A Moment with MOM- Children with Anger

Hello Friends!
This week I received a call from a woman that we have mentored for the last nine years. She and I both praised God as we evaluated the good work that He has done and continues to do in her life. Our God has no limits! The question she called with was regarding her son who deals with anger. She has tried an assortment of tactics to help him but still this young man deals with anger toward his siblings. There were a few things I shared with her that I thought might be helpful for others too.

First of all, anger is an issue of the heart. Heart issues are only dealt with by God and prayer. We can modify behavior but we can never change anyone’s heart- the heart is God's territory! So… step one is PRAYER!

Secondly, it is important for us to understand what is causing the anger so we can help them overcome it. If you are uncertain, pray for wisdom and direction. He is faithful and will answer your prayer! I have noticed, through the years, that anger is often the reaction to two different situations:

1. Loss of control
2. Feeling unappreciated

No one likes to feel out of control. Healthy boundaries, daily schedules and minimizing unpredictable moments will help reduce incidents of anger. Everyone wants to feel appreciated and seen as a valuable member of the family. Help your child find age/skill appropriate chores, activities or tasks in the home that they can be in charge of. When your child is calm, talk about this issue of anger. Share Scriptures regarding the fool, anger and self control. Allow them to participate in establishing Biblical consequences for poor choices and behavior. Encourage them to communicate their feelings instead of acting out.

Because this is an issue of the heart, the variables are unlimited. However, God remains the same! He is faithful and will complete the good work He begins in your life and your child’s! If you have questions or specific needs feel free to contact me via email.

With much love,
Mrs. Joseph Wood

A Moment in Proverbs 8/14/09

Proverbs 14: 1

Every wise woman buildeth her house; but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

How do you build your house up? How do you tear it down? Did you notice that we are doing one or the other, there is no in-between? I remember years ago when the Lord used this passage to speak to me about the foods I was feeding to my children. As I was walking toward the table with processed food (something I did often!) when this passage rang loudly in my ears. The interesting thought is that I had not read or heard it recently. In fact when it came to mind I was questioning myself as to what part of the Scriptures it came from. I began conversing with the Lord through silent prayer and continued serving my family. As I prayed I considered the ways that I might be that foolish woman plucking down my own household. Life is hard enough, winning the hearts of our children is already a battle, I don’t’ need to add my foolishness to the situation! I really wanted to change if this was truly the Lords voice. Could nutrition really be that important to Him? As the weeks progressed after this event, my husband and I both felt like family meals and nutrition was something I could do better on. Not to say we don’t still eat processed food from time to time however, now we don’t eat them on a regular basis like we did before.

There have been many other foolish things I have done. Yet, the Lord is faithful! He will complete the good work He has begun in each of us if we keep our hearts humble before Him. The Father is always gracious to reveal Truth to me in His timing and equip me to overcome my sin and weakness. May He always give me ears to hear His voice! Let us each consider: At this very moment, “Am I building my family up or tearing them down?”

By His Grace and for His Glory,

Mrs. Joseph Wood

A Moment in Proverbs 8/13/09

Proverbs 13: 20

He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

The Scriptures tell us that foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child (Proverbs 22:15) and since this passage warns of what companionship of fools can lead too, we have chosen to carefully help our children in the development of friendships. I don’t want to subject anyone’s child to the foolishness of my own child and I don’t want my child to suffer the insult of another’s foolishness!

Here are a few suggestions of what we have done here in our home:

• We guard how much time we are out with others. Much of the needed training for children is neglected when we are out and about.
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• We look for other families that realize the Truth of these passages and are committed to training their children. That is not to say that we don’t get together with families who have neglected child training, it just means that we take special attention to warn the children of problem areas we have observed. For example, we use to have a neighbor family that would come to visit with us. Whenever their momma would tell them it was time to go they would hesitate, whine and hide. After they left we talked about why that was wrong and how we might help our friends. The children came up with the ideas that were quite successful. Children are very effective in communicating to other children!
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• We invite our children into the parent’s conversations. Allowing our children to be part of our conversations has brought about an abundance of fruit in our home! I find that most adults enjoy conversing with my children and my children enjoy sharing with them too! I did have to teach my children how to listen and learn from what they were hearing. Some very precious child training moments have been born from our children listening to their daddy talk to other wise men or while their momma encourages/or is encouraged by another Sister in the Lord.

God has a passion for people and I believe that if we desire the heart of God we too will have a passion for people. It has been my heart prayer that others would NOT see the time I take to share as "someone who had nothing better to do" rather, as a handmaiden that understood and enjoyed taking time for others because God had taken time for her! I encourage you to consider the Truth in this passage and develop friendships that bring Him Glory!

With much love,

Mrs. Joseph Wood

A Moment with M.O.M.- Book Review "She Still Calls Me Daddy"

She Still Calls Me Daddy

Author: Robert Wolgemuth

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

She Still Calls Me Daddy is the perfect wedding present for the father of a bride! A healthy marriage is truly a family affair. Author, Robert Wolgemuth keeps it real by sharing his personal story as the father of the bride, not once but twice! The author recognizes and shares the value of living the example to his children through his own marriage. The respect he has for his son-in-laws and married daughters is refreshing. She Still Calls Me Daddy, is a beautiful, 200 page, hard cover book that is a unique tool and resource for men. Ideas and checklists are presented for good communication, overcoming obstacles, healthy boundaries and cultivating relationships that speak volumes to the World about the love and grace of God! Dr. Wolgemuth is voice worth listening too! She Still Calls Me Daddy, is a timely message that all fathers of the brides must read!

A Moment with M.O.M.- Book Review "Everyday Greatness"

Everyday Greatness
Insights and Commentary by Stephen R. Covey
Compiled by David K. Hatch

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Everyday Greatness is a collection of stories from Readers Digest as well as an abundance of quotes taken from a variety of people with diverse backgrounds. This 400 plus page book is creatively written and easy to read. Each of the seven categories, with three principals discussed in each category, has been compiled in a clear and concise matter. The message that I gleaned from Everyday Greatness was that ordinary people can live extraordinary lives. Dr. Covey says, "Everyday Greatness is a way of living, not a one-time event" Each story, quote and antidote encourage the reader to make choices based off of principals, discipline themselves in character, and dedicate themselves to better the life of someone else. However, I was disappointed that the author did not give more attention to the foundation of “everyday greatness.” It is a disservice to the reader to leave out the most important Truth of "everyday greatness" and that is the, Power of God! It is impossible to achieve "everyday greatness" without first surrendering to God, submitting to His purpose and plan for your life. In my opinion, this is where the book, Everyday Greatness, should have begun.

A Moment in Proverbs 8/11/09

Proverbs 11: 22

As a jewel of god in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.

As we teach our girls to care for themselves in the way they look we must be diligent to instruct them in how to dress the heart! Doorposts offers two doll kits that I have enjoyed doing with my girls over the years. The first is the Ruby Doll which is a study of the Proverbs 31 woman. The second kit is, The Goldie Doll that teaches about true beauty. I believe that we must talk to our girls about being women of discretion throughout the journey. I have enjoyed these creative resources that helped make the process of learning delightful! Another resource my children still love to this day is the music by Judy Rogers. I would highly recommend her CD, Teach Me While My Heart Is Tender. She has a song called, Isabelle is a Pig that goes right along with this verse and is a fun ways for our girls to consider their behavior.

For more information on the doll kits and other child training tools visit Doorposts: www.doorposts.net

For music offered by Judy Rogers you can visit: www.judyrogers.com

Some of our favorite CD's are:

Teach me while my heart is tender

Why Can't I See God

Go To the Ant and Guard Your Heart

A Moment in Proverbs 8/10/09

I realized this evening that I posted the Proverbs for the day on my facebook and forgot to come over here and post. Have a wonderful week ladies!

Proverbs 10: 3 The Lord will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.

Walking in Truth has benefits. I praise God for all His benefits. Take a look at Psalm 103 where we are instructed not to forget his benefits. Children must learn not only that their actions have consequences but that doing what is right has benefits! We don't want children to only obey because they 'get' something out of it yet, they should see the benefit. Look for ways to bless your child for good behavior. In my opinion, acknowledging good behavior is just as important as correcting poor behavior. Take time to encourage your children to count the benefits of obedience and doing what is right in the sight of God. Make sure you train your children in this Truth with a few hands on benefits that they clearly connect to their good behavior. Be creative and then come back and share with me. I would love to hear how the Lord is leading you in the training of His people!

With much love,

Mrs. Joseph Wood