Tag: god

What is Joyful Parenting?

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

joyfulparenting

What does Joyful Parenting mean to you?

We know that the word joyful means full of joy.  And, the word “joy” according to the dictionary means…

1. the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation:

2. a source or cause of keen pleasure or delight; something or someone greatly valued or appreciated:

3. the expression or display of glad feeling; festive gaiety.

So basically “joy” is an emotion that we feel and display to the world around us. And a pretty good one if you ask me.

Joy is also described as one of the fruits of the Spirit, listed in Galatians 5:22, in the bible.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.”
I bet you are asking what does fruit of the Spirit mean.  So, this is how I will explain it according to my understanding.
Joni’s definition…
When we invite God into our lives, we receive the Holy Spirit and as we work on our relationship with God, seeds are planted into our soul. These seeds are love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness. And you have to nurture this garden every day by reading His word and spending time with God. By doing so each of the fruits of the Spirit will grow and blossom.
Most of the people who know me, know that I have a prayer closet where I spend time reading God’s word, praying, and listening to spiritual music. One of my favorite songs is “In The Garden” by Joey and Rory.  I play it every morning as part of my playlist during my time with God.  And yes, I do feel like I am in a garden with God. And yes, He walks with me and He talks with me! And, one more yes, it is very similar to cultivating a  vegetable garden. Except the garden is my soul.
Many times I have entered my prayer closet and during our time together, I find myself crying. Which is God’s way of washing my soul free from the entanglements of this world.  But it is when I leave, He gives me the joy to face another day.
Another point I would like to make is that I have heard joy described as the giver of spiritual strength. My personal experience knows this to be true, because I feel stronger when I am joyful! Don’t you?
And if you don’t believe me that joy can make you strong, read what it says in Hebrews 12:2.
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God”.
Wow, the joy set before Jesus helped him endure being crucified! It is no wonder joy is described as the giver of spiritual strength.  I am so grateful we do not have to endure the cross and put our joy to the strength test.
But, it is time to put the emotion joyful into play in our lives. Then we can all be joyful parents, grandparents, co-workers, and children of God!
Joni’s Guidelines for Finding and Using Joy.
1.  Read God’s word every day.  If you can find the time to be on social media sites, you can find the time to read God’s word.
2.  Speak God’s word into your life and into your children’s lives.
3.  Smile and speak positively even during times of trials and tribulations. These are only moments in our lives and God does not allow them to last forever.
4.  Get up every morning and decide that you are going to be joyful today.
5.  Pray for your family, friends, and others who need prayer.  Stepping out and helping others as a family can set your perspective straight.
6.  Make a grateful list and write each day the things that make you thankful.
7.  Love others the way Jesus loves you.
I know being joyful can be a hard task before you, especially if you are not a positive person.  But the reward for every effort you put into being joyful, spreading joy, and teaching your children joy; is greater than you can imagine. Joy can change the world. It sure changed ours’!
God Bless You!
God Bless America!

Telling Your Kids the Good & the Bad

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

Lately the media and discussions have focused on terrorism, violence, and fear. It is frightening enough to adults, but what about the children? How do you tell your child about the bad things in life?

Different parenting methods offer different opinions on this subject. I personally believe it is not one blueprint fits all situations. Each family has to decide what method is best suited for their children.

Some parents think their kids need to be totally informed and usually allow their children to consume a lot of media. Other parents believe their kids need to be shielded from media, and leave their children with blinders on.  I believe there is middle ground!

Your first consideration should be age. If a child is preschool age, there is very little they should be told other than the “Stranger Danger Rules.” A child’s safety should be a parent’s number one concern at this age. The evil in this world will enter their realm soon enough.

Now, when kids start elementary school, well… kids talk. And those who have been privy to the news and other questionable media, love to share.  Good communication between you and your children will allow your kids a comfort zone, to come talk to you about what they have heard. Then comes honesty with a buffer and your bible. God’s word gives us all of the instruction we should ever need in life on all subjects.

Remember, evil roams this earth from end to end, and children should have a safe place within their home and family structure.  Children also need to know there is good and bad in everything. How much they can be told depends on age and what you want them to know. Discuss with your spouse how to handle these questions as a team. Ask your friends with kids, how they handle the discussions about good and bad things in life.

Come up with a solid game plan to combat the evil of this world, from instilling a spirit of fear within our children.

The one thing a parent should not want to do is to bestow upon their children a spirit of fear.

Below are two great bible verses to remember when dealing with your children.

2 Timothy 1:7  “For the Spirit, God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

1 John 4:18    “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”

God Bless You!

God Bless America!

 

Beaches and Bacteria Safety

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

Today I read of a man in Texas, who now has the flesh-eating bacteria destroying his body. He contracted the bacteria after swimming at a local beach in Texas.  The family was unaware there were problems in the water at this beach. And now he may pay the price with his life!

My home state of South Carolina, also had warnings earlier in the season of high bacteria levels at their beaches. They advised people not to get into the water.  It makes me wonder if one area of a state’s beaches are contaminated, would not the other beaches be contaminated also.  The ocean’s water does not stay in one location. With currents and tides, it migrates up, down, and around our coastal regions.

If my kids were juveniles, I would not let them in the ocean this year.  Anyway, most resort locations have pools and water parks to be enjoyed.  But if you are head strong and believe nothing will happen to your child or children, at least check this site out…http://www.epa.gov/beaches. You can find information concerning the status of the water in your area and bacteria levels. This goes for fresh water locations too.

Now, that I have informed you of the beach bacteria, I have to preach on the subject of cleanliness. Because our waters did not get this way on their own. It is from trash, pollution, and ports for ships. The main cause is people and their lack of respect for the environment!

When I was growing up it was known, that anywhere we traveled to, we were to leave it cleaner than when we arrived.  To this Southerner, it is common decency.

When you hear someone say “Cleanliness is next to Godliness” they are talking about the book of Leviticus in the bible. There are chapters with God telling Moses what should be done in each situation. If cleanliness were not important in a Christian life, why would God make sure it was known at the very beginning?

Christians should lead the way as examples for others to follow!

Please teach your children that cleanliness is what Christians do. Because it is not only pleasing to God but it is being good stewards of the earth He gave us.

God Bless You!

God Bless America!

 

Who Has Time for Manners These Days? (You Do!)

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

I love it when my grandchildren answer me with their manners.  From “yes mam”, to “please”, and “thank-you,” it is one of the  Southern traditions I am proud they still utilize every day.

When you look around at our hectic world today, faster is not always better.  Taking the time to teach your children a small level of respect for others, will produce great rewards in their futures.  Even in job interviews, remembering the polite applicant makes them hire worthy. Everyone wants to work in a pleasant environment!

When God created Adam, He basically said that Adam and all of his descendants were to be caretakers of the earth. And Jesus came along to remind us that we were to be caretakers of each other. So how did something so simple become so complicated and discarded?

Because respect is not taught these days in homes, at schools, at work, and even at play.  It is all about upping the next person, being better than they are,  and trashing our environment.  We have come a long way from Adam and it has been downhill ever since. We wonder what happened to the younger generation.  The answer is found within our older generation; us!

We became so caught up in “have it all” mentality, that we forgot our stay here is temporary. And we do have it all! We have God’s grace, and love. Yet, Mothers who stay home to raise their children are looked upon as a lower class.  Women having babies by themselves is applauded and encouraged.  And the fathers, yes, where are the fathers?  We have been divided and conquered by things, lifestyles, and media.

So, how can we turn it around? With respect and manners! Teach the next generation some simple manners and show them this is not a throw away world. Make them the caretakers of the people and their earth once again.

respect

Easter at Pop Nelson’s Pond

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

pond

The Turtle family lived in a quiet meadow on Pop Nelson’s farm. Now, Pop was an elderly man who lovingly took care of all of the animals on the farm.  Every morning, during his morning walk, he would bring food to the pond animals. Pop had duck food, turtle food, fish food, and bird food in his backpack.

The pond had been the Turtle’s home since Pop’s great grandfather owned the farm. And the Turtles live in the same mud hutch that their great grandparents lived in.  Grandma and Grandpa Turtle lived in the mud hutch right beside them too! Everyone’s life was very happy at Pop Nelson’s pond.

One day during Easter season, Tom and his older sister Tabitha were in the kitchen helping Mama dye Easter eggs.  Tom was in a pouty mood because he felt like his friends got to dye more eggs and got better toys for Easter than he did.

“Mom why can we only dye three eggs a piece?” whined Tom.

“Because Easter is about Jesus Christ and not eggs.” Mom said firmly.

Seeing her young son’s pouty face, Mom decided to try to make him understand the real reason for Easter. And it was not dyed eggs, bunny rabbits, and gifts!

“Tom,” Mom said gently, “We dye three eggs because each egg represents something very important at Easter.”

“Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!” chimed in Tabitha.

“That is right, Tabitha.” Mom said.

Mom went on to explain, “Easter is about Jesus Christ, who was sent by the Father, to take away our sin to give us everlasting life.”

“Before Jesus left to go back to heaven, He gave us the Holy Spirit to help us out in this life and to give us a connection to Him and the Father, until we go to heaven.”

“Mom, I know all of that,” Tom said, “we learned about it in Sunday school.”  “I want to know why we cannot dye a dozen eggs and get a cool toy for Easter, like all of our friends do.”

Mom sat down at the kitchen table and motioned for Tom and Tabitha to sit down. This was going to be a very important talk and she wanted their full attention.

“I believe it is my job to keep our family focused on the right things in life.”

“For us to dye twelve hard boiled eggs and no one eats the eggs is wasteful to me.”

“There are too many in this world who do not have food to eat.”

Mom continued.

“And, your father and I feel like for you to get a cool toy is disrespectful to the meaning of Easter, but a small thoughtful one is ok.”

With a smile on her face, Mom decided to let Tom and Tabitha in on a little secret!

“Besides we have a neighborhood Easter egg hunt every year, and we use over 100 plastic eggs.”

“That we put paper crowns and crosses in, to keep our friends remembering the real reason for Easter!” Tabitha said, trying to act like Mom.

Tom stuck his tongue out at his sister. Tabitha always tried to act like she was an adult too, and it annoyed him.

Mom ignored the faces being made between the two of them.

“And this year there will be a surprise at the egg hunt!”

“Huh?” Tabitha and Tom said together, thus stopping their silly face making.

“One of the eggs will have this beautiful gold cross in it,” Mom pulled out a small gold cross from her apron pocket, “and whoever finds it will keep the gold cross.”

A sly grin came over Mom’s face.

“Oh yes, along with a special prize!”

Tom jumped out of his chair and said, “I will help you pick out the plastic egg to put the gold cross in Mom!”

“Tom” Tabitha put her hands on her hips. “You can’t do that, it would not be fair!”

Before a good argument got going, Mom stood up and stated, “Only, Mayor Sam Duck will know because he gets to put the gold cross in the winning egg.”

“I won’t even know,” Mom said.

“Do you know what the surprise is going to be?” Tabitha asked.

“No, that job was for Pastor Peacock.”

“Oooooh,” both children happily said together, “Pastor Peacock finds the most fun things for us kids at church.”

“Come on now,” Mom lovingly touched each of their turtle heads, “We still have the plastic eggs to fill.”

Mom, Tom, and Tabitha filled all of the plastic eggs with the paper crowns and crosses. Tom and Tabitha eagerly ate their dinner, washed, said their prayers, and went to bed. They wanted Easter to hurry up and come!

 

 

 

Noni’s Wisedom for Parents

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

Noni;s corner

Yesterday, innocence was once again taken away.  The violence committed against men, women, and children has no reasoning. Pray daily.  Find five minutes to spend with God! It is important to everyone. Spend every moment with your children.  Youth fades away, jobs fade away, friends fade away, but your family is forever!

Happy Valentine’s Day

Posted on by jonithetentmaker

love

1 Corinthians 13:13!!

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love
The bible tells us that the greatest or best thing of all, is love.  And we should love everyone, because Jesus loves you! You are the most wonderful thing in this world and you fill our world with alot of joy!
Have a Happy Valentine’s Day!