M.O.M.'s Mailbox- Bible Reading

Question- I have a question about bible reading. I read through the proverbs on a monthly basis in the mornings ... but I seem to never really be able to capture it. I dont know if its because I am doing it just after waking up, or if I am feeling rushed to make sure I have time to do everything else required of getting ready, but a lot of the time I will think of what I was reading and not really be able to recall it as well as I should. Is there something I am doing wrong? Should I get ready, so that Im awake and then come back and read? 


Answer- Reading the Word is profitable at all times. I even enjoy listening to the Bible on tape when I am busy with housework or in the car. However, it is our studying of the Word that is critical for our growth. We were given a directive to study His Word.  (2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.) I would encourage you to have some time each day to use your concordance, commentary, and dictionary along with your Bible reading. Even if you think you know what a word means, look it up! We use the Strongs Concordance, Matthew Henry Commentary, the Noah Websters 1828 Dictionary, and my journal. We normally do all our Bible reading from the KJV or the New Geneva translations. 


Reading the Proverbs of the day is excellent! I have read it to my children for over 21 years now. I remember a time when they asked if we could be 'done' with Proverbs. I replied, "Sure we can.. just as soon as you think we have mastered it." They sighed, looked at me sweetly and said, "keep reading". There is so much wisdom in Proverbs, life warnings,  that I need to be reminded of daily. 


Let me share with you and others how to study using the tools I mentioned above. I realize that not everyone uses these resources. I am simply sharing what we do here in our home. 


If you were to read Proverbs 18 (we read the Proverbs that represents the day of the month)
I would read through the chapter once all the way through
Next, I take each verse (or if time is limited just the first verse and next month the second, and the next month the third and so forth) and look up each word in the Strongs concordance.The first part of the book is set up much like a dictionary. You can look up the word and then the verse you were reading that word from. Over on the right side you will see a reference number.  Keep in mind that the concordance is divided up between Greek (New Test. ) and Hebrew (Old Test) Now, go to the back of the book and look for the section you need. For Proverbs we would look under the Hebrew section and find your reference number. At this point you are going to find your word written in it's original language with a variety of possible meanings. 


Now take your journal and write out the verse as you see it in your Bible then below it write out the words you have looked up and their meanings. Next, take some of those words and look them up in the 1828 dictionary and write down their meanings. If you desire rewrite your verse using the words from the concordance or meanings from the dictionary in a way that it makes it personal to you. 


Lastly, get your commentary and read their thoughts (remember they are just another humans thoughts but can be very enlightening, and encouraging!) Write down anything that you read that you felt the Lord was talking to you about. 


That's it! That's how we Study the Word. I would encourage you to start and let me know how it goes! I would love to hear from you. Feel free to share any  other questions you might come across. We are here to encourage one another all for His glory! 
With much love, 

A Moment with M.O.M.- Thanksgiving Traditions!

Hello Friends! 

The Wood family home is excited to celebrate another Thanksgiving with our friends! For those of you that have known us through the years, you know that it's this time of year when I ask you to pull our your recipe books and share! Having lived so many places throughout the years (17 moves the last time I counted) this small tradition has helped the children, and myself, not feel so far from 'home'. For those of you that have shared with us, you have no idea how much you blessed us- thank you! For our new friends, we are eager to hear what your favorite holiday dish, drink or potpourri is! We would love to have each of you join us at our Thanksgiving Table so please jot me a note and send your favorite recipe to our email at: momentswithmom (at) gmail.com 


I will be posting photos of the children making the dishes that are shared along with the recipe on the blog. If you have a story behind your dish, please share that with us too. We love to learn more about our friends and celebrate what is important to you too. 
Because of His Love, 

M.O.M.'s Mailbox- Family conflict over convictions

Question- How do I be true to the convictions the Lord has given my husband and I in raising our children when my parents and sister do not approve? I always feel like we are walking on egg shells and with one small slip we will be in a huge argument.

Answer- First, let me tell you that I'm sorry you are walking this difficult path. It is a challenge to walk out our faith and yet it's reward is great! The Lord tells us in the Scriptures that our testimony is going to offend others. It will cause division and we will need to forsake all others and follow him. Does this mean we don't care about what we say or do? Quite the contrary! Our lives are to draw others to the Lord. We are told countless times to "live in peace" to  "study to be quiet" and to lead "quiet and peaceable lives." We are warned of how not to offend our brothers and the danger in doing so. Yet, we are never told to forsake our faith for peace, or abandon our walk for unity. Learning to live as representatives of the Lord is a journey of a lifetime. We will make mistakes, say the wrong word, speak at the wrong time, not speak at the right time, hold our love from the hurting, make decisions we later regret and yet we are encouraged to continue this good race that is set before us no matter how hard the trail! My husband and I have experienced moments when our convictions made others uncomfortable or just down right angry. I am going to share from my experience and see what in this the Lord would have you glean. I will first list some good reminders for each of us and then some practical ideas you might be able to use. If you have a specific situation you are wanting to ask about please feel free to write- we can try and brainstorm together!


Here are a few reminders: 

• Most importantly we must ask the Lord to keep our spiritual vision clear, allowing us to see the eternal work, risks and battle that is going on. (Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places)
• We need to be in agreement with our husbands on the details of how we respond to questions, deal with events and what we share. (Ephesians 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.)
• We must really take a proactive role if we truly seek to see victory! Find ways to show love... even when it hurts, even when they don't "deserve" it! (Luke 6:27- But I say unto you which can hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.) God commands us to love! 
• We need to ask the Lord to show us our hearts motives. Our hearts are deceitfully wicked! (Proverbs 28:26 He that trusteth in His own heart is a fool; but he whoso walketh, wisely shall be delivered. Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?)
• We need to bridle our tongue! I need to be very aware and careful of each word I say. I don't want the enemy to use anything I say or do to bring hurt, turmoil, or division to someone else no matter how much I think they 'need' to hear it!  (James1 :26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.)

A few practical ideas: 

• If at all possible don't ever let your children hear you 'vent' about another member of the family, friends or neighbor. Save your frustration for quiet time after you have had time to pray about it and can share privately with your husband or a mentor the Lord has placed in your life. It is normally best not to talk to anyone until you have had time away from the conflict and spent time in prayer. So remember to give things time... 
• Limit your reactions. With as much as you are able try not to react to words that are said or things that are done. Smile, change the subject, find something else you need to do but don't respond to a conflict in the heat of the moment if you can help it. 
• When speaking or sharing with others, especially when you're excited about something, make sure you say things like, "this is what the Lord is doing in my home" "this is how the Lord is leading us" "In my home we.." try to acknowledge with your words that God can work in each home uniquely and you appreciate the work He is doing in your life and theirs!
  
• Listen more than you speak, Pray more than you think, and express Love more than you do anything else in your life! When someone is being hurtful toward you. Pray about how you can bless them, write them a note letting them know you are thinking about them, call just to check on them. Be sincere and if you can't be.. then keep praying till you can! 
• Have a game plan before you go to events where you know the conflict might arise. Talk to your husband and ask him how and what he wants your family to respond. Make sure you have given the children guidelines on how to behave kindly and orderly so that there are no issues. If you don't trust your family to practice the "game plan" when you're out.. stay home! It would be better you missed a special event once or twice than to go and ruin a relationship for a lifetime! 

Okay, those are just a few ideas. Pray about it... the Lord will lead you! He alone is faithful!

Because of His Love,