A Mother’s Hands

May 6, 2011

 A Mother’s Hands…

reach out to bless her children and

reach up to praise the Lord.

They’re always loving, often praying, and

ever giving more than she keeps for herself. Read more

Preparing Your Kids for Life: Encouragement for Women, Moms, and Grandmoms

April 6, 2011

At one time or another, we moms may think we’re not doing “enough” to prepare our kids for life. Deep down we feel inadequate. We may not feel skilled or talented or creative. Sometimes we even start comparing ourselves to others as parents, which totally makes us feel worse.

Every mom, young or old, is concerned about making wise decisions. Are we giving our children the right training? We fear for our kids. Are they being bullied? Are they safe enough? We all want our kids to “turn out right.”

If you are a mom or grandmom, here are four things to remember that might encourage you as you prepare your kids for life: Read more

How to Accomplish More with Only One Thing

January 8, 2011

We hear it all the time: “Focus on the 6 most important things for today.” “List 3 things you most want to accomplish.” “What are 10 things on your bucket list?” But is it possible to  accomplish more with less? Have you ever tried the pricinple of the One Thing? Read more

The Christmas Rat

November 29, 2010

A GUEST POST

Today features a true Christmas tail (er, tale) written by my brother in his recent book, Just Rememberin’:

The Christmas Rat

by Bob Barlow

“I’ve had lots of memorable Christmases, but one of those has a unique and somewhat humorous, even embarrassing meaning to me. 

I was in elementary school, about the third grade, and I came down with the mumps about a week before Christmas that year! Swollen throat like balloons was a sight to see! 

We lived in a two story house, with my bedroom being upstairs. My dad was the preacher at the Baptist church in town, and the parsonage had been enlarged from its original size to include a master bedroom on the back side of the house. Since my bedroom was upstairs, it was inconvenient for my mother to take care of me and check on me by going up and down the stairs, as well as preparing all the food and goodies for Christmas time. So they had me to stay in their bed during the daytime, allowing her to easily see how I was doing with the mumps. 

Where Is Santa’s Stash?

Are you a curious person?  I am.  Read more

How Do You Measure Success?

October 28, 2010

A mom may guage success more by her kids’ accomplishments, rather than her own–even their behavior, and her effectiveness in influencing them.

The salesperson tends to measure success by the number of sales, the size of commission or bonus, his promotion–or lack of it–and his effectiveness in producing results.

The writer often sees success in the size of her advance, in how many books she writes and the number of readers who buy them, the total number of book sales and its placement on the charts, and in the number of her blog folllowers and face book friends.

The preacher might evaluate success by the size and spiritual growth of his congregation, the number of converts and baptisms each year, and the absence of conflict among his congregation.

What’s Wrong With That?

Different folks, but same philosophy: equating success with results. It’s the nature of life. Is there anything wrong with that? Read more

Book Giveaway and Carol Kent Interview

October 9, 2010

   

I first met Carol Kent years ago at the Christian Booksellers Association. I consider Carol a mentor as I trained with her to speak professionally.  Even before I watched her walk through her family tragedy, she impressed me as one of the most godly women I had ever known or met.

Carol is generous to a fault, and I am blessed to call her “friend.” Her life–and her books–have touched mine as she has shown me and so many others what it really means to walk by faith “between a rock and a grace place.” Read the entire interview and listen to the video as you hear from her son in prison. Better still, read the book! You’ll be blessed beyond measure, as I was. 

I really wanted to keep this book, but as someone once reminded me, “It’s selfish to keep something that could bring so much blessing to others.” So, reluctantly I will give this book away. At the bottom of this blog you’ll find a place to comment on this interview/blog/video–or on Carol’s life. If you will add your appropriate comments below, I will add your name to a random giveaway for this book. (sorry, I can only send to U.S.)

Questions/Answers from Carol Kent   

Tell us about the Christmas gift you received. How did it help you to find grace in the middle of a seemingly hopeless situation?   

Two weeks before Christmas our doorbell rang at 9:15 p.m. It was dark outside and by the time my husband, Gene, joined me at the front door, we were surprised to find no one there. It was already dark, but my eyes fell on a large, exquisitely wrapped gift. The card on top said, “Mom.” Initially, it felt like a bad joke. Nine years earlier our son, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy had been arrested for murdering his wife’s first husband and he was in prison serving a life-without-the-possibility-of-parole sentence.    Read more

A Challenge to You, Mother, for Your Children (With Application for All of Us)

May 18, 2010

A Challenge to You

If you can love your children when they reject your faith;

If you can keep your hope when all others turn away;

If you can praise your God in the midst of adversity;

If you can believe the best, when others cannot see;

If you can trust the Lord to keep them safe from harm;

If you refuse the fearful thoughts that only bring alarm;

If you can cling to Him, no matter what may come…

You’ll find your job of mothering is a faithful job well done.

-Rebecca Barlow Jordan

No Simple Formulas

I wrote this poem several years ago (with apologies to Rudyard Kipling). There’s nothing simple about being a mother and no formula to guarantee success in the challenge of raising children. But God’s Word is filled with principles to encourage you as a mother–or anyone–to love, hope praise, believe, trust, and to cling to the Lord in spite of all that you see around you. Your faith, your prayers, your love, your persistence in changing and fearful times will pay off. God is faithful, and He never changes.

You are not the only one who influences your children. You are not the only one who can make a difference in that life. But if you are a Christ follower, with His help, you can influence your children–and others–in a way that “sticks.” In little ways and big ways, known maybe only to God, your loving investments do make a difference.

Never Give Up

Regardless of the direction your children choose, God never gives up on them. I venture to say, neither will you as a mother. Someday, faithful mom, you will hear the Lord’s “Well done” for your job of mothering.  God is not finished with your child–or you–or anyone of us, yet. It’s His job to shape–and change–a life. He simply asks that we be faithful to Him.

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6 NIV). 

(This is the 7th in a a special series of blogs for women, moms, and grandmothers).

How about you? What have been your greatest challenges in raising children? How has God helped you in this important job?

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On Another Note

I love to give away books. If you are a subscriber to these blogs (signup on my blog/newsletter), and are interested, I will be giving away a complete set of the new Day-votions books: Day-votions for Women, Day-votions for Mothers, and Day-votions for Grandmothers. I will draw a name from those who are subscribers and who will make comments on any of my past, present, or future blogs from May 15 – June 6, and give away these three books to that person. I hope you will encourage one another with appropriate comments–not ads or unrelated comments–but words that can help edify others. Use the principle, “Whatever is true, honest…lovely…of good report (Philippians 4:8). Offensive or unrelated comments will not be considered. If you’ve never commented on a blog, it’s simple, safe, and your e-mail address is hidden from public view. I’d love to hear from you and give these books away! And if you know any friends who might want to participate, e-mail this blog (below) to them.

Also, my friend Dena Dyer who writes a great blog for moms is featuring a special giveaway on her site, and is including one of my books. Check her out if you are interested.

Mother or Grandmother: Is There a Difference?

May 15, 2010

It really doesn’t matter what age or stage a mother is at. Once you’re a mother, you’re a mother forever. God places within each mom the need to nurture her little ones–always guiding, always loving, always giving and prodding them in the right direction with gentle reminders: “Be careful,” “Dress warm,” “Eat healthy.” And just when you think the nest has emptied and mothering can take a vacation, Read more

Motherhood–Pleasure or Pain?

April 29, 2010

Every mom visualizes the moment when her perfect baby will emerge from the womb—the joy of her heart and life. But the first sounds she hears are not the sweet cooing of a contented infant, but the sharp wails of a screaming stranger. Years that follow may bring a love-hate tug of war between “I love you always,” and a “Who is this, child, anyway?” Read more