A Note from Storyformed Founder, Sarah Clarkson...
It's no secret that we like stories around here, so let me tell you one to begin.
Compelled to Tell
Today's post comes from Jacqui Wakelam, a Mum Heart group leader and the overseer of the Mum Heart groups in the UK and Ireland. She and her friend, Amy, hosted the very successful Mum Heart conference in London recently. Read her thoughts on how our stories can impact others.
I remember hearing a Holocaust survivor being interviewed once on a leading U.S. talk show. His words were arresting and the stories gripped my imagination and soul. Why had he written his memoirs? His narrative was one of ultimate hope but also of such horror and human darkness, so why share, why talk, why tell others?“You have to free the ones you find,” was his profound reply.This response and insight has always stuck with me. This is why we have a deep, burning desire to convey to others the truths that have shaped our own journeys – we want to see others walk in more freedom, to learn from our own journey, and feel a shared connection.
I love when Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4). She was so impacted by this encounter she left all her stuff and ran back to the village and dragged half the town out to meet Him! Many went on to believe in Him, not just based on what she’d told them, but because they’d now heard Him first hand (John 4:41-42).
This is why we share; we’re compelled by our own divine encounters and want others to get in on the feeling!When we’ve been changed, we desire that change for others, to ‘free the ones we find’. When we’ve been reached in our isolation we want to reach into other’s loneliness and bring them to that fullness of life! So we throw all the toys behind the sofa, get out the tea stained cups, the chipped side plate, light the candle, unwrap the biscuits, hide the laundry upstairs…we provide a simple space to come hear more.
A Testimony of Goodness
How am I exercising God's kindness toward my family members, and toward others, so I will have a testimony of goodness?
Motherhood and the Great Commission
Today's post was written by Tami in Texas. She is a long-time friend of Mom Heart Ministries and has completed several leadership intensives under Sally's teaching. Her group was profiled in this post. Welcome, Tami. Before we think about how the Great Commission applies to motherhood, first we have to define the Great Commission. This portion of scripture in Matthew is called the Great Commission because it is the final instructions that Jesus gave to his disciples while on earth that encourages them to go and do what He has taught them over the past three years. Jesus is sending them out into the world to spread His teachings.
Matthew 28:16-20 The eleven followers went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus told them to meet him; and when they saw him, they bowed to the ground before him; although some hesitated. Then Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to lay to heart all the commands that I have given you; and remember, I am with you everyday until the end of the age.’
The mission Jesus gave to his disciples when He appeared to them after the miracle of His resurrection has not changed. First of all, He says to GO, take action, and then He says to MAKE disciples, which consists of BAPTIZING them into the household of God and then TEACHING them to obey His Word.
In simple terms we are to:Go ... make disciples ... baptize ... teach.What about those who hesitated? Could this again demonstrate that the disciples are just like each of us? Though bold in their faith and their belief in Jesus, sometimes they hesitated before they committed, before they took action.The Great Commission applies directly to motherhood, not just to those going to foreign lands to preach Christ. It begins within our own homes. Motherhood is our mission field. So how does the Great Commission apply to motherhood? Are we following the basic elements of the Great Commission in our homes?
As parents, Jesus has given us the primary disciple-making responsibility of our children. To put it simply, we are to develop a lifestyle of discipleship--being the example that our kids long to see and hear. To immerse them daily in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit by teaching His word and showing them how to practice all the things that Christ commanded. This should simply not be reduced to an activity taught by others outside our homes; instead, it should be a life lived out and taught by us and our example in our own homes.Have you hesitated to take the Great Commission into your home? What could be the cause of our own hesitation as moms?
I see three possible causes for our hesitation:
- Moms are not trained for Biblical Motherhood. Perhaps they are not confident in how to apply the Great Commission to motherhood. What can you read to encourage your heart in this way? The Mission of Motherhood is a great place to start.
- We live in a culture now where all opinions are equally valid. We don’t stand up for Christ because we don’t want to offend anyone. We find ourselves spending more time preparing what to say, than actually saying anything. Do you know someone who is more brave than you? Spend time with her and watch what she says and does. Pray for courage in your own heart.
- Sometimes we hesitate because we are too busy trying to keep up with everyone else. Read the scriptures. Consider looking up verses on contentment or joy. Learn what God has to say.
As a mom, we actually possess the prophetic voice and the gift of proclamation of Christ; yet we often hesitate to use it. Since Jesus is the Lord of our life, we shouldGo ... make disciples ... baptize ... teach.Teaching our children the commands of Christ is more than transferring information. This teaching involves applying God’s word to their hearts. Obedience in the biblical sense isn’t about outward conformity to the law. Rather, obedience comes from a heart that has been changed by God through the discipleship process.Our homes can be transformed into a community that provides a safe place for edification, training and discipleship, fulfilling the Great Commission we have been given as mothers by Christ. Sally's ministry encourages discipleship with our children and with other moms. It is mentioned in each of her books, blogs and conferences and is a reminder how we all need discipleship to further His kingdom.
Walking out the Great Commission will look different in each of our homes. In mine, we read one chapter of the Bible daily aloud together. We talk about how to apply this to our lives. Each child will say what verse stood out to them. This could be a verse they liked or didn’t like or maybe didn’t understand and then we discuss it. We end in prayer. Sometimes I wonder if they are really listening, but then they say something profound, that makes my heart smile and I am grateful God shows me this training is worthwhile.
This is our Great Commission to Go…make disciples…baptize…teach and then send our children into the world, praying they will keep their focus on Christ and remember their training, to hopefully bring the Great Commission into their generation!Encourage the women in your Mom Heart groups to consider that the raising of their children is actually discipling them to know and love God. We have the responsibility and privilege of encouraging these little ones in our care.
Some Benefits of Community
Have you been following along on our series about tending to your own Mom Heart? Not only do we need to learn to tend to our group members’ hearts, but we need to first tend and fill our own heart so that we have something to give. Find the earlier posts here.Community and Fellowship Provide Us with Affirmation, Affection, Stability and BelongingRecently, I was feeling quite alone and unnoticed in my life. I was carrying several serious burdens of my children and friends, was quite tired of working, and felt so alone.A very loyal and trustworthy friend texted me, “I am going to be gone for a month. I need some Sally time.”
As we sipped the strong black tea we both loved from England, I poured out my heart’s issues. Out of compassion, tears came to her eyes. “I don’t know if you realize it, but I am praying for you diligently almost every day. All the things that are piling up in your life are indeed heavy to carry, but my life is similarly burdened, and I want to tell you how I have been seeing God’s goodness amidst my own personal circumstances.”When my friend left, nothing in my circumstances had changed, yet I felt hope in my heart because of her words. Our friendship carried me to peace because she helped to shoulder my burdens and sympathize.God created us for companionship with real people. We were born for community, love, help, encouragement, and the blessing and intimacy that comes from close friendship with others.
Consequently, fellowship with like-minded women and men is essential to our spiritual health, and to our well-being in the Christian life.A woman alone in her home, giving and being emptied on a regular basis, and dealing with her limitations -- plus those of the sinful people who dwell in her home -- is a target for discouragement, feelings of inadequacy, confusion and a sense of failure.Having support systems is essential to our spiritual life, growth, health and pleasure. God intended us to live in a greater sense of family—to have aunts, grandmas, sisters, cousins, and friends who would surround us and give help and instruction to us as we learn to live life as moms, wives, ministry leaders, and friends.In an isolationist society, we have falsely accepted the premise that we can “do it alone.” That belief brings so much pressure on one person to be all and do all!
Cultivating fellowship, friendship, and community may require you to take initiative, since isolation is the norm in this culture at this time.Keep looking until you find someone more mature than you who can draw you forward in your walk with God. Find someone who is right where you are to share similar issues, ideas, and help, and also find someone younger in the Lord or at a younger stage to whom you can bring encouragement.Read and ponder the following verses in reference to yourself and your current community. How can you apply them to your life?What action steps do you need to move on to create a less isolated life for you and for your family?
How can you spend time intentionally connecting with the women in your Mom Heart group?
ECCLESIASTES 4:9-10 Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.HEBREWS 3:13 (NIV) But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.GALATIANS 6:10 (NLT) Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone--especially to those in the family of faith.COLOSSIANS 2:2 (NLT) I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God's mysterious plan, which is Christ himself.HEBREWS 10:25 (NLT) And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
ACTS 2:42 (NIV) They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.ACTS 2:46-47 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.GALATIANS 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.MATTHEW 18:20 (NLT) “For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them."TITUS 2:3-5 (NLT) Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good. These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.
How will you reach out to create community for yourself this week?
A Mother's Expectation
A mother's expectation of blessing is a powerful testimony of faith.
What are you expecting?
Different Discussion Questions | Chapters 3 and 4
As we move through Different, pay close attention to your group members’ reactions. If someone suddenly goes quiet or gets defensive, treat her very gently. Ask privately after the group is over if there’s something she needs prayer for. Remember, we gather to encourage each other and point one another to God and His word, not to give advice or solve each other’s problems. When there are big reactions, God’s spirit is working!
Chapter 3Page 33 “Perhaps as you read these words you will think of someone you know, maybe someone you love, who fits the characteristics of being different. But maybe, just maybe, there have been times in your own life when you felt that no matter how hard you tried, you simply couldn’t see life like “everyone else.” Times when you’ve felt the whole world turn against you. Times when no matter how hard loved ones tried, they simply couldn’t understand what you were going through. Times when you yourself may have felt different.”How can you relate to this?When have you felt that you couldn’t see life like everyone else?Page 34 “All too often, in a culture that demands conformity, we try to suppress the traits that just don’t fit in, when in reality the things that make us different can be the things that make us beautiful, and are the traits that God wants to use in our lives to bring strength to others and reflect his beauty.”Considering the previous questions, how has God used your differences to bring strength to others and reflect His beauty?
Read aloud the italics section at the top of page 39.What does this stir in your heart?On page 42 is the LAUNCH acronym that Sally used to remind her how to love Nathan in his differences. Click here to find a printable PDF that you can share with your Mom Heart groups.
Chapter 4Page 53 “I believe that the longing to live a meaningful life resides inside all people. Not everyone is motivated by epic tales, by swords and swashbuckling and high romance. But each of us has the deep desire to become a hero in our own story-the person we were meant to be, accomplishing what we were created to accomplish. And I am convinced that each of us is designed to play a significant role in the history of the world. God created us with personality, strengths, weaknesses, passions, and preferences we need to play our part. But to do that, most of us need inspiration. And stories can give us that.”What other ways have you found to inspire your children if they aren’t engaged by “swords and swashbuckling and high romance?”As most children (though not all) ARE inspired by stories, there are some helpful resources at the bottom of this post.Page 54 “I had always avoided allowing Nathan (and my other children) the crutch of too much “screen time” – TV, video games, computers, and so on. But that meant I needed to be resourceful about offering creative and engaging alternatives to fill their time. So I did my best to fill our home with that I call “tools of imagination”-games, supplies, and materials that would engage their interest and help them grow in thinking skills and imagination as they played.”
With your group, brainstorm some tools of imagination to inspire your children. Try to think of things for different age groups- inspiring an 8-year-old is vastly different from inspiring a 14-year-old. Share your lists here in the comments or over on the Mom Heart groups Facebook page- we’d love to hear them!Page 57 “If I wanted [Nathan] to be all he could be- all God created him to be- I needed to see both his realities and his possibilities and then keep my eyes on what God could accomplish. Then I needed to invest my energies into training my little boy, expanding his horizons one day at a time, one small step at a time.”How has balancing reality vs. possibility been a challenge for you with your children?
Page 59 “So our personal family story was written through days of teaching, training, and celebrating life that required not only patience and diligence, but also thoughtfulness, creativity, and a willingness to engage in cultivating a home alive with imagination, a delightful environment for learning and developing a love of learning.”Patience, diligence, thoughtfulness, creativity, willingness to engage: Which of these areas would you like to grow in? How will you do that?Spend some time closing in prayer with your group.Helpful linksIntroduction to DifferentDiscussion Questions for Different Intro and Chapters 1 and 2Discussion Questions for Different Chapters 3 and 4 Printable PDFPrintable LAUNCH Poster24 Family WaysNathan’s post of his favorite storiesCaught Up in a Story by Sarah Clarkson (Nathan’s sister)Storyformed instagramRead for the Heart by Sarah Clarkson (my favorite book about books with amazing lists and descriptions of wonderful, wholehearted books)Read Aloud Revival podcast about books with Sally and Nathan
Obedience Follows Prayer
Have you been following along with our series about tending to your own Mom Heart? Not only do we need to learn to tend to our group members’ hearts, but we need to first tend and fill our own heart so that we have something to give. Find all the posts in the series here.Have you ever felt strongly convicted during prayer only to lose the fervor soon after? Sometimes we hear God's voice or feel his prompting and we choose not to take a step on the path He has laid.
Committing to prayer is vital; yet living out our faith and love for God also requires obedience. Obedience is the action point in our moment to moment lives. We must obey His will and His ways if we say we want to love Him with our whole heart.
What do these verses teach you about the importance of obedience?
EXODUS 19:5 (NLT) "Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me."DEUTERONOMY 11:1 (NLT) “You must love the LORD your God and obey all his requirements, decrees, regulations, and commands.”JOHN 14:23 (NLT) "Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.” 2 CORINTHIANS 10:5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ ."HEBREWS 13:7 (NLT) "Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith. "REVELATION 14:12 (NLT) "This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently, obeying his commands and maintaining their faith in Jesus. "
Consider spending time this week quietly pondering what these scriptures mean for your life and Christian walk. How can you exhort your Mom Heart group with these verses?
Motherhood is Not Burdensome
Motherhood is not just a burdensome task to be done, but an expression of the very nature of God Himself.
Hold Fast | Tip #19
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:23-25)
As a Mom Heart group leader and teacher, you are putting into practice what the writer of Hebrews told those early Christians they needed to do to be confident on the journey of faith. You are “assembling together” to “hold fast the confession of our hope” and to “stimulate one another to love and good deeds” so that you all can be women known for “encouraging one another” as you live your lives together for Christ. Ask yourself the following questions to help you press in and press on in your vital, biblical ministry to women:• How can I “hold fast the confession” of all that I hope for in Christ? What can cause me to be “wavering” about that hope? What will help me be strong in faith?
• What “promises of God” strengthen my faith and steady my hope? How have I seen God be “faithful” to me and my family?• How can I lead and tend my Mom Heart group so that we “stimulate one another to love and good deeds”? How can I make sure that we are “encouraging one another” every time we are together?
• Is there anything that could make me want to “throw away [my] confidence” in Christ? How can I protect against that in the times when I “have need of endurance” so that I will be able to do the will of God.
Different Discussion Questions | Intro Thru Chapter 2
Leading a Mom Heart group through the book Different might make you feel nervous. After all, these are extremely personal thoughts and struggles for mothers who might never have shared with anyone before. I encourage you to be very gentle as you address these topics in a group. Please read this post first that includes some tips for safety within your group. If you create a safe place and don’t force anyone to speak who isn’t ready to, you can have a dynamic and intimate conversation, creating amazing friendships with the women in your group. Don’t be afraid of tears and tender hearts and go ahead and pause the conversation to pray over a specific circumstance if the Spirit prompts you.
In our group, after fellowship time and any “getting to know you” questions, we open in prayer and then start with a very general question such as those below to get the conversation started.How did reading this section affect you?Did anything cause you to view yourself or your children with a new perspective?Our group only meets once per month, so we will discuss two chapters at each meeting. Here are some suggestions of discussion questions to help you get started. Keep in mind that each group is different and the Lord will prompt you with appropriate questions that befit your group. Take time to think ahead, pray and ask God to use you to speak His words of life.IntroductionOn page XXV, Sally shares how Nathan found her a safe person to confide in.Do your children have a safe place in you?What do you need to change in the power of the Holy Spirit so that they will find you safe?
Chapter 1On page 5, Sally discusses how she was influenced profoundly by her family, and in particular, her mother. “She also (inadvertently) taught me a valuable lesson that has served me well as a mama- that it is easy for parents to pass on unnecessary guilt, shame, and insecurity to their children because we fear the rejection of critical and judgmental people in our lives.”How has being rejected caused you to pass on guilt, shame and insecurity to your kids?How can you grow in this area in order to bring them health and security instead?Page 7 “Learning to love ourselves, to be humble enough to admit our limitations, to truly appreciate the gifts our differences bring while also being willing to accept help and healing for the most painful ones, gives us greater mental, emotional, and spiritual health.”Where might you need to accept help and healing or how have you done this in the past?Chapter 2 How did reading of Nathan’s experiences affect you? Did hearing from his perspective bring new compassion for anyone in your life?Page 21 “Patience and focused attention would often help him to respond and talk to me about what he was feeling. I prayed, pondered, and sought wisdom and education to find a way to reach him in the impossible moments, which still happened so very often.”What have you noticed about your children when you’ve paid close attention? Are you calm and attentive enough to really see them?
Page 26, “I am not a naturally selfless woman, nor a patient one. I’m the type to fly through life so that I can get a lot done- now! I usually have a strong sense of the way life should be, and I tend to get irritated when someone gets in my way or I can’t make things “right.” But none of these qualities were practical or effective in responding to this one who needed my slowness and my attention in the midst of my busyness. And I had made a commitment to God to begin to see Nathan as a blessing.Who needs your slowness and attention? Are you willing to make the sacrifice and find the self-control to give it?Did anything else in this section stand out to you?Keep in mind that these are a lot of questions and depending on how deep you go into each one, you might only get through a couple. Listen to God’s spirit and follow His promptings. After discussion, we spend a few minutes sharing about how we can pray for each other and then close in prayer, being sure to end on time in order to respect people’s sacrifice of being away from their families.Are you reading Different together? I am finding that this book is reaching women in a new and amazing way. How is it going in your group so far?Below is a printable PDF of the discussion questions.Questions for Different intro 1 2
Mom Heart of North Alabama
We are so excited to share today's post from Pam Turney. Pam is a longtime friend of the Clarksons and Mom Heart Ministry. Pam hosts a Mom Heart conference in North Alabama that features speakers that have been trained and mentored by Sally. Here is a little of her story.
We started in the back room of the local YMCA...a small group of moms struggling together to find joy and purpose in the journey of parenting, each of us desiring to love God and our families wholeheartedly but many of us lacking the biblical knowledge and community of believers to strengthen our faith for the many trials of life.Now, some eight plus years later, we have grown into an area of moms who have now forged deep friendships through shared suffering and celebrating. We embrace life expectantly and with open arms as we continue to gather together regularly for times of study, sharing, and sweet fellowship. The meetings over the years turned into weekend retreats which we outgrew in a few years.
This year the Mom Heart of North Alabama team will host the second annual Mom Heart Conference on March 24 and 25 in Huntsville, AL. We are planning a wonderful time of inspiring talks, great food, and fellowship with like minded moms. Having attended these types of conferences since 2000, I have learned the importance of getting away and refueling while building strong friendships with other women who support me. The journey can be long and hard and is not meant to be walked alone.Also, as I embraced the biblical principles presented in these gatherings, I began to see transformation in my own life as well as the lives of my family. Understanding God’s original design for us freed me to love and enjoy my children as gifts my Creator had entrusted to me rather than constantly trying to perform or measure up to some worldly standard.
I needed this support more than I would ever when my marriage failed and I became a single working mother of five children: children who still needed to know that God was good and faithful and see that their mom believed in God's goodness. The lovingkindness and support from my Mom Heart friends over the next decade empowered me to stay strong in the ministry God had entrusted to me to disciple my children and other women. I have stuck with this long enough over the past seventeen years to see the fruit in my own life as well as the lives of my children. Having grown up without discipleship and struggling to find my place and purpose has ignited the passion within to make these truths available for others that they too may walk in truth and also make disciples not only in their homes but also their communities.
If you are anywhere near our area, please consider joining us March 24-25 for a wonderful time of encouragement and equipping in your journey. It is our deepest desire for you to know how deeply you are loved by God.
Pam and Sally, years ago!
How is Your Heart Toward Your Child
Is your own Mom Heart characterized by gentleness, tenderness, and affection toward your child?
In The End, It Takes Faith | Tip #18
Leading and teaching a Mom Heart group is not about authority, or great faith, or special training, or strong personality, or spiritual giftedness, or appearance, or deep knowledge. It’s about being faithful to serve, available to God, and willing to learn. David, who would become king of Israel, did not look like a future king, but God told Samuel to choose and anoint him, “for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). If you are faithful, available, and teachable, then God is not concerned about the outward appearances such as worldly qualifications and qualities; God is looking at your heart.
“For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His” (2 Chronicles 16:9).
If you believe there is a need today to “restore moms’ hearts to God’s heart for motherhood,” then perhaps God is moving you to start a Mom Heart group. You can pray, get counsel from others, research, and make Pro-Con lists, but in the end you will need to take a step of faith. At some point you will say to God, “I believe this is what you want me to do, so I am ready to take a step of faith and do it.” That’s when you move from walking by sight, to walking by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7)—that’s when you say, “This is what I want to do for God.”
If you’re ready to become a link in the 2,000-year-old chain stretching back to Jesus, Paul, Timothy, and all who have followed them, then take that step of faith. You will be blessed because of your faith, and other moms will be blessed through you.
Home
Home is where the heart of motherhood lives.
Believing Prayer: Tending to Your Own Mom Heart
Have you been following along on our series about tending to your own Mom Heart? Not only do we need to learn to tend to our group members' hearts, but we need to first tend and fill our own heart so that we have something to give. Find the earlier posts here.The phone rang late in the night, again. Several of my children have lived and worked overseas from time to time, and so we are somewhat accustomed to hearing from them around the clock.“Mama, I just have something I want to talk to you about. I want your advice and to know what you really think about my situation. Hearing your voice and knowing you care about what is happening to me makes me feel more centered.”I love the fact that my children want to talk to me and be close even though they are now capable adults. So it is with God. We have the amazing ability to have Him with us all the time, in every situation, and He wants us to share every fear, hope, need, and thought of our heart with Him. Just as I love hearing from my children anytime they want to call, so God desires our companionship and conversation, as well as our deepest heart’s trust that He will always help us in time of need.
Prayer is conversing with God and giving Him the right as our Father to lead, to act on our behalf, to help us, and to show us how to live in the circumstances of our lives. Prayer is the venue through which we walk daily, trusting God, giving Him our burdens, leaving our issues and problems in His hands. Through prayer, God can accomplish what we, in our human strength, cannot.Consider the following verses about prayer:
COLOSSIANS 4:2 (NLT) Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7 (NLT) Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18 (NLT) Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.ROMANS 12:12 (NLT) Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.JEREMIAH 29:12 (NLT) In those days when you pray, I will listen.
MATTHEW 18:19-20 (NLT) “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”MATTHEW 6:6 (NLT) “But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”MATTHEW 6:9-13 (NLT) Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.
Spend some time praying and meditating on these verses. God will remind you what believing prayer looks like for you, in your current circumstances, with your personality and gifts.
Using Different in a Mom Heart Group
This week, several women gathered in my home to begin a new season of Mom Heart ministry. We are meeting to read Different together, discuss it and encourage one another in our faith and in our mothering. I wanted to let you know the simple things that we did to help spark your own ideas of how you might begin studying the book with a few other women.
First of all, I let people know that we would be starting this new book study together. For me, this meant finding some Facebook pages of local mothering groups and letting them know that they are welcome to join us. I always ask women to contact me via email (rather than through FB) so that I am sure to receive their message. I then send out an informational email with details of our meeting and what women can expect when they arrive.
We meet once per month which is the amount that I can sustain as hostess and leader. Ideally, we'd meet more often, but that is not possible in my current season of life. I'd rather meet less frequently than have to quit the group due to burnout. Since our group only meets once per month, we do a potluck dinner together and spend some extra time in fellowship and getting to know one another. This usually includes a time of "show and tell" during which we share resources that are fun or inspirational for our parenting or household management. At our most recent meeting, a group member shared some fabulous picture books about art that she'd found at the library.After our time of fellowship, we move into our book discussion time. Since we haven't started reading the book yet, we watched a few videos about the book together.Sally and Nathan together on the Today Show.
Sally and Nathan answering questions on FB Live for the launch of the book.
Nathan's spoken word poem about OCD.It was a powerful time hearing directly from the authors about their experiences.
Once that was done, I reminded the group about some basic ground rules- confidentiality, not to give advice unless expressly asked for, and to tread very carefully in speaking about our own and other's out-of-the-box kids. Mom Heart groups gather to encourage each other and point each other to a closer walk with Jesus and we want to keep that the main goal of our meetings.
Lastly, I opened it up for people to share how the videos made them feel and how they felt about reading the book together. More than one women shared that they are nervous and very vulnerable because they are in the midst of living with a child that pushes their buttons and/or has issues that make daily life a struggle. There were lots of tears.I am so grateful that Sally and Nathan have written such a vulnerable book about their own journey so that those that are struggling every day can find hope and encouragement. I am grateful to be a part of a Mom Heart group in which it's safe to share those hard things together.How will you use Different in your Mom Heart groups?
Growing As a Leader in Spiritual Disciplines: God's Word
“The reason why many are still troubled, still seeking, still making little forward progress is because they haven't yet come to the end of themselves. We're still trying to give orders, and interfering with God's work within us.”
~A.W. Tozer
Growing in knowledge of the Word of God is essential to the ability to obey His ways, to grow in wisdom, and discern truth.Perhaps one of the reasons we, as Christians, have not made more impact on our world for the cause of Christ is that many have not learned or been taught the Word of God, His instruction, His ways, or His wisdom. These verses below show us how important His messages, truth, and ways are to our ability to live a godly life. Without the wisdom of God, we are subject to the world’s philosophies and will be led to foolishness in our lives.• What do these verses teach you about the importance of the word of God? Make notes in a journal about the importance of knowing and following God’s Word.PSALM 1:1-6 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, But they are like chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked will perish.
PSALM 19:1-11 The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, And night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; Their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their utterances to the end of the world. In them He has placed a tent for the sun, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber; It rejoices as a strong man to run his course. Its rising is from one end of the heavens, And its circuit to the other end of them; And there is nothing hidden from its heat. The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether. They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward.PSALM 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.2 TIMOTHY 3:16 (NLT) All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.MATTHEW 4:4 (NLT) But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, 'People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"2 TIMOTHY 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.There is profound significance living in the power of the Holy Spirit.No matter what I did one morning, I could not get my computer to come on. I saw that the cord was in the right spot on the side of my computer. Yet, when I got down to check the plug, I realized it had fallen slightly away from the wall and had lost connection with its power source. The computer still had all the potential to do endless work, but could not fulfill its potential apart from its power source.
Similarly, we are just not equipped to live spiritually strong without preparation. No matter how hard we try, we still sin, act selfishly, and are tempted in life. Yet, God intended when we engaged in faith by trusting Him for our life and salvation that we would also grow with His Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives and learn to walk by His wisdom, trust Him to work through us, believe that He would answer prayer and rest in His ability to forgive us and use us.Simply put, living by the Spirit of God is the only way to make us able to live a truly Christian life.Growing in understanding of how to let the Holy Spirit lead and rule your life gives you the power to live the Christian life. Without His strength and wisdom, you are not able to live a full Christian life. Merely “gutting it out” will not work. Your works will never be good enough to enable you to live a Christian life. Only as the Spirit works through you will you be able to grow—it is Christ in and through you.
Ponder the following verses about what it means to be “Spirit-led”:JOHN 20:21-22 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”JOHN 14:26 (NLT) “But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.”ROMANS 8:26 (NLT) And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.GALATIANS 5:22-23 (NLT) But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!1 CORINTHIANS 6:19 (NLT) Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself.JOHN 16:13-15 (NLT) “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’”TITUS 3:5-6 (NLT) [H]e saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.GALATIANS 5:16 (NLT) So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves.
What routines or habits are you building into your life this year so that you can spend more time in God's Word? Are you reading it, listening to it, pondering it and gathering His wisdom for your life? How are you setting an example in word and in deed to those around you (your children, Mom Heart group members)?
Serving God Everyday
Becoming God's BondslaveEve was the first created woman. She chose to turn away from God’s ways, to listen to Satan, and to follow a path that led to death in her relationship with God.Mary, the mother of Jesus, modeled for us a new way to love God. She redeemed the picture of what it meant to be a woman who was committed fully to living as a child of God.
LUKE 1:38 And Mary said, “Behold, the bond-slave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. • What was in Mary’s heart that communicated her understanding of her whole life with God? • How does her statement differ from the behavior of Eve, who pondered Satan’s words and chose to go in his pathway?GENESIS 3:4-6 The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! “For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.Do you see yourself as a bondslave of God? In Old Testament times, a bondslave was a slave who, after a period of service to a master, determined that he or she would rather remain in that service than ever be set free (Deuteronomy 15:16-17). A bondslave lives to do the will of her master.Mary told the angel she wished to remain in the Lord’s service, placing herself at His command.• Have you determined to be the Lord’s bondslave? • Does He have rights over every area of your life? Consider making this commitment now.LUKE 22:42 (NLT) "Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine."Perhaps Jesus grew up hearing Mary’s narrative about herself, that she committed herself to being obedient to God’s will—that she said, “Be it done to me according to your will.”It’s incredibly comforting that Jesus, Himself, walking on earth in the flesh, trembled at the thought of the cross—even asking that the suffering it entailed would be taken away from Him. He truly understands our weaknesses and the way we turn from pain! But as our example, He ultimately prayed, “Yet, I want your will to be done, not mine.”A child learns how to become a devoted servant of Jesus not only by instruction but also by modeling. Perhaps Jesus is a reflection of His mother’s words and story in his own story of seeking to please God.• Are there areas in which you tremble at something you believe God wants you to do? Can you, today, say along with Jesus, “I want your will to be done, not mine”?JEREMIAH 9:23-24 Thus says the LORD,“Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises loving-kindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.• Could you boast that you understand and know God? If you’re not sure, what might you begin doing in order to get to know Him better? What do you think it would mean to live your life to know God—His ways, His thoughts, His heart, His will?As a parent, I want my children to know me fully and to respond to me in love. And so God as our Father cares about our desire to know Him, to be with Him, to be like Him.MATTHEW 4:20 And they left their nets at once and followed him.
Peter, Andrew, James, and John were all fishing when Jesus called them. They responded by immediately leaving their nets and boats—their very livelihoods—in order to respond to that call.• Do you understand that becoming a follower of Christ means leaving your old world, values and habits behind, instead following Him to His ways? • Are you willing to leave everything in order to follow Jesus?ROMANS 12:1 (NIV) Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.• Paul urges us to worship God by offering our whole lives, body, mind and soul to Him. Is there any way in which you are living your life that is not pleasing to God? Ask Him.
A New Book!
Have you discovered the joy of reading a book alongside another mother? It is one of the best ways to build camaraderie, spark conversation and create like-minded friendships. We are so excited that tomorrow (January 24th), Sally and Nathan have a new book to encourage mothers. This book is unlike anything the Clarkson family has written before. Written from both Sally's and Nathan's perspectives, this book gives a peek into life with an outside-the-box child, shedding light into an area that is so often hidden. Different gives us encouragement to love our children well, even when they are mysteries to us. Different also shows some of what life has been like from Nathan's perspective, opening up a window into what is usually inaccessible: the mind of a child with hard diagnoses.[embed]https://youtu.be/ABbRGUOiRHU[/embed]This book has the potential to draw women into your Mom Heart groups that have never found a compassionate, listening ear before. Women that have been isolated, lonely and despairing that they could ever have hope amidst very challenging life circumstances. To love these women will be a gift.
Are you going to use this book in your group? How have you reached out to mothers that are alone? Let's brainstorm how to get this book into those women's hands![embed]https://youtu.be/kE5AtROoKAE[/embed]