my children. I have successfully supported us on very little for years, and we've never went without!

If you never budget, you will never reach your goals. The purpose of budgeting is not only to reach financial goals or to pay your bills, but also to relieve financial stress. Budgeting lets you know how you're spending your money and how you can improve your standard of living. A nice home, car, food on the table, nice clothes - all of these are desirable to any woman, but they might not be reachable until you begin budgeting. Realize that you can control your money instead of your money controlling you.

Why You Should Budget

The main reason you should budget is to relieve your financial stress. There's nothing more stressful than not knowing where you stand with your own money. Have you ever stood in line at a grocery store and then realized you didn't have enough money to pay for the groceries, or perhaps left your checkbook at home? Were you embarrassed? This has happened to me a couple of times, and was not a pretty picture.

Now, think for a moment about how you feel at the end of each month when all of your money is gone, and you still have bills due - or need groceries for the family. This is the type of stress that most single mothers have each month, and sometimes every day.

Budgeting will help to relieve this stress. When you know exactly where your money is being spent, and how much you have to the penny, there's no reason to be stressed. You're doing all that you "can" do, and you're not to blame if there's not quite enough. This doesn't mean that you're not responsible for the bills, but the guilt you would experience if you wasted your money will disappear, and then you can find a workable solution. You might find that there IS enough if you'll take the simple steps below...

Steps to Begin Budgeting Your Money:

1. Take Inventory of Your Finances

Sit down (several hours if needed) and take a personal inventory of your finances. Write down your income, and then write down every single item, service, food, etc. you purchase each month. Include your monthly mortgage or rent, car payment, etc. Every penny counts.

2. Eliminate the Unnecessary

I know it's tempting to stop by the local convenience store and buy a drink and a candy bar for a "couple of dollars", or five bucks if you're buying for the kids too. However, what if you cut out these stops and began buying a pack of drinks at the grocery store instead. You can purchase a 12-pack of generic brand soft drinks and an entire package of candy bars for only $6 or less. This could last an entire week if you have two kids. You've just saved money from the store and satisfied the need for extra drinks and snacks. Do this all year long and figure how much you would save.

Eliminating some things all together won't kill you either. There are some things we can do without - even if we feel we must have them, such as eating out, driving around town too often (gas prices are just too high to drive without a significant reason), buying brand new clothes when the local thrift store will supply the same clothes for less. The list could go on and on, but you get the picture.

Eliminate anything that you can live without for now. This will enable you to discover extra finances to pay your important bills.

3. Re-figure and Eliminate Until you Reach a Reasonable Standard of Living

You might need to write down your finances five to ten times to find a comfortable spot where you can begin budgeting. The goal is to find the place where you have enough to pay your bills and a little extra for savings. You might think it's impossible to save, but even if you can save a couple of dollars a week, it's better than not saving at all. Think about yours and your children's future.

What if I've eliminated everything possible and still don't have enough?

You might need to find a different job or a part time job until you get on your feet. I know it's a sad thought, but it might be necessary (at least for the short term) until you can either lower your living expenses or find a single job earning more.

4. Ready to Budget

Once you've reached your comfortable spot, meaning you now have enough finances to meet the basic needs of your family, you're ready to begin budgeting. Starting a budget was very exciting for me, and it gave me comfort to know that I had full control of my money. Once I began implementing the budget, my stress was greatly lowered.

The great thing about a budget is that it can and should be adjusted every couple of months in the beginning, and then at least once a year after you are stabilized with your finances. Each budget occasion can be a family "event" if your children are old enough to understand. They should be able to see the budget and implement it with every purchase also. This will teach them to budget for their own families when they're older as well. It can be a fun thing!

Are you ready to budget?

Each budget will be different. Yours will be unique to your family, your bills and income. A simple way to budget is to write everything down (expenses vs. income). Total by the month. By expenses, you're including everything from the gas in your car to the stops by the store (if you didn't eliminate them earlier). You're including expenses, small and large. Some expenses will be figured by the yearly amount, and then divided by twelve to get a monthly figure.

Once you have your totals, figure each month according to your pay schedule. If you receive a check weekly, then you would figure how much of your budget will be met each week. To do this, you can multiply your monthly totals by twelve and then divide by fifty-two weeks of the year. This will give you a weekly expense total.

Even though some of your bills are due quarterly or yearly, still budget each month for these in your savings or checking account. When the time comes to pay it, you'll have the money available. This also relieves stress.

I can remember so many times at Christmas, my insurance would also come due on December 21, which was a large bill for me. This would horrify me and throw me into the pit of despair because I didn't have the money to pay it and buy gifts for the kids. Since I began budgeting, however, I do not have the stress any longer. Even during difficult months, I'm able to budget with the future in mind. Even if the money is not here this month, it will be there next month. Looking ahead while budgeting gives you peace of mind instead of stress, whereas, looking ahead while "not" budgeting will leave you desperately seeking extra cash.

There's no way budgeting in its entirety can be covered in one article, so I recommend a book by Ron Blue titled "Master Your Money". This book is quite old, but it helped me tremendously to understand how to budget, with step-by-step instructions and detailed charts to illustrate real life examples of budgeting.

You can locate a copy of the book online by doing a book search. It's normally available used or new for a fairly cheap price. It will be well worth your time.

Conclusion

If you would like to be home with your children and work from home, budgeting can help. It will enable you to discover the exact amount of income you will need. The only way I can stay home is to budget a small amount of money, and form our lifestyle based on this small amount. Any extra that my business earns is a blessing! Also, keep in mind that working from home enables you to save on gas, daycare, clothes, etc.

Give budgeting a try this month. You might find some hidden treasures.
Written by Candice Pardue

Project Working Mom is Back - $4,000 Monthly College Scholarships for Moms and Dads Too!

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 01:06:00 +0000

Project Working Mom Returns: Each month, eLearners gives away a $4,000 scholarship you can use towards your college education.

• eLearners Scholarship Opportunity for Moms and Dads
• $4,000 Monthly scholarship offer
• Available to both men and women

http://www.elearners.com/projectworkingmom/Scholarships/EntryForm1.aspx?tsource=shrs2&tid=200&key=shrsel17987_Banner

Houston Single Parenting Examiner: Single mothers and Mother's Day: Be sure to celebrate and honor yourself!

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl) — Tue, 26 May 2009 02:34:00 +0000

Houston Single Parenting Examiner: Single mothers and Mother's Day: Be sure to celebrate and honor yourself!

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Mom Two Ways: Ministry of Motherhood Blog Tour

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl) — Mon, 25 May 2009 19:19:00 +0000

Mom Two Ways: Ministry of Motherhood Blog Tour

Speak Life

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl) — Sat, 23 May 2009 21:57:00 +0000

Colossians 3:21 Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged.

Your words can either make or break your children. Use them to speak life.

Nothing saddens me more than to walk into a room and hear a mother chastising her child by saying things like “Why you so dumb and stupid. You gon’ be like yo sorry daddy;” Or worse yet calling their children everything but a child of God. What do you think will happen if you always call your children bad? It can become a self fulfilling prophecy. Scripture tells us we have the power of life and death in our own tongues and despite the cliché about sticks and stones words do hurt.

If you’ve been harsh with words spoken to your children prayerfully acknowledge your sin and seek forgiveness. Look for opportunities to affirm your children. Catch them doing something right and praise them for it.

What were the last words you spoke to your children today

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl) — Wed, 13 May 2009 22:04:00 +0000

Single Christian Mom's Dating

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl) — Fri, 08 May 2009 16:17:00 +0000

Let’s face it every woman wants a good man. And if she’s a Christian woman she wants a man who loves and fears the Lord. But when you add children to the equation you are left with women who feel forced to do and accept anything just to have a warm body. This however is not how God intended it to be. Read More >>

Don't forget to leave a comment. You could win the prize of the week.

Empowered to Prosper in Parenting

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl) — Fri, 01 May 2009 15:10:00 +0000

Empowered to Prosper in Parenting
By: Cheryl Lacey Donovan

Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Empowered to prosper what a wonderful title!

When I was a young single mother it was the empowered to prosper mentality that saw me through.

Being a parent isn’t easy. Add being a teenager and a single mother to the mix and it can quickly become an equation for disaster. But contrary to popular belief children do come with an instruction manual. It’s called the Bible and I used mine every chance I got. Read More at the first stop on the Ministry of Motherhood Virtual Book Tour

BlogTalkRadio Share Show Widget

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl) — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 19:29:00 +0000

The Ministry of Motherhood

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 20:49:00 +0000

Pre-Order Your Copy Today
http://www.peaceinthestormpublishing.com

The Joys of Motherhood

noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl) — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 21:50:00 +0000

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Some women today think of family life as an unbearable drudgery. Many feminists tell women that they cannot find fulfillment by being wives and mothers, so instead they should leave home and pursue careers. It has gone so far that women who do stay home almost feel inferior and guilty.

But Titus 2:4,5 says that young women should be taught “to love their husbands, to love their children, to be … keepers at home.” Surely it is difficult for young mothers to stay at home and lovingly care for their families. It often requires hard work, tears, and many sacrifices. But excelling at anything worthwhile in life takes hard work.

Consider the joys and rewards of the job. Psalms 127:3 says: “Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.” What other job produces a final product to compare to that of motherhood: loving children who will someday mature to productive, God-fearing men and women? If women will not sacrifice in their younger years to raise children, they will not have those children and grandchildren to hug their necks, love them, and care for them in their older years.

1 Timothy 5:3,10 says: “Honor widows that...have brought up children…” Years ago, before modern philosophies prevailed, motherhood was an honorable profession. It ought to be the same today. Proverbs 31 includes the following statements: “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies … Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her" (verses 10,28).

Let us show our appreciation for our wives and mothers. Let us speak out for the joys of motherhood. May it again become honorable for a woman to be “a joyful mother of chi1dren” – Psalms 113:9.

For further study I encourage the reader to go to www.gospelway.com/instruct/ and study our online article about Biblical principles for raising godly children.

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(c) Copyright David E. Pratte, 2/5/2005