Archive for June, 2009
Monday, June 29th, 2009
I just barely cleaned out my kids school backpacks – how can we be celebrating the Fourth of July already?
Got any thoughts and events in mind for your family to celebrate the fourth this year?
We’ll be at the lake enjoying our usual Fourth of July traditions … time spent with family and friends, cooking out, lighting up fireworks, watching the lake parade.
But I’m thinkin’ about a few additional plans as well …
Since it’s our freedom and independence day, I’m gonna claim freedom over a few issues in my life like …
Freedom from worry and concern about the future. We’re one nation under God – I love that visual of being “under God.” With Him as our covering over us we have nothing to fear or worry about.
Freedom from concern about what people’s opinions may be about me. If I am truly “under God” then I am guided and directed by Him and only need to be concerned about obeying Him and pleasing Him. (And when I do that – respect from others will probably follow – and if it doesn’t, it really won’t matter anyway!)
Freedom from my sin that condems me and makes me feel unworthy of my heavenly father’s love. Since we are sheltered “under God,” it was His back that was exposed and took the punishment of our sin. We’re spared from unworthiness.
Join me this Fourth of July and celebrate the true freedom that’s only available in Christ. That way when we look up, we’ll have more to ooohhh and ahhhh about than just fireworks this Independence Day!
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36
Be encouraged!
~ Cathy
P.S. Take a look at the Heal Our Nation this Fourth of July video at: www.thumbpeople.com/courage. It’s Gods words of healing spoken over soaking music.
Tags: ahhhh, at the lake, celebrate freedom, celebrate the fourth, celebrating the Fourth of July, Christ, claim freedom, concern about the future, cooking out, fireworks, Fourth of July, Fourth of July traditions, free indeed, freedom, freedom from sin, freedom from worry, fun for families, Gods words of healing, Heal Our Nation, heavenly Father's love, independence day, lake parade, one nation under God, ooohhh, punishment for sin, soaking music, under God, unworthiness, words of healing
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Wednesday, June 24th, 2009
We had heat index warnings this week with temperatures just under 100 degrees and high humidity.
You should have seen the flowers in my garden at the end of that day. Their little heads were bowed down, their leaf arms were lifeless and they looked beaten down. I’d thought I’d lost them.
I’ve felt that way myself at times – weary, beaten by the elements and circumstances of my life – done in.
The quick transformation from lifeless to bounding beauty was amazing after I soaked them in some fresh water and plant food.
Here’s your fresh water and plant food – positive, encouraging words! The power of words make a huge difference on our state of mind, our day – our level of joy in life.
Soak in powerful words with ThumbPeople’s Words of Love, Words of Blessing and Words of Healing CD’s.
You’ll perk right up!
Be encouraged!
~ Cathy
Tags: be encouraged, encouraging words, flowers, heat, heat index warning, high humidity, joy in life, plant food, power of words, powerful words, state of mind, ThumbPeople, transformation, weary, words of blessing, words of healing, words of love
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Monday, June 22nd, 2009
I sure do.
It’s even harder when my kids experience really cool stuff at their friends homes and my husband and I aren’t able to - or maybe don’t think it would be best to provide it for our own kids.
As a parent, it’s always way easier to do without something myself than to feel the sting of not giving my children things they’d love.
But be encouraged, parents!
God owns everything and He is generous to provide everything we need to fulfill the call that He has placed on our lives. This is certainly true for parenting. He will give you all that you need to parent your children well.
One of the most important things your children need from you is free – but it will cost you something! It’s your positive and encouraging words. They are free but they do cost you the effort to be intentional about using positive words and exercising self control when negative words want to fly out of your mouth.
I find that the best way for me to utilize the power of words in a positive way with my kids is to fill myself up with uplifting, life-giving words. It’s the old garbage-in, garbage-out philosophy. It is essential that I surround myself with positive influences so that I can be a positive influence.
Here’s a super simple, low investment and high return piece of advice. Soak in ThumbPeople’s Words of Love, Words of Blessing or Words of Healing CD’s. The words will fill up your positive word tank and will spill out over your children! (Listen to samples and download free soaking music at: http://www.thumbpeople.com/soak-in-the-power-of-life-giving-words.html)
Jesus said, “It is the Spirit who gives Life, … the words that I speak to you are Spirit, and they are life.” John 6:63
Be encouraged!
Cathy
Tags: be encouraged, encouraging words, exercising self control, life giving words, negative words, parent your children, parents, positive influence, positive music, positive words, power of words, soaking music, ThumbPeople, words of blessing, words of healing, words of love
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Tuesday, June 16th, 2009
The familiar sound of the school bus stopping at the corner has been hushed and in its place I hear the happy tune of the ice cream truck, the squeals of free kids as they jump on the neighbor’s trampoline and run through the sprinklers.
Ahhh, isn’t summer wonderful?
Other sounds enter as well, the back door slamming again, some tattling, little voices escalating over who had “it” first … Mom!!! Mom!!! MOM!!!!
Ughh, isn’t summer challenging?
Both are so true – summer is wonderful and challenging with children.
So, I go back to what I know for sure. Well, if I know it for sure, it’s gotta be from our God and reflect His nature. Our God is a God of order and balance. There is nothing about Him or His creation that is hap-hazard or chaotic. Therefore, if my life is to reflect His plan for me, it too, will be ordered and balanced. I know that it’s from this place that I’m positioned best to receive His blessings.
This is true for our families, too. Our kids need balance – with plenty of time to run barefoot and shift from playing a game to chasing butterflies with some structured fun activities added in.
Hmmm, structured fun activities … where to look … ThumbPeople has you covered!
Thumbuddy Club has been created by a preschool curriculum expert and is chock full of fun activities, creative crafts, encouraging, joy filled music and positive messages that build your child’s self worth. And Thumbuddy Club is very easy to lead. (Find out more about Thumbuddy Club at: http://www.thumbpeople.com/imprint-ideas-for-your-family/fun-activities-and-curricul-thumb.html)
So consider holding Thumbuddy Club once a week at your house. Invite your kid’s friends over and introduce them to Thumbuddy. You and your kids won’t just get a look at Thumbuddy, you’ll get to take a new look at yourselves too – and see yourselves as the precious, unique miracles that God created you to be!
“I made earth, and I created man and woman to live on it
I handcrafted the skies
And direct all the constellations in their turnings.” Isaiah 45:12
Be encouraged!
~ Cathy
Tags: Add new tag, be encouraged, chasing butterflies, childs self worth, creative crafts, encouraging music, His creation, kids, kids balance, miracle, order and balance, positive messages, preschool curriculum, receive his blessing, run barefoot, run through the sprinklers, structured fun, structured fun activities, summer, summer challenging with children, tattling, ThumbPeople, Thumbuddy Club, unique
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Tuesday, June 9th, 2009
It’s totally true, moms. Even though summers come and go with summer-like activities like going to the beach, Fourth of July fireworks, running through sprinklers and the annual summer trip to the cabin - THIS summer will be like no other!
Even though our traditional plans are on the calendar, our kids are different this year than last and will be altogether different again next summer. THIS is the summer they’ll discover fire flies, find the Big Dipper, learn how to ride a two wheeler. The magic of those discoveries will be held in the days of this summer. Next summer those things won’t hold the same magic even though new discoveries will be made.
Embrace these still lengthening days with your young children! The days will grow shorter (in more ways than one!)
Let the house get dusty, hurry out the door with breakfast dishes still on the table and let the dirty laundry “properly” age. Summer is fleeting and so are days with little kids.
Rob time from the to-do list and snuggle together on a picnic blanket, find familiar shapes in the clouds and don’t forget to pack a Thumbuddy book to read together and remind your child that they ARE a one-of-a-kind miracle!
God has a unique, one-of-a-kind blessing for you hidden in this day!
“We praise you, Lord God!
You treat us with kindness day after day …” Psalm 68:19
Be encouraged,
Cathy
Tags: be encouraged, blessing, days grow shorter, days of summer, discover, kids, learn how to ride a two wheeler, lengthening days, miracle, running through sprinkler, summer activities, summer is fleeting, Thumbuddy, to do list
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Thursday, June 4th, 2009
Mom’s To-Do List:
Tend to the physical needs of my family.
Care for the emotional needs of my family.
Support the spiritual needs of my family.
So, how ya doin’ on that to-do list, moms?
Even if you could check off those items on your to-do list, they’d be un-checked again tomorrow!
But hey, BE ENCOURAGED! God never calls us to do anything without providing all that we need!
Caring for your family’s physical, emotional and spiritual needs actually lump together very nicely. For example:
When you’ve hurried out of the house in the morning and loaded your kids in the car, get in the habit of praying out loud and ask God’s blessing and protection over your day.
When you’ve loaded up the groceries and you’re pulling out of the store parking lot, get in the routine of offering a prayer of thanksgiving for God’s provision. (When you forget, your kids will remind you or just start praying themselves – really, they will!)
After you’ve had a difficult encounter with someone (my kids always study my face and are clearly observing my reactions when someone is really pushing my buttons) openly and out loud ask God to give you wisdom, patience and His help.
Have a “time alone with God” spot in your home. When you’re about to blow, let your kids know that you need to spend a minute or two alone with God because you need His help. Encourage your kids to do the same!
Fill your home and car with good, encouraging words - both in the words that you speak and the ones you listen to. Play ThumbPeople’s “Words of Blessing” CD. When you do, you and your kids will get God’s words of love and blessing deep in your heart - it’ll change absolutely everything!
These simple, little things will not only bless you and your family, but will teach your children: The faithful nature of God, His presence with us through the day, thankfulness, our need for God and His partnership with us in all the details of life.
And when your children are away from you, it’ll be second nature for them to bring their needs, concerns and thanks to their Heavenly Father.
…commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine …Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up … Deut 11:18-20 (NLT)
Be encouraged!
~ Cathy
P.S. And stay encouraged by hearing Mark’ message (the author and founder of ThumbPeople) about “Being Set-Apart” at Crossroads Church. If you can’t make it there, you can receive a free video broadcast. Get the details at: http://www.thumbpeople.com/abundant
Tags: alone with God, be encouraged, bless your family, caring for your family, Crossroads Church, emotional needs, encouraging words, God's blessing, God's provision, mom's to do list, physical needs, prayer of thanksgiving, praying out loud, spiritual needs, teach your children, ThumbPeople, words of blessing
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