whispers in the dark

About a year ago, my daughter, Megan, and I played hide and seek with Mikaela and Eli.  When we first started playing, Megan and Eli, who was 4 at the time, were partners and Mikaela was my partner.

When Megan and Eli were hiding, we didn’t have a very hard time locating them. Mikaela and I just had to listen carefully and we could usually hear Eli’s little voice whispering. Or a giggle. Or both.

There was even a few times that I had spotted their hiding place right off and tried to act like I didn’t see them. I would call out, “Mikaela, I don’t think they are in here!” and Eli’s precious little voice would say, “Look in the closet!” So, you see, it wasn’t very hard to find Megan and Eli. It was funny to me because it just seemed like he wanted to be found. He just couldn’t stand it if we didn’t find him quick enough. He would help us out and give us hints while still in hiding.

When it was my turn to have Eli for my partner, I was determined to keep that little fella quiet! I even told him that we had to be very quiet and still so his mama and sister couldn’t find us.

As we were hiding in the back corner of Melissa’s closet, we were behind a row of long white bags of formal gowns. We were well hidden from sight in the dark closet. We had found a perfect hiding place. We waited for them to come find us and we were very still and very quiet.

Suddenly in the darkness this little voice whispers to me, “Nana?”. Quickly I whispered back to him, “Eli, we have to be quiet”. A silent hush filled the darkness and then…

This sweet little voice whispered, “But Nana, I love you”. As my heart melted and filled with unspeakable joy and love, I whispered back, “Oh, precious, I love you too”.

You see, Eli just wanted that reassurance in the dark that love was there. He just wanted that reassurance that he wasn’t alone. He desired some communication with me. He needed to hear my voice.

When we are ensconced in the deep darkness of our time alone with God, we too, long for that revelation of His love for us. We long to know that we aren’t alone. We long to hear His voice. We long for some sort of reminder that He is with us.

We revel in the quiet as we seek Him. We bask in the glory of His definite presence. We savor that sweet oneness that we feel as we commune with Him. We take joy in the intimacy we feel as we meet with Him in the dark recesses of our closets.

And then we long to hear. We long to know. We can’t help ourselves. Our voices whisper in the dark.

“I love you, Lord.”

And in the quiet darkness we hear Him say, “Oh my precious child. I love you, too.”

And then we have peace.

"Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;

O Lord, hear my voice.." (Psalm 130:1,2a)

DISCIPLINE IS LOVE = Part 4 Wrap-Up

DISCIPLINE IS LOVE = Part 4
Wrap-Up
by Stephanie K. Brower © 2010

Respect [for God’s and the parent’s authority] is developed through discipline. Take time to properly discipline your children. Properly, meaning: with thought, with action, at the time when the problem occurs. It may not always be easy. It might even be embarrassing, but the closer you bring the discipline action to the time of the incident, the better. Your authority as the parent and your follow-through, is key for the child to know that the boundaries you have set in advance – hold!

If your children are a bit older, these are great passages to share/discuss with them from God’s Word.

Jeremiah 6:16 [NIV]
This is what the LORD says:
"Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls.
But you said, 'We will not walk in it.'

Proverbs 23:10 [NIV]
Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,

Parents must discipline together – on the same page – with the rules and boundaries laid out for the child/children in advance! Be consistent. Be firm. Show grace to the child if it benefits. And give lots of hugs and kisses before and after discipline to affirm your love for them, especially if they are young. In doing so, you can teach them to do the same.

Luke 11:17 [NIV]
Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: "Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. [emphasis added]

Children love and need boundaries so they know where the line is drawn. Boundaries set forth in advance must be held up by both parents.

Proverbs 13:24 [NIV]
He who spares the rod hates his son,
but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.

No other verse should be pondered more than this last one. Do I hate my son or daughter? If we do not discipline, the Bible says that we hate them. That’s pretty strong language from God’s heart. It must be very important. The best gift we can leave our children is a heart of discipline in love. They may not thank us for it when they are young – but they will later.

Proverbs 19:18 [NLT]
Discipline your children while there is hope.
Otherwise you will ruin their lives.

I will be leaving Titus 2 in Action because of other added responsibilities. Many thanks to Sonya Thompson and the other writers, for allowing me the opportunity to share God's Word on this site. And thank you to all the visitors who care enough to read and ponder what is offered here! Remember to pray for your children and grandchildren to become Mighty Warriors in the kingdom of God for His glory and purpose!

May God continue to richly bless you. I love you all!

Choosing JOY,

DISCIPLINE IS LOVE = Part 3

The ‘rod’ is necessary or the child will become spoiled and will rule the house. God never intends for a child to rule his own father or mother. That example shows the child that he has control , over the household ~ even over God. His mind will remain self-seeking and warped without proper discipline and training.

Proverbs 13:24 [NIV]
He who spares the rod hates his son,

but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.

*************

[the word ‘careful’ here, reminds me that we must ‘care in full’ for our children.]

The surest test of discipline is its absence.

- Clara Barton (1821 - 1912)

If you are not disciplining your child, the Bible says that you do not love them [Proverbs 13:24] ~ in fact it is even more clear when it says you hate them. Those are hard words to swallow but they are TRUTH and are not to be ignored.

Proverbs 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it.

Training a child………. Hummm…. Think of military boot camp for example ~ but with a good [graduating] end result.

• Training takes time.
• Training takes discipline.
• Training takes love.
• Training takes perseverance.
• Training takes focus.
• Training takes purpose.
• Training takes work.
• Training has a purpose to produce a fruitful end.

Without training and teaching the next generation is left to be unrestrained, self-reliant, undisciplined, with a selfish ‘me first’ attitude and lifestyle.

Are we PREPARING and TRAINING them to be Martyrs for Christ?

• willing to lay down their lives for Him
• willing to do what is right and just
• willing to follow God’s ways
• willing to think of others before themselves
• not to be independent ~ but to be GOD-dependant.

What practical ways do you train up your child in the way he should go?

Choosing JOY,

DISCIPLINE IS LOVE = Part 1

Showing a pattern of
God's Love

Discipline for a child [and for us] is a necessity according to scriptures:

Proverbs 10:17
He who heeds discipline shows the way of life,
But whoever ignores correction
leads others astray.

Disciplining a child

is an act of Godly love.

~~~~~~~~~~

It must be done …

· in love
· with great patience
· under control
· with an intention to produce good fruit as a result.
· to show the child the very pattern of God’s love for him/her
· with consistency by both parents
· to build the child’s trust in the parent and eventually in God’s decision
· to set the boundaries for instruction and teaching
· to create respect for all authority [yours, teachers, babysitters, and God’s]

Each time we discipline we must discipline the same way God disciplines us ~ so that we show a loving, caring, patient attitude; one always willing to show mercy and grace – yet firm and just… as God Himself would discipline us.

In any discipline of a child ~ it must be done in love and with great consistency. It must not be done in haste or done without forethought… but it must be done and done in love, if one truly loves the child God has given.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Left undone …
· leaves the door wide open for that child to go astray
· gives the child the upper hand
· leaves the child in charge of his life when he is not yet capable of that end
· sets the pattern of ‘self-willed’ rather than ‘God-willed’
· lets the child rule the house
· leaves open all boundaries the child really longs for
· leaves the child feeling unloved and uncared for

Read that verse one more time in the Amplified version. No matter which way you slice it, ignoring discipline [whether giving it or receiving it] is not God’s way for us or for our children.

Proverbs 10:17 [AMP]
17He who heeds instruction and correction is [not only himself] in the way of life [but also] is a way of life for others. And he who neglects or refuses reproof [not only himself] goes astray [but also] causes to err and is a path toward ruin for others.

What does it speak to you now?
Can you share godly ‘tips’ on discipline that might help others here?

Choosing JOY,

Sowing and Reaping

Elizabeth George, who wrote A Woman After God's Own Heart, has long been one of my favorite authors concerning marriage, motherhood, and [for me] grand-motherhood. Her studies take us to a place which almost seems back in time, you know ~ the June Cleaver era...

June Cleaver: Eddie, would you care to stay for dinner? We're having roast beef. [inclusion of the unlikeable - and she cooks a delicious meal too]

Eddie Haskell: No thank you, Mrs. Cleaver. I really must be getting home. We're having squab this evening. [what his house is really like]

...where it is the wife's/mother's role and duty to make the home a pleasant and loving one. Our own fast-paced society of running children 'to and fro', often living on 'fast food take out', and shamefully neglecting husbands to the brink of divorce, are in dire contrast to God's ways. June Cleaver would be appalled. What about God?

Are your priorities in alignment before God - which many women these days seem to have backwards? I did as well, for a long time in my life. But it's never too late to put those priorities in the right order as God Himself commands in His Word.

"You shall have no other God's before Me" ~ Exodus 20

As wives and mothers and grandmothers our priorities should be in line with His Word:

• GOD [first - and foremost]
• Husband [second - and as God's authority in the Lord]
• Children [third - as God has blessed us]

Today as I turned a page in my calendar reading from Elizabeth George, it was all about sowing and reaping. I pondered its contents and scripture and felt compelled to share it here with you. I have sown some things early on in my life that are reaping great [unfortunate] consequences today... so I come with less than a perfect record.

Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man [or woman] sows, that will he [she] also reap.

Elizabeth Geore writes: "As I considered the principle of sowing and reaping, I realized that, in a general way, what I put into my children on a daily basis ~~~ the seeds of patience or impatience, faith or lack of faith, kindness or selfishness ~~~ would be what I might gain back in years to come."

After reading that afresh, I thought about the things I had sown in my children back when they were young... and what I am reaping as a result [both in family relations and in spiritual terms].
So I ask myself today, as I ask you here... What are we sowing into our husband's lives, children's lives and even the lives of others in which God has given us a realm of influence? Because I did not always sow the desirable things of God in my past ~ it is my goal now to sow life ~ speaking life into my children, grandchildren, and others around me. If LIFE = Jesus Christ ~ what are you sowing that might reap great benefits for His glory and kingdom purposes?
Are we sowing?

• strife and discord >>>>>>>>>> to later reap havoc
• selfishness of 'me first' >>>>>> to later reap lonely lives
• exclusion of others >>>>>>>>>to later reap ~ us being excluded
• mediocrity >>>>>>>>>>>>>> to later reap discontent & unfulfillment
• unforgiveness >>>>>>>>>>>> to later reap the death of relationships

OR are we sowing?

• kindness and unity >>>>>>> >> to later reap peace and harmony
• unselfishness of others first>>>>to later reap others helping us when we need it most
• inclusion of others>>>>>>>>>> to later reap being included by all
• life giving purpose >>>>>>>>>>to later reap untold blessings of God
• forgiveness >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>to later reap a home in heaven with God

Everything in life and in God's Holy Word has its root in sowing and reaping. What can you share about something you have sown into your children or grandchildren in which you are reaping great blessings even now? Your answer might help someone reading this, to 'sow' what God desires as they ponder what they might 'reap' as a result.

Let us SOW to the glory of God >>> that we may REAP to the glory of God!

Choosing JOY,

Spiritually Homeschooling Our Children

What does the statement:

"Home school your children, spiritually." ... say to you?

Beth Moore is the author of that statement from her Believing God Bible Study video session. I remember hearing her talk about it the first time I did Believing God. Now, after 4 years of teaching that Bible study over and over again - this statement never gets old.

She reminds us that we have to be very careful not to allow others
to raise our children for us. While it is good to take our children to
church, SS or send them to Christian Schools [as I did mine] whether
lower level or even Christian colleges, homeschooling them
spiritually is a parent's job [and often a grandparent's as well].

• Beth makes a statement in that series that I believe is worth repeating
  here:
  
  "Be care that you don't send your children to Christian school in hopes that they will learn a 'little something' about God... or they may just learn that God is a 'little something'."
  
  [read THAT one more time]
  
  2 Timothy 1:5
  I have been reminded of your sincere faith,
  which first lived in your grandmother Lois
  and in your mother Eunice and,
  I am persuaded, now lives in you also.
  
  Deuteronomy 6 [selected]
  Love the LORD Your God
  1 These are the commands, decrees and laws the LORD your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, 2 so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long as you live by keeping all His decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life.
  6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. [emphasis added]
  
  In our present culture with all the pressures that our children face in a fallen world, what are some of the ways you 'home school them spiritually'?
  

In Prayer? In Bible Study and Memory [not just reading]? In Music? In Worship? In Service? In Giving? In Awe and Wonder?

If we do not selectively and intentionally TEACH these things to our children and grandchildren, spiritually, they will learn from the world instead. The 'world' is always teaching them 'something'. It is our job to teach them and show them that GOD IS REALLY SOMETHING and SOMEONE to KNOW and LOVE!

I leave you with some intentional questions in this post in hopes that you might implement something here to enhance or 'step up' your level of homeschooling your kids spiritually.

• Do you teach them to PRAY? [by allowing them to hear your sincere adult prayers]?


• Do you get them excited in studying GOD'S WORD together, encouraging them to memorize Scripture as a tool and weapon of spiritual warfare?


• Do you keep their ears filled with Christian MUSIC [old hymns or current praise songs] from time they are small?


• Do you lead them into a place of WORSHIP - giving them a prayer closet before the Lord or some other Sacred Space to be alone with Him?


• Do you take them to SERVE an elderly neighbor and let them rake leaves or bake cookies or take a meal to someone who is sick - sharing in those tasks with you?


• Do you teach them about God's command to TITHE what they earn - from the time they receive an allowance - getting them excited about GIVING to God?


• Do you walk along the way - in the park - noting and sharing in all the WONDER of God's creation - teaching them to give Him thanks and praise for all He has made - like the stars, the sunsets, the moon at night?

Whatever you ARE NOT doing - begin something TODAY.
Whatever you ARE DOING - do MORE!
Give them the GIFT of LIFE in Christ Jesus -
TEACH them SPIRITUALLY at home!

Choosing JOY,

CALLING THEM 'FAVORITES'?

John 13:1, 22-23, 34-35

1 It was just before the Passover Feast.

Jesus knew that the time had come for Him to leave this world and go to the Father.

Having loved His own who were in the world,

He now showed them the full extent of His love.

22 His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them He meant. 23 One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to Him.

34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another."

John 21:7a Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!"

Have you ever had a grandmother who played "favorites" with her grandchildren? Maybe an aunt or uncle, or a grandfather, played 'favorites' in your family?

Perhaps a parent you had may have 'favored' one child over another during your lifetime

which didn't make you feel very loved, much less the 'favorite' of the children.

Allow me share a true story with you. Let this real life story paint a picture of

how our Father [God] sees those who are called His children.

Perhaps it will alter your view of playing 'favorites' with your children

- but in a way you never expected!

Back in May, I attended the funeral service of my friend's husband, Ray,

who had fought a hard battle with cancer.
Having lost my own husband to cancer, I wanted to be there to support the family.

Ray was a Jewish believer who had known Yeshua

many years of his life as His Savior and Lord.

Ray and his wife had three children, all married

with children of their own.

I lost count of how many there were.

The service began as a celebration of Ray's life

and being the humorous man that he was

there was tale after tale of practical jokes and stories

that could hold our attention for hours.

It was obvious how much this man had touched many lives all over the room, with his humor and his deep abiding love for others.

But~ when I listened to each of Ray's children, share about their father,

each one said the same thing,

"I was my daddy's favorite child."

Each gave testimony after testimony of how and why this father called 'them' his 'favorite'.

Then, after all of the children had shared, several of the young grandchildren got up and shared about life with their grandfather.

A 9 year old got up.

"I was my Grandpa's favorite."

Then, from another grandchild, about 12 years old standing tall,

a story soon emerged about how her grandpa made her feel like

'she was the only one in the world

who carried his love for her.'

How could this be, you might ask as I did? How could there be more than one favorite? I tell you that each one in that family was so special to Ray that he was likened unto our heavenly Father - who because of Jesus - loves each of us like that. Ray never called one child his favorite without calling the others that too! In Ray's eyes - each of them really was his favorite.
In God the Father's eyes, each of us is His 'favored' child as well.
John, the Beloved disciple, knew he was loved by Jesus and he told anyone and everyone - just like Ray's kids did! And like John, the Beloved, they believed it too!
In our society we've been taught to never play 'favorites' with our children or grandchildren. But after hearing that family's testimony from another perspective, I'm going to consider this carefully and put into action that same kind of 'favored love' toward my children and grandchildren that our heavenly Father lavishes on us.
How about you? Will you play 'favorites', giving each one your 'favored love'?
Choosing JOY,

MIGHTY WARRIORS

Allow me to introduce myself. I am Stephanie K. Brower, a follower of Jesus Christ for the last 40 years of my life, also known as TRUTHSHARER. I am a Mom to three, Rebekah, Amy, and Jeffrey... a Mother-in-law to Rob, Daniel, and Susy..... a Mom-Mom to eight precious 'Kingdom Warriors' ~ in order of birth they are: Justin [6], Drew [5], Ethan [4], Jyden [4], Tessa [3], Braden[2], Malachi [1 -1/2] and Collin [1]. I am also a widow of almost four years. I have dedicated my life to full-time ministry in whatever God brings my way.

I hope you will enjoy my new column at Titus 2 in Action called: MIGHTY WARRIORS to gain some practical insight through prayer, in raising children and grandchildren in the light of God's Word - His TRUTH - with purpose - God's kingdom purpose .

I am blessed to join these other writers as we share our lives with you including our mistakes, frustrations, and faults. Hopefully, it will help you to learn to grow in faith toward Jesus Christ and follow His plan for what He desires to pass on to your children and grandchildren - as an ambassador in your family.

Please join me today in a special walk down 'memory lane' in my family heritage!
Genesis 10:7-9 (NIV)
7 The sons of Cush: Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah and Sabteca.
The sons of Raamah: Sheba and Dedan.
8 Cush was the father of Nimrod, who grew to be a mighty warrior on the earth. 9 He was a mighty hunter before the LORD; that is why it is said, "Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before the LORD."

_____________________

Footnotes: Genesis 10:8

Father may mean ancestor or predecessor or founder... [from BibleGateway.com]

______________________

Judges 6:11-12 (NIV)
11 The angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. 12 When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon,

He said, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior."

[all Scripture emphasis added]

*******************************************************

What kind of 'father' ~ ['mother'] ~ ancestor ~ predecessor ~ founder ~ do you desire to be in your family? Are you a first generation believer following Jesus who is the Way the Truth and the Life? Are you the first one in your family to name the Name of Christ? Or perhaps a second or third generation? Perhaps there was a 'founder' of faith in your family - perhaps a grandparent or great aunt someone who prayed for you - someone who sought after your good by speaking LIFE into your little life as a child?

___________________________________

_________________________________

God spoke life into Gideon. He spoke of what he was to become - the way God saw him in his kingdom and for His purpose. We can follow this pattern from God - to speak life into our little loved ones. Note: a Dragonfly is a sign of a Warrior. You might even want to encourage your kids to collect them - just as a reminder of what you are praying for them. It's just a 'symbol' for them to understand better these scriptures portrayed in light our prayers for them.

_____________________________

How do you speak that life of faith into your children and grandchildren now? Even if you are not a parent - you can and will speak something into the life of another and most likely a child. We all have the ability [from God] to see these precious little ones as God's Mighty Warriors in the kingdom of God.

When my husband, Bob, was fighting his 5 year battle with cancer, we were blessed in the second year of that battle with out first grandchild [who is now six years old]. Grandchildren did not come easy in our family. My oldest daughter, Rebekah, at that time, had already lost six babies to miscarriage. The doctors were unsure if her body would ever allow her to carry her own offspring. My daughter-in-law , Susy, also lost 2 babies to miscarriage. Many prayed for them. We all prayed. What was going on? Would I never see the fruit of my womb be blessed with fruit from their womb? In the meantime, my middle daughter, Amy, got pregnant and almost lost her first son prior to delivery in the hospital. Justin was only 4 lbs. 5 oz. at birth [see top photo]. Note: Photo of boy with Bible storybook is Justin.

Having cancer gave my husband a new perspective on life and also on the life of his [our]new grandchild. After those first six miscarriages that my oldest daughter, Rebekah had, she and her husband decided to ask God one last time to allow them a child of their own. This time - it happened. Miracle #7 was born. His name is Andrew [Drew]. He was our second grandchild.

Thus began a prayer that my husband uttered before the Lord one morning ... "Lord, will You bless these children and make them into 'Mighty Warriors' for Your kingdom purposes that You desire them to be?"

The prayer didn't end there - it began there. Together we prayed, "Lord, give these children [and those still to come] a life of faith. Please bring them to Jesus at an early age to understand and love and know YOU, as Savior and Lord of their lives. Grow them into the roles that they will play in your kingdom purposes. Make them strong and bold and powerful to bring glory to Your Name!"

Then came Ethan... then Jyden [which means Jehovah-Jireh [the Lord will provide]... and then Tessa Hope [our only girl]. God extended Bob's life for 124 days [in a miracle of events] in which he was able to see and hold these last two [of five] who were born before his home going to heaven.

Now I am responsible for carrying on that same prayer that my husband began for his grandchildren - his heritage - his inheritance. "With blessing comes responsibility," my friend Nancy, reminded me. I have been blessed with three more grandchildren since that time, Braden, Malachi, and Collin. Bob never saw or knew the last three [and more to come I hope] but his prayer and his legacy of faith lives on in the lives of those little ones.

________________

Psalm 22:27-31 [NKJV]

27 All the ends of the world

Shall remember and turn to the LORD,

And all the families of the nations

Shall worship before You.

28 For the kingdom is the LORD’s,

And He rules over the nations.

29 All the prosperous of the earth

Shall eat and worship;

All those who go down to the dust

Shall bow before Him,

Even he who cannot keep himself alive.

30 A posterity [seed] shall serve Him.

It will be recounted of the Lord to the next generation,

31 They will come and declare His righteousness to a people who will be born,

That He has done this. [all Scripture emphasis added]

In their young lives, already Justin [our oldest] and Drew [the second oldest] have come to receive Jesus into their heart and life. Drew is one of the MK's now serving with his parents in Haiti! At age 5 he wants to tell people about Jesus' love for them.

Will you speak LIFE into your offspring? Will you PRAY earnestly for them to be MIGHTY WARRIOR'S in the kingdom of God for His glory and purpose?

Father God ~ You are Sovereign over all creation. I pray today for those reading this post - that they will find HOPE here ~ they will find JOY in You ~ they will find the Word of TRUTH here ~ they will find Your kingdom purpose in raising families that will bring You glory. Lord, bring all of our precious offspring and ourselves as well ~ in line with being Mighty Warriors in this kingdom age ~ as we live out our journey connecting and encouraging one another along the way. For this we give You Praise and Glory due Your Name! Amen and Amen!

_______________________

Choosing JOY in our Heritage,