They’re re-doing the parking lot at one of the malls. It’s one of those lots where the “road” is around the outer edge, so everyone cuts across the parking spaces. The new design has landscaped dividers, which will force the traffic back on the road. It will be interesting to see the response of the patrons when the work is done. Will the added beauty offset the annoyance of having to drive a longer distance?
We don’t always appreciate the boundaries others set for us. We want the shortcuts. We want our own way, even with God. Ezekial 33:17 says, "Yet your fellow citizens say, 'The way of the Lord is not right,' when it is their own way that is not right.” Staying on the road with a Biblical standard may seem like the long way around, and we will meet with resistance from our fellow citizens, but it is the right road.
Have you encountered fellow citizens who say, “The way of the Lord is not right”?
God bless….
Millie McNabb, founder of Christian Values Legacy, offers parenting seminars that focus on passing on your Christian values. Request your free report “Considerations for Intentionally Raising Children to Become Christian Adults” today at www.ChristianValuesLegacy.com.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Reminders
We just replaced our coffee table. It was the last piece of our “Early American Mobile Home” furniture we had when we married thirty-two years ago. It made the trek with us from Pocatello to Spokane, to Bremerton, to Baltimore and back to Idaho.
The table was just the right height for four little girls and their friends to sit and color, sitting on the stools Grandpa and Grandma got for them. It also served as the children’s dining table whenever it got too crowded at the main table.
When the girls were small, it was a wonderful cave. We’d put a blanket over it, and it made a delightful place to hide away. It was also a great tunnel for follow-the-leader.
I appreciate the “reminders” in our lives like the table: reminders of people who have touched our lives; reminders of family times together; reminders of God’s blessings through the years. Deuteronomy 6:9 talks about writing God’s law on our doorpost as a reminder, so that we don’t forget God when everything is going well.
What are some of the “reminders” in your life?
God bless…
Millie McNabb, B.A., B.Mus.
Strategies and support for parents who are intentionally raising children to become Christian adults. http://www.christianvalueslegacy.com/
The table was just the right height for four little girls and their friends to sit and color, sitting on the stools Grandpa and Grandma got for them. It also served as the children’s dining table whenever it got too crowded at the main table.
When the girls were small, it was a wonderful cave. We’d put a blanket over it, and it made a delightful place to hide away. It was also a great tunnel for follow-the-leader.
I appreciate the “reminders” in our lives like the table: reminders of people who have touched our lives; reminders of family times together; reminders of God’s blessings through the years. Deuteronomy 6:9 talks about writing God’s law on our doorpost as a reminder, so that we don’t forget God when everything is going well.
What are some of the “reminders” in your life?
God bless…
Millie McNabb, B.A., B.Mus.
Strategies and support for parents who are intentionally raising children to become Christian adults. http://www.christianvalueslegacy.com/
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Temperamental Adjustment
Brrr! I was just taking a shower to warm up after being out in the cold weather. (We have snow on the ground.) I was “bonding” with the water, as my daughter says, and reached down to warm it up a bit. Suddenly, the water went cold. I overcame the shock, and quickly readjusted the temperature.
The cold water is temperamental. The valve has a spot near shut-off, where it lets a greater volume of cold water through. Usually I remember to compensate for that spot, but tonight I forgot.
We all have, and know people who have, “temperamental” spots. We get to know those spots, and compensate for those idiosyncrasies. That’s part of temperament coaching. That’s part of a love relationship. “Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins” (I Peter 4:8.)
Have you had to make temperamental adjustments in your relationships?
God bless…
Millie McNabb, B.A., B.Mus.
Temperament coaching for individuals, couples, parents, teachers and homeschoolers. www.ChristianValuesLegacy.com
The cold water is temperamental. The valve has a spot near shut-off, where it lets a greater volume of cold water through. Usually I remember to compensate for that spot, but tonight I forgot.
We all have, and know people who have, “temperamental” spots. We get to know those spots, and compensate for those idiosyncrasies. That’s part of temperament coaching. That’s part of a love relationship. “Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins” (I Peter 4:8.)
Have you had to make temperamental adjustments in your relationships?
God bless…
Millie McNabb, B.A., B.Mus.
Temperament coaching for individuals, couples, parents, teachers and homeschoolers. www.ChristianValuesLegacy.com
Monday, December 8, 2008
Deserving a Break
Yesterday I took my grand-daughters to our local playland/restaurant. They ate about half of their food, and then headed into the play area. They climbed to the top tier, came down the curly slide, explored the nooks and crannies, and periodically got my attention to “Look at me.” After about 30 minutes, I gave them the "5 more minutes" notice.
Then my adventure began. Usually they're pretty good about coming when I then say it's time to go. However, yesterday, I had to capture the two-year-old to put her shoes and coat on. When I let her go, she ran into the caged area and threw herself flat on the floor. I picked her up by the back of the coat and hauled her out.
Then the three-year-old escaped, giggling, into the little playhouse. I would be at risk of getting stuck going in after her, so with the younger one under one arm, I got the older one’s shoes and coat gathered up, and waited just out of sight for her to poke her nose out. When she did, I scooped her up. She started hollering, and we headed for the car.
Lesson #1: Don't take young children out at naptime.
Lesson #2: If you ignore lesson #1, take another adult with you.
I invite you to share your adventures with unruly children in public.
God bless…
Millie McNabb, B.A., B.Mus.
Strategies and support for parents who are intentionally raising children to become Christian adults. www.ChristianValuesLegacy.com
Then my adventure began. Usually they're pretty good about coming when I then say it's time to go. However, yesterday, I had to capture the two-year-old to put her shoes and coat on. When I let her go, she ran into the caged area and threw herself flat on the floor. I picked her up by the back of the coat and hauled her out.
Then the three-year-old escaped, giggling, into the little playhouse. I would be at risk of getting stuck going in after her, so with the younger one under one arm, I got the older one’s shoes and coat gathered up, and waited just out of sight for her to poke her nose out. When she did, I scooped her up. She started hollering, and we headed for the car.
Lesson #1: Don't take young children out at naptime.
Lesson #2: If you ignore lesson #1, take another adult with you.
I invite you to share your adventures with unruly children in public.
God bless…
Millie McNabb, B.A., B.Mus.
Strategies and support for parents who are intentionally raising children to become Christian adults. www.ChristianValuesLegacy.com
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Serve God in Your Generation
Today we attended the funeral of a great-Aunt. She lived to be 99, close to her goal of 100. She was the last one of her generation, and had out-lived several in the following generation. She was a people person with a broad range of interests and a positive attitude.
We’re fascinated by those who live a long life. The current oldest living person in the world is 115. Both of my grandmothers lived into their 90’s. The real question is not how long you live, but do you live well in the time you have.
King David lived about 80 years. I’ve always liked his epitaph: "For when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep….” Acts 13:36
How are you serving God in your generation?
God bless….
Millie McNabb, B.A., B.Mus.
Strategies and support for parents who are intentionally raising children to become Christian adults. www.ChristianValuesLegacy.com
We’re fascinated by those who live a long life. The current oldest living person in the world is 115. Both of my grandmothers lived into their 90’s. The real question is not how long you live, but do you live well in the time you have.
King David lived about 80 years. I’ve always liked his epitaph: "For when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep….” Acts 13:36
How are you serving God in your generation?
God bless….
Millie McNabb, B.A., B.Mus.
Strategies and support for parents who are intentionally raising children to become Christian adults. www.ChristianValuesLegacy.com
Friday, December 5, 2008
Sow in Tears, Reap in Joy
I’m reading Jeremiah now in my personal Bible reading. Jeremiah is known as “The Weeping Prophet.” It brought to mind “Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting” in Psalm 126:5.
I was a tomboy growing up. When I was in first or second grade, I fell on the playground, and got an ugly scrape on my forearm. However, I didn’t cry. Several classmates made comments like, “Ooh, you’re so brave. That must hurt, and you’re not crying.” I began to make it a matter of pride not to cry—not just for pain, but for any situation.
When I was in college, I came to the realization that I was crying for books and movies, but not for real life. I also realized that when I cut off tears, I became emotionally neutral, which also cut off joy. I intentionally started the journey back of allowing myself to cry.
Tears are evoked when something touches us emotionally. God uses tears to point us toward His purpose for us. What makes you cry? Where has God led you through tears?
God bless…
Millie McNabb, B.A., B.Mus.
Do you cry for concern that your children might miss, dismiss, or reject your Christian values?
Strategies and support for parents who are intentionally raising children to become Christian adults. www.ChristianValuesLegacy.com
I was a tomboy growing up. When I was in first or second grade, I fell on the playground, and got an ugly scrape on my forearm. However, I didn’t cry. Several classmates made comments like, “Ooh, you’re so brave. That must hurt, and you’re not crying.” I began to make it a matter of pride not to cry—not just for pain, but for any situation.
When I was in college, I came to the realization that I was crying for books and movies, but not for real life. I also realized that when I cut off tears, I became emotionally neutral, which also cut off joy. I intentionally started the journey back of allowing myself to cry.
Tears are evoked when something touches us emotionally. God uses tears to point us toward His purpose for us. What makes you cry? Where has God led you through tears?
God bless…
Millie McNabb, B.A., B.Mus.
Do you cry for concern that your children might miss, dismiss, or reject your Christian values?
Strategies and support for parents who are intentionally raising children to become Christian adults. www.ChristianValuesLegacy.com
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
The Proof of the Pudding is in the Eating
Chocolate Pie is one of the family favorites at Thanksgiving. Sometimes I make it totally from scratch. This year I used a box pudding. Either way, there’s a sequence of cooking the filling.
When you first add the dry and wet ingredients, they don’t mix well, and little lumps float on the top. As the mixture heats up, they start to blend. It takes a certain amount of patience and perseverance to make cooked pudding. It slowly thickens as it cooks over low heat, and it has to be constantly stirred to a full boil that cannot be stirred down. If you wander off, or turn up the heat, it scorches on the bottom and the burnt taste permeates the pudding. I know. I’ve tried these things.
This year as I was stirring the pudding, I thought about my mother. One of my favorite memories is of her standing at the stove, stirring with her right hand, while reading, holding a book in her left hand.
My mind traveled on to how passion for a cause develops somewhat like making pudding. Passion often starts with things that don’t mix well—situations that are downright irritating or offensive. There may be a wet side of the mix—things that make us cry, and awaken an emotional side of us.
God keeps the heat on. As much as we’d like to have conflicts resolved like one-hour television shows, the irritations continue, until our passion begins to take form. We realize that we’re called to be more than irritated; we’re called to address the offense. Our alliance with God thickens as we join Him in righting a wrong, defending the defenseless, or upholding His righteousness. Our passion boils, and it will not be stirred down.
Anger and annoyances can be an indicator from God of the path He wants us to take: “Be angry, and yet do not sin…” (Ephesians 4:26.) What are your thoughts about living a life of passion?
By the way, the chocolate pie was gone first. God bless…
Millie McNabb, B.A., B.Mus.
Temperament Profiles can help you identify your passion and God-given design. Find out more at www.ChristianValuesLegacy.com
When you first add the dry and wet ingredients, they don’t mix well, and little lumps float on the top. As the mixture heats up, they start to blend. It takes a certain amount of patience and perseverance to make cooked pudding. It slowly thickens as it cooks over low heat, and it has to be constantly stirred to a full boil that cannot be stirred down. If you wander off, or turn up the heat, it scorches on the bottom and the burnt taste permeates the pudding. I know. I’ve tried these things.
This year as I was stirring the pudding, I thought about my mother. One of my favorite memories is of her standing at the stove, stirring with her right hand, while reading, holding a book in her left hand.
My mind traveled on to how passion for a cause develops somewhat like making pudding. Passion often starts with things that don’t mix well—situations that are downright irritating or offensive. There may be a wet side of the mix—things that make us cry, and awaken an emotional side of us.
God keeps the heat on. As much as we’d like to have conflicts resolved like one-hour television shows, the irritations continue, until our passion begins to take form. We realize that we’re called to be more than irritated; we’re called to address the offense. Our alliance with God thickens as we join Him in righting a wrong, defending the defenseless, or upholding His righteousness. Our passion boils, and it will not be stirred down.
Anger and annoyances can be an indicator from God of the path He wants us to take: “Be angry, and yet do not sin…” (Ephesians 4:26.) What are your thoughts about living a life of passion?
By the way, the chocolate pie was gone first. God bless…
Millie McNabb, B.A., B.Mus.
Temperament Profiles can help you identify your passion and God-given design. Find out more at www.ChristianValuesLegacy.com
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