Building a Home

to Honor the Name of God

Both David and Solomon had a burning passion to build a house to the name of the Lord God (2 Chronicles 2:4, 6). As mothers and homemakers, this should also be our burning passion--to build a home that is a dwelling place for God, and also for our husband, and children.      

We build this home, not for our own name and not for the name of our posterity, but for the NAME OF THE LORD. This is a HUGE vision, for God's name is far beyond our wildest imagination. God has so many names to describe Himself. One name is not enough to reveal all of His character, and even the revelation of each name is only a tiny glimpse of who He is. Because it would take a whole book to write about the names of God, we will look only at the eight redemption names of God. These names alone will give us understanding and vision to build our home to honor the name of the Lord, "who is the only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords" (1 Timothy 6:15).

Jehovah-Jireh--The Lord Sees and Provides

We read this name in Genesis 22:14. When Abraham was offering up his beloved son in obedience to God's command, God stopped him mid-track, and instead provided a lamb for the sacrifice. Jehovah-Jireh speaks of the greatest provision God ever provided for mankind, the provision of salvation and deliverance from our sin through the death of Jesus upon the cross, the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. But, He continues to be our provision. Matthew 6:25-33 and Isaiah 65:24 tell us that God sees our need even before we cry out to Him and He has promised to be our Provider.  

How can we build a home to Jehovah-Jireh if we are always grumbling about not having this or that? How can we build a home to this name if we cannot even trust Him to give us another baby? God has promised that when we walk in obedience to His will, that He will provide all that we need. God revealed Himself to Abraham as Jehovah-Jireh because of his obedience (Genesis 22:1-19).

Jehovah-Rapha--The Lord my Healer

This name is revealed in Exodus 15:22-26. The children of Israel had come through the Red sea on dry land, but now they had been walking for three days with no water! Eventually they found water at Marah, but it was bitter so they still couldn't drink. Now they were complaining BIG TIME! God mercifully showed Moses a tree to throw into the water and it immediately became sweet. Then God made a statute and ordinance and said, "If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statues, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee" (Exodus 15:25-26).

The full meaning of rapha is "to cure, restore, heal, and make whole physically, morally, and spiritually." God is not only faithful to heal us physically (Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 8:17 and 1 Peter 2:24), but also to make our spirit whole and bring sweetness to the bitter experiences we face in life.

Are you building your home to Jehovah-Rapha? Do you continually run to the doctor or do you seek the Lord for what He wants you to do? That may require a doctor, but isn't it best to first go to the Lord for His direction and ask for His healing? Life is not perfect and many times there are misunderstandings and differences in family relationships. Do you allow Jehovah-Rapha to come into all your family experiences to restore, heal, and bring sweetness again? Do your children see you relying upon the Lord, or upon man's resources?

Jehovah-Nissi--The Lord my Banner

The Amalekites came to make war with Israel. Moses commanded Joshua to gather warriors to fight with them while he went to the top of the hill with the "rod of God" in his hand, the wonder-working rod which brought the terrible plagues upon Egypt, opened a path in the Red Sea, and brought the waters of death pounding down upon the Egyptians. When Moses held up his hands, the Israelites prevailed, but when they became heavy and he let them down, the Amalekites prevailed. So Aaron and Hur stood on either side of him to hold up his hands. While he held the miraculous staff up high as a banner, Joshua defeated Amalek and his army. After the victory, Moses built an altar and called it Jehovah-Nissi, The Lord my Banner (Exodus 17:8-16).

The enemy is still alive today and comes to make war against your home. He wants to destroy marriages and families. Sometimes you may get weary in the battle, but never give up the banner of God's cause. Lift high the name of Jesus, continue in prayer, and trust in the power of the Holy Spirit. Help one another as you pray together at your morning and evening Family Devotions because this is how you strengthen one another's arms in the battle. Never let your banner drag in the dust. Never compromise God's truth. Never assimilate to the humanistic ways of society. Hold God's banner high and do not fear.

God's word to you as you face the battle with enemies bigger and outnumbering you is, "Let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them; For the Lord your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you" (Deuteronomy 20:3-4).

Jehovah-Qadash--The Lord my Sanctifier

God brought the Israelites out of Egypt with a mighty arm and great victory, but His people didn't yet know their God. They thought and acted like the Egyptians. They had no idea of how God wanted them to live and therefore He kept them in the wilderness for 40 years to teach them His ways and to sanctify them.

This name of God occurs in Leviticus, the book where we read of all the laws and statutes that God gave to His people in order to show them how to be a people after His own heart. In Leviticus 20:7-8, God says, "Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the Lord your God. And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the Lord which sanctify you." The word "sanctify" is qadesh and means "to purify, to hallow, to make clean, to sanctify, to set apart exclusively for God."

Are you building your home to the honor of Jehovah-Qadash? Do you seek to keep your home and your family set apart for God's purposes? Or does your home look like any other worldly home with TV blaring and arguments and squabbling?

God wants to sanctify every member of your family. He wants to sanctify them with the Word of God, the indwelling Spirit, and the blood of Jesus, just as Moses sprinkled the blood upon the people (Exodus 24:4-8). And as God sanctified the house Solomon built for Him, so He wants to sanctify the home you are building for Him. 2 Chronicles 7:16 says, "I have chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there forever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually." God will put His name upon your home as you set it apart for Him.

We don't have to run off and hide in the bush to do this. We can live in the city with evil all around, and yet be set apart to God. This is the amazing thing about God. He is "separate from sinners" (Hebrews 7:26), and yet He bends down to the sinner to love him and lift him up. He wants us to be the same--severed from the spirit of this world, but ready to go into the midst of the world to reach out with God's love.

Let's build a family that is clean, pure, and set apart for the service of the Lord. Encourage your children that they were born to be set apart for God's purpose for them. Anything else will be a waste of their life.

Jehovah-Shalom--The Lord my Peace

Because the Israelites did evil in the site of the Lord, He allowed the Midianites to come against them and they became their slaves for seven years. They destroyed the fruit of their land, confiscated their livestock, and left them with nothing to eat. In their despair the Israelites cried out to the Lord and He heard their cry. God came to a man named Gideon and commanded him to rescue Israel from the Midianites. Gideon felt too helpless and weak in his own strength and wanted proof that it was really God speaking to him.

"Please don't leave until I bring you an offering of food," he asked the angel of God. When Gideon came back and put the food on the rock, the angelic visitor touched it with the tip of his staff and fire sprang up from the rock and consumed everything. Gideon was full of fear that he had seen the Angel of the Lord face to face. But, "The Lord said unto him, Peace be unto thee, fear not: thou shalt not die. Then Gideon built an altar there unto the Lord, and called it Jehovah-Shalom" (Judges 6:22-24).

Are you building a home of peace to Jehovah Shalom? Turn your home into a home of rest instead of restlessness. There will always be upsets to disturb your family life, but don't allow them to do get on top of you. Look up to the Lord instead. My favorite Scripture is found in Isaiah 26:3-4, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord forever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength." God is bigger than any trauma that happens in your life. When you look to Him and confess your trust in Him He will sustain you. Your circumstances may not change, but peace will reign in your heart and home.

Jehovah Shalom wants His people to "dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places" (Isaiah 32:18). Not only when everything is going well, but the next verse says, "Even if the forest is destroyed and the city is annihilated, you will be blessed" (NET). This is the kind of peace we can have when we trust in His name, peace when everything is falling down around us.

Jehovah-Tsidkenu--The Lord my Righteousness

We read in Jeremiah 23:5-6 that God's name is, "The Lord our righteousness." One day the city of Jerusalem will also be called by this name (Jeremiah 33:16). If the Holy God is dwelling in our homes, they should also be called, "The Lord our Righteousness."

As we build to this name of God, we will constantly seek to banish evil and uphold righteousness in our home. Although God is a God of love and compassion, He cannot be God unless He is righteous. He demands exactness in weights and measures (Leviticus 19:35-37 and Deuteronomy 25:15). Anything less than perfection comes short of His holiness and that's why we need the blood of Jesus to cover our sins (Romans 3:23 and 1 John 1:7).

However, although we cannot be righteous except through the righteous life of Christ who lives in us, we should have the same essence about us that God does. He hates evil and loves righteousness and wants us to do the same. God does not tell us to tolerate evil, as is the popular opinion today, but to HATE it! Psalm 97:10 says, "Ye that love the Lord, hate evil."

Romans 12:9 says, "Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good." To "abhor" means "to shudder with horror, to utterly detest." Is this how we feel about sin? Is this how we feel about evil in our home? Is this how we feel about the evil that is happening in the nation?

It is a powerful thing to build a righteous home. It is not easy. Evil finds a way to sneak into your home. Be watchful as you build your home to this holy name of God. As more and more families build righteous homes, the more we become a nation of righteousness. Above everything else, it is righteousness that lifts up a nation. Proverbs 14:34 says, "Righteousness exalts a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people."

Jehovah-Ra'ah--the Lord my Shepherd

How wonderful that God reveals Himself to us by different names. If we only knew Him by one name, we would not understand the complete fullness of who He is. We live in awe of our righteous, holy God who must judge all sin. But, then He reveals Himself to us as the Shepherd, the one who bends down to tend our needs (Psalm 113:5-9) and who protects us and gather us up in His arms (Isaiah 40:11). This name speaks of the intimate relationship we can experience with Him, for the word "shepherd" also means "to be a friend, a companion, to keep company with." A Bedouin shepherd in Israel testified that even if he were blindfolded he would know each one of his sheep by feeling their faces. Our Shepherd wants to have an intimate and tender relationship with us. The psalmist calls God, "MY Shepherd," and repeatedly the Great Shepherd of the sheep calls us "MY flock."

As we build a home to the name of our gentle and tender Shepherd, we will teach our children that He wants to be their personal Savior and Shepherd. We will be careful not to do anything in our home that will grieve our Shepherd who wants to be intimately involved in everything we do.

Our Shepherd has a great shepherding heart and He wants us to shepherd our little flock in the same way He shepherds His flock. Shepherding is an enormous undertaking and from the Scriptures and the Hebrew meanings of the word "shepherd" we find that it includes the following tender and powerful ministries. You will see that a shepherd must be both brave and tender. Let God teach you as you read them.

It means befriending with an intimate relationship, binding and bandaging up the hurt and broken, bravely fighting off all enemies, bringing back the straying and wandering ones, carrying the lambs close to your heart, comforting, encouraging the weary, eliminating fear in the dark and anxious times, feeding, gathering in your arms and to your heart, gently leading, guarding and watching over your flock, guiding your flock on the "right track," healing the sickly, increasing the flock, keeping them safe, leading to rest and rich green pastures, nourishing, persevering until you find the lost, preparing a table, protecting, providing, rescuing when they turn to by-paths, restoring (renewing, reviving, and refreshing), ruling with wisdom and discretion, sacrificing and laying down your life for your flock, saving your flock, searching and seeking the lost ones, strengthening the weak, and tenderly folding your flock. My, what an amazing mission you have as a shepherdess.

Embrace this beautiful role. It is not insignificant. I would suggest you read the above paragraph over and over. It is too much to comprehend in one reading. Did you know that shepherding is talked about in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation? God chose two of the greatest leaders of all time from shepherding the sheep, Moses and King David (Exodus 3:1-10 and Psalm 78:70-72). God looks for parents who will shepherd after His own heart (Jeremiah 3:15). And because our little flock is really His flock, He requires them at our hand (Ezekiel 34:10). He wants us to diligently know the state of our little flock (Proverbs 27:23).

How can we be the shepherdess He wants us to be? We certainly can't do it in our own strength and wisdom, but be encouraged for Micah 5:4 tells us that Jesus Christ will "stand and feed in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God." If that is how He shepherds, that's the only way we can do it, too. You can do it in HIS strength.

Jehovah-Shammah--The Lord is There

We now look at the last redemptive name of God, another precious name. We find this amazing prophetic promise in Ezekiel 48:35, "And the name of the city from that day shall be, The Lord is there." The temple was destroyed, Judah had been taken as captives to Babylon, and only a small remnant remained in the land. There did not seem any hope for the restoration of Israel or the temple. But God's promise comes to give hope. Again He says in Ezekiel 43:7 that this will be the "place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel forever."

The understanding of this name is the holy and glorious presence of God. It is God in the midst! What could be more powerful? In the Old Testament God dwelt in a temporary tabernacle and then the temple. God said, "I have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle" (2 Samuel 7:6). But, when Jesus died upon the cross, the thick veil protecting the Holy of Holies was torn apart and now He wants to abide in your heart. He also loves to dwell in your home, because He is a dwelling God.

He wants to live and walk with you in your home. He wants to fill every room of your home. Because your body is the dwelling place of His Holy Spirit, every task you do is sacred. Mothering is a holy career. Nothing is mundane. When you are changing a diaper, scrubbing the floor, doing endless dishes and laundry, and tending to the myriads of needs of your little ones, God is with you. Every little thing you do is sacred and holy because God is with you.

God also wants you to reveal to your children the awesome understanding of Jehovah-Shammah. As you are home with your children and available to them, you show to your children this quality of the character of God. Your children learn that "God is always there," just as you are always available and there for them.

May God pour out His Holy Spirit upon you as you build your home to honor the name of our holy God.

NANCY CAMPBELL

www.aboverubies.org

 

Check out the following:

Scriptures about holding up the banner:

Numbers 1:52; 2:2, 17, 34; Psalm 20:5; 60:4; Song of Solomon 2:4; 6:4, 10 and Isaiah 62:10.

Scriptures about shepherding:

http://aboverubies.org/shepherdingscriptures

To read further articles go to:

http://www.aboverubies.org/IsGodAble

http://aboverubies.org/peaceinmyhome

http://aboverubies.org/mushies

http://aboverubies.org/foldyourflock

http://aboverubies.org/shepherdingflock

LIVE BY DYING--TO THE OLD LIFE, THE FLESH, AND MY SELF LIFE

Matthew 10:38; John 12:24; Mark 8:34; Romans 6:1-14; 8:36; 1 Corinthians 15:31; 2 Corinthians 4:10, 11; Galatians 2:20; 5:24; 6:14; and Colossians 3:3.

LIVE DAILY FOR HIS GLORY

1 Corinthians 10:31; Philippians 1.21; and Colossians 3:17.

LOVE GOD WITH ALL MY HEART, SOUL, MIND, AND STRENGTH

Deuteronomy 6.5 and Mark 12.30.

LIGHT MY HOME AND THE WORLD WITH THE GOSPEL OF TRUTH

Matthew 5:16; Luke 12:35; and Philippians 2:15.

LABOR FOR GOD’S KINGDOM, FIRSTLY IN MY HOME

Matthew 9:37, 38; John 6:27; 1 Corinthians 3:9; 15:10, 58; and Revelation 2:2, 3.

LET GOD CHANGE MY ATTITUDE WHEN THINGS DON’T GO MY WAY

Psalm 40:8; Matthew 26:39; Mark 14:36; and John 6:38.

LOOK OUT FOR THE NEEDS OF OTHERS RATHER THAN MY OWN

Matthew 16:24; Philippians 2:3, 4; and 1 Corinthians 10:24.

LOSE MY OWN LIFE TO SERVE OTHERS

Matthew 10:39; 16:25; 2 Corinthians 5:15.

LIFT UP THOSE WHO ARE DISCOURAGED AND DOWNCAST

Proverbs 12:25; Isaiah 50:4; Luke 4:18; Galatians 6:9-10; 2 Thessalonians 3:13; 1 Timothy 5:10; Hebrews 3:12, 13; and 6:10.

LISTEN CLOSELY TO GOD'S VOICE TO GUIDE ME

Psalm 32:8; 48:14; John 10:27; 16:1, 3; and Mark 4:24.

LEARN DAILY FROM GOD’S WORD

Psalm 119:71, 73, 105; Matthew 11:29; Colossians 3:16; and 2 Timothy 2:15.

LAUGH WHEN THINGS GO WRONG

Habakkuk 3:17, 18 and 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

LEAP FOR JOY WHEN I AM FALSELY ACCUSED

Matthew 5:10-12 and 1 Peter 4:14.

LOATHE THIS WORLD SYSTEM

Matthew 6:24; John 17:14-17; Romans 12:1, 2; Heb 1:9; 12:9; James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17; 5:19.

LAY UP TREASURES IN HEAVEN INSTEAD OF ON EARTH

Matthew 6:19-21; Colossians 3:1-3; and Hebrews 13:5, 6.

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

Sources to find good movies:

The following are websites that our readers have recommended to check out the decency of movies you may be interested in watching.

http://christiananswers.net/spotlight/movies

You can click on “excellent” or “good” and a list in alphabetical order will appear. You can then click on any title and see the review and get information on the movie. Hit the back arrow at the top left of the screen to return to the list. This website gives full details and moral rating on everything from what is out at the theater to movie rentals.

www.netflix.com

www.kids-in-mind.com

www.libraryanded.com

www.foxconnect.com/faith

www.christiancinema.com

www.pluggedin.com

www.ldsnuggets.com/showcase/Family_Focus_Films.html (movies edited for family viewing; great prices)

www.ignatius.com      Ignatius Press, PO Box 1339, Ft. Collins, CO 80522 1-800-651-1531

www.familytv.com     Feature Films for Families (They have LOTS of movies made specifically for families. Contact number: 1-800-FAMILYTV. PO BOX 572401, MURARY, UT 84157

www.visionvideo.comVision Forum Movies, 1-800-523-0226

One Reader mentions SKY ANGEL, a Christian satellite service which is much better than cable or other satellite services (and cheaper—$14.99/mo.) It shows all the Creation Science programming! You can get more information at www.skyangel.com

**CLEARPLAY**:

You can purchase a censoring device at Target called “ClearPlay.” http://www.clearplay.com/ You can then pay a small subscription fee to “clean up” any questionable movies. Another lady writes about ClearPlay: “You can research it on the internet, it’s a DVD player, now available at Target for $50. It uses specialized software and movie specific filters to remove objectionable material from pre-selected movies. The filter id unlike anything you’ve seen before and removes the material in an almost seamless fashion. As with all things, this is no substitute for attentive parenting and doesn’t necessarily make all the filtered movies acceptable, but it is a beneficial option for our family. It is not funded by any type of Christian organization, it’s simply a family friendly alternative to the excessive language, violence, etc. in modern movies.”

Recommended Movies:

To find the following movies, do an Internet search for the title. Many can also be rented from your local library.

I will put an asterisk beside the movies that were recommended most frequently. I will also include comments from readers when they gave them. The only comments I have made throughout the list are in italics.

Nearly every person who emailed recommended the following four DVDs. They were the most popular recommendations.

Amazing Grace*

The true story of William Wilberforce and his fight to end the slave trade in the late 1700s in England. John Newton, who wrote the hymn “Amazing Grace,” was a friend of his and together they worked to have the laws changed. There is some cleavage which I really wish they didn’t put in there we black those parts out and just listen to the words. The book that prompted the writing of the film, The Wilberforce Connection. I would highly recommend the book and also the autobiography of John Newton.

Flywheel*

Time Changer*

The year is 1890and Bible professor Russell Carlisle has written a new manuscript entitled “The Changing Times.” His book is about to receive a unanimous endorsement from the board members of the Grace Bible Seminary until his colleague, Dr. Norris Anderson raises an objection. Dr. Anderson believes that what Carlisle has written could greatly affect the future of coming generations. Using a secret time machine, Anderson sends Carlisle over 100 years into the future, offering him a glimpse of where his beliefs will lead.www.TimeChangerMovie.com

Other Recommended Movies:

A Far Off Place (teens have to escape poachers and cross a great desert)

A Girl of the Limberlost

A Grand Opening

A Journey Home*

A Little Princess*

A Man Called Peter

A Stranger in My Forest

A Tale of Two Cities

A Vow to Cherish* (a husband’s vow to care for his wife with Alzheimer’s)

A Walk to Remember (family edited version with Mandy Moor and Shane West)

Absent-Minded Professor, The

Adventures of Ociee Nash, The

African Safari

Agent Abbey

Akeelah and the Bee* (This is the favorite movie of my Liberian daughters)

Alamo, The

Albert and Victoria (BBC), 2001 (AR reader: “It is one of my all-time favorites because of the high priority of marriage and family in a time of declining morals during the mid-1800s. The love story is so deep and meaningful. Albert (Victoria’s first cousin) really marries her more out of duty than anything. But over the course of the years, their vow and commitment to one another and Victoria learning to submit to her husband’s leadership is beautifully orchestrated.)

All Creatures Great and Small (BBC Series, following James Herriot’s veterinary life before and after WWII.

All Mine to Give * (older, tear-jerker movie, hard to find)

All the King’s Horses

Angels in the Outfield (1990s version)

Anna and the King (real life version of “King and I”; PG-13)

Anne of Green Gables

Anne of Avonlea

Anne of Green Gables, the Sequel

Annie

Apple Dumpling Gang 1,2

Appointment, The

Arctic Tale

Around the World in 80 Days

Astronaut Farmer, The

Atlantic

Avengers, The

Babe 1,2

Babes in Toyland (with Annette Funicello)

Babies

Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer, The

Backstairs at the White House (Acorn Media Productions; amazing history of all the presidents. No bad words of any kind. Super clean and informative.Got it from the library.An intimate look at life in the White House through eight administrations as remembered by a mother and daughter who, between them, served as White House maids for 52 years.

Bamboo in Winter

Barn Red

Beautiful People (This is a load of fun to watch—the whole family will enjoy watching it)

Because of Winn-Dixie*

Behind the Sun* (story of Christian missionary man in Muslim country)

Believe in Me

Bella

Bells of St. Mary’s (with Bing Crosby)

Ben-Hur*

Beowulf

BibleMan:

Big Big Book

Back to School

Six Lies of the Fibbler, The

Silencing the Gossip Queen

Defeating the Shadow of Doubt

Incredible Force of Joy, The

Fiendish Works of Doctor Fear, The

Conquering the Wrath of Rage

Shattering the Prince of Pride

Breaking the Bonds of Disobedience

Lead Us Not Into Temptation

Jesus, Our Savior-Part 1

Jesus, Our Savior-Part 2

A Light in the Darkness

Divided We Fall

A Fight for Faith

Bible Stories:

        Abraham

        Isaac

        Jacob

        Jesus

        Joseph

        Moses

        Paul the Emissary

Big Red

Black Beauty* (Warner Bros., 1999)

Black Stallion*

Blackbeard’s Ghost* (A “bad” pirate has to redeem himself by helping some little old ladies save his home from the “bad guys”)

Blood on the Mountain

Blue Bird, The

Blue Butterfly, The (a true—story very beautifully filmed)

Born Free/Live Free*—truestory of Elsa the lioness

Borrowed Hearts (available only on Ebay, Amazon, or by telephone)

Borrowers, The

Boys Town

Brave Little Toaster

Brian’s Song

Bringing Up Bobby

ButterCream Gang, The

Cabin in the Sky

Call of the Wild

Candle in the Dark (story of William Carey) –available through www.visionvideo.com)

Candleshoe (Disney)

Captains Courageous* (a spoiled teenager’s journey to learn to work hard and face life’s challenges)

Castaway

Champion, The

Charade

Charlotte’s Web (real life)

Cheaper by the Dozen (1949 version ONLY)

Cheaper by the Dozen 2: Belles on Their Toes

Children of Heaven

Children of the New Forest

China Cry* (true story)

Christina (Pilgrim’s Progress Part 2—available through www.visionvideo.com)

Christy

Cinderella (TV version from the 60s with Leslie Ann Warren is good.)

Climb, The* (a Christian movie about mountain climbing and teaches great Christian values)

Coach

Come Away Home

Come What May

Cool Runnings

Count of Monte Cristo, The* (Jim Caviezel)

Captain Courageous

Courageous

Cowgirls and Angels

Crocodile Hunter (Steve Irwin)

Cross and the Switchblade, The (Story of Nicki Cruz from David Wilkerson’s view. I wouldn’t recommend it for the kids, though; it shows violence and people on drug trips. Nicki was the leader of a street gang NYC. It is great story of God’s mercy and redemption! Amazing!–Bethany)

Crossing, The

Curly Top

Darby O’Gill and the Little People

David Copperfield

Davy Crockett and the River Pirates

Davy Crockett: King of the Wild Frontier

Day After Tomorrow, The (PG-13- watch with discretion)

Deceived

Dinner with a Perfect Stranger

Donut Man, The

On Tour

Celebration House, The

Best Present of All, The

Barnyard Fun

At the Zoo

At Camp Harmony

Donut All-Stars, The

Resurrection Celebration, The

Donut Repair Shop, The

After School

     On the Air

Dreamer* (inspired by a true story)

Driving Miss Daisy

Duma

Eastern Bride, The

Eden Strings Quartet: A Bountiful Blessing

Eight Below

End of Harvest

End of the Year

Eragon

Ever After (two swear words)

Explorers

Extreme Days

Facing the Giants*

Faith Like Potatoes

Fanny Crosby

Fantasia 2000

Father Goose

Felicity

Fighting Temptations, The

Fireproof*

First Emperor of China

Five Children and It

Flicka

Flicka2

Fly Away Home

Follow Me, Boys* (with Fred McMurray)

Follow the Stars Home

Fort Apache (1948)

Fourth Wise Man, The

Freaky Friday* (old Disney version only, not Lindsey Lohan—mother and daughter have to see each other’s points of view before they can change back into their own skin)

Friendly Persuasion (Civil War time and a Quaker family with Gary Cooper)

Friendship in Vienna (friendship between a Protestant and Jewish girl during WWII)

Friendship’s Fields* (a review can be seen at: http://www.christiananswers.net/spotlight/movies/2000/friendshipsfield.html

Future Tense

Game Plan, The

Gaslight

Ghandi

Ghost and Mr. Chicken, The (classic Disney movie)

GiGi

Gloomy Sunday

Gnome Mobile, The

God Grew Tired of Us

Gods Must Be Crazy, The (1 and 2)*--very funny movies set in Africa

Gold Through the Fire

Goodbye, Miss Fourth of July (Greek immigrant family in American experiences prejudice in 1917)

Goodbye, Mr. Chips

Gospel of John, The (2003)

Gospel, The

Grace Unplugged

Great Expectations (NOT the new version)

Great Gatsby, The (NOT the new version)

Greatest Story Ever Told, The Grizzly Adams

Happiest Millionaire, The

Harvest of Fire

Harvey (1950)—an excellent movie!

Healing, The

Heaven’s Heroes

Heidi

Herbie Goes Bananas

Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo

Herbie Rides Again

HerbieThe Love Bug

Heroes of Flight 93, The

Hidalgo

Hidden Places

Holes (a children’s movie that teens and adults will love)

Home Beyond the Sun

Home Safe

Home Run

Homeward Bound 1, 2

Hook (a live action version of Peter Pan returns)

Hoosiers

Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit, The

Horsemasters, The (excellent with A. Funicello)

How Green Was My Valley

How the West Was Won

Hunt for Red October, The (only for older children)

I Am David (the story of a boy who escapes from a war camp and journeys across Europe)

I Remember Mama (a daughter’s tribute to her immigrant mother)

I.Q.

I’d Climb the Highest Mountain (an old movie about a country preacher and his wife)

Ice Princess

In Love and War (make sure it is the Hallmark version!)

Incredible Creatures That Defy Evolution 1, 2, 3— http://www.explorationfilms.com/exploration-films-incredible-creatures-1.html

Incredible Journey, The

Indescribable—Louie Giglio speaks on God and the Universe and shows amazing footage of the Universe. www.268generation.com

Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade (takes the Lord’s name once, is harshly rebuked)

Inheritance, The (1997)

Iron Giant, The

Iron Will*

It’s a Wonderful Life

Jamaica Inn (excellent, with Jane Seymour)

Jan Amos Comenius (available through www.visionvideo.com)

Jane Eyre (only for older children)

Jeremy’s Egg

Jesus Film

John Bunyan Story, The

John Wayne movies

John Wesley* (available through www.visionvideo.com)

Johnny Tremain

Journey to the Center of the Earth

Journey to the Center of the Earth 2

Judgement

Jump In

Just Like Dad (Feature Films for Families)

Just Like Heaven (PG-13)

Kandahar (about the situation in the Middle East)

Karate Kid, The (old one only, watch with discretion)

Kate & Leopold

Kathleen (1941)

Kayla—a Cry in the Wilderness

Keeping Mum

Keeping the Promise

Key Largo

Kidnapped

Kit Kitteredge: American Girl Story

Knights of the South Bronx, The

Lake House, The (unique love story)

Lassie (the newer version is excellent)

Last Flight Out*

Last Sin Eater, The*

Late One Night

League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, The

Left Behind series (PG-13)

Legend of Sleepy Hollow, The (not cartoon)

Les Miserables* (watch with discretion)

Letters to Juliet

Life with Father (with William Powell and Irene Dunne)

Light in the Forest

Lightkeepers, The

Little Kidnappers, The

Little Lord Fauntleroy

Little Men

Little Women

Little Red Wagon

Locket, The

Lord of the Rings trilogy (based on Tolkien’s books rated PG-13) (These are not the kind of movies I like to watch! I haven’t ever watched them, but loads of people love them. Nancy)

Lorna Doone

Lost and Found Family

Lost in the Barrens

Lost Treasure of Sawtooth Island

Love Comes Softly Series*

Love Comes Softly

Love’s Enduring Promise

Love’s Long Journey

Love’s Abiding Joy

Love’s Unending Legacy

Love’s Unfolding Dream

Love Takes Wing

     Love Finds a Home

Love’s Christmas Journey

Love Begins

Love’s Everlasting Courage

Love Letter, The

Made for Each Other

Magic of Ordinary Days (Hallmark—very good)

Man From Snowy River, The 1, 2

Man in the Iron Mask, The

Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, The

Man Without a Face

Mandie Series:

Mandie and the Secret Tunnel

Mandie and the Cherokee Treasure

Mandie and the Forgotten Christmas

March of the Penguins

Martin Luther*

Mary Poppins

Masada

Mask of Zorro, The (only for older children)

Master and Commander

Mayor of Casterbridge, The

Meet Me in St. Louis

Miracle at Midnight

Miracle in the Woods

Molly: An American Girl on the Home Front

Moment After, 1, 2

Moment of Truth

Monkey’s Uncle, The

Monte Carlo

Moon-Spinners, The

Mountain Family Robinson

Mr. Bean’s Holiday

Mr. Button videos:

        Ambushed

        Dudley Dumpling

        Hidden Treasure

        Hoodwinked

        Lost in Silver Canyon

        Red Bicycle, The

        Telling Kelly

Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation

Mr. Holland’s Opus

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington*

Mrs. ‘Arris Goes to Paris* (one of my favorites. Nancy)

Mrs. Miniver

My Best Friend

My Dog Skip

My Friend Flicka

Namu

National Treasure 1, 2 ** (great action movie, might be scary for younger ones. Some swearing)

National Velvet

Never Ashamed

Never Been Kissed

New Adventures of Pippi Long Stockings

Nicholas Nickleby* (the newer one)

Night at the Museum

Night Crossing (two families plan to escape from Communist East Germany to East Germany in balloon in 1979)

Nite Song

No Deposit, No Return (with Don Knotts)

No More Baths!

No Time for Sergeants

North by Northwest

North to Alaska

Now You See Him, Now You Don’t (Disney)

October Baby

Old Yeller*

On A Clear Day

On Holiday

On Our Own

One Knight with the King

Other Side of Heaven, The

Out of Africa

Pacifier, The

Pamela’s Prayer* (my most recommended movie—the story of a godly courtship, Nancy)

Paper Clips

Parent Trap, The (Hayley Mills version—NOT new one)

Passion of the Christ, The

Patriot, The

Paul the Apostle

Paycheck (2003)

Penny Promise, The

Penny Serenade

Perfect Family (Future Films for Families)

Perfect Game, The

Perfect Stranger, The

Peter Pan (live version)

Pistol, The

Polar Express*

Pollyanna*

Portrait of Courage

Pot o’ Gold

Pretender, The

Pride and Prejudice* (with Kiera Knightley)

Pride of the Yankees, The (Gary Cooper)

Princess Bride, The

Princess of Thieves, The (about Robin Hood’s daughter)

Pursuit of Happiness, The (with Will Smith; PG-13, use discretion)

Question 7* (how believers stood strong under Communist pressure)

Quiet Man, The (with John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara) Takes place in Ireland in the 1930s and deals with his courtship of Maureen O’Hara’s character and the cultural differences between Ireland and America. (The courtship is in the tradition of being chaperoned by the matchmaker and having familial permission before a relationship can be established.) It was a good vehicle for family discussions about what behavior is acceptable and what we expect from our children and why.

Rabbit Proof Fence

Racing Stripes

Radio* (PG for language)

Raiders of the Lost Ark, The (watch with discretion)

Railway Children

Railway Children, The (honor and love for father)

Ramona and Beezus

Rare Breed, The

Rear Window

Red Fury

Resurrection, The

Retrievers, The

Return of the Daughters

Ride, The (a Billy Graham movie)

Rigoletto

Ring of Bright Water—story about an otter

Ring of Fire

Rin-Tin-Tin

Rise of the Guardians

Road Home, The

Road to Redemption (a Billy Graham movie)

Robe, The

Robinson Crusoe

Roseanna McCoy

Running Wild

Rust

Samantha—an American Girl Story

Sammy

San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival 2004-2007

Sarah Plain and Tall*

     Skylark

     Winter’s End

Savage Sam (sequel to Old Yeller)

Saving Sarah Cain

Scarlet Pimpernel, The

Searching for Bobby Fischer

Seasons of the Heart*

Second Chance* (stars Michael W. Smith)

Second Chances

Secondhand Lions

Secret Gardens, The

Secret of Roan Irish, The

Sense and Sensibility*

Sergeant York

Seven Alone

Shadowlands (C.S. Lewis)

Shaggy D.A., The

Shaggy Dog, The* (NOT the new version)

Shenandoah

Shepherd, The

Shiloh 1, 2

Shiralee, The

Shirley Temple movies

Simon Birch

Sister Act 2

Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow

Sky High

Snow Dogs

Something to Sing About (a Billy Graham movie)

Son of Flubber

Sounder

Spartacus (old version only, for older children)

Spy Kids movies

St. John in Exile**

Step Over the Edge

Stephen’s Test of Faith

Sting (with Robert Redford)

Story Keepers, The (see “Cartoons” for full list of titles)

Story Lady, The (this gave us opportunity to discuss many important topics such as not giving into peer pressure, always reading contracts and seeking advice before signing them, not letting flattery make us do something we shouldn’t, etc.)

Stranded (updated Hallmark version of Swiss Family Robinson)

Stuart Little 1,2

Summer Magic (with Hayley Mills)

Summer of Ben Tyler (about a man who follows his conscience and the price he pays)

Summer of the Monkeys

Surf’s Up

Survival

Swiss Family Robinson*

Ten Commandments, The* (Charlton Heston)

That Darn Cat

That Thing You Do

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

The Chronicles of Narnia: the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader

The Jensen Project

Theory of Everything, The

Thin Ice

Three Lives of Thomasina, The (excellent)

Three, Two, One Penguins! (BigIdea Productions):

     Trouble on Planet Wait Your Turn

     Cheating Scales of Bullamanka, The

     Amazing Carnival of Complaining, The

     Doom Funnel Rescuer!, The

     Moon Menace on Planet Tell-A-Lie

Thunderhead

Timeline

TinTin

Touching the Veil

Treasure Island

Treasure of the Sierra Madre (Humphrey Bogart—a good lesson on the way greed changes a person)

Treasure Seekers

Treasure Seekers

Treasures of the Snow

Twelve Ordinary Men

Twice Given

Two Brothers (a French film about two tigers)

Twelve Angry Men

Tyler, A Real Hero

Ubenjani (about Africa)

Ultimate Gift

Ultimate Gift, The (excellent story about gratefulness and forgiveness, every teen should watch it.) (Our children love this movie. Nancy)

Undaunted- the story of Josh McDowell

Under the Greenwood Tree

Unsinkable Molly Brown

Untold Story of Flight 93, The

Upside

Ushipazin

Valiant

Valley of Light, The (touching)

VeggieTales: (see “Cartoons” for full list of titles)

Walking Across Egypt

Wanted Dead or Alive (Steve McQueen)

Warriors of Honor

Waterproof*

Way of the Master DVD series for teens. These are hosted by Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron and are thought-provoking but also humorous and engaging at the same time. (AR reader: “Each episode teaches ways to use the Ten Commandments to bring the sinner knowledge of his standing before God as a sinner and also shows a one-on-one witnessing encounter. We watch an episode every Friday night as a family and we can’t wait to see the next. The Lord is using it to give us a love for the lost!) There are four seasons out on DVD with 15-17 episodes each. www.wayofthemaster.com

Westward Ho the Wagons!

Whales: An Unforgettable Journey

What About Bob?

What If

When Love Walks In (Hallmark)

Where the Red Fern Grows*

White Fang

White Fang (movie and Canadian TV series)

Wild Hogs

Wilderness Family, The

William Tyndale Story, The

Winchester ‘73

Wind at My Back (1, 2)

Winslow Boy, The (full of principle and goodness)

Winter Stallion, The

Woman Who Willed a Miracle, The (the story of an older couple taking in a foster baby)

Wonders of Creation (6 discs)

World Trade Center, The

Wuthering Heights

Yankee Zulu

Yearling, The

You Can’t Take it With You

You’ve Got Mail

Yours, Mine, and Ours (Old one only, one swear word, one improper sentence)

Young Thomas Edison

Musicals:

An American in Paris

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Cinderella (Rodgers & Hammerstein)

Fiddler on the Roof*

Going My Way

King and I, The

Music Man, The

My Fair Lady

Oklahoma!

Oliver!      

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers*

Singing in the Rain

Sound of Music, The**

White Christmas

Cartoons:

A Bug’s Life

Balto (Disney cartoon—good one)

Bambi

Beauty and the Beast

Bellflower Bunnies

Ben Hur: A Tale of Christ

Bolt

Cars 1, 2

Charlotte’s Web

Chip and Dale

Cinderella

Curious George

Davey and Goliath

Despicable Me

Emperor’s New Groove, The

Flintstones

Finding Nemo

Fox and the Hound, The

Frozen

Helen Keller

Hermie and Friends (Max Lucado)

Hoodwinked

How to Train your Dragon (1, 2)

Ice Age (1, 2, 3, 4)

Jay Jay the Jet Plane

Joseph: King of Dreams

Lion King

Looney Tunes

Megamind

Miracle Maker, The (clay-mation)—Patty Duke version ONLY!!

Pilgrim’s Progress* (the BridgestoneGroup, 1991)

Prince of Egypt, The

Ratatouille

Robin Hood

Sleeping Beauty

Snow White

Spirit, Stallion of the Cimarron

Story Keepers, The:

     Breakout

     Raging Waters

     Catacomb Rescue

     Ready, Aim, Fire!

     Sink or Swim

     Starlight Escape

     Roar in the Night

     Captured

     Trapped

   Easter

     Christmas

Tangled

Hobbit, The

Thomas the Tank Engine

Tom ‘n’ Jerry

Toy Story 1, 2, 3,

Up

VeggieTales:

A Snoodles Tale

     Abe and the Amazing Promise

     An Easter Carol

     Are You My Neighbor?

     Ballad of Little Joe, The

     Bellybutton

     Dave and the Giant Pickle

End of Silliness? More Really Silly Songs!, The

     Esther, the Girl Who Became Queen

     Gideon Tuba Warrior

     God Make You Special

     God Wants Me to Forgive Them!?!

     It’s a Meaningful Life

     Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie

     Josh and the Big Wall

     King George and the Ducky

     Larry Boy and the Bad Apple

     Larry Boy and the Rumor Weed

     Larry Boy: Leggo My Ego

     Larry Boy: the Cartoon Adventures

     Larry Boy: The Cartoon Adventures—TheYodelnapper

     Larry Boy: The Good, the Bad, and the Eggly

     Larry-Boy! And the Fib from Outer Space!

     League of Incredible Vegetables, The

     Lessons from the Sock Drawer

     Little Drummer Boy, The

     Lord of the Beans

     Lyle, the Kindly Viking

     Madame Blueberry

     Minnesota Cuke and the Search for Samson’s Hairbrush

     Moe and the Big Exit

     Penniless Princess, The

     Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything: A VeggieTales Movie, The

     Princess and the Popstar

   Rack, Shack & Benny

     Robin Good and His Not So Merry Men

     Saint Nicholas—A Story of Joyful Giving

Sheerluck Holmes and the Golden Ruler

Sheerluck Holmes and the Golden Ruler

     Silly Little Thing Called Love

     Star of Christmas, The

     Sumo of the Opera

Sweetpea Beauty

     Tomato Sawyer & Huckleberry Larry’s Big River Rescue

     Toy that Saved Christmas, The

‘Twas the Night Before Easter

     Ultimate Silly Song Countdown, The

     Very Silly Songs

     Where is God When I’m S-Scared?

   Wonderful Wizard of Ha’s, The

     Wonderful World of Autotainment, The

WALL-E

Wreck It Ralph

101 Dalmatians

Documentary:

A Diary of Revival (the story of the 1904 Welsh Awakening)

Beyond the Gates of Splendor (documentary of missionaries to Ecuador, PG-13)

Beyond the Next Mountain* (true missionary story about a Bible translator in India—available through www.visionvideo.com)

Case for a Creator, The

Case for Christ, The

Diary of Anne Frank, The

Forbidden Book, The (the history of the English Bible)

Girl Who Spelled Freedom, The (Cambodian family experiences life in USA)

League of Grateful Sons, The

Nature’s Fury

Spellbound (spelling bees)

Star of Bethlehem, The

VonTrapp Children: Live in Concert

Warriors of Honor (the faithful legacies of Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson)

Worth It All, Memoirs of a Missionary

Christmas:

A Christmas Carol (with George C. Scott)

A Christmas Memory

All I Want For Christmas

An Avonlea Christmas

Best Christmas Pageant Ever, The

Call Me Mrs. Miracle

Christmas Box, The

Christmas Card, The

Christmas Child

Christmas Shoes

Christmas They Never Forgot, The

Christmas with a Capital “C”

It’s A Wonderful Life

Lion and the Lamb, The (Rabbit Ears Productions)

Little Drummer Boy, The

Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!

Miracle on 34^th Street—1947 version

Nativity Story, The

Noelle (recommended by the American Family Association)

Shop Around the Corner (b+w with Jimmy Stuart)

White Christmas

TV/Mini Series:

Andy Griffith

Answers In Genesis

Christy (with Kelly Martin)

Cosby Show, The

Cranford

Daniel Boone (1970 TV series)

Davy Crockett (TV series)

Dick Van Dyke Show, The

Doc

Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman

Drive Through History, The

Emma*

Finger Food Café Show, The

Five Mile Creek

Gunsmoke

Here Comes the Bride (early 60s series)

Horatio Hornblower series (some violence and I’ve heard that the last two or three are not completely clean. Definitely not good for children—Bethany)

I Love Lucy

Lark Rise to Candleford

Little Dogs on the Prairie (cartoons made by BigIdea and Focus on the Family. www.startoons.com)

Little Dorrit, The

Little House on the Prairie series

Lorna Doone

Ma and Pa Kettle series

Mark IV Pictures: for all ages

Moody Science Classic videos (Vision Forum)

Moody Science videos (Vision Forum)

North and South (with Richard Armitage)

Ozzie and Harriet series

Pahappahooey Island (Focus on the Family)

Pride and Prejudice (A&E)

Return to Cranford

Road to Avonlea (seasons 1-7)

Shirley Temple series

Sue Thomas FBEye

Waltons, The

Wives and Daughters

Historical:

Gettysburg

Gods and Generals

Red Runs the River (about Stonewall Jackson)

Right Stuff, The (history of the race to space and the birth of astronauts)

Still Standing: the Stonewall Jackson Story

World War II:

30 Seconds Over Tokyo

Back to Batan

Destination Tokyo

Flying Tigers, The

Green Berets, The

Lost Battalion, The

Longest Day, The

Operation Pacific

Run Silent, Run Deep

Sergeant York* (very good)

They Were Expendable

Tora! Tora! Tora! (Japan’s perspective)

Torpedo Run

Twelve O’Clock High  

Based on True Stories:

Amish Grace (Amish community learns to forgive—powerful!!)

Chariots of Fire* (Eric Liddell)

Elephant Man, the (based on John Merrick)

End of the Spear

Everybody’s Baby—The Rescue of Jessica McClure

Flying Scottsman, The (Eric Liddell)

Gift of Love (a boy who donates a kidney to his grandmother)

Gifted Hands (Ben Carson—Christian surgeon)

Glenn Miller Story, The

God’s Outlaw (William Tyndale)

Greatest Game Ever Played, The

Hanged on a Twisted Tree (Dietrich Bonhoeffer) found at www.visionvideo.com

Hiding Place, The* (Corrie ten Boom)

Inn of the Sixth Happiness, The (Gladys Aylward)

Luther* (Martin Luther with Joseph Finnes)

Miracle at Moreaux (nuns who hide Jewish children)

Miracle of the Cards, The (little boy battling cancer and the stress his parents go through and their faith)

Miracle of the White Stallions (Lipizzaner horses)

Miracle*

Miraculous Mission, The

Misadventures of Merlin Jones, The

Miss Potter* (Beatrix Potter)

Mother Theresa—an inspirational story

October Sky (Homer Hickam, famous NASA scientist)

One Against the Wind(war story)

Printing, The* (a true story about Christians who printed Bibles under severe persecution)

Reach for the Sky (true and inspiring story about Douglas Bader)

Remember the Titans*

Rookie, The (Jim Morris, baseball player)

Rudy*

Run, Baby, Run (Nicki Cruz’s childhood—amazing story of God’s mercy and redemption)

Scarlet and the Black, The

Sheffey* (circuit riding preacher and his journey through life)

Silent Night (with Linda Hamilton)

Spirit Bear (Simon Jackson story)

Spirit of St. Louis (Charles Lindburg)

Story of Seabiscuit, The (with Shirley Temple)

Focus on the Family Radio Theatre: (great on long car rides, very accurate to the stories)

A Christmas Carol

Amazing Grace (very well done)

Anne of Green Gables

At Home in Mitford

At the Back of the North Wind

Ben-Hur

Billy Budd, Sailor

Bonhoeffer: The Cost of Freedom

Christmas in Two Acts

Chronicles of Narnia, The (full set)

Father Gilbert Mysteries Series (some may be scary for children)

Hiding Place, The

Last Chance Detectives

Legend of Squanto, The

Les Miserables

Little Women

Oliver Twist

Secret Garden, The

Silas Marner

The Luke Reports (Life of Jesus—very good)

And more, available: www.family.org

Lamplighter Radio Theatre:

A Peep Behind the Scenes       

Basket of Flowers

Boy of Mount Rhigi, The

Buried in the Snow

Captive, The

Charlie’s Choice

Hedge of Thorns, The

Robbers’ Cave, The

Sir Knight of the Splendid Way

Sir Malcolm and the Missing Prince

Teddy’s Button

Unexpected Return

Wanderer, The

Other Family Friendly Audio Tapes:

Pineapple Man, The

Patch the Pirate

Adventures in Odyssey

Richard “Little Bear” Wheeler series

CAUTION!:              

Sandra Idsinga writes: “I think it would be a good idea to put a caution with the ‘movie’ list.’ I am reminded of my husband’s stories of growing up without TV, and then one day they got a TV so that they could watch the odd movie together as a family. Very slowly the standard of what was allowed changed. After several years, around the time when the children were moving out, TV became a part of normal life around the home with each parent having a couple preferences of shows they liked to watch.

We also think that watching movies can become a form of escapism and self-indulgence which can be very difficult for the majority of people to temper. My husband recognizes that he is one of them and we have chosen not to own a TV so that it does not become a problem.

A few years ago, I was turned off of watching movies because it seemed that even the recommendations given by Christians contained some indecent material, whether it was the way it promoted women to act or dress, immorality, swearing, violence or something else. I found that from what was being recommended by some very respectable Christians that having regular movie time can slowly desensitize us to sin. This spiral is often too slow to see and all Christians should be warned to examine their motives before succumbing to regular, recurrent movie nights.

PO BOX 681687, FRANKLIN, TN 37068-1687

"Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her" (Proverbs 31:28).

As I write about my wife, tears of thankfulness fill my eyes. Her price is truly Above Rubies and as Proverbs says, "I have found favor from the Lord."

I am the pastor of Calvary Chapel in Cleveland, Ohio and my wife and I have 14 children. I also do Ironman triathlons (swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles, and then run a marathon 26.2 miles). My background is Drag Racing and my father is in the Drag Racing Hall of Fame. Because of these things I have received a lot of attention and been asked to speak and write for many magazines and websites.

Yet, I am a nobody compared to my wife. There is only one true Ironman in our home--my wife who has delivered 14 children and homeschooled them all. When I met her in 1985 I was a pizza delivery driver. All I can say is that every blessing in my life started the day I met her on a blind date. I knew I was called to be a Pastor but had gone through a three year wilderness journey where I gave up any hope of being used by God.

Sheila did not marry a Pastor and was not a Christian when we married. One day she asked how to become a Christian. The next day I came home and she was bouncing on her toes exclaiming, "I feel so light, I feel so light."

"What happened?" I asked. She replied, "I asked Jesus into my heart last night." I then told her that Jesus left me. She replied, "He did not leave you, but you left him." That was the day the Lord restored me Calvary Chapel in Cincinnati started that week. We both began to listen to verse by verse teaching through the Bible with Chuck Smith. Sheila's entire walk with the Lord began, and has continued, with solid verse by verse teaching. She has tremendous knowledge of the Bible and with it discernment.

God has used her to speak to me more than any other person. We have been married for more than 27 years and I will say that I listen to her more than she knows.

I know I have been a trial to her. We are complete opposites. I'm sure she feels more like a single mom with 15 children! Yet, she has never belittled me or put me down in front of others. She has modeled the Scriptures that encourage a wife to submit to her husband. Some women think this is a sign of weakness. The opposite is true. IT TAKES A VERY STRONG SPIRITUAL WOMAN who trusts God to obey that verse. Sheila is that woman.

We moved to Cleveland in 1992 to plant Calvary Chapel although we did not know one person. For the first three months Sheila would be washing dishes and looking out the window, crying, and wondering why we were there. The church started in our house and people walked in, not just on Sunday, but any time. We also allowed many to move in and live with us over the years, 14 different people to be exact, with some as long as three years. During all this Sheila was a faithful mother and wife. The church has become a blessing, but would not exist without her.

Sheila loves her children. All of our adult children call her every day. Sometimes I am jealous, but also glad. They truly honor and respect her. But, the strongest trait in Sheila is that she is a woman of prayer. She prays and God moves.
If there is a key to our family it has been "Family Time" where we and the children sing worship songs, read the Bible, and pray. We have done this together for the last 19 years. I lead in the evenings and Sheila in the mornings before school. When I hear her teaching the Bible to the children I feel the power of God on our house. The Scripture we have both held onto is in Isaiah 54:13, "All your children will be taught of the Lord, and great will be the peace of your children." We both agree that it is God's faithfulness that our children are following God.

Many ask me, "Did you plan to have so many children?" No! Our first child was born by c-section, the next three normal births in hospital with epidural. The fifth was the first natural birth in the hospital. The last nine were born at home with an awesome midwife, Frieda Miller. The first two home births the children were born before she arrived. It was 100 percent relying on the Lord.

What is funny is that Sheila was the youngest of three children and said she did not like children. With each child she would say," That is the last one." Then the Lord would ask her, "Do you trust Me?" After a few months she would be convicted to trust the Lord and another would be on the way, because God likes children.

All our children were named according to the meaning of their names and a lesson God was teaching us at the time. We have since had three miscarriages. The first miscarriage someone told us we should give her a name and therefore we named her Hope because our hope is in heaven, a lesson God was teaching us.

Sheila has homeschooled each child every year. This adds up to 201 years and she has 12 years to go. To homeschool 14 children takes more patience, character, wisdom, humility, organization, teaching ability, and insight than running the largest corporation in America. To be a CEO for Sheila would be a vacation. The "highest calling" for a woman is to be a Mommy. Sadly, our society brainwashes young girls and robs many of this high calling.

Sheila used to do all the chores, but I told her she must be the Manager of the home, not the laborer. She is also a gifted musician and many of our children play, sing, and lead worship at church. Sheila is my favorite worship singer.

She is an amazing Bible teacher and anointed speaker to women. Titus 3:3-5 exhorts the older women to teach the younger women to love their husbands and to love their children. Sheila has lived this. No one will ever be able to say, "She does not know what I am going through." Over the years many have told me that when they feel like giving up they think, "If Sheila can make it with 14 children, then I can make it."

I am amazed at the wisdom she shares with our children, especially to those who are married or getting married. To the boys she will say, "If you do not treat your wife right I will come after you." To our daughter she says, "Honey, you need to submit to him and trust the Lord." She models this herself and the beauty of her meek and quiet spirit is powerful.

Does she struggle? Yes. Does she have bad days? Yes. Does she ever feel like giving up? Yes. Yet, she has always turned to the Lord for strength and obeyed His will, no matter what the cost

Once I made an observation that in many couples one person seems like "a blessing" and the other is " the blessed." I know full well that Sheila is the blessing and I am the one who is blessed. At the lowest point in my life God brought her to me and I have lived a blessed life ever since.

That is why Proverbs 31: 28-31 applies to her, "Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellent them all. Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates."

I think the ultimate reward is grandchildren. We have three and two more on the way so far. I have never seen Sheila with so much joy as being a Grandma. And nothing gives me more joy than to see her filled with joy.

MIKE BUCHER
Cleveland, Ohio, USA
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.