ABOVE RUBIES NEWSLETTER #2, Nov 2015
Dear Above Rubies readers,
May blessings be poured down upon you from the Father above--upon you, your husband, and all your family. Remember, God is the author of family. He loves family. He delights to be part of your family life. Don’t take your family life for granted. Don’t let your family life become fragmented. The most powerful thing you can do is strengthen your marriage and home. Make it tight. Don’t allow your family life to become a roosting place where people bed down for the night, but a haven where you work together, play together, do creative things together, make wonderful memories together, and most of all pray and read God’s Word together.
You’ll be wondering why you haven’t received your new issue of Above Rubies. I am so sorry. I am desperate to get another one out to you, but I am still waiting for the finances to come in. It’s takes over about $60,000 to print and send out an issue across the world! As soon as I am nearing this amount, I will go to print again. Please pray with me for a great release of finance. Thousands of people receive Above Rubies and yet never give a cent. Pray that God will touch their hearts to give.
I make Above Rubies freely available to anyone and everyone. However, although I make it freely available it is not actually free. The only way we can keep printing is as people give. I pray that those who have a burden for the strengthening of marriage and family in the nation will give, so we can once again get this message out into the world.
In the meantime, here is a mini Above Rubies to inform and encourage you.
CALLING FOR CREATIVE DESIGN ARTISTS
FUN IDEAS FOR READING NURSERY RHYMES
RELAX AND ENJOY SOME BEAUTIFUL PICTURES
IF GOD TOUCHES YOUR HEART
If God touches your heart to give toward getting out this needed and important message to families, you can do it whichever way suits you best:
1) Go to either of the following links: :
http://bit.ly/AROnlineDonations
http://tinyurl.com/DonateToAboveRubies
2) Go to the webpage: www.aboverubies.org and you will see DONATE ONLINE on the top right hand corner.
3) Call the office to pay by credit card: 1 877 729 9861
4) Send a check to:
ABOVE RUBIES
PO Box 681687
Franklin TN 37068-1687
Thanks and many blessings. Hope it won’t be too long before you receive your new magazine.
BACK COPIES OF ABOVE RUBIES
While you patiently wait for your new magazine to be printed, you may like to catch up on some back copies. It’s hard to wait for a new magazine, isn’t it? The following are the copies we currently have available: 91, 90, 89, 88, 87, and 86. I also have a few slightly damaged (or perfect with a sticker covering an address) of the following: 85, 83, 75, and 76.
If you do not have any of the above copies, please state which numbers you would like to receive and give your full mailing address.
If you have a vision to share the magazine with friends and people you meet, please state how many extra you would like to receive. If you would like to read creative ideas for sharing Above Rubies, go to: http://tinyurl.com/DistributingIdeas
WHO OWNS YOUR TABLE?
I wonder what kind of table you have in your home? Is it round, square, or rectangular? Is it old or new? It doesn’t really matter what it looks like. The real question we have to ask ourselves is: who does our table belong to? Is it my table? Or is it the Lord’s table?
If God dwells in our home, it will be God’s table.
Did you know that God loves to have a table? In the Old Testament He says: “They shall enter into my sanctuary, and they shall come near to MY TABLE to minister unto me” (Ezekiel 44:16). Everything changes when you understand your table belongs to God. It changes how you conduct your meals. It changes what you do at your table. We understand that the table is not only a place to eat some food, but a place where we feed our children--body, soul, and spirit. We feed their bodies, but God is present to feed their souls and spirits.
We notice four wonderful things about our tables which belong to God.
1. God reminds us to “enter into my sanctuary.” We cannot taste the delights of God’s table unless we come to the table. Oh how many hours of delights families miss together because life’s programs stop them from sitting at the table together. So many of our activities happen around the evening meal time. They may be good, but they deprive us from the best.
We have to COME to the table. We have to ENTER into His sanctuary. We have to understand that our table is a sacred place because it is God’s table. When we understand it is God’s table, we won’t want to miss being at the table to meet with Him.
2. God reminds us to come NEAR to Him. God doesn’t want us to be far away from Him. He doesn’t want everything else in the world to captivate our hearts. At the table we come near to one another and near to God.
3. God reminds us (as we have mentioned) that our table is HIS TABLE.
4. God reminds us that the table is where we MINISTER UNTO HIM. God had His table in the Holy Place in the tabernacle. Every single day the twelve loaves of bread sat upon the table. Every week the priests came in and ate of the bread and fellowshipped with God and then placed new bread upon the table. The table was never without bread. It was called the “CONTINUAL shewbread” (Leviticus 24:5-8 and 2 Chronicles 2:4). Even when they traveled to a new place the continual bread could never leave the table (Numbers 4:7).
God always has bread on His table. It’s there every day for us. It never runs out. We never have to go hungry in our souls and spirits. And therefore at our table each day, we open God’s precious Word and read it. It ministers to us and to our children. It prepares them for life. It prepares them to face the world. We cannot do without it or we starve spiritually. And not only does God minister to us by filling us with His eternal bread, but we minister to Him as we pray, and praise Him for all that He is.
Don’t vacate God’s table. He waits at His table in your home to meet with you, to feed you, and to have fellowship with you.
CALLING FOR CREATIVE DESIGN ARTISTS
THE POWER OF MOTHERHOOD is a manual to encourage and strengthen mothers in their high calling from God. It is the classic book for all mothers. It goes into God’s Word to find out what He says to you about as a mother. We completely sold out of this book many months ago.
Many are eagerly awaiting and we have a file of names waiting for the new printing. However, before reprinting this time I am re-editing and am now nearly finished. In readiness to reprint I would like to also do a new front cover. If you would like to make a design for this cover, I’d love to see your creation.
The size of the cover is 8 1/2 x 11”. You may use art or a photography but it must be something that has the anointing of motherhood about it. The title which can be arranged as you desire is as follows:
THE POWER OF MOTHERHOOD
What the Bible Says About You as a Mother!
By Nancy Campbell
Please send by email attachment to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
If you have more questions, don’t hesitate to email me. I will also give payment for the front cover I choose. I will look forward to seeing your contributions. Thank you so much.
TRY DIFFERENT PRAYER BOXES
I have written to you before about making a Prayer Box to help your children pray more effectively. Did you know you don’t have to be limited to only one Prayer Box? You can make up more than one for different subjects. You can then alternate them each week. Here are some ideas for different Prayer Boxes you may like to have in your home.
OUR FAMILY PRAYER BOX
On your prayer cards, write the names of each member of your family, plus extended family.
OUR WORLD CHANGING PRAYER BOX
Write on your prayer cards the needs in our nation, international needs, missionaries you are praying for, and current needs that require prayer. Look up this link to get ideas to pray for the needs of the world: http://tinyurl.com/IdeasForPrayerCards
OUR CHURCH FELLOWSHIP PRAYER BOX
Going through my cupboards the other week I found this very box which we used for some time. Write cards of the different families in your church who need prayer and encouragement.
OUR PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS PRAYER BOX
This is such a powerful and biblical Prayer Box to use. There are so many countries persecuting Christians that it is hard to keep up with all the needs of the persecuted church around the world. The persecution of Christians in the 10/40 Window has increased by 400 percent over the last 10 years. That’s why it’s great to have a box especially designated for the persecuted church.
Your box will be fat with cards, especially if you write in every one of the 60 countries who persecute Christians. Don’t forget North Korea which is the most persecuting country of Christians in the world.
And how can we not pray every day for what is happening in Iraq and Syria where they face beheadings, rapings, and cruelties beyond measure.?
Did you know that even this last week ISIS captured the Syrian town of Maheen and then launched an attack on the nearby town of Sadad, which is the home to nearly 15,000 Syriac Orthodox Christians. This four year old civil war has killed close to 250,000 people so far, and forced nearly half of Syria’s population (11 million people) to flee their homes. Can you imagine this many people without homes?
No wonder Hebrews 13: 3 tells us to pray for them as though we were in prison with them and to feel their suffering as though we were suffering their pain in our own body.
Here is a link to give you more information about the persecuted church:
http://www.worldwatchlist.us/world-watch-list-countries/
OUR 10/40 WINDOW PRAYER BOX
The 10/40 Window is the rectangular area of North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia approximately between 10 degrees north and 40 degrees north latitude. These countries include the majority of the world's Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists--a high percentage of the least evangelized and unreached peoples with the Gospel.
These countries include: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Azerbaijan
Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Brunei, Burkina Faso
Cambodia, Chad, China, Hong KongChina, Macau
Djibouti, East Timor, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia
Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel
Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, North Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan
Laos, Lebanon, Libya
Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar (Burma)
Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar
Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria
Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan
United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vietnam,
West Bank / Gaza, Western Sahara, Yemen
Wow! Do you know where all these countries are situated? What a great project to learn about each one gradually and add to your Prayer Box. It is such a great way for your children to learn about these countries and get a heart for missions at an early age. Not only a heart for missions, but a heart to pray for the lost and the unreached peoples of the world.
OUR COUNTRIES AND CAPITALS PRAYER BOX
We currently use this box along with OUR WORLD CHANGING PRAYER BOX. I write on cards the names of the capitals and countries of the most needy in the world. Not only is it a reminder to pray for them, but it is a great way for your children to get to know the capitals of the countries of the world.
OUR NEIGHBORHOOD PRAYER BOX
If you have a vision to reach out to your neighborhood, your community, and city, the best idea is to start with your Prayer Box. Put in the names of the families God puts upon your heart to pray for. As you pray for them, God will show you how He wants you to reach out to them. Maybe He will inspire you to invite them over for a meal to show them God’s love and what it’s like to live in a Christian home.
Get your children helping to make the Prayer Boxes you would like to use in your home--and also writing the cards.
USE PICTURES
Another good idea is to use pictures of people (missionaries, a certain person you are praying for to be saved or healed, the kind of people who live in a certain country and so on) and places (pictures or maps of the countries you are praying for), especially when you have young children. This helps them to pray more effectively.
COLOR CODING
A mother shared with me what she does with their PRAYER CARDS for the family. Because she has children of varying ages, she writes very simple prayer needs on colored cards and more intense or political needs on white cards. The older children know to take a white card out of the Prayer Box and the younger children a colored card.
P.S. More links to check out:
http://tinyurl.com/OurPrayerBox
http://tinyurl.com/RecommendedLinks
http://tinyurl.com/PrayerInTheHome
http://aboverubies.org/morning-evening-principle
BREAST MILK NEEDED
A message from Nicole Stol * This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and Meredith Brewer * This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
“Dear Above Rubies Ladies, I thank you for your care for mothering and nurturing as God’s highest calling for us as women! Would you please pray with me for breast milk and healing for this little sweetheart Tayla. Nicole Stol met Autumn (Tayla’s mom) and Tayla at Children’s Hospital. Autumn is a believer in Christ who lives in Bellingham, Washington. Please pray with me for her 11 month old daughter Tayla.
At five months, a tumor was found in her stomach. It was surgically removed and returned. They next tried chemo and it returned again even more aggressively. At this point the doctors have said that a surgery would most likely end her life. She goes to Children’s this Wednesday for more consultation. She now has the ability to try natural treatments.
At the time of surgery Autumn’s milk supply was compromised and they did not allow her to work to get it back up, but switched little Tayla to formula. Will you please pray with me for complete healing and a supply of breast milk for Tayla? With her serious health condition she would benefit greatly from God’s perfect food - breast milk. Please also pass this info along to others who are nursing. Maybe you have a friend who has a freezer full of breast milk that will go to waste, or even a cup--none will be wasted! We do have a volunteer to transport milk from Seattle to Bellingham - let us see what the Lord will provide!
Or make contact for sending breastmilk.”
Meredith Brewer * This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and Karen Felmley: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
UNITED KINGDOM
We have new coordinators for Above Rubies in the United Kingdom.
1 Linden Road, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 7JF
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Ph: Telephone 07879693041
Tania is also organizing our speaking itinerary for Spring 2016. Currently we have two Ladies Retreats in different parts of the UK booked for the following dates:
11 - 12 March 2016
18 - 20 March 2016
One will be held in Reading in the south, and one in Crewe up towards the North (Liverpool/Manchester area). Contact Tania for further details.
HAVE YOU PURCHASED THE NURSERY RHYME BOOK YET?
NANNY’S NURSERY RHYMES
Have you bought your nursery rhyme book for your children or grandchildren yet? You will love this brightly-colored, delightfully-illustrated NANNY'S NURSERY RHYMES. They are easy to learn because of the rhythm and rhyme, and also the repetition of the words. Little babies are drawn to listen to rhythm--the first sound they hear is the beating rhythm of their mother's heart. Research also shows that the more beat in the words, the more they love to listen and the easier they memorize. Read them with a beat. This book has a strong, hard cover and will last the wear and tear of your children and hopefully for the next generation.
To order, go to: http://tinyurl.com/NannysNurseryRhymes
FUN IDEAS FOR READING THE NURSERY RHYMES
1. PERSONALIZE
Where it mentions a name in a nursery rhyme, say your child’s name instead. They love it when you make it personal. Here are some examples for changing the words:
WHO IS SHE? p. 13.
I have a little girl called Molly
She’s so cute, she really is jolly,
Her smile is so sweet,
She really is neat,
My girl who is always so jolly!
LITTLE PETER TRUMAN, p. 27
My little Jack is a very brave guy,
He always stands for truth and never tells a lie.
I’ll never hear him swear or do something sly,
My son Jack is a special little guy.
WITH ALL MY MIGHT, p. 16
When Harry has to do a chore,
He does it straight away,
He never grumbles or complains,
There’s always time to play.
He puts a smile upon his face,
Because he knows it’s right.
He puts his shoulder to the task
And does it with his might!
HELLO, p. 47
I’m a little princess, my name is Grace,
I love to dress up and wear pretty lace,
The monster doesn’t like my smiley face,
So he runs away to his naughty place.
YOU’RE PRETTY WHEN YOU SMILE, p. 60
___________, little _____________, why do you frown?
You used to be the prettiest girl in town!
2. EMPHASIZE THE BEAT
Be emphatic when you recite nursery rhymes with your children. Emphasize the rhythm of the beat, especially at the end when words rhyme. This helps them to memorize the rhyme and also to learn rhythm and new words. For example:
I CAN’T STOP LAUGHING, p. 10
I can’t stop laughing,
My sides are SORE,
It’s those kookaburras
With their loud GUFFAW.
they laugh eerie morning,
They laugh every NIGHT ,
I can’t stop laughing
At the funny SIGHT.
3. CHANT WITH YOU
Encourage your children to recite with you as you read and point to the words. Or you can make up tunes to them and they can sing with you.
4. MISS OUT WORDS
As you read, miss out a rhyming word at the end of the line and see if your children can say the word. They love this. Sometimes you can even add a positive comment at the end. These are wonderful moments to input into your children’s lives.
p. 5.
Jake likes cupcakes, Cindy likes cheese,
But I love spaghetti, more, mommy, _______ .
We always remember to say, "Please" when we ask for something, don't we?
p.6.
If you want to be smart,
Keep truth in your _______ .
God says that we have to have truth right down in the very inward part of our being. If you keep truth in your heart, it will be easy to speak it out of your mouth, won't it?
p. 14.
A baby has come to our house to stay,
I can't wait till he's bigger and we can ________,
He'll be my best friend forever and ever,
Because we are a family that sticks __________ .
p. 16.
I put a smile jupon my face,
Because I know it's right,
I put my shoulder to the task,
And do it with my ___________ .
p. 52
Frowns make your face look really bad,
They zap your energy, which is __________,
Frowns make you feel too weak to play,
They even scare your friends __________"
You won’t ever do that, will you?
p. 36
"Work away, work away,
I am having fun.
Work away, work away,
Singing on the _________ .
Do you like to sing while you work? Let's make up a tune to sing to this song, shall we?
p. 53.
I love helping Mommy with her work,
And from it I will never ____________..
Do you know what this word means?
I get "stuck in," I don't try to flee,
"Lazy" is not in my _______________!
That's a big word, isn't it? Let me hear you say it again.
p. 55
When your foot begins to slip,
God will old you with His ______!
5. FUN PHRASES
Children love fun words to say. One of my children's favorite books I read to them when they were young was "Huge Harold" by Bill Peet. One of the lines read:
"Doggone and Dagnabit,
That's what I call a whoppin' big rabbit."
Today, even in their forties and fifties they still like to quote this phrase from the book and even say it to their children:
Your children will enjoy saying: “Dippy-dabby-doo-dah” p. 23
And “Hoopdee-doo”” p. 32 (which I picked up from a friend who continually used this expression). You or your children may like to add some extra lines to Hoopdee-doo. They will have fun adding extra lines to this poem.
6. CLAP WITH THE BEAT
Sometimes when you read, clap along with the beat, and get your children to clap with you.
7. DO ACTIONS
You or your children can also make up actions to go with the rhymes which they can remember each time. Other times, you could act out the nursery rhyme for your child to copy. Or even better, let them be creative and act it out as you read it.
8. WRONG WORD
Say the wrong word as you read and see if your children correct you!
9. ASK QUESTIONS
There may be some subjects with which your children are not familiar. Ask questions and then discover and research more about them with your children, E.g. the moa on p. 8, 9; the kookaburra on p. chiggers on page 19, the didgeridoo on p. 33; Timbuktu on . 33; the Model T on p. 49.
10. NEW RHYMING WORDS
After reading a nursery rhyme, see if your child can think of another word that rhymes, e.g. OUR NEW CAR, p. 23. The rhyming words are car, far, and star. Ask them if they can think of more words than end with “ar.” Here’s another one: WORK IS FUN, p. 36. The rhyming words end with fun and run. Ask them how many words they can think of that end with “un.” You can gradually do this with all the nursery rhymes.
GERMAN FAMILY NEEDS NANNY
“We are a German family (Daniel, Isa, and our three sons ages one, three, and five) that just moved to France in order to be able to homeschool our children when they reach school age. We live close to the German and Swiss border so that Daniel can work as a teacher in Loerrach. We are looking for a young English-speaking lady between 18 and 21 years who would like to stay with us as a family helper ‘till the middle of July 2016. It would be great to have someone who likes taking care of children and helping with household chores. If you are interested and would like to get more information please send an Email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
We are looking forward to hear from you!
In Christ, Daniel and Isa Hauck
SHARING THE JOY
This is a picture of the Moore family. Edee has just given birth to their 12th baby, DECLARE PRAISE MOORE, was born 29 August, 2015. The more children in the family, the more excitement and celebration when a baby is born! Edee and her husband produce a number of family DVDs to show the joy of family life. I know you will find a blessing. I’ll let you know about them .
A-B-C SAY IT WITH ME--Bible Memory Verses
This is a very popular DVD. An enjoyable and easy way for the whole family to memorize and apply the character building truths of God’s Word! It’s especially wonderful for little children. Through songs and stories they learn a Scripture for every letter of the alphabet. They are entertained and learn the Scriptures at the same time. I heartedly recommend it.
Go to: http://tinyurl.com/ABCSayItWithMe
This is the story of the Moss family, sharing their daily lives. Some of the features shared are:
Why they educate their children at home
Why they trust God for children after six c-sections
How God brought them through trial
How brothers and sisters can be best friends
Once again, you’ll be blessed.
Go to: http://bit.ly/ItsYourLife
This is the story of the Moore family themselves, showing and transparently telling their journey of worldly thinking to how God showed them children are a blessing. You will love it.
Go to: http://bit.ly/ChildrenAreABlessing
TEEN TO TEEN
A message to all young people from McKennaugh Kelley * This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;
“This is a message from a fellow teen to any young people who have ever been or ever wanted to be involved in the pro-life movement! I am in the process of starting an organization called APPOINT. Our mission is to show the truth about abortion to our peers. If you are in your teens, a quarter of your generation has been aborted. It’s time for us to speak up for future generations. Please join me! We need both volunteer and monetary support. Read more about us and get in contact at www.AppointTheGeneration.org
A quick list of a few of the different ways you can help:
Share your story about how you stood up for the unborn for our Y.O.U. program
Pray that God would direct us and enable us to make a difference
Volunteer to assist with getting the word out about APPOINT
Contribute your pro-life photos and/or videos
Offer graphic design skills
Contribute to our literature
Do an outreach
Offer any ideas you might have
Donate
Do a blog post on us
IF YOU WANT TO HELP, WE CAN USE YOU!”
GODLY SEX EDUCATION
I haven’t checked the book myself but Melanie Ellison *:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. writes the following: “Occasionally parents ask me if I have any recommendations for a godly book to use to teach sex education to their children. I have looked for several years and finally found one that I can recommend. It is The Amazing Beginning of You, by Matt & Lisa Jacobson, put out by ZonderKidz (Zondervan). It is a Christian book for ages 8–12. Very simple and tastefully done from explaining the basics of conception through the nine months of pregnancy (with beautiful pictures). You can look inside it on Amazon.
LARGE HOME FOR SALE
Gwen Moffat Davis. Director Latter Rain Missions and Int’l Children’s Ministry Institute is selling their ministry home. Gwen is a long-standing friend of mine. In fact, she came from the States to our church when we were pastoring in Australia.
THE HAVEN sits on six lots (three lots with threes). It has eight bedrooms, a large cathedral ceiling fire place room (holds 60), a large two table size dining room, four bathrooms, an indoor and outdoor garage, prayer rooms, and a large parking lot. It also has a three bedroom/two bath-mobile home that can be used for extra housing, rental, or be sold and removed from the property. It is located on the very edge of a town of 7,000, Litchfield, IL. It is 45 min from Springfield, IL and 75 min from the St. Louis airport.
This property could be used for:
1) Large homeschooling family (8 bedrooms and 4 bath)
2) Healing House (large living room for 50 people + much more)
3) Rehab Center (could sleep up to 20)
4) Financial blessing (remodeled 3 bedroom trailer + 2 bath that can be rented or sold).
Sounds a great opportunity. Pass on the information.
Go to this link for a picture of the home:
You can phone Gwen at 217-259-1989 or email her at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
RELAX AND ENJOY SOME BEAUTIFUL PICTURES
THE GREATEST CAREER
Do you want to be inspired today in your powerful role of mothering? Check out these pictures of beautiful mothers and babies. Your heart will melt and you will be stirred again in your high and noble calling:
https://www.pinterest.com/aboverubiesmag/i-love-motherhood-paintings/
STILL IN LOVE
Take a moment to enjoy these beautiful pictures of older couples who are still in love. You will delight in seeing these pictures:
https://www.pinterest.com/aboverubiesmag/i-love-older-couples-who-are-still-in-love/
ARE YOUR CHILDREN GRUMBLING AND MISERABLE?
Call our children and look at the pictures in this following link of children singing and praising the Lord. Then begin to sing some songs together:
https://www.pinterest.com/aboverubiesmag/i-love-children-singing-and-worshipping/
MARRIAGE HYMN
I love the hymns of Charles Wesley, but only recently discovered a hymn he wrote for his marriage day. He didn’t marry until he was 40 years, but after much prayer and preparation his brother, John Wesley married him to Sarah Gwynne in a little village church in Wales. Praise, prayer, and thanksgiving were the sole occupations of that day. Charles Wesley wrote: “It was a solemn day, such as became the dignity of Christian marriage.”
I also think we should never lose the dignity of marriage. Above all the celebrations the couple should seek the presence and anointing of God for their wedding day and for all their life through. Here is the hymn he wrote and which was sung at the wedding:
How happy the pair whom Jesus unites
In friendship to share angelic delights
Whose chaste conversation is coupled with fear,
Whose sure expectation is holiness here.
My Jesus, my Lord, Thy grace I commend,
So kind to afford my weakness a friend,
The only good pleasure on me hath bestowed
A heavenly treasure, a servant of God.
DO WE PUT ENOUGH HONOR ON MARRIAGE?
“There never has been a generation whose view of marriage is high enough!”
~ John Piper
I WOULD BE LIKE JESUS
We sang the following hymn at our Family Devotions this morning. Lovely words to contemplate as you mother in your home.
Earthly pleasures vainly call me;
I would be like Jesus;
Nothing worldly shall enthrall me;
I would be like Jesus.
CHORUS:
Be like Jesus, this my song,
In the home and in the throng;
Be like Jesus, all day long!
I would be like Jesus.
He has broken every fetter,
I would be like Jesus;
That my soul may serve Him better,
I would be like Jesus.
All the way from earth to glory,
I would be like Jesus;
Telling o’er and o’er the story,
I would be like Jesus.
That in Heaven He may meet me,
I would be like Jesus;
That His words “Well done” may greet me,
I would be like Jesus.
FAITHFUL CHILDREN
God specifically encourages us as parents to raise FAITHFUL children. Titus 1:6 writes to pastors and elders that they must be men of unquestionable integrity who have “FAITHFUL children not accused of riot or unruly.” This is God’s standard for all parents, but a pastor who leads a flock, must of course hold up this standard.
The word “faithful” is pistos and means children who are “believers who hold to the faith, truthful, trustworthy, and faithful in all things.” The same word is used in the following Scriptures:
Matthew 24:45-47: “Who then is a faithful and wise servant . . . Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.”
Matthew 25:21, 23: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”
Luke 16:10: “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.”
We have a responsibility to live this truth before our children. Do they see us being faithful in the little things of life? Do they see us faithfully doing the same things day after day without grumbling and complaining? Do they see us happily and contentedly changing diapers, preparing meals, and cleaning the house?
As they SEE this attribute in our lives it becomes easier to train them to be faithful in the little things of life. It is a God-given principle that we will only move into greater things as we are faithful to the daily routine of life.
The opposite of faithful children are children who are “accused of riot or unruly (disobedient).” The word “riot” is asotia and is used for extravagant squandering (the same word used of the prodigal son in Luke 15:13). It describes one who easily gives into the flesh, worldly lusts, and appetites.
May God help us we lead our children to faith in Christ (No. 1 ultimate vision for our children) and train them to be faithful and trustworthy in the daily duties of life and home. They will not be ready for greater things unless they learn to be faithful in the little things now.
DIGNIFIED CHILDREN
Did you know the Bible also talks about raising DIGNIFIED children?
1 Timothy 1:4 (NASB) reveals that God doesn’t want unruly children, but dignified children. This Scripture once again talks to pastors and elders (but it applies to all parents): “He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity.”
The word for “dignity” is semnotes and means “dignity, decency, honesty, and inspiring respect and honor from other people.” Dignified children have a good testimony before the world. Aristotle defined this as the virtue between caring to please nobody and endeavoring at all costs to please everybody. Zodhiates Lexical Aids to the New Testament says: "It is the ability to perform well one's duties as a citizen, but in addition showing that the dignity is not from this earth but from heaven, thus drawing respect and reverence."
When specifically speaking to the young men, Titus 2:7 encourages them again about dignity: “In all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.”
How many of us have dignified children? Dignified in their speech, conduct, and manner of life? So dignified that other people take notice.
Let’s elevate the standard and raise dignified children in this world--children who are good examples of belonging to God’s kingdom and the King of kings and Lord of lords. We must constantly remind them that they belong to royalty.
LET’S COUNT OUR BLESSINGS
Psalm 31:21 says: “Blessed be the Lord for he hath showed me his marvelous kindness.”
God’s MARAVELOUS KINDNESS. What incredible words. Let’s discover what they really mean?
Marvelous is the Hebrew word pala and means “extraordinary, wonderful, miraculous, astonishing, remarkable, and beyond the bounds of human powers or expectations.” It is used in Genesis 18:14: “Is anything too hard (pala) for the Lord?” How could you get a better word than that?
Well, let’s look at kindness. The Hebrew word is chesed and means “God’s everlasting covenant love relationship with His people; lovingkindness, benevolence, goodness, mercy, loyalty, and unfailing love.”
It’s easy to let the days go by and not take time to think of God’s unfailing love and constant blessings to us, isn’t it? After reading that Scripture I wrote down some of my blessings:
Above all I am blessed to have eternal salvation through the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ’s death upon the cross and His blood that He poured out for me. If I received no other blessing, this would be enough.
I am blessed to have a faithful and loving husband. Our marriage of over 52 years is more beautiful every day.
I am blessed to have family all around me--nine children, 42 grandchildren so far, three great-grands and two more on the way. What else could be more enjoyable? The entertainments of this world cannot compare with the joys of family life.
I am blessed with the riches of God’s precious Word, prayer, and fellowship--wonderful Sunday morning church services in our home, glorious worship services on Tuesday nights in downtown Nashville, amazing prayer meetings in our home on Wednesday evenings where so many of the grandchildren come and pray (we often have up to 30 at the prayer meeting praying), beautiful Shabbat evenings on Friday night where we bathe in the presence of God, wonderful Morning and Evening Family devotions every day. What richness!
I am blessed to do the ministry of Above Rubies which touches thousands of women each day.
I am blessed with God’s miraculous provision for our needs and the joy of cooking healthy meals for ourselves and all we invite to our table.
And this is only the beginning.
Let’s constantly count out blessings.
May God pour out His Spirit mightily upon you and all your family.
Blessings to you from Nancy Campbell
P.S. Hope you don’t have to wait too long for your new magazine.