From Frazzled to Fun

History

The idea of Christingles came from a Moravian Church in Germany in 1747 when minister John de Watteville gave children at the service a lighted candle with a red ribbon around it. He explained that this represented Jesus being the light of the world and the final prayer of that first service was "Lord Jesus, kindle a flame in these children’s hearts, that theirs like Thine become".

Moravian missionaries brought the tradition to the Church of England in the late 1700's and the Christingle was later made more popular in the UK by John Pensom in 1948 at Lincoln Cathedral.

The tradition is often observed either the Sunday before Christmas or on Christmas Eve.

Over the years the symbolism of the Christingle grew into what's known as a Christingle today. What does it represent?

• The orange represents earth.
• The candle gives light to the darkness, just as the love of God and Jesus himself does. (The foil is only there to catch waxy drips from the...

As you consider buying books for your child this Christmas, a book by historically-wholesome American Girl reminds us of the importance of vetting content.

The 96-page book, “A Smart Girl’s Guide: Body Image: How to love yourself, live life to the fullest, and celebrate all kinds of bodies” is written for girls aged 8-13 and promotes, among other things:

• getting "medicine" (puberty blockers) from doctors in order to "have more time to think about your gender identity"
• children contacting LGBT organizations if their parents are not supportive of exploring gender identity

“The way you show your gender to the world through clothes and behaviors is your gender expression,” the book reads, as reported by The Daily Mail. “Your gender expression can be feminine, masculine, or somewhere in between – and it might change! Maybe you’ll experiment with bright dresses and long, feminine hairstyles. Or you might try baggy...

Oh, God, source and giver of all things, you manifest your infinite majesty, power, and goodness in the earth about us. We give you honor and glory. For the sun and the rain, for the manifold fruits of our fields, for the increase of our herds and flocks, we thank you. For the enrichment of our souls with divine grace, we are grateful. Supreme Lord of the Harvest, graciously accept us and the fruits of our toil, in union with Jesus, your Son, as atonement for our sins. For the growth of your Church, for peace and love in our homes, and for salvation for all. We pray through Christ our Lord, Amen.

- Living God's Justice: Reflections and Prayers

God bless you and your family on Thanksgiving Day!

P.S. Have you marked your calendar for Coach Mom Live: Choose Joy, the retreat coming to sunny Phoenix Feb. 24-25, 2023? If not, what are you waiting for? The location is Arcadia City Church, and I want to see YOU there! Watch for more info!

Huge news yesterday.

I share my take on it in this short fireside chat.

• Life is WINNING!
• What does this overturn have to do with my son's birthday?
• This is only one of the NEW THING breakthroughs coming! 
• Healing for those with post-abortion grief and depression

His Kingdom come, His will be done! 

I was on the schedule to pray at the close of our church's Mother's Day Sunday service.

Little did I know what the Lord was going to prompt....

Nor did my pastor husband!

Chris had just preached a sermon on 2 Kings 4:1-7, which tells about a widow who was worried she wasn't going to be able to pay debts to creditors.

Elisha asked what she had in her house. 

She said she had a little oil.

She brought her little and God multiplied it.

He did the same thing in my kitchen one day. Watch the video to hear the story.

If you feel like in your life you might be "coming up short" in your patience, energy, or resources, I think my unexpected sermonette in our Mother's Day service might encourage you.

We had two kids at the time, but late one Saturday night, my wife said … “it’s time.”

Did I forget to say we were 9 months pregnant … at least my wife was! "It’s time” wasn’t something she said often, so I didn’t hesitate to ask for further clarification.

We loaded up the car, called friends who had committed to come spend the night and watch our two older boys and we headed to Good Samaritan Hospital.

Upon arrival, we learned it apparently was time for a lot of other babies that night also.

We did all the typical stuff you do when a baby is about to be born -- paperwork, blood pressure, etc. I asked the attending nurse if we could get a room for my wife and she answered that no rooms were available and we could wait in the hallway. The waiting room was full but they had placed a few chairs in the hallway -- I got one for my wife and I stood by her.

When I asked how she was doing she said “it’s time".

My wife had...

Heart check!

Leading up to Easter is a great time to examine our hearts and ask the Lord to clean them up and make them whole. We need to do it, and we can help our children do it, too.

Here’s an easy-to-do object lesson to help your kids understand how to keep their souls free. Gather large rocks or heavy books, a sack, masking tape, and a Sharpie marker.

1. Ask your children to think of someone they may need to forgive. Here are a few prompts:
1. Did someone say something that embarrassed you
2. Did someone take something that belonged to you?
3. Did someone make you feel bad about yourself?
2. Talk about the feelings that can result from hurts like that (resentment, hate, revenge, anger and bitterness) and write those things on the masking tape, labeling each rock or heavy object.
3. Put the items in the sack.
4. Have each child take turns walking around the room holding the loaded sack, and explain that carrying around feelings such as anger and unforgiveness in their hearts is an even...

Can I encourage you to grab a cup of coffee or tea, take a 7-minute soul "spa" moment, and reflect on your Heavenly Father's great love for you?

He knows you, He sees you, and He loves you.

Barry Adams in 1999 felt the Lord whisper to his heart that if he could put the scriptures in the right order they would form a love letter.

In January 2000 his love letter almost shut down the internet because so many people were viewing it at once. It has now been translated into more than 120 languages -- 100 million people have read and heard it so far. 

Take a few minutes and bask in his love by clicking here.

It will make you a better mom. :)

I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled...

Wednesday, March 2 is the first day of Lent! 

Would you like to know about a great Lent resource to use with your kids?   

It's an amazing 40-day prayer guide produced by Waymakers. It is truly one of the most powerful resources I have seen. And to think that people all around the world are praying the same powerful prayers together each day...WOW!  

"We do our best praying when we pray beyond our personal needs and persistently pray toward the great things that God has purposed to accomplish in history. We do our best praying for others when we envision and intercede for the good things that God has desired for them. We do our best praying as a people, united and focused by God’s word" (Waymakers.org).

A Guide for Kids

Pray with the kids using this prayer guide kids version. Just download for free and print. 

The App

Follow along on your tablet or phone: Seek God for the City 2022 App 

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