I love the different words God uses to describe our children. God loves to reveal His plans to us by pictures. Psalm 128:3 tells us that our children are like "olive plants" sitting all around our table. The Hebrew word for "olive" which is "zayith" says "an olive ("as yielding illuminating oil)."

Among many other uses the olive was used as oil for the lamps to light up their homes. It was also used to light the golden candlestick in the holy place of the tabernacle.

Just think, God gives you your children to light up your home. John 1:9 says that Christ lights each one who comes into this world. As we feed this light with God's Word, our children will become more and more filled with light, to not only bring more light into our home, but to one day take the light of God to a dark and deceived world.

Every child you embrace from the loving hand of God is another illuminating light to light up this world. In fact, the only way God can bring His light into this world is by His people (Matthew 5:14-16). Don't deprive the world of God's light by saying No to His children.

Love from Nancy Campbell

Each morning and evening at Family Devotions, after reading and prayer, we sing a chorus, a worship song, or a hymn. Most often we get out the hymn books. The other morning we sang "Who can cheer the heart like Jesus," one of my favorites. There are many today who are not familiar with the old hymns and therefore I thought I'd share the words with you. I especially love the words of the second and third verses? Nancy

Who can cheer the heart like Jesus
By His presence all divine
True and tender, pure and precious
O, how blest to call Him mine

Chorus:

ALL THAT THRILLS MY SOUL IS JESUS
HE IS MORE THAN LIFE TO ME
AND THE FAIREST OF TEN THOUSAND
IN MY BLESSED LORD I SEE

Love of Christ so freely given
Grace of God beyond degree
Mercy higher than the heavens
Deeper than the deepest sea

What a wonderful redemption
Never can a mortal know
How my sin, though red like crimson
Can be whiter than the snow

Every need His hand supplying
Every good in Him I see
On His strength divine relying
He is all in all to me

By the crystal flowing river
With the ransomed I will sing
And forever and forever
Praise the glorify my King.

All the power you need to fulfill your diving calling of motherhood is found in God and all the wisdom you need is found in His living Word. 2 Corinthians 3:5 says, "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing of ourselves; but OUR SUFFICIENCY IS OF GOD."

Blessings from Nancy

What a privilege to be a woman!
We are created in the image of God.
We are created to reveal the nurturing and mothering heart of God.
We are created with a womb to be a life-giver.
We are created with breasts to nurture and nourish life.
We are created to be a vessel of God to bring forth life into this world--a life that is planned before the beginning of time, a life with a God-given purpose to fulfill on this earth, and a life that is an eternal soul and will live forever. We are created to be the nurturers and trainers of God's children, the children He gives to us to train on His behalf.
We are created to be feminine.
We are created to be a helper to our husband and blessed by God's plan to live under his covering and protection.
We are created for good works.
We are created to bring glory to God.
Thank you, Lord God. What a privilege. And thank you for purpose for each new day.

Love from Nancy Campbell

How amazing! You are called, commissioned, and consecrated for your great career of mothering by the King of kings and Lord of lords.

"Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. Her husband can trust her, and she will GREATLY ENRICH his life. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life" (Proverbs 31:11 NLT)

God is the God of knowledge (1 Samuel 2:3; Proverbs 9:10; Isaiah 11:2; Colossians 2:3). Are our children taught knowledge from God's point of view in our public schools? No.

God has the key of knowledge (Luke 11:52). Do our public school teachers use the key of God's knowledge to lead the students into His ways? No. They take away the key of knowledge and instead teach man's ways and ideas.

The fear of God is the beginning of knowledge (Proverbs 1:7) Are our children taught the fear of God in our public schools? No.

It is from God's mouth we receive knowledge (Proverbs 2:6). Are our children being taught from the mouths of godly people in our public schools? Praise God we do have some godly teachers in the system (although their tongues are tied), but the majority are not godly.

Why then do many Christian parents prefer a humanistic education for their children rather than an education based on God's Word?

Love from Nancy Campbell

Yes, of course you do. As parents, we are very concerned about educating our children to prepare them for life. But, what really is education? Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary states, "The bringing up of a child; instruction; formation of manners. Education comprehends all that series of instruction and discipline which is intended to enlighten the understanding, correct the temper, and form the manners and habit of youth, and fit them for usefulness in their future stations. To give children a good education in manners, arts and science is important; to give them a religious education is indispensable; and an immense responsibility rests on parents and guardians who neglect these duties."

When I read this I can see that the greatest textbook we can use to educate our children is the Bible. Yes, the knowledge of God's Word is foremost, but the Bible must also be the foundation in teaching every other subject for life.

Education is not only facts and knowledge, but enlightening the eyes to understand. How does this happen? Psalm 19: 8 says, "The commandment of the Lord is pure, ENLIGHTENING THE EYES."

Do we want our children to be wise? Psalm 19:7 says, "The testimony of the Lord is sure, MAKING WISE THE SIMPLE."

Education is also correcting the temper and attitudes to prepare them to face life. How do we do this? 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, FOR REPROOF, FOR CORRECTION, FOR INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."

When we understand this we come into conflict with the current public education in this country. It denies the wisdom of the Bible. It won't even allow God any room at all--in prayer, study, or even mentioning His name.

Let's be honest. How can our children be "THOROUGHLY FURNISHED UNTO ALL GOOD WORKS" when they are denied the source of true wisdom? Yes, they will be educated, but in humanist, socialist, anti-God education. They will be prepped for a worldly life-style, but not for the destiny God has planned for them. Handing our children over to humanist education only advances Satan's kingdom, rather than God's kingdom.

I believe it is time for all believing parents to make sure their children are receiving a godly and Word-inspired education. Anything less is apposite to God's plan for them (Deuteronomy 6:6-9).

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

Christ not only wants to dwell in our hearts, but in our homes. And yet, there are many times that we are so busy doing our own thing and going our own way, that Christ Jesus, the Lord of Heaven and earth is left standing at the door. We haven't got room in our lives to include Him.

Jesus speaks to us, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20).

We often think Jesus is speaking to those who have never invited Him into their hearts. This is true! But, this Scripture was written to believers! Even, we as believers can keep him knocking at the door.

Invite Him into your home today. Invite Him into your kitchen as you prepare meals and care for your children. Invite Him to your table to sit with you for every meal. Invite Him into your bedroom. Invite Him into every corner of your home.

Welcome His light to fill your home and expose every tiny bit of darkness, uncleanness, and worldliness. Welcome His love to fill every heart and overflow with love to one another.

Be reminded by this lovely painting "The Light of the World" by Holman Hunt, one of my favorites since a child.

Love from Nancy Campbell

My husband asked everyone this morning at breakfast, "What are the good things you are going to do today?" That's a good question to start the day, isn't it? It's a good question for us wives. My post the other day reminded us that we are to do something good for our husband every day of our lives! That can be very general, but if we make it specific and ask ourselves, "What is something good I can do for my husband today? it makes us more motivated. Okay, I can't encourage you to do something and not do it myself. Therefore, I have just stopped to think about what I will do for my husband today, so now I have my challenge before me. But, it's a secret!

This is a good question for your children, too. "Children, let's stop for a moment and think of something good you can do today for someone in the home." Now, everyone has a challenge to do something good. What an exciting home to live in.

Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we were created in Christ Jesus for good works. If Christ lives in us we should live like Him. Acts 2:38 says that "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil." Jesus went about doing good. Sometimes we just go about!

Instead of just going about in your home, go about doing good!

Love from Nancy Campbell

This is another lovely idea we used to do with our children when they were growing up. I would put the names of everyone in the family in a bowl or hat. Each one pulls out a name and that person becomes their SECRET FRIEND for the week. They have to something special for that person every day without his or her knowing who is doing it, until they find out at the end of the week.

You can give your children ideas for when they first start, such as:

Write an encouraging or loving note and leave on or under their pillow.
Clean their shoes when not looking.
Put a chocolate or bar in a special place where they know they'll find it.
Make their bed.
Clean their bedroom for them when they are not around.

But, encourage them to use their imagination. Our children were so excited to think up different things to do.

I remember one time when our oldest son got his father's name for his secret friend. At that time Colin left very early each morning. One morning we heard noise in the kitchen as our son was up even earlier to cook his father's breakfast and a have cup of tea ready for him before he left for work.

This is a wonderful way to teach the children to care for one another and to think of others instead of themselves. We played SECRET FRIEND so many times.

Love from Nancy Campbell

I have been meditating on these words the last few days. You will remember these words written in Psalm 23:6, but we also read them in Proverbs 31:12 where it reminds us that the virtuous wife will do her husband good and not evil ALL THE DAYS OF HER LIFE!

That's not just the days that we feel like it, or when he's being nice, but it's also on the days we don't feel like it, and when maybe he's not being so nice! It's thinking of something GOOD to do to our husband each new day.

May this by our testimony all the days of our life.

Love from Nancy.

Apart from the official Hanukkah which we celebrate, we read about a number of Hanukkah celebrations in God's Word.

1) Dedicating the tabernacle for 12 days. Each prince of Israel dedicated the altar for a day each (Number 7:10-11, 84, 88). This was the first dedication we read about.

2) Dedicating a new house (Deuteronomy 20:5). It is biblical to dedicate a new house.

3) Dedicating Solomon's temple which he built for the Lord (1 Kings 8:62; 2 Chronicles 7:5, 9).

4) Dedicating the rebuilt temple when they came back from Babylon--Zerubbabel's temple (Ezra 6:16).

5) Dedicating the rebuilt walls of Jerusalem(Nehemiah 12:27).

And there is one more! You'll never guess!

It is Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." The word "train" is "hanuk," the verb of Hanukkah, meaning "to initiate, dedicate, consecrate." It is not enough to celebrate Hanukkah for eight days. As parents, we are in a FULLTIME HANUKKAH CELEBRATION!

When we understand that to train our children means to dedicate them to the Lord, it gives us new vision. Everything we do is now in the light of dedicating our children to the Lord and setting them apart for His service. It's not a one-time dedication. It is a verb which requires daily action.

When our children are disobedient or don't complete what we have asked them to, we can sometimes be lazy and let it go. But, not if we understand we are daily dedicating them to the Lord. How can we let things go when we consecrating them to God's holy service. We have the responsibility to train and prepare them for Him.

As children get older, they can become more worldly and want to do what other more worldly teens are doing. We could think, "Oh that is the stage they are going through." But, not if we understand that we are daily consecrating them to the Lord. We will pray up a storm. We will fight the devil. We will work with our children to keep them on the narrow road that leads to life. We will do everything to save them from the broad road that leads to destruction. WE ARE HANUKKAH PARENTS!

When we "hanuk" our children, it determines how we educate our children. It would be ludicrous to send our children into a an ungodly education system each day when we are daily consecrating them for God's purposes.

As we consecrate our children to the Lord, we recognize they totally belong to the Lord, for whatever time God has for them on this earth. Above everything else, we know that we are ultimately preparing them for eternity.

Blessings from NANCY CAMPBELL

Without God we live in darkness. He is the one who said, "Let there be light: and there was light" (Genesis 1:3). Jesus is the Light of the world. He is "THE TRUE LIGHT, WHICH LIGHTS EVERY MAN THAT COMES INTO THE WORLD" John 1:9).  Every person who is born into this world is without excuse regarding their relationship with God. Every new baby is born with a God consciousness, a light from God our Maker. We have a conscience that knows what is good and evil. This only comes from God.

Proverbs 20:27 says "The spirit of man is the candle (light) of the Lord." Have you noticed that when a new baby is born into a family that there is a heavenly atmosphere about the home? There is an "awe" that we only experience with a new babe. I believe we are experiencing a new light from heaven. I think this is why little children are so open to God. Recently I watched my little three-year old grand-daughter sing all day about how Jesus is in her heart and how she loves God.

Why then do many walk in darkness? The answer is in John 3:19-21. We are all born with a light from God, but we can either push back the light or open up more and more to the light. It is a privilege for children to be born into a home where parents love God. These children have an opportunity to open up more and more to the light. In an ungodly home, the light with which they are born can be gradually extinguished.

I believe that every time we say Yes to God and obey the prompting of His Holy Spirit within our hearts, we experience more light in our lives. Every time we say No to God and are disobedient to the Word, we accept darkness. Teach your children this principle, dear mother. Teach them that saying Yes to you and Yes to God will bring them to more and more light (Proverbs 4:18). Teach them when they say No to you and No to God's ways, their minds and hearts will cloud with darkness.

Job 18:5-56 says, "Yes, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine. The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle shall be put out with him." I don't want it to be dark in my home. I'm sure you don't want it to be dark in yours either. Let's open our hearts and minds more and more to the light of God. Begin each day by praying, "Oh Lord God, please flood my mind, my heart, and my home with your light, today. Amen."

Love from Nancy Campbell

Judas Maccabee and his brothers were continually fighting battles to save Israel and every time they faced armies far larger and stronger than themselves, but their trust was in God.

Listen to Judas' confession on one occasion... "When all his followers saw the host coming against them, they said to Judas, 'How can so few of us fight against so many? Besides, we have had nothing to eat all day, and we are exhausted.' Judas replied: 'Many can easily be overpowered by a few; it makes no difference to Heaven to save by many or by few. Victory does not depend on numbers; strength comes from Heaven alone... Heaven will crush them before our eyes. You need not be afraid of them'" (1 Maccabees 3:17-21).

I know that you, too, often face dilemmas that loom much bigger than you can handle. Don't focus on your difficulty. Look to God. He is your Strength. He is your Source. He is your Sufficiency. He will always do what you cannot do. When we try to handle our problems we usually make a mess of the job. Put them in God's hands for He knows what is best to do.

Victory does not come by intelligence or fleshly strength. It only comes from God. Just as God delivered the Maccabees over and over again as they faced insurmountable armies, so God will deliver you as you trust in Him. Make sure you have the right confession. Don't confess your problems; confess your trust in God. It's the way to victory.

Love from Nancy Campbell

Hanukkah is also called the "Festival of Lights" because of the relighting of the Menorah. This was a huge thing that happened that day, because the Jews knew that God had commanded the lights in the Holy Place to BURN CONTINUALLY. They were to never to go out--and they had been out for a long time! God said it was a statute that must continue for all generations (Exodus 27:20-21 and Leviticus 24:1-4).

How did they keep the lamps burning day after day, year after year? God said they had to attend to the lamps every morning and every evening. They had to trim the wicks and pour more oil into the lamps, the oil speaking of the Holy Spirit. Once a day was not sufficient. It required attention two times a day to keep the light burning

This is a type for our lives today. When the Holy Spirit comes into our lives, He fills us with His light, but it is very easy for the light to go out. There are many temptations, deceptions, and evils around that dim our light. To keep the light burning, we must tend to them every morning and evening. We need to do this individually and as a family.

A powerful way to keep God's light burning in every member of our family is to have Family Devotions every morning and evening. Each time we come together as a family, read the Word, and spend time in prayer, we relight our lamps. If we fail to do this, our light will go out very quickly.

How big is the flame in your family? We are not meant to be a flickering light, but a great light. If your flame is only smoldering, get back to God's "morning and evening" principle. It's the only way that works. Let the light in "the holy place" of your temple and your home shine for all to see God's light.

Love from Nancy Campbell

A brave mother watched her son being killed. No, not just killed but cruelly tortured. They cut out his tongue, scalped him, cut off his hands and feet, and then maimed and helpless, fried him alive! But, in the same manner they tortured and killed her second and third sons. The third son cried out, "I have received these limbs from heaven, and I give them up for the sake of God's laws." Another cried out, "We are prepared to die rather than sin against our ancestral laws" (2 Maccabees 7:2, 11).

Because they would not bend and turn from God's laws this dear mother watched as Antiochus tortured her fourth, fifth, and sixth sons the same way. The mother had only one son left, her beloved youngest. Antiochus tried to influence the mother to save his life. He promised he would make him rich and prosperous and even a political advisor. She obliged by turning to her youngest son saying, "Son, pity me who carried you in the womb nine months, nursed you for three years, nurtured you, and brought you into this stage of life with care. I beg you, child... Don't fear this killer but prove worthy of your brothers. Accept death so that in God's mercy I should recover you with your brothers" (2 Maccabees 7:27-29). She watched her last son die before she was put to death herself.

This mother was a nurturing and caring mother. But, she had a vision for her children beyond this earth. She raised her sons to fear God rather than man. She raised them to stand for truth, no matter what the consequences. She raised them to see beyond this earth to the endless life of the heavenly.

May God help us to be courageous mothers. May He save us from raising wimpy, mediocre children who are seduced by the humanist trend of an ungodly society. May He anoint us with the mighty power of God to raise children who will have the courage to stand for God and for truth, no matter what persecution they face.

(You can read the whole of this amazing story in 2 Maccabees chapter seven).

Love from Nancy Campbell

Why do we call this celebration "Hanukkah"? The reason is that "Hanukkah" is the Hebrew word for "dedication." When Judas Maccabee (the hammer) and his army eventually crushed their enemies, Judas and his brothers said, "Let's go up to cleanse and rededicate the sanctuary" (1 Maccabees 4:36). The temple was desolate and the gates burned. But they restored the sanctuary, built a new altar with unpolished stones (because the altar had been desecrated by Antiochus Epiphanes), brought in the Lampstand, the Altar of Incense, and the Table of Showbread, and offered sacrifices. "So they celebrated the rededication of the altar for eight days" (1 Maccabees 4:56).

How does this affect our lives? God no longer lives in the Holy of Holies in the temple, but in our bodies, which are the temple of His Holy Spirit. In fact, we are not just the temple of the Holy Spirit, but the "naos" which is the Holy of Holies (1 Corinthians 6:19 and 2 Corinthians 6:16). What an indescribable truth!

Our "naos" may not be desolate, but it is very easy for us to allow things to come into our lives which grieve the Holy Spirit and spoil and dirty our temple.

It is a lovely idea to have a rededication of our temples one night during Hanukah. Choose which morning or evening you would like to do this together as a family. Explain to your children about it, and then ask each one of them to confess to the Lord anything in their lives that grieves the Holy Spirit and to rededicate their "body temple" to the Lord. This includes mom and dad too, of course.

When we have all dedicated ourselves individually, then the father can rededicate the whole family to be living sacrifice to the Lord and to be set apart for His purposes (Romans 12:1-2). I pray that the Spirit of the Lord will come upon you mightily as you experience this dedication service in your home.

Love from Nancy Campbell

(Forgive me! Sorry this is a little late. I forgot to send it this morning.)
Jesus Christ, the Son of God was never reticent to speak the truth, even in the face of death. When he came to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Dedication, he was walking in Solomon's Porch (on the eastern side of the temple) and people gathered around him.

Jesus knew the Jews would be remembering more than the rededication of the temple and the lighting of the Menorah again. They were remembering the great victory over Antiochus Epiphanes, but also how he lifted himself to be god over them. It was Antiochus himself who added "Epiphanes" to his name, which means "God manifest" which was utter blasphemy to the Jews.

In the midst of this thinking Jesus boldly and publically declared, "I and my Father are one" (John 10:30). In other words, He confessed that He was God, which of course, He was! This was too much for the Jews who, remembering Antiochus Epiphanes the evil blasphemer, took up stones to stone him (John 10:22-33).

It was no coincidence that Jesus chose this timing to speak these words. Everything about Hanukkah speaks of standing up for truth even in the face of danger.

May we never cringe to speak the truth, no matter what the consequences.

Love from Nancy Campbell

Good morning! Praise the Lord, it is a beautiful day here in Tennessee. The sky is blue and the sun is shining. This is an added blessing. It means that all the loads of children will be able to go outside after our big meal and enjoy the fun.

Our big Above Rubies packaging room next to my office (Above Rubies is downstairs and we live upstairs) is filled with tables for a sit-down Thanksgiving meal for 83 people! It looks so inviting and we are ready for a great day--a GREAT feast (we have four turkeys, three pieces of lamb, brisket, and chicken, besides the side dishes, and so I think we have enough to feed the tribe! We then have GREAT toasts to people we love and the memory of those who have gone on and GREAT sharing of God's goodness to us throughout the year.

After dinner we go outside to have our GREAT annual Tug of War between all the adults and the children and GREAT fun and games (egg throwing competition, running races, sack races, three-legged races etc!).

We then come inside when it is dark for GREAT dessert, more sharing and items, and goodness knows what until everyone is too tired to last any longer!

Have a GREAT Thanksgiving.

Love from Nancy Campbell