M.O.M.'s Mailbox 8/29/09

Hello Friends!

Here are a few questions that I thought I would share with you this week! If you have a question please feel free to email me. Have a beautiful weekend as you minister faithfully to your family!

With much love,

Mrs. Joseph Wood

Question: Do you really take this much time in teaching your children?

Answer: Yes! Some days we tease that I have a revolving door to my bedroom. I am quite aware that properly training our children is not something I can do as I rush about with other things. I must stop, put aside my plans, and take as much time as needed to express Truth to my children. I learned as a young momma that the Lords timing for training was always better than my own. I need to look for what He has planned today and not simply at what I am trying to accomplish. Yes, that means that sometimes there is dust on the shelves or I am staying up late finish the laundry however, taking time to train the children can never be put off successfully.

Question: How do you train children to behave in the grocery store?

Answer: We have set aside trips to public places for the sole purpose of training. I will take my children to the grocery store with no intent on shopping; I am there to train them. I talk to them before (perhaps for several days) about my expectations while we are out in public and the importance of representing the Lord. Once we are in the store I show them 'traps' that have been set out for them and warn them against 'falling' into them. For example: Children type cereal is placed low on the shelves so that children will ask their parents for it. Candy is set at the checkout counters so that children will ask, beg and cry for it. Toys are displayed by the diapers, and the list could go on and on. I ask the children to try and find 'traps' as we walk through the store as well. We talk about our appearance and the tone of our voice while we are out. Are we smiling, walking gracefully (watching out for others), and being helpful with siblings? This has always been a fun time for the children and I; the rewards have been abundant! Take time to train your children, you won't regret it!

A Moment in Proverbs 8/29/09

Proverbs 29: 23

A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

Pride is one of the seven things that our Lord hates and should be something we detest as well! Heart conditions are always the most challenging and rewarding issues in training our children. We must be on guard of 'false humility', prideful looks, tones of the voice, resistance to authority, disrespectful behavior (even done in a joking manner), and lack of care and concern for those that are younger, weaker or less able than one's self. Look for these subtle signs of pride in the heart. Take time to pray with, explain and train your child in why they need to keep their heart from pride with all diligence. Be patient and give this matter much prayer. As mothers, we know that much of the victory we see in our homes is a reflection of our time in prayer for our family. The one thing you never want to do is grow weary of well doing. For in due season we will reap a beautiful and bountiful harvest!

There is such a great Spiritual importance in teaching our children to resist the sin of pride. May we each diligently and delicately train up our children in the ways of the Lord!

With much love,

Mrs. Joseph Wood

Resources we use in our home for training in this matter and others:

For Instruction in Righteousness (offered by Doorposts)

Proverbs for Parenting

A Moment with M.O.M.- The expanded Bible

New Testament- The expanded Bible

Study the Bible While You Read

Thomas Nelson Publishers

The expanded Bible is not a typical Bible translation. Based off the New Century Version, the Scriptures are written in bold with a variety of reference works written in brackets to increase the readers study and understanding of the passage. For our family, we prefer the KJV or the New Geneva translation of Scriptures. Therefore, I found the text uncomfortable for me to read. I have memorized passages of Scripture and it is a bit of an obstacle to hear them or read them in another translation. However, the fact that Bible study tools had been included line by line in this text was intriguing to me. Thinking that I was perhaps stuck in my own ways of study, I asked my son, who is 21 years of age, what his opinion of the book was. At first he was excited as he thumbed through it and considered all the extra references that were included yet, after a few days of using the text he replied, “It is like trying to read the Bible and getting interrupted every few seconds.” Based off of his opinion and my personal review of, The expanded Bible, I would conclude that some families may find this as helpful resources but not as friendly as their only source of text for Bible reading.

A Moment with M.O.M.- Virgin Coconut Oil

Virgin Coconut Oil
How it has changed people's lives, and how it can change yours!
Brian and Marianita Jader Shilhavy

If the sound of Carrot Ginger Vichyssoise, African Vegetable Stew and Coconut Flour Brownies (Gluten Free), awakens your taste buds you don't want to miss this resource! However, if it awakens your curiosity then you really shouldn't miss this resource! In a day when diseases are growing resistant to the typical medical approach and epidemics are on the horizon we all need to read, Virgin Coconut Oil- How it has changed people's lives and how it can change yours! The author writes, "Outside of a human mother's breast milk, coconut oil is nature's most abundant source of lauric acid and medium chain fatty acids." The authors reference several respectable leaders in health and nutrition such as Dr. Joseph Merola, The Weston Price Foundation and Mary Enig to list a few. Mary Enig Ph. D shares that a diet rich in lauric acid from human breast milk or coconut oil forms a monoglyceride called monolaurin, which has been shown to destroy several bacteria and viruses. Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil is a favorite in my home kitchen; in fact it is the only oil we use! For the last three years, we have experienced increased health, energy and resistance to common illnesses that we have been exposed too. In the book, Virgin Coconut Oil- How it has changed people's lives and how it can change yours! The author's life experience and personal relationship with God are clearly seen; not neglecting a personal invitation to Christ! Brian and Marianita share a healthy balance of statistics, personal testimonies, and recipes to make this book a resource you will return to for reference and encouragement time and time again!

A Moment in Proverbs 8/26/09

Proverbs 26:18 & 19

As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, so is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, "Am not in sport?"

Have you ever went to correct your child and heard them respond, "I was just teasing!" or "I was just joking"? The Scriptures warn us that doing so is dangerous and is acting as a mad man!

In our home, we have the rule that "If one is not having fun then none are having fun." It is never right to have fun at the expense of someone else and then hang your innocence on the fact that you were "just teasing". Stress to your children the importance of this passage. Make sure they understand the dangers of teasing other people. Words are incredibly powerful and it only takes one slip of the tongue to wound a heart. Encourage your children to play in a way builds lasting and precious relationships with others.

A Moment with M.O.M.- Hospitality

Hospitality is something that doesn't come natural to me. I love to consider others and their needs but I struggle with creativity in how to serve. Today, the Lord showed me some very simple ways that I can fulfill His desire and cultivate a spirit of hospitality in our home. I am still learning a great deal in this area however, here are a few ideas I wanted to share. I would love to hear how you show Biblical Hospitality as well, so please do share!

With much love,

Mrs. Joseph Wood

1. The Lord has been talking to me a great deal about evaluating the 'sense' of our home. Considering what I can do to create a spirit of peace, love and worship. Joe and I are evaluating our routine, commitments, and priorities to make sure they creating an atmosphere where others can feel His presence.

2. When making a meal for my own family, double the recipe and serve another family similar in size to our own. Perhaps I know someone that is hurting, struggling, ill, expecting a child, or an unsaved neighbor that just needs to see the Fathers love.

3. Bekah is gathering everyone's addresses and including a correspondence record in our home binder so that we can clearly see who we last received a note from, who we have recently written and important dates to remember in the lives of others.

A Moment of Proverbs 08/25/09

Proverbs 25: 4

Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.

I am encouraged that it is God who carefully removes the dross from us. Zechariah 13: 9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God!

When God allows us to be tested, to go through times of intense training, it is always for the sole purpose of our good and His glory. To bring us into a relationship of intimacy where we say, "The Lord is my God" and He recognises us, claims us, as His people!

When we train our children it must be done in the same intense love and desire for a very real relationship with our children. Not done out of impatience, frustration or selfishness. Make sure you are taking the time to really consider what is best for your children. Double check yourself and make sure you are not responding to them out of frustration because they interrupted what you were doing.

Next time you find yourself going through the fire, take comfort! God loves you with an incredible love and only desires to see His glory revealed through you!