Monthly Archives: November 2012
Music Monday – Proud Mama Moment
Yea, I know this is going out on Tuesday but Monday was busy so I’m getting this up while there’s barely a Music Monday left but I have decided to send it out Tuesday when people are more likely to be, I don’t know, AWAKE?
I had A LOT of live music this weekend: Saturday night was Mosteller, Matt Maher, Warren Barfield with Brandon Heath and it was AWESOME!! I have to say, though, that my favorite live music moment was Friday at a young “up-and-comer’s” debut concert and CD release. Noah Back, a young friend of ours, rarely comes to our house without his guitar and Natalie has been known to tote her bass & amp over to his house OR they both drag their instruments and mic over to my FIL’s and have great fun with Elvis, John Denver, Flogging Molly, 4 Non-Blondes and a plethora of other artists. One of my favorites the “kids” sing is The Civil Wars’ Tip of My Tongue.
SO, when Noah surprised us by asking Jillian to join him onstage, I was thrilled! Jillian has such a rich, sweet voice. Yea, I loved this!
What’s not shared is lost,
Michelle
Praying for our Kiddos
NOBODY else loves our kids the way we do. Of course, God loves them more but I’m talking in the human realm. NOBODY knows our kids like we do and in many cases, we know them better than they know themselves (especially when they’re young). NOBODY can or will pray for our children the way we can. It’s easy to get busy and forget but our children need us praying for them from the time we know they’re there to pray for. I have a morning routine that includes pulling out my prayer journal that’s only purpose is to jot down my prayers for my children (I do have another one for general prayers but this is just for my kids). I do this to help hold me accountable. I know one day, at least one of my kids is going to get a hold of these journals (if you start this, you’ll go through several) and I don’t want them finding skipped dates. They will, though. I get into funks like everyone else. If I have a breakfast catering gig and have to get up at 4:30 am, I don’t sit down with coffee and my Bible – I run out the door inhaling coffee through my nose and putting mascara on at stoplights. SO, there are MANY times I fail to pray deliberately.
I’ve taught myself, since I know those days are going to happen, to give myself visual cues to remind me-self to pray for my kids throughout the day: The Speed Limit 70 sign reminds me to pray for their safety, the bars remind me to pray they will stay from temptation and for their choice of future spouse! You can pick your own but you get the idea.
When I am able to sit with my journal, I pray either according to what’s going on in their lives, what’s going on in the world or I use a prayer guide I picked up from a church some time ago but it’s hard to come by. It’s called the Holy Spirit Helps Us Pray for our Children by Charlotte Parker. I found some newer versions on Amazon and Abe Books. It’s 31 days of prayers and some are kind of wordy. I break it down and either pray one of the Scriptures over my kids and/or just one of the areas listed. You can get a book like that OR Tom Harmon has a simple list for praying over your children. You can get a WHOLE bunch of other stuff at his website and I highly recommend you add him to your favorites, GO hear him speak and read anything he has written.
Anyhoo, here’s his list:
I have conveniently linked the above image of his list to his website so you can cruise on over there after you’re done here with very little effort. You’re welcome.
Pray for your kids. Pray for your grandchildren. Pray for your children-in-law. Pray for the family you will never meet.
What’s not shared is lost,
Michelle
Simple but brilliant ideas that make me feel stupid that I didn’t think of them.
I found this on accident but the original site had ucky stuff on it so I didn’t just want to send y’all there. SO, I’m posting it. Sue me. (original site is credited below). But’s these are GREAT ideas. I’m finally getting around to a Tips Tuesday post and I can’t even take credit for it. Lame. Worth sharing, nevertheless.
In this case, even if I didn’t share it, I’m sure it wouldn’t be lost because it’s on the internet somewhere but I didn’t want to keep this to myself. 🙂
Michelle
Music Monday – Rise Up
So on Wednesday after a discouraging election, I got online and hit Twitter. Twitter does provide information, laughs and conversation but what I needed I found via Matt Maher. A simple blog post for November 7. A couple of Scripture passages. I found encouragement and then I found the challenge, the call – his video for Rise Up. There are some who don’t understand why some of us see dark days ahead. Don’t worry, you will. Then you will need encouraged and empowered to push through. Come back here and join the rest of us in rising up with Mr. Maher.
Thank you and God bless you Matt Maher!
What’s not shared is lost,
Michelle
Music Monday – I Need a Miracle
My favorite band, Third Day, releases their newest album, Miracle, tomorrow. We were tickled to get a preview in July when we went on the Third Day Alaskan cruise and have been anxiously awaiting the release! When the song, I Need a Miracle, was introduced on the cruise, we were given the background that inspired the song. I cried, my friends cried, those who didn’t choked back the tears. There are folks whose struggle is so great, they buckle under the pressure. Without hope of a miracle, they (we) lose sight of the miracles surrounding us and the promise that God will bring us through. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'” God provides. We just need reminded. I am grateful the men of Third Day, and others like them, allow God to speak through them to give hope.
Here’s the story behind the song, I Need a Miracle:
And, grab your tissues, the song:
Yowza, right?
Having listened to the new CD in its entirety…many times….over and over again, let me do the decision-making for you – you are gonna want to get a copy and a few for Christmas gifts. In my best “Radio”, “Dat’s a good one!” www.thirdday.com
“Where words fail, music speaks.”
What’s not shared is lost,
Michelle
http://thethinkingcloset.wordpress.com/
Recipe For A Wild Thyme 