Blog Posts

Are You Stuck In Kindergarten?

8/17/2016

This has already been an interesting week with my children. One entered her Junior year in High School (new school), one entered 8th grade (new school), and one entered kindergarten (1st year ever)! I’m excited about this year because we moved so that they may be in a better school district, but I am also concerned about them entering into a new environment and culture (mommy issues). The great thing about children is that they are super resilient and pliable. They will make new friends and adjust according to the new standard. They will do what it takes to get through the year and on to the next level.

When it comes to our children, usually they don’t have much of a choice. They have to flow with the rhythm of our life style and adjust to the changing of our seasons. All of our decisions affect them. It is up to us to properly equip and prepare them for what’s ahead.

Children go through transitions and elevations every year with school. They leave one grade and familiar schedule to tackle a new and more rigorous one for the next grade. This made me think about adults and what we do to get to the next level. Are we resilient, flexible, willing to put in the work, change environments, or make new relationships? What happens to us as adults where all of a sudden we resist change? In order to get elevated into a new level, we must be willing to leave the old comfortable schedule. We can’t get promoted without successfully completing our assignments and following instructions. We can’t become unteachable or opposed to learning new things or different strategies.

2 Timothy 2:15(KJV)
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

I have found that every time I think I know something, God brings me to a new place of revelation that gives me understanding beyond what I have perceived before. He shows me things from a new perspective that widens my view and understanding of the matter. We cannot limit God to what we first knew. What if our children stopped learning in kindergarten? They would be immature and not ready to be productive in the “real adult world”. I think as Christians sometimes we get stuck in Kindergarten with our beliefs. We don’t let God graduate us into a new level of understanding and maturity. This makes it impossible to fulfill our great commission of going to make disciples. We have to be mature before we can train someone else. We have to spend enough time with Jesus in order to impart His character into another.

So while your children are out learning new levels of math, reading, science, etc. this school year. I encourage you to ask the Father what to study to advance to the next level. Ask God to make you pliable and open for new things. Ask Him to make you resilient to the obstacles placed before your advancement. It’s time to graduate and mature. We need to make disciples! People need to see our love and our fruit. The fire and the glory of God need to present in our lives matched by a PHD level of maturity. Lord take us to school!

Father, we thank you that You are a God of increase and promotion. Forgive us for wanting to advance without putting in the work. Open our eyes to see from different angles. Open our ears to hear what the spirit of the Lord is saying. Show us what to study and where to go. Release new friendships and opportunities that will grow us in this new season. We want to be mature Christians and not watered down by the world’s views. We want to go and make disciples. We want to be excellent in all that we do so that You may get the glory. We want to be role models that are children can look to as they continue their studies. Help us rightly divide the Word of truth. Make us moldable and teachable in every area that will help our growth. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!

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Satan Clubs In Our Schools?

8/3/2016

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Last week I wrote about bringing God back, and ironically this week there are news reports of Satanists wanting to start after school clubs in selected public schools this year. They are targeting schools that have Christian after school clubs. They say that the children need to know that they have a choice.

Deuteronomy 30:18-20
18 I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess. 19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; 20 that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.”

As humans we all have the freedom to choose. The choice is between life and death, blessing and cursing. Every decision that we make leads to one of these roads. Unfortunately, most children are not mature enough to make the right choice on their own. They are easily influenced by sin because sin feels good to the flesh even though it causes violence against our souls. That’s why it is our jobs to train them up by the Word and principles of God. We have to be very mindful of the people around our children. They will respect opinions of those that have influence over them, such as coaches, teachers, etc. Along with feeding them the Bible, we must also communicate with them about their daily interactions and experiences.

What is most likely to happen in this situation, instead of schools allowing the Satan clubs, they will probably ban any “religious clubs” to avoid any discrimination/freedom of religion lawsuits. The fear of man has replaced the fear of God in our country. It is a sad day when the devil does not even have to disguise himself anymore, but freely walk into our schools, government, and even churches.

Now more than ever, we need to pray for miracles, signs, and wonders. When Moses went to Pharaoh 10 times to ask for him to let God’s people go, God released a plague each time. When the plagues were released, Pharaoh’s magicians “imitated” what God had done to disprove God’s authority. The imitation is never as powerful as the original. God always wins! His power will overcome the tricks of the enemy. Satan loves to use the supernatural to lure God’s children into his worship. Why are Christians afraid to use their supernatural power and authority to manifest God’s power? We can no longer be subtle Christians. We have to be bold walking into the devil’s camp just as he unapologetically comes into ours. Satan CAN’T have our children! We have authority over him and his entire army. Now is the time to use it!

Not sure that you have authority? Not sure of the difference between the originator or the imitator? Here is the answer to both.

1 John 4:2-4
2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess that[a] Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.
4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

There it is. He is greater. I encourage you not to worry, but to use your power and authority against the enemy. Pray, prophesy, declare, decree, lay hands, cast out, heal, deliver, and believe! God wants to do it more than we want Him to. If we open up our mouths, He will fill it. If we stand for righteousness, He will stand with us. Stay focused. Guard your children and live according to His Word.

Father, we thank You for Your Spirit that is powerful in us. Forgive us for not operating in our authority and allowing the enemy to boldly come into our nation. Forgive us for fearing man more than we fear You. Make us doers of Your Word and not hearers only. We want to move in power manifesting miracles, signs, and wonders. Give us courage and boldness. Let us bring Your kingdom to earth everywhere that we go. Help us instill Your Word and principles into our children that they might discern the imitators and recognize the antichrist spirit. We bind up the deceiver and loose Your absolute truth over our nation. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!

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Bring God Back!

7/27/2016

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There is an epidemic of lawlessness in America that starts from the very top of government. America has taken God out of everything and we are reaping the fruit from His glory departed. Even at the preschool level, a teacher can no longer say “no” or “don’t” according to DCFS standards. They say the children are incapable of sitting still and learning but will only learn by creative play. I know this to be false because I taught at a Cristian preschool where 3-year-olds were counting to 100, recognizing, writing, and knowing the phonic sounds for every letter along with knowing and reciting at least 17 bible verses and having much more skills by the end of the year. The state wants the children go to whatever station they please and when they get bored they just go to another one. When they misbehave there are no consequences but only redirection. This might work on for first offenders, but what about children who are being disruptive and rebellious? If teachers can’t teach them no and consequences, then how are their boundaries made?

The sad thing is, that it’s not just a problem in schools. We can’t even discipline our own children without fear of someone watching, videotaping or calling the “people” on us. If we raise our voice, punish, spank, withhold privileges, or even just give our children the harsh truth, it is considered cruel by the worlds standards. I’m by no means condoning real abuse or neglect, but I believe that it is abuse/neglect not to discipline your children. If we love our children, then we must discipline them how we see fit so that we will see the peaceable fruit of righteousness.

We live in a world where government officials are above the law. Law officials are above the law. People who are privileged/wealthy are above the law. Our children see this and have gotten away with doing whatever they want in school, then enter into the real world and can’t function because they don’t understand boundaries and rules. The Satanic Bible has a motto that it goes by saying “do what thy wilt”, meaning do whatever makes you happy. Do whatever makes you feel good. This is the lust of the flesh which is the opposite of the fruit of the spirit that we should live by. This is the “you only live once” (YOLO) mentality that this generation lives by. The problem with this is that while it is true that you only live once, when your natural body dies, where will your soul go?

We need to bring God back into our homes, schools, and government. We need to train them by discipline and set Godly boundaries at a young age. We have to stand up for our beliefs and stop being fearful of what the government can do to us. If God is for us than who can be against us (Romans 8:31)?

Discipline brings respect and displays love. Children desire structure and order that comes from boundaries and rules. Without them there will be chaos, dysfunction and lawlessness. Let’s bring God back. Let’s make His name great. Let His glory rest upon our nation!

Hebrews 12:5-11
5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:
“My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens,
And scourges every son whom He receives.”[a]
7 If[b] you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Father we thank You that You chasten us out of love. Forgive of for conforming to this world and its laws. Give us boldness and courage to stand according to Your word and trust that You are for us. Help us not compromise. Give us strategy and wisdom to train our children in a way that will bring peaceable fruit. We bind up lawlessness and rebellion and loose Your order/government and peace over our homes, schools, and nation. We want to make Your name great. Help us raise a generation who loves, honors and respects You. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!

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A Father's Love

7/20/2016

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My husband had taken a few days off after a long stretch of working a lot of hours. My son is definitely a Daddy’s boy and often wakes up asking about him. My son was pleased to see His father for so many days in a row. With heartfelt emotion, he looked his daddy in his eyes and said “Sometimes I wake up with water in my eyes when you’re not here because I love you so much. I love you with all my heart. I love you with my whole body.” Wow, such powerful emotion coming from a 5-year-old. Daddies play such a powerful role in children’s lives, but somehow America has devalued their importance, leaving children with a void that they don’t understand.

Psalm 68:5-6
5 A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows,
Is God in His holy habitation.
6 God sets the solitary in families;
He brings out those who are bound into prosperity;
But the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

Thank God that He is a father to the fatherless. The problem is that America has taken God out of everything. This leaves us a rebellious nation and in dry land instead of freedom and prosperity. It was never the Government’s job to take care of the widows and the orphans, but our country looks to welfare instead of the church(us) and gets left in a Godless cycle of poverty and fatherlessness. There are way too many orphans and widows, and the numbers will continue to grow if we continue to let lawlessness rule our country.

Just as my son needs his father. So does every other person on this earth. The only way to break the cycle of fatherlessness is to release the love of the Father. We must seek justice according to the Word of God. We must learn to do good and use our authority in Christ to rebuke, defend, and plead for our broken nation.

Isaiah 1:17
17 Learn to do good;
Seek justice,
Rebuke the oppressor;[a]
Defend the fatherless,
Plead for the widow.

We must choose to be a solution. We must take what we know about our God and share it with the world. We must not only share our testimony, but also our resources. We must have compassion and see every soul in the image of God. God wants us to physically be an answer. God promises, to heal, strengthen, and satisfy us when we do this.

Isaiah 58:6-12
6 “Is this not the fast that I have chosen:
To loose the bonds of wickedness,
To undo the heavy burdens,
To let the oppressed go free,
And that you break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out;
When you see the naked, that you cover him,
And not hide yourself from your own flesh?
8 Then your light shall break forth like the morning,
Your healing shall spring forth speedily,
And your righteousness shall go before you;
The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
9 Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;
You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’
“If you take away the yoke from your midst,
The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,
10 If you extend your soul to the hungry
And satisfy the afflicted soul,
Then your light shall dawn in the darkness,
And your darkness shall be as the noonday.
11 The Lord will guide you continually,
And satisfy your soul in drought,
And strengthen your bones;
You shall be like a watered garden,
And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
12 Those from among you
Shall build the old waste places;
You shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach,
The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In.

We must raise the foundations for the generations to come. We have to restore and build for not only our children, but all of God’s children. If they don’t know us by our love, they will never know the love of the Father. My heart hurts for the broken homes in this nation. God is a God of covenant and family. We have to restore family according to the Word of God. We must stop trying to be so independent that we lose our dependence on Him. God is a good Father. We must return to God to restore fathers back to position.

Father, we thank You for being a good Father. Forgive us for receiving You, but not sharing You in testimony and deed. We want boldness and courage to share who You are and why we need You. Show us how to give in more ways to help the oppressed, the widows, and the orphans. We want to be builders of foundations and repairers of the breach. Give us strategy on how to spread Your love and cause reformation to take place. Soften hearts to receive Your love and to be drawn to You. Give us new levels of compassion and be a solution instead of just pointing fingers. We need You Father and know that You hear our cry. Do it for Your glory. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!

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Blended Families

7/13/2016

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When I got married, my husband made a decision to make a covenant before God with me, of course, but also with my children. My girls from my previous marriage were 10 and 7 when we got married. A blended family is very delicate because they usually come with past disappointments, failures, wounds, bruises, and scars. These traumas do not only affect the adult, but also makes a huge impact on the children involved.

Before I got remarried, God brought me through the grueling process of deliverance. I was broken mentally and emotionally. I felt like a failure and my identity was marked by lies of the enemy. Deliverance is not an easy thing. It forces you to look at yourself, your sins, your flaws, and your thought systems and surrender them to God. Then you must take action to renew your mind with God’s Word and guard your deliverance with prayer, new choices, and obedience. Only God can restore and fill those broken places with His love. Only God can cause you to forgive what seems to be unforgiveable, and only God can make you realize the part that you played in the whole mess.

It is so important to get whole before entertaining the thoughts of another relationship. It is equally important to seek God in the healing of your children. At the time of my marriage, my children were ready to receive a man of God in their lives. They decided on their own to call my husband Daddy. My husband always has taken care, treated, and embraced them as his own. Shortly after we got married, their biological father started to resurface into their lives. This caused many emotions and feelings of confusion of what a father really is.

My children have continually faced disappointments from their biological father. My answer to them is always “pray for him, without Jesus, he cannot make good choices”. They are now old enough to see the truth. They are in their teenage years and are in the struggle of finding their own identity and purpose. While this is a beautiful thing, it is also a hard thing as I watch them struggle through the emotions of everything that they have faced. Prayer, communication, and the raw truth (in love) is what will push them forward.

Although my husband has been everything that they need as a father, they have a desire to have a meaningful relationship with their biological father. As much as I encourage that to happen, I can’t make him be what they want from him. The tensions, disrespect, and outbursts sometimes get very real. Teenagers will test your salvation to the very limit! But despite of all the issues at hand, unconditional love and provision has been the answer.

Just as God has adopted us as sons by Jesus Christ and accepted us into the beloved, so must the blended family be. God could have rejected us in our own sin and lustful desires, but instead He calls us His children. He helps us pasts our hurts and restores our souls. We don’t get fixed all at once. He takes us through a process and we receive healing on our journey. Just as God is patient and gentle with us, we must also be with our children. They tend not to get it right away. (How many times do you run into a brick wall before you decide to do it God’s way?) It is God’s grace that we are accepted and by His grace our children will know that they are accepted also.

Ephesians 1:4-6
4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

I want to encourage those with blended families not to give up hope or give in to the division of the enemy. Keep praying, warring, and speaking life over the souls of your household. God has a testimony of acceptance, forgiveness, restoration, unconditional love, and ultimately victory for your family. The enemy would love to break your relationship up with your spouse, children and even God. Make a decision today to stand on God’s Word and trust that He is working it out!

Father, we thank You for the spirit of adoption that has given us access to You as our Father. Come into our homes and bond us even as blended families as one accepted into the beloved. Forgive us for getting frustrated and wanting to give up. Let unconditional love and the truth of Jesus Christ be the foundation of our homes as we lay our families down as a sacrifice to you. Show us how to pray and respond in every situation. Help us see from the perspective of our children’s hurt so that we may better guide them into deliverance and ultimately their purpose. Help us stay united as husband and wife in defeating the enemy that would try to come in and steal our peace and joy. Our families belong to you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!

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Purpose

7/6/2016

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I’m amazed as I look at my children at how very unique and different they all are compared to one another. Of course there are some similarities and mannerisms, but their core personalities are definitely one of a kind. This is awesome and beyond our understanding, but is very intentional by God.

Psalm 139:13-15
13 For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;[a]
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

Before conception, God has had a plan and a purpose for our children. He formed them knowing their gifts and talents and hand-picked us to be their nurturers, disciplinarians, and activators of their purpose. Their DNA is a mixture of our heritage and also their own fingerprint of God that is carefully planted into their desires and natural abilities. It is very important to not only recognize their talents, but train and encourage them to grow in them and use them. We have to place proper boundaries around them before the enemy comes in and perverts their gifts or causes fear to keep them from walking in them.

Jeremiah 1:4-6
The Prophet Is Called
4 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying:
5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;
Before you were born I sanctified you;
I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”
6 Then said I:“Ah, Lord God!
Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.”
7 But the Lord said to me:
“Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’
For you shall go to all to whom I send you,
And whatever I command you, you shall speak.
8 Do not be afraid of their faces,
For I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord.

The best way to stay connected to their purpose is through prayer. God knows what He has set them apart for and won’t keep it a secret from us. As parents we often push our children to chase our own unfulfilled dreams instead of encouraging them into their own. We also tend to reject what seems far out of reach because of world views and statistics. If we are in Christ, then all things are possible. We should not be placing limits on our children or discouraging from their goals based on fear of failure. We should be training them that Christ in them creates favor and advantage. The Word promises that when we delight ourselves in Him that we will receive the desires of our heart (Psalm37:4).

Every child will blossom at different times. We must not discourage them because of their youth. My 12-year-old daughter has a passion for the arts. She sings, loves fashion/makeup, wants to design clothes, and draws. She has a natural ability for these things. She effortlessly completes projects and has a desire to sell them. While I haven’t had the resources to send her for traditional training, I’ve encouraged her in her gifts and have given her access to tools and resources to self-train. I have sat down with her and created a website for her art and am allowing her to create a you tube page to create DIY videos. This is a work in progress, and I will be monitoring her activity closely. Yes, she is young, but why would I keep her from growing into the entrepreneur that she is destined to be? What she does now is training ground for her future and could possibly fund her future development.

Our children naturally want to please us and will move forward in the things that we positively respond to. Let’s be intentional about creating an atmosphere of praise around what God has ordained them to do.

Father, we thank You that You know our children. Forgive us for not recognizing and encouraging them in their God given talents. Forgive us for hindering their success due to fear of failure. God, we trust the purpose that You have ordained for them. Show us how to nurture and encourage their gifts. Help us not look at their age, but look to You for wisdom and timing to release them into their purpose. Help us be wise counselors and motivators. We want them to know the fullness of the future that You have predestined for them. We believe that they will do great works and give glory to Your name in everything that they do. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!

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5 and 1/2 Children

6/29/2016

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In our society today, being parents of more than 2 children is pretty taboo. With the economy, housing prices, taxes, education, and the cost of living to consider, there are many reasons why people choose not to have large families. Not to mention all of the selfish reasons like wanting to keep a certain body image, not wanting to lose the freedom of easy mobility, and not wanting to give up financial luxuries that you might enjoy that would diminish with the extra cost of another child. All of these reasons are logical and understandable, but I still wouldn’t give up any of my children to have any of those things.

It is quite a surprise to me that I am now pregnant with my 6th child at the age of 41. I never dreamed of having a large family. Most people don’t understand the dynamics of a large family. I had to stop working after my last child because the cost of daycare exceeded what I was making. Although I don’t have a traditional job, I work harder now than I ever have before. It is easier going to a job than it is training and nurturing your kids all day. Now’s a good time to praise the Lord for good childcare workers and teachers. They put in work! Add multiple age groups, household chores, plus breakfast, lunch, dinner, and you have a day where 24 hours isn’t enough for stay at home mommies! The Proverbs 31 woman is real. Somehow (by the grace of God) she gets it all done.

We have to live a pretty frugal life, but we never lack anything. Being good stewards over what we have is essential. There is no room to be wasteful. We eat leftovers. We only take what we’re going to use. And we ration what we have to last. If it were up to my children, they would eat all day. I can’t allow them to take something every time that they feel like it, or it won’t last until the next shopping day. This is particularly hard in the summer, so keeping them busy is key. They will eat out of boredom and not out of hunger. Trust me, they don’t starve. They eat really good. I cook every day. Fast-food is overrated, bad for you, and costs way too much for this family of soon to be 8. Occasionally we splurge, but a run to McDonald’s can cost us $60 and as the kids get older the price increases (no more chicken nuggets). This is one of the reasons that we can’t hang out with your family on the fly. I would have to sacrifice a bill to feed everybody (LBVS). When things start looking tight, God ALWAYS provides!

Psalm 37:25
I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread.

Another reason is we will probably be late. Have you ever tried to get 5 children ready to go out the door and into the car? It is a production. I wake up at 6 a.m. on Sundays to get to church on time for the 10:30 service, and sometimes we are still late!

My husband works a lot, when He is off, he wants to relax after taking care of his to do list (cutting the grass, etc.), and the kids and I want to be with him. Our event schedule works around this dynamic.

With all of this being said, this is only season. It may sound like a bunch a rules and a lot of work, because it is. The kids grow up fast. Their siblings make good friends and will have their backs in every situation. Our days are numbered and God needs more kingdom citizens on His team. In the long run, they won’t remember the material things that you gave or didn’t give. They will remember the wisdom that you imparted, the time that you spent with them, and the love that you showed. When they are older they will appreciate who you are instead of what you’ve done, just like as we mature in the Lord we become thankful for who He is instead of just what He blesses us with.

Psalm 127:3-5
3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one’s youth.
5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;
They shall not be ashamed,
But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.

Our children are our reward (no matter how many we have). When we raise them in the foundation of Christ they are weapons against the enemy. They won’t be afraid to confront the evil of this world and God will not let them be ashamed. They carry a solution for the worries of this world and will have the courage to execute God’s will.

So today I encourage the parents of large families. God is with you and for you. Put your trust in Him and you will not be put to shame. The enemy is afraid of the army that your raising, so stay in prayer. They will rise up and call you blessed. They don’t need all of the new coolest stuff. They need you! God’s grace is sufficient. Be a good steward and He will increase and promote. He has everything that you need in abundance. No child is a mistake. They all have purpose. You do not owe anybody an explanation for your family situation. Obey God and He will give instructions and provision. The best is yet to come!

Father, we thank you that our children are a reward. Forgive us for not trusting you and listening to the opinions of man. We know that You are our provider and have everything that we need. Show us how to love, support, nurture, and impart wisdom into our children. We want them to fulfill the purpose that you have placed inside of them. Show us how to activate and encourage their gifts. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!

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God Wants To Give You Answers!

6/22/2016

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All morning I’ve been sitting here thinking about what to write for today’s parenting blog. While I can think of a million stories about my children, nothing was resonating with my spirit. I never write until I hear the Lord speak. I got quiet and asked the Lord what He wanted me to do, and He told me to ask the people what do they need. So today I leave my page open to your requests. The Bible is full of wisdom and there is an answer for all things. Please comment on topics or situations that you would like to receive biblical truth on. God wants to meet with you and give you wisdom and understanding for your needs. Can’t wait to hear from you! If you want your request private, you can inbox me on
Facebook (Heaven’s Garden) or
Twitter (Bonnie Rimpson@HeavensGardens) or
email me at heavensgardenrestored@yahoo.com

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Erase Their Fears

6/15/2016

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As I wake up with three toddlers sprawled across my bed, I couldn’t help to ask the Lord “why”. Why do they all end up laying in my bed when they clearly have their own rooms with their own beds?

This is the scripture that the Lord gave me:

1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

All my babies are dreamers and seers. Like me when I was young they have very vivid dreams and they get fearful when the enemy comes to torment them when they sleep. Of course, I pray and speak scripture over them, but there is a direct attack over their dreams because it is a part of their calling.

They come to my husband and I because we love them unconditionally. The love that we have for them casts out their fear. They feel safe when they are in our presence. When they are older, they will feel the same security in knowing that Jesus is always with them. For now, we are representing their relationship with God.

It is always funny to me when watching movies how the most cussing, violent, unbearable, characters call on Jesus when they are in trouble. When the world is ending or something unexplainable is happening they say “oh my God” or simply “Jesus”. I think this is a natural response worked into our DNA. We are programmed to call out to the Father whether we realize it or not. I believe that this is the reason that most times baby’s first words are “Da Da” even when the father isn’t present.

So in the meantime it is my assignment to reassure them that they are safe and Jesus is with them. I need to keep praying, keep speaking scripture, and keep teaching them how to do the same. They will learn how to call on the name of Jesus for themselves, but for now I have to pour out love on them to make them feel safe.

Philippians 4:8
Meditate on These Things
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

We have to create an atmosphere of peace and teach them how to think about all of these things and keep negative thoughts out of their minds (especially before going to sleep). Even in doing all of the “right things”, there will still be fears that our children have to overcome. We Have to let the love of God in us be the eraser that wipes away those fears until they are all gone.

I challenge you today to look at your children’s fears and see how they relate to their call in life. Be patient and cover them with the love of God that casts out all fear. Pray over them and teach them the comfort that Jesus is always with them and He is strong when they are weak.

Father we thank You for Your perfect love that casts out all fear. Forgive us for getting frustrated with our children’s fears instead of loving them through them. Show us how to identify when their purpose is being attacked. Teach us how to pray against the attacks of the enemy against their purpose. Increase us in wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and strategy so that we may raise our children for Your glory. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen!

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Enough Love For Them All

6/8/2016

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Having my first baby changed my life. Although I did everything out of order, God knew exactly what I needed to slow me down. I was on a fast path to self-destruction. Becoming a mom, made me look at life differently. I could no longer be selfish. All my decisions would now affect my baby. I never knew love like I experienced from my daughter. Although I didn’t have a relationship with Jesus yet, I got married to her father and got pregnant right away.

Ephesians 2:3-5 (NKJV)
3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),

I couldn’t imagine having a second child. Was I going to have enough love for both of them? Was my first born going to feel like she was being replaced? My marriage was already falling apart. Was my next daughter going to know her father?

I wasn’t saved yet, but God’s grace is sufficient. His hand was on me before I even realized it. My heart filled with love for my second daughter. I was amazed at how love doesn’t run out. My first baby didn’t lack any love. I loved them both uniquely but equally. They were so very different.

Jeremiah 31:3
The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.

Going through my separation and divorce was a humbling, hurtful experience. It brought me to a place of desperation. I had lost everything, but I couldn’t quit. My babies needed me! The road to salvation was before me. Why did I wait so long? I thought I knew love, but I never knew a love like this!

Romans 5:5-6(NKJV)
5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

Not only did God pour His overwhelming love on me, He forgave me, transformed me, restored me, made me whole, and new! He did all of that while also enlarging my capacity to love, forgive, and have compassion for others. Although I desired to be married, if I never did again, Jesus was enough. I was so in love with Him and poured myself into His Word.

Ephesians 3:17-19 (NKJV)
17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Fast forward to the present, now married to my man of God for almost six years and have three more children, I still find myself full of love. Now forty-one and pregnant with my sixth child, I am still in awe of God’s never ending love. I love my first born today like the day she was born and more. I love the baby in my womb like “he” is already here and it doesn’t take away my love for anybody else. It never runs out! It doesn’t cost anything and it’s the answer to everything. God is love!

1 John 4:7-8 (NKJV)
Knowing God Through Love
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

Father, we thank You that your love never runs out. Just as you have given us enough love for all of our children, You have more than enough love for all of Yours. Forgive us for forgetting that Your love covers a multitude of sin (1 Peter 4:8). Forgive us for hiding in our sin instead of letting Your love deliver us. Show us how to receive the fullness of Your love and enlarge our capacity to love others. We want to know You as Father who’s love never gives up or runs out. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!

2 Corinthians 13:11
[ Greetings and Benediction ] Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

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