Driving home last night from Costco, I was listening to a message on the radio about what we pass on from one generation to the other. The message got me to thinking about that very thing, especially on the day after Mother's Day.
The preacher was talking about the "stuff" we pass down from one generation to another: jewelry, china, trophies, furniture... all those things that collect dust and cause family squabbles.
On Sunday at worship we gave thanks for the ways that mothers care for their families and for others, and acknowledged the influence they have in our lives (both good and bad).
And the two together has me thinking about what we do pass down from one generation to another.
In addition to the recipe for macaroni and cheese and angel cake, we should be passing down the respect for the home arts and for the women who choose to stay at home to raise their children. We also need to pass along the respect for those who wish they could but cannot because of financial issues. Most of all we should be supporting the next generation of mothers by passing along lessons and love.
Rather than the jewels and furniture, we should be more concerned about the life skills and experiences we are passing down. When our children remember us will it be as understanding and caring? or absent and consumed with amassing those jewels and furnishings?
Sometimes an heirloom evokes memories that are clear and almost tangible. Will those be positive memories of fun and laughter with parents who were loving and fair? Or of parents who were too busy and too angry and too mean?
What will our children and grandchildren inherit from us? Will it be furniture and land and money? Things that will either be put in an attic or cabinet for fear of being harmed, or eventually fall apart from use and be tossed away?
Will they inherit a world that we have used up? or will they inherit our respect for God's creation and our attempts to do less harm than good? Will they inherit high blood pressure and obesity and addictions? or will they inherit our desire to eat organically and be active and lead a healthy lifestyle?
Rather than passing down the family Bible, we should be more concerned about passing down the family faith - a faith that will still be fresh and strong for generations to come. We should be raising them to believe and trust in God - to look to Jesus for salvation and the Holy Spirit for guidance - and how to discern the teachings they hear, rather than passing along the family pew in what we consider the "right" denomination. We should be leaving them the power of prayer, that they can be in continual conversation with a Father who will be the perfect parent even though we weren't.
So I ask you today, as you are praying about your family and all those of the next generation in your sphere of influence, to pray how you would be used to leave a legacy - an inheritance - of faith and salvation.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
prayers for children
Two very brave and wonderful people I know are making a pilgrimage - a mission trip - to Tanzania. As I write this Karen and Jim are in Mbeya, being hosted by Father Robert Mbinda and his wife Mariam. The Mbindas oversee the Good Samaritan Orphanage.
The children at the orphanage have lost their parents to AIDS - it is epidemic there. There is often a shortage of medical assistance, and in an emergency there is no 9-1-1.
As we sit in neat clean houses and eat healthy food (I hope you are eating healthfully) washed down with clean water, these little ones are carrying water great distances which is not as pure as it could be and their meals are often the same each day and are meager.
Children in the United States and other "developed" countries are suffering from the opposite problem: they are over-fed and under-active. While the Tanzanian children schlep water great distances and gather sticks for fires, the children in the U.S. are munching high-calorie snacks while sitting for hours in front of a tv or computer. They will have shortened life spans not because of AIDSand diseases from unclean water but from diseases borne of obesity: heart disease and diabetes.
Please pray for our children - the children of Tanzania and the children of the United States... pray for their health and their futures. And then pray for inspiration for ways that you can help them all.
The children at the orphanage have lost their parents to AIDS - it is epidemic there. There is often a shortage of medical assistance, and in an emergency there is no 9-1-1.
As we sit in neat clean houses and eat healthy food (I hope you are eating healthfully) washed down with clean water, these little ones are carrying water great distances which is not as pure as it could be and their meals are often the same each day and are meager.
Children in the United States and other "developed" countries are suffering from the opposite problem: they are over-fed and under-active. While the Tanzanian children schlep water great distances and gather sticks for fires, the children in the U.S. are munching high-calorie snacks while sitting for hours in front of a tv or computer. They will have shortened life spans not because of AIDSand diseases from unclean water but from diseases borne of obesity: heart disease and diabetes.
Please pray for our children - the children of Tanzania and the children of the United States... pray for their health and their futures. And then pray for inspiration for ways that you can help them all.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Praying for families with children
My children are adults. We enjoy one another's company as adults - we do things together and are friends on Facebook. I am not a mother who regrets not having young children in the house - I enjoy being able to pursue my pastimes without concern for the schedules of little league, choir and youth group.
That being said, I must tell you that I enjoyed all of the years when my children were, well, children. And it is no secret that my favorite demographic group is teens...
What prompts this missive today is reading the Facebook posts by mothers (and fathers) who are complaining about having been snowbound for much of the past two weeks. For those of you not in the mid-Atlantic area, we have had two blizzards in a single week and schools have been closed for over a week with delayed start since they opened Wednesday.
First, before you mutiny, let me say that it is understandable for those who need to make alternative child care arrangements so they can work to be somewhat upset. Not everyone can work remotely and not all businesses were closed the entire time.
Then let me say that what does bother me is the complaining tones of parents who seemingly have no idea how (or no interest) to engage and have fun with their kids. Each day that school was canceled was met with "I can't stand another day in the house with my kids" followed by a chorus of "Hooray they are gone and the house is quiet!" on the first day back.
We noticed on the days when our road was still unplowed that there were no children out playing and laughing and no one flying down the two fabulous sledding hills created by the accumulation. [The last time that my kids were young enough to be home for such a snow event was 1983, and every kid in the neighborhood was out there (yes, they are streets, but when they are under 20+ inches of snow they are sledding hills!) with quite a few parents.] We did see several teens tromp through the hip-deep snow to meet rides at the top of the road where the state road had been plowed - I did not see them (or any other children) assisting elderly neighbors get shoveled.
Exciting were the posts by parents who were out sledding, snowballing and such with the kids as well as having the kids help shovel snow. I love reading posts by parents baking cookies and making meals with the kids. It's great to see that there are families who can work and play together and have fun doing both.
So where is the prayer here?
I pray that parents and children will learn to laugh together, chase lightning bugs together, build snowmen together and play games together (board games as well as video games).
I pray that parents and children will learn to vaccuum and dust together, bake cookies together, shovel snow and clean off cars together, clear a neighbor's walk together, weed a garden and plant flowers together.
I pray that parents and children will go to church together, pray together, share concerns with one another, care about one another, talk to one another, listen to one another.
I pray that parents and children will serve at a shelter or soup kitchen together, take things to the Salvation Army together, walk/run/bike for a cause together, recycle together.
I pray that parents will have the wisdom needed when it is time to set boundaries and to discipline, and that these will be done in a loving and teaching manner.
I pray that children will see discipline as a way to help them learn and grow and to keep them safe.
I pray that parents always remember that they are not raising children, but rather guiding and preparing the next generation of adults - the next generation of parents.
I pray that parents will have the wisdom and strength to know when to let go and simply stand ready to support appropriately (and when not to do anything).
I pray that when the children are grown, both the parents and the children can still laugh and talk and play games and serve and work together.
Will you join me in these prayers? What prayers would you add?
That being said, I must tell you that I enjoyed all of the years when my children were, well, children. And it is no secret that my favorite demographic group is teens...
What prompts this missive today is reading the Facebook posts by mothers (and fathers) who are complaining about having been snowbound for much of the past two weeks. For those of you not in the mid-Atlantic area, we have had two blizzards in a single week and schools have been closed for over a week with delayed start since they opened Wednesday.
First, before you mutiny, let me say that it is understandable for those who need to make alternative child care arrangements so they can work to be somewhat upset. Not everyone can work remotely and not all businesses were closed the entire time.
Then let me say that what does bother me is the complaining tones of parents who seemingly have no idea how (or no interest) to engage and have fun with their kids. Each day that school was canceled was met with "I can't stand another day in the house with my kids" followed by a chorus of "Hooray they are gone and the house is quiet!" on the first day back.
We noticed on the days when our road was still unplowed that there were no children out playing and laughing and no one flying down the two fabulous sledding hills created by the accumulation. [The last time that my kids were young enough to be home for such a snow event was 1983, and every kid in the neighborhood was out there (yes, they are streets, but when they are under 20+ inches of snow they are sledding hills!) with quite a few parents.] We did see several teens tromp through the hip-deep snow to meet rides at the top of the road where the state road had been plowed - I did not see them (or any other children) assisting elderly neighbors get shoveled.
Exciting were the posts by parents who were out sledding, snowballing and such with the kids as well as having the kids help shovel snow. I love reading posts by parents baking cookies and making meals with the kids. It's great to see that there are families who can work and play together and have fun doing both.
So where is the prayer here?
I pray that parents and children will learn to laugh together, chase lightning bugs together, build snowmen together and play games together (board games as well as video games).
I pray that parents and children will learn to vaccuum and dust together, bake cookies together, shovel snow and clean off cars together, clear a neighbor's walk together, weed a garden and plant flowers together.
I pray that parents and children will go to church together, pray together, share concerns with one another, care about one another, talk to one another, listen to one another.
I pray that parents and children will serve at a shelter or soup kitchen together, take things to the Salvation Army together, walk/run/bike for a cause together, recycle together.
I pray that parents will have the wisdom needed when it is time to set boundaries and to discipline, and that these will be done in a loving and teaching manner.
I pray that children will see discipline as a way to help them learn and grow and to keep them safe.
I pray that parents always remember that they are not raising children, but rather guiding and preparing the next generation of adults - the next generation of parents.
I pray that parents will have the wisdom and strength to know when to let go and simply stand ready to support appropriately (and when not to do anything).
I pray that when the children are grown, both the parents and the children can still laugh and talk and play games and serve and work together.
Will you join me in these prayers? What prayers would you add?
Monday, February 15, 2010
Prayers in WInter
How has your winter been? Where you live has the weather been typical?
Here in Maryland we have had an atypical winter. We have had more snow here this winter than any on record, and more snow than cities that usually get lots more.
Friends in other areas though have reported unusual winters too - snow in Dallas and Charleston, warmer temps in Maine and less snow in Rochester....
Climate shifts (a term I like better than global warming) seem to be more common, and many are pointing to the end of the age when they talk about it.
How shall we pray? Come Lord Jesus Come!
And of course, we need to pray for the here and now - the weather provides opportunities to pray for safe travel, for shelter for the homeless, for warmth and food for all, for power lines that will remain up and functional... the list goes on and on.
What are your "winter prayers"? What requests show up in your prayers that would not be there in other seasons?
and what about the winter of life? those seasons we go through that make us feel bleak and cold? are there prayers then too that are different than other seasons of our life?
Share them here - share them most of all with God - He is always listening, in every season.
Here in Maryland we have had an atypical winter. We have had more snow here this winter than any on record, and more snow than cities that usually get lots more.
Friends in other areas though have reported unusual winters too - snow in Dallas and Charleston, warmer temps in Maine and less snow in Rochester....
Climate shifts (a term I like better than global warming) seem to be more common, and many are pointing to the end of the age when they talk about it.
How shall we pray? Come Lord Jesus Come!
And of course, we need to pray for the here and now - the weather provides opportunities to pray for safe travel, for shelter for the homeless, for warmth and food for all, for power lines that will remain up and functional... the list goes on and on.
What are your "winter prayers"? What requests show up in your prayers that would not be there in other seasons?
and what about the winter of life? those seasons we go through that make us feel bleak and cold? are there prayers then too that are different than other seasons of our life?
Share them here - share them most of all with God - He is always listening, in every season.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
The Fast - the final day
The Fast is over - at least this one. There will be other fasts in the near future. Tonight we went to a new Indian restaurant in the area, and though I went vegetarian it was a lot more spice and other "ingredients" than I have had for ten days. Chana Masala = YUM!
Yesterday I posted comments about the reading from 1Samuel 3:9, and pointed up the listening piece. But as the day progressed the rest of the message began to really take hold: we must listen and then follow! It is not enough just to listen - we must act on what God has told us - we must follow the path He has put before us. "Your servant is listening" - but the servant must then act!
Remember the story that I used, about the policeman? It would have been no help if the people had listened to his voice but not followed what he said. If they had not followed his voice, they would have perished. Liewise, we must not only listen but follow.
So the revelations of this fast have been this:
1 - take (MAKE) time to listen to God, through prayer and through His Word (the Bible)
2 - act on those things we learn by listening.
There is much to be done, and there are many who will want us to go other routes and listen to them instead. But the way I go must be the way God directs - popular or not, easy or not.
Thank you for being with me on this journey. your prayers have been appreciated and your comments will be as well. There will be more in the future - more fasts and more enlightenment as a result, and more revelations through prayer even without the fasting.
And more time in the presence of our God.
Yesterday I posted comments about the reading from 1Samuel 3:9, and pointed up the listening piece. But as the day progressed the rest of the message began to really take hold: we must listen and then follow! It is not enough just to listen - we must act on what God has told us - we must follow the path He has put before us. "Your servant is listening" - but the servant must then act!
Remember the story that I used, about the policeman? It would have been no help if the people had listened to his voice but not followed what he said. If they had not followed his voice, they would have perished. Liewise, we must not only listen but follow.
So the revelations of this fast have been this:
1 - take (MAKE) time to listen to God, through prayer and through His Word (the Bible)
2 - act on those things we learn by listening.
There is much to be done, and there are many who will want us to go other routes and listen to them instead. But the way I go must be the way God directs - popular or not, easy or not.
Thank you for being with me on this journey. your prayers have been appreciated and your comments will be as well. There will be more in the future - more fasts and more enlightenment as a result, and more revelations through prayer even without the fasting.
And more time in the presence of our God.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
The Fast - Day 9
Good morning!
Last night I was with some wonderful ladies from our church who knit and crochet. We all knit and/or crochet constantly and get together monthly for fellowship and lessons and support. One of our primary ministries is prayer shawls.
One asked me "so have you had any revelations during the fast?" and I shared that only the bit about my personal eating habits had been a revelation thus far. And that was a freeing and enlightening revelation - in fact, it made me laugh with relief!
This morning I was looking back over the readings of the week. 1Samuel 3:9 jumped out and I read it...
(NIV)
The source of my reading this verse this week was an email that has a verse and a short story and a prayer. The story was about a police officer who helped guide people out of the Pentagon on 9/11/2001 - the smoke was thick and people were confused so he told them to walk toward his voice. Five people were led to safety because they followed the sound of his voice to safety.
God calls us out of the confusion of our lives if we will listen to His voice!
There is confusion all around us! It may not look loike smoke or sound like the rushing of flames or the screaming of scared and injured people. Rather it may look like friendly people who seem to want what is best for us. It may look like authors and speakers and even friends and family members. It may look like logic that makes sense or kindness that seems politically correct.
We need to listen to God's voice. Sometimes it is calling to us loudly like the police officer, trying to save us from certain death. But more often it is a still small voice - in our hearts, in our spirits, and in the Bible (His Word). It is important to listen to His voice - listen FOR His voice - in the midst of all the chaos and mixed-messages of our lives. It is necessary to make time to listen - and in a place quiet and peaceful enough to hear him. Prayer is a conversaton, and part of that conversation is listening.
My revelation this morning - in the issues about which I have been praying, it is critical that we focus on God's voice. He will speak the words we need to hear.
Has God spoken to you lately? Please share...
Last night I was with some wonderful ladies from our church who knit and crochet. We all knit and/or crochet constantly and get together monthly for fellowship and lessons and support. One of our primary ministries is prayer shawls.
One asked me "so have you had any revelations during the fast?" and I shared that only the bit about my personal eating habits had been a revelation thus far. And that was a freeing and enlightening revelation - in fact, it made me laugh with relief!
This morning I was looking back over the readings of the week. 1Samuel 3:9 jumped out and I read it...
The source of my reading this verse this week was an email that has a verse and a short story and a prayer. The story was about a police officer who helped guide people out of the Pentagon on 9/11/2001 - the smoke was thick and people were confused so he told them to walk toward his voice. Five people were led to safety because they followed the sound of his voice to safety.
God calls us out of the confusion of our lives if we will listen to His voice!
There is confusion all around us! It may not look loike smoke or sound like the rushing of flames or the screaming of scared and injured people. Rather it may look like friendly people who seem to want what is best for us. It may look like authors and speakers and even friends and family members. It may look like logic that makes sense or kindness that seems politically correct.
We need to listen to God's voice. Sometimes it is calling to us loudly like the police officer, trying to save us from certain death. But more often it is a still small voice - in our hearts, in our spirits, and in the Bible (His Word). It is important to listen to His voice - listen FOR His voice - in the midst of all the chaos and mixed-messages of our lives. It is necessary to make time to listen - and in a place quiet and peaceful enough to hear him. Prayer is a conversaton, and part of that conversation is listening.
My revelation this morning - in the issues about which I have been praying, it is critical that we focus on God's voice. He will speak the words we need to hear.
Has God spoken to you lately? Please share...
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Fasting - Day 7
Today has been a day with at least one revelation: I need to permanently eliminate sugar, caffeine and most grains from my diet. I feel good, have more energy (as witnessed by the fact that I am writing this at nearly-midnight) and there are no aches and pains or stiffness. Next week I will add dairy (yogurt) and a little meat back in and see what happens.
Health was one of the issues about which I have been seeking guidance, but not the primary focus of this fast, so I thought. Then I opened the box that came today from Christian Book Distributors with the book Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough by Elmer Townes. I had ordered it last week when I was researching the Daniel Fast. In his book, he outlines nine different fasts and the reasons to follow each one. Accordiong to his writings, the Daniel Fast is particularly good for the purposes of healing and health issues.
I am committed to finishing the ten-day fast, which is another point in his book - no matter what you should finish the fast for the time you have committed.
Fasting is a commitment - and should be done in an intentional fashion, It should have a beginning and an end, a purpose or focus, and be supported in prayer - both by those fasting and by others who will pray for the fast.
Let me say that the real difference between this fast and all previous Daniel's Fasts I have done is the prayer support. In times past, I have done these fasts on my own and told no one. This time it has been shared publicly and supported by the prayers of brothers and sisters in Christ. Some had wanted to walk this path with me, but were unable to stay the course for one reason or another. Some were not called to join but to pray.
Are you considering a time of fasting? Perhaps you would like to add fasting to your prayer life. One way to start is to do a partial fast one day per week. The Daniel guidelines are good for a one-day fast to start (just vegetables and water for a day - either a 24-hour day or sundown to sundown). Most people can tolerate this type of fast without health concerns ( but check with your doctor). Use extra time in the morning or at the onset to pray about the fast.
What good is a one-day fast? it will give your system an opportunity to rest, and will give you some extra time in prayer and Bible study.
Longer fasts are good for fasting to a purpose - making a big decision, healing, discernment ...
Thank you for keeping me in prayer as I fast - I still have three more days before this journey is done, and I am praying for more insight before the time is up.
This is has been a fairly boring blog over the past week - hope to make it more interesting as time passes. Write a question or comment!! and thanks for reading.
Health was one of the issues about which I have been seeking guidance, but not the primary focus of this fast, so I thought. Then I opened the box that came today from Christian Book Distributors with the book Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough by Elmer Townes. I had ordered it last week when I was researching the Daniel Fast. In his book, he outlines nine different fasts and the reasons to follow each one. Accordiong to his writings, the Daniel Fast is particularly good for the purposes of healing and health issues.
I am committed to finishing the ten-day fast, which is another point in his book - no matter what you should finish the fast for the time you have committed.
Fasting is a commitment - and should be done in an intentional fashion, It should have a beginning and an end, a purpose or focus, and be supported in prayer - both by those fasting and by others who will pray for the fast.
Let me say that the real difference between this fast and all previous Daniel's Fasts I have done is the prayer support. In times past, I have done these fasts on my own and told no one. This time it has been shared publicly and supported by the prayers of brothers and sisters in Christ. Some had wanted to walk this path with me, but were unable to stay the course for one reason or another. Some were not called to join but to pray.
Are you considering a time of fasting? Perhaps you would like to add fasting to your prayer life. One way to start is to do a partial fast one day per week. The Daniel guidelines are good for a one-day fast to start (just vegetables and water for a day - either a 24-hour day or sundown to sundown). Most people can tolerate this type of fast without health concerns ( but check with your doctor). Use extra time in the morning or at the onset to pray about the fast.
What good is a one-day fast? it will give your system an opportunity to rest, and will give you some extra time in prayer and Bible study.
Longer fasts are good for fasting to a purpose - making a big decision, healing, discernment ...
Thank you for keeping me in prayer as I fast - I still have three more days before this journey is done, and I am praying for more insight before the time is up.
This is has been a fairly boring blog over the past week - hope to make it more interesting as time passes. Write a question or comment!! and thanks for reading.
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