2011 at 12:30 pm | by Kristin Chesemore
Filed under
Motherhood
So I’m starting to make summer plans for my boys—at least, as much as I can with six month old baby Claire—and one of my goals is to help my kids make progress in Scripture memory. That’s why I’m such a big fan of Seeds Family Worship. They take key verses for kids, and set them to music that is easy on this mom’s ears and gets my boys singing Scripture at the top of their lungs. What could be better?
As a matter a fact, it does get better, because Seeds Family Worship has just released a new cd, Seeds of Character, and they have begun using the English Standard Version of the Bible. Now my boys can memorize the songs using the same version they read each day and hear each Sunday. Yeah!
We here at girltalk are excited to be the last stop on a blog tour to introduce the new Seeds of Character album. This means we get to premier one of the songs from the new album in a special video, recorded just for us. Our song is “Children and Fathers” and it is from some oft-repeated verses in the Chesemore house, Ephesians 6:1-4 (you know what it says!).
Here’s the lineup for the new cd:
1. More Than Conquerors (Romans 8:37) 2. The Wages and The Gift (Romans 3:23 & 6:23) 3. The Life (John 14:6, 1 John 5:11-12) 4. The Fruit (Galatians 5:16 & 22) 5. Delight (Psalm 1) 6. Teach Them (Deuteronomy 6:4-7) 7. The Perfect Example (John 13:12-17) 8. Children and Fathers (Ephesians 6:1-4) 9. Put On Love (Colossians 3:12 & 14a) 10. The Character Song (Romans 5:1-5) 11. Give Thanks (Psalm 105:1-5) 12. The Only Way (The New Testament Song) [all the books of the NT]
We have TEN copies of the new Seeds of Character cd to give away. So contact us and tell us one way that you help your kids to memorize Scripture. The contest will end by 5:00 a.m. tomorrow morning (June 1) and we’ll pick the winners and post their ideas on the blog later in the day.
To purchase Seeds of Character or any of the Seeds albums, please visit their website.
Because seriously, how can you improve on Scripture for your kid’s summer soundtrack?
UPDATE from findmatthill: Matt has been found alive and unharmed. Thank you for your prayers!
Matt Hill is a young man who works for Campus Outreach out of Capital Hill Baptist Church here in Washington, DC, and he has been missing since Tuesday morning. Please join us in praying for Matt, his family, and our dear friends at CHBC. If you live in the DC Metro area, consider visiting the Find Matt Hill facebook page to learn how you can help.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1
I want to be a serious, life-long, student of God’s Word, I really do. But these days it’s all I can do to have my daily quiet time and make it through the day before crashing into bed at night. If you are a mom at home with little kids, a student with exams looming, or a woman with a demanding job, you know what it means to be busy.
But recently, I found a great theological study aid. And you know what I love about it? I can do it in 16 minutes, and I can do it while I’m doing something else—like running errands or folding laundry. That works, huh?
“48 sixteen minute lectures by Todd Friel and Pastor R.W. Glenn (a.k.a. Pastor Smarty Pants) that will redeem your time and:
• Provide a rock solid theological foundation. • Give you a greater appreciation for the soundness of Scripture. • Give you 48 reasons to praise God (even if you are carpooling).
You will learn: Bibliology, Theology Proper, Anthropology, Soteriology and ten other cool words that will impress people at a potluck.”
I have been working through these lessons and this morning I have officially finished lesson 46! When I am done, I’m gonna start right back over again. I need these truths pounded into my brain until they stick.
When my kids are older, I anticipate devoting hours each week to deeper study of God’s Word. But for now, Drive By Theology is a blessing to this busy mom.
2011 at 3:30 pm | by Nicole Whitacre
Filed under
Marriage
“I once had lively discussion with a brother who insisted that in his relationship everything was equal, and that this was the hallmark of their marriage. To him equal meant same and therefore interchangeable. He proudly rejected the idea of male initiation and female response. And what is more, he thought he was serving the cause of women in this.
I responded by saying that in my marriage, my wife and I never think about equality, though if forced to think about it we would affirm our mutual worth before God. Instead, I see my wife as better and more precious than I—of greater worth. And I told him my wife took no offense in this matter. Indeed she gets upset with me precisely at the point when I start treating her as my equal. To her it feels like a step down.”
~John Ensor, Doing Things Right In Matters of the Heart, p. 95
2011 at 2:13 pm | by Nicole Whitacre
Filed under
Marriage
Yet another way we can misapply submission is by assuming it squashes a woman’s gifts. But that is not God’s intent for submission. Remember, “each has received a gift” (1 Pet 4:10). This means every Christian: no exceptions and no reversals. We have each been given talents and spiritual gifts by God and we are called to use them, as it says in this verse “to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”
Submission does not limit a woman’s gifts, but provides a safety zone in which they can flourish. A humble husband will not assume he is the best at everything or exercise his leadership in an arrogant or domineering way. A wise husband will encourage, nourish, and cultivate his wife’s gifts for the good of the family and the church. And a godly wife will welcome that kind of godly leadership.
In some cases, submission means that at we heed our husband’s encouragement to step out and use our gifts, even if we are hesitant or afraid. And at other times, submission means we follow our husband when he thinks we should pull back from serving because we are overextended to the detriment of our spiritual health or family life.
So a submissive wife isn’t on the sidelines—she’s a good steward of God’s varied grace. And a wise and loving husband takes seriously his responsibility to encourage his wife to use her gifts for the glory of God.
Recently, my sweet 2-year-old misplaced her desire to sleep through the night. Mommy has been hard at work helping her to find that desire again. But it’s meant little sleep for Mommy at night and long days of wanting to crawl into the nearest bed. Mix in a rather nasty cold for the two-year-old and some pregnancy hormones for Mommy and I will leave the rest to your imagination.
But you know what? This tiny trial has forced me to draw near to God. And just as it tells me in His Word, He has been faithful to draw near to me (James 4:8). He has been reminding me of His sovereignty and love. This situation didn’t catch Him by surprise and it is the BEST for my girl and me. Sweet comfort!
So no matter where you find yourself today—in a trial big or tiny. Remember, the Lord isn’t surprised and He has PROMISED to work for your good in all things (Rom. 8:28).
These words from J. C. Ryle have brought me much encouragement:
“Reader, if God has given you His only begotten Son, beware of doubting His kindness and love, in any painful providence of your daily life! Never allow yourself to think hard thoughts of God. Never suppose that He can give you anything which is not really for your good. Remember the words of Paul: ‘He who spared not His own Son—but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things’ (Romans 8:32).
See in every sorrow and trouble of your earthly pilgrimage the hand of Him who gave Christ to die for your sins! That hand can never smite you except in love! He who gave His only begotten Son for you, will never withhold anything from you which is really for your good. Lean back on this thought and be content. Say to yourself in the darkest hour of trial, ‘This also is ordered by Him who gave Christ to die for my sins. It cannot be wrong. It is done in love. It must be well.’”
As a matter a fact, it does get better, because 
