chapter 3

I love that her goal is to use Scripture to teach, rebuke, correct, and train in righteousness (pg 37). On that note...she has another little book that is like an outline with specific verses that correlate with specific sins. This is to be a little pocket guide to point out to your child what the Bible says about various sins they may commit. It is called Wise words for moms. I'm going to order this asap.

How fabulous is the step by step examples on how to use this type of correction!?

Jackson has just recently started verbalizing his emotions. If I tell him to do something he doesn't like or get onto him for something he will tell me that that made him mad or angry. At first this really annoyed me, but now I realize that this is a positive thing. He is able to express to me how he feels and I can help him work through "why" he feels that way and how he should respond to that emotion. I'm trying to remember that it isn't a sin for him to feel angry...the way he responds to that anger will determine whether or not he is sinning and needs correction.

He has also started telling me when he feels sad. Sometimes this drives me absolutely crazy! For a couple of weeks there he was saying, "Me so sad", about EVERYTHING that wasn't just right. I heard that phrase countless times in a day. I have just realized in the past week that I need to tell him that it is OK to feel sad sometimes, but he needs to think about everything he has to be thankful for. Today I listed many ways in which he is blessed (a mommy, daddy, and brother that love him so much, a house to keep him warm, a bed to sleep in, food to eat, toys to play with....and on and on). I explained that not all children in the world have all of these things and when he feels sad he needs to think about all of the reasons he has to be happy. After my explanation he just sat there for a second and then looked at me with a big smile and said, "Me so proud." I think I'm going to introduce the rejoice in the Lord always Scripture this week.

Page 45 is great too...training them to think like Christians.

anyone have any insight?

Chapter 2

Today has been one of those days!!! I seemed to drop everything, naps were not successful, and Jackson's playdate with his best bud did not go well at all!!! It was probably around the 3rd or 4th fight over a toy that I felt my blood starting to boil and by 1:00 my brain was total mush! On days like today it is sooo hard to think through the heart of the issue and have a successful, character building talk with a three year old.
I have really been trying to stay completely calm and talk through the issue and get to the heart of everything, but sometimes it is hard to know exactly what to say to make him understand. I have been trying explain why the action was wrong, how it made the other person feel and then follow through and go back to the scene of the crime and give him word for word the proper way to handle the situation giving him the tools to be successful next time.
"The heart determines the behavior." These outbursts of will are just a symptom of a heart issue. It is good for me to remember that every fit or act of disobedience is just a red flag signaling something that needs work and instruction. Following through every single time is going to result in a teenager/adult that has a heart for righteousness and can govern his own actions based on God's Word.

What thoughts did you have on the chapter?
Do you have any tricks on how to get straight to the heart issue in the heat of the moment?

chapter 1

I know we can all relate to those moments when we want to pull out our hair!! I think what gets me the most is the monotony of it all. Some days I feel like all I have done that day is feed someone, clean up after them, put someone down for a nap, feed someone again and clean up again. It can feel like mindless, routine without a purpose. But then there is that teachable moment, that I love you mommy, that cackle and it is all back into perspective. I truely believe that raising children with Godly character is the most important thing I will ever do. And I only have one shot to get it right.

I love this on page 21 "God does have an important job for me, and it does require much skill. It is my calling, my priority, my struggle, and my goal. I will rise to the occasion and accept the task at hand. I will love, nurture, and train my children in the way that God has called me to do." (I think I'll make this my personal mission statement.)


The grocery store story is hillarious!!! I too have moments where I find pride creeping in...I just pray that I can keep that in check before God sees fit to humble me in the grocery store:)

Possible discussion topics:
What stuck out to you in chapter 1?
Is it scary that we only have one chance to get this right?
Do you have a funny, humbling story?

Number of Chapters per week

Hello Ladies. I was thinking about the number of chapters we should try to do a week. I'm thinking we should read and discuss two chapters per week. That way it will only take us 6 weeks rather than 12. The chapters are really short and easy to read so it shouldn't be a problem. I'll try to post on Mondays and Wednesdays to get the chapters going for the week then everyone can post about those two chapters anytime throughout the week. The beauty of the blog is that if you aren't right on schedule for the chapters that week you can always post at anytime regarding any chapter that has been covered. I really hope that we can all get into this and really share what God puts on our hearts while reading this book.

Getting the book

Ok. It looks like everyone will have to order the book off of Amazon. I called around and got the last copy from Barnes & Noble on Archer. Barnes & Noble and all the other chain bookstores in Gainesville said they can order it and it would be $12 or $13. So you can go about it how ever you would like order it off Amazon (I looked and it is $11 but then you have to pay shipping too) or you can call one of the bookstores in town and have them order it and then go pick it up. It may sound like a bit of trouble but I promise this book will be worth it! Hope you can all get it soon...if we need to start the middle of next week rather than Monday so everyone can get the book we can do that.

Here is the blog spot.

Hello Ladies,
I just thought I'd send you the url to our book club blog spot. I was thinking that we could start our discussion of the book one week from tomorrow, Monday, Oct. 13th. That way we have one week to purchase the book. I'm going to call the Christian bookstores in Gainesville tomorrow to see who carries it or if it will need to be ordered online. I'll post as soon as I know so you will know where to find the book.

I want this to be a very informal book club. We can post anytime about any chapter. Talk about things in the book that stick out to you and ideas you have about applying certain concepts. Share your funny stories, your successful stories, frustrations...Anything!

We will try to shoot for talking about one chapter per week if you fall behind or get ahead it's fine just talk about the chapter you are on at the time. If you talk about something specifically from a different chapter it might be good to just reference the chapter you are talking about so everyone can be to the same page (so to speak:)

Let me know if you have any ideas for this blog...I hope we have a great time while sharing and learning alot.

Please forgive the bare bones that is my blog site...I'm just learning about all this blogging stuff. Hopefully I can add more to the page as I figure it all out.

Laura~