Trees. Strong Trees.

Life has been busy here in our home this month as we decorate, prepare surprises for one another, bake cookies and make plans with friends and neighbors. I am sure your family is occupied doing the same.

But during the busyness the Lord has encouraged us with more than one passage of Scripture. I would like to share one of those here. I hope you will be blessed...


GOD'S DESIGN FOR GROWING STRONG TREES

Psalm 1:1-3

"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;"

Does this not relate to the topic of media that we have been considering? We have had to ask ourselves, who are those who provide the media we dine on? Are they the ungodly, the people dedicated to living in sin, the scornful?

We've discussed as a family how to apply this verse and what we would need to weed out. As we have shared the verses, the girls have joyfully embraced this weeding and they have determined that they want to keep media choices to their "best" list.



Right now they have determined that those include but are not limited to: The Miracle Maker on DVD, Cedermont Kids for the littles their Christian Science Videos (Moody Science, AIG and 4th Day Alliance). They have other "good" resources, but they are excited about keeping their choices to the best for now.

Ephesians 4:14 says: "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive" Children are easily influenced by others; easily deceived. So we must guard their hearts and minds.

"But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in his law he meditates day and night."

We've been considering various ways that we can meditate on God's Word day and night~ and make it a delight! While we are not accomplishing this perfectly (and I mean not perfectly!), we have made some changes that are bringing us more in line with this verse.

During the day I have begun using a Kay Arthur study with the girls. I read the instruction from one book and they circle and underline the verses that are indicated. It is engaging and fun. I've tried Kay Arthur's kids version as well, but the adult study with all of us seems to work better for our family.

On the weekend nights when Tom is here, we've dusted off the old Family Life books. We've blindfolded little ones and tickled their noses with feathers to talk about having self control and played card games in which one person has a "helper" who can see the other cards they can't to talk about the role of the Holy Spirit as our helper.

In my sister's home next door, she is having her little ones listen to the Bible on audio with all the music and voices that go with it. Sounds fun.

"He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper."

As Christian parents our greatest desire is to grow trees~ strong trees! Strong trees that bear fruit for the glory of God. But often the task seems daunting. In these verses God seems to lay out His plan for growing these strong trees. 1. Keep them from ungodly influences. 2. With delight, meditate on His Word day and night and 3. We will will grow strong trees that bear fruit in their season.

Hmmm... fruit would be nice here. : )





Blessings,



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Photos: The girls set up, lit and decorated the tree all by themselves. They did a great job and freed Mama up to make homemade cocoa. It is a seasonal treat we love and really just takes a few minutes to make from scratch.

Our Favorite Hot Cocoa

1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup Hershey's cocoa
Dash salt
1/3 cup hot water
4 cups milk
3/4 tsp. vanilla extract

1. Mix sugar, cocoa and salt in saucepan; stir in water
2. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture boils; boil and stir 2 minutes
3. Stir in milk and heat- do NOT boil
4. Remove from heat; add vanilla
5. Top with whipped cream and sprinkles~ enjoy!



Serves 6 (but we often double and save extra in the refrigerator)