Spare The Rod

My husband and I have been blessed with well-behaved children. We receive compliments everywhere we go on their conduct and we’re quick to give God glory because we know they are who they are by the grace of God. We are well aware they act differently when we’re not around, yet we’ll take whatever compliments we can get! It’s been a while since either of our sons has been ‘touched’ in regards to discipline. Taking away privileges and other forms of punishment has sufficed, yet recently we’ve noticed our eleven year old being a little more forgetful than usual and covering up his mishaps. I guess this is called deceit huh? No mother likes to attach a negative word to her child, yet I must call it what it is. My husband and I had a long discussion about our son and as difficult as it was for both of us to “touch” our child after so long, we knew there was nothing else to discuss. It hurt me and it hurt my husband more because he delivered the pain, yet it would hurt our son more if we were not obedient to the Word of God in regards to disciplining our child – the situation needed to be addressed and our son needed to be “touched.” Our obedience to God’s Word and the lack of is a cost to others – not only in the home, yet outside the home as well. As our son quickly approaches the demanding teenage years and then adulthood, there is no room for disobedience on our part. I must obey God and raise my child in the admonition of the Lord without compromise, thought, or discussion. Parents have one shot at raising a child and the blueprint, The Word, is not up for discussion. The following morning, my sweet eleven year old gave me a big hug as he does every morning with his sweet morning smile. The pain of punishment lasts a short while, yet the results are for a lifetime.

Proverbs 13:24
He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly.

Walk the Talk

This weekend I witnessed a candlelight ceremony of six young girls, from my church, making a commitment of sexual purity including sexual abstinence until they enter a biblical marriage. To desire to make such a commitment in a world driven by sexual immorality is truly remarkable. Not only are these girls chosen by God to reach their generation and generations to come, they will challenge mature Christians to live a life of holiness. We can sure talk the talk, yet are we walking the walk? I assessed my own walk and the intensity of my light. Is my light vivid enough to attract and win souls for Christ? Is my light a magnet that draws believers and unbelievers? If I never spoke or typed another word, is my light visible? Is my light bright enough in my home for my children to know something is different about their mother? I challenge you to assess your walk as these six young girls have challenged me. As we all share daily devotions, scriptures, meditations, prophetic words, and other spiritual emails, let’s remember no word is more powerful than God’s Word and He told us when He would heal the land – when His own children turn from wicked ways! Are we set apart from the ways of the world or do we blend in with the world, which causes our light to dim? As I run to the throne of mercy and grace this day, I will ensure my walk is aligned with my talk. I thank God for these six girls who have been set apart to be bright lights and attract others in our church, the community, and the world!

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV)
If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Worth It All

Submitted by:
Kimberly Allison, Oklahoma

Some years ago, I was braving the icy hill that is my only means of escape from my dead end road. We were headed to piano lessons. It was always a struggle to get everyone dressed and out the door on time, but I wanted to leave early that day due to the ice. After we had driven about half the way to town, one child piped up and said, "I forgot my music books." I gritted my teeth and pulled over to turn around. This wasn't the first time someone had forgotten their books. There was no need to go on to class without books.
As we drove home, I made ugly resolutions in my mind. "We will just quit music lessons. It is not worth the hassle. Our family is too disorganized. There are too many of us to pack up every Tuesday and leave home. We live too far out of town, anyway."
But then, the more spiritual side of me said, "What kind of character lesson do I want to teach the children? Quit when things are hard, or creatively work around your roadblocks? Have a joyful outlook, or grumble and complain when things don't go your way?"
As I approached our driveway, I mentally added up the extra miles this blunder had cost us, and tried not to frown. Maybe I could find some uplifting music on the radio. I didn't feel like singing "Victory in Jesus," but I knew I needed to. I turned on the radio and heard this chorus playing:

If just one more soul
were to walk down the aisle,
It would be worth every struggle.
It would be worth every mile.
A lifetime of labor
Is still worth it all
If it rescues
just one more soul.

I couldn't believe the timeliness of God's message to me through that song. It even mentioned the extra miles! It brought me back to the realization that it's not about what's fun and easy, and it's not about me. It's about eternal souls.
We have been chosen and set apart to do a great work for the Kingdom of God. Music lessons (on time, with smiles and books!) are just one of the disciplines God can use in our lives to prepare us for His service. May we moms never lose sight of the bigger picture.

2 Chronicles 15:7 "...your work shall be rewarded."

PS: One of those children is now the assistant pianist at our church!

Encouragement for the New Year!

Our Beloved MOMSWEB Readers,

Greetings in the name of Jesus, HE IS THE CHRIST!! For some of us, 2006 has been a tumultuous year, but praise God, we’ve been blessed to cross over to 2007; a New Year of hope, joy, prosperity, peace, and love. As you prepare for another year that only our sovereign God has predestined for you, remember the prolific words of the Apostle Paul, “to be content” in whatever circumstance you find yourself; knowing that our Savior in His providential care and infinite wisdom is perfecting in you a marvelous work! Be steadfast, unmovable, and observe how all things DO work together for good to them who love HIM!

Happy New Year 2K7!!

Tori W. McCollum, Editor In Chief

A Priceless Gift

Merry Christmas! I pray everyone had a joyful Christmas Day in spite of the various life circumstances many of us encountered - life doesn’t stop just because a holiday rolls around does it? I’m returning home from a long visit with family and friends and as I recap the many events of the holiday and the gifts given and received, I’m amazed at the frequent times the Lord reminded me of the ultimate gift to share - the gift of salvation. I was given several opportunities to share the priceless gift and each experience was a blessing to me. It doesn’t matter what gifts we exchanged this Christmas, none of them will ever compare to the priceless gift from God. Thank God His gift isn’t seasonal and there is no concern for size, color, or price! Hallelujah! Isn’t it wonderful that we can continue celebrating and sharing this priceless gift that will never fade, break, or lose the excitement of newness? I challenge every mother to take advantage of this awesome opportunity to ask children, friends, and family members what their favorite gift was to give or receive. Once their answer is given, remind or share with them the most precious gift they can ever receive - the gift of God. The Lord will bless us as we use every opportunity to share Him with others not only during the Christmas season, yet every day of the year!

Romans 8:23 (KJV)

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Stay Strong!

Motherhood can be stressful and here comes Christmas! I don't know why we turn this Holy Holiday into a crazed array of ribbons and bows. I believe it's because we get caught up in the chaos of traffic, shopping, commercials, and people in our ear and we feel we need to be a part of this. No we don't!! My husband keeps asking me when I'm going shopping and I say, "Shopping for what? Who needs a gift?" Yes, he looks at me like I'm crazy, yet that is how I feel. I don't plan on being one of those last minute shoppers, yet shopping just isn't a priority for me this year. Most of my gifts will be home made baked goods and the list is short. I'm trying my best and praying for discipline to remember what Christmas is all about. It's so easy to get caught up in the hype. We do all this running around trying to get things done and we're running all around Jesus and the holiday is supposed to be about Him! Anyway, slow down if you are getting stressed out, take a deep breath, and do ONLY what is necessary. Children don't need everything they ask for and they will be happy with what they receive. If they aren't happy - maybe they didn't deserve it anyway. Just one mother's opinion (smile).

You've Been Missed!

Hello MOMSWEB Family!
Yes, it’s been a while and I thank all of you for your prayers and concerns.
I’ve been great, yet my computer has been quite ill and is recovering from a virus. I’ve missed having contact with everyone soooo much and your emails, received almost a month later, convinced me more than ever of the love mothers of all ages have for MOMSWEB. My passion to encourage you and support the role of Motherhood has definitely increased. The Lord has blessed me with this avenue and I will do it with my whole heart while I’m able. The more obstacles come my way, the more I’m determined and passionate to glorify God in my life while I have life. Lord willing, I’ll chat with you on Monday through the MW Monday Meditation! As I share with you, please feel free to share MW with others.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 (NIV)
Whatever your hands find to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.

I Still Have Peace

Thank you to everyone for attempting to contact me via email or phone and wondering where I've been. I'm still here, yet my computer is terminally ill (smile). This is the third time this year, so I'm convinced it's time for my computer to be replaced. I'm at the library using a very nice computer!! I'm putting the word out and praying that some organization or company will donate a computer to MOMSWEB, so we can continue our mission of encouraging and offering mothers spiritual support. I've had to pick up the phone a little more than I care to, yet it's been a blessing. I even lost my voice for a few days after my computer went down. When it rains it pours! In spite of having no MOMSWEB contact with you, I still have peace! Things happen for a reason and MOMSWEB will be back stronger than ever - new and improved!! Count in JOY! Keep MOMSWEB in your prayers and thanks for your concern. This lets me know that MOMSWEB is missed and very much needed. I miss you toooooo!