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Second Book for the summer!
Above is the start of the posts for this second book. It is so awesome that I have done it three times now. If you have never done this and you are a mom, it is a must. If you comment on the posts which can be located on the right hand side of this blog I will get notification.
I was so blessed by Power of a Positive Mom and our three mom meetups this summer!
Love,
Imogene
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Principle 7 and Conclusion
Principle 7~ The Power of love and forgiveness
Worship Song ~ Natalie Grant ~ The Greatness of our God
I love this song and think of the greatness of his love and forgiveness for me.
pg. 243 "Love kisses the boo-boo before scolding about running in the house. Love encourages creativity instead of worrying about the possible mess. Love carefully disciplines and always forgives. Love doesn't sweat the small stuff. Love smiles and hugs. Love takes the time to look you in the eyes and listen to your side of the story."
pg. 249 "A mother's love is like the moonlight. The love that pours from her is actually a reflection of the incredible love of our heavenly Father. Do you relish and enjoy his love? Spend some time each day reading his love letter to you-The Bible. As you ponder God's incredible, everlasting love for you, you will begin to shine with his love in your home."
Affirmative Training~ Proverbs 3:11-12 "My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in"
Hebrews 12:11 "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."
Proverbs 22:15 "Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him."
The poem on page 258 and 259 could have been written by me to my mom. I was crying when I finished it! I love my mom and I pray that I will look to God for the strength to help me care this much for my children.
Conclusion~
Philippians 3:12-14 "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus"
Thank you so much for following along with us in the book. I am not sure of your thoughts but I plan to revisit the last pages of each chapter and make sure to apply these principles to help me become a more positive mother! I love you all!
Here are some pictures of my projects I had done in this book:)
My Life Map
Honor Plate ~
Worship Song ~ Natalie Grant ~ The Greatness of our God
I love this song and think of the greatness of his love and forgiveness for me.
pg. 243 "Love kisses the boo-boo before scolding about running in the house. Love encourages creativity instead of worrying about the possible mess. Love carefully disciplines and always forgives. Love doesn't sweat the small stuff. Love smiles and hugs. Love takes the time to look you in the eyes and listen to your side of the story."
pg. 249 "A mother's love is like the moonlight. The love that pours from her is actually a reflection of the incredible love of our heavenly Father. Do you relish and enjoy his love? Spend some time each day reading his love letter to you-The Bible. As you ponder God's incredible, everlasting love for you, you will begin to shine with his love in your home."
Affirmative Training~ Proverbs 3:11-12 "My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in"
Hebrews 12:11 "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."
Proverbs 22:15 "Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him."
The poem on page 258 and 259 could have been written by me to my mom. I was crying when I finished it! I love my mom and I pray that I will look to God for the strength to help me care this much for my children.
Conclusion~
Philippians 3:12-14 "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus"
Thank you so much for following along with us in the book. I am not sure of your thoughts but I plan to revisit the last pages of each chapter and make sure to apply these principles to help me become a more positive mother! I love you all!
Here are some pictures of my projects I had done in this book:)
My Life Map
Honor Plate ~
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Principle 5 and 6
Principle #5 ~ The Power of Your Example
Heaven Help Us
Worship Song ~ Casting Crowns Slow Fade
Romans 7:18-25
John 15:5 "I am the vine and you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit: apart from me he can do nothing."
Nobody's Perfect pg. 194
"Feed my sheep" John 21:17-18
This poem speaks volumes to me!
"I'd rather see a sermon, than hear on any day.
I'd rather one would walk with me than merely tell me the way.
The eye's a better pupil, more willing than the ear,
Fine council is confusing, but example's always clear.
And the best of all people are the ones that live their creeds,
For to see good in action is what everyone needs.
continued on pg. 196
pg. 203 Has some real fun ideas to apply traditions throughout the different holidays!
pg. 210 Has some wonderful travel ideas~ What are some of yours? I love this goodie bag idea and I am going to use it next month for our beach trip! No more fighting over treats and toys:)
Principle 6~
We are all changes in the making.
pg. 219 "But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation."
I have to always ask myself am I looking to my foundation for my strength or just my self?
pg.231
My mommy friends and I were just talking about good books to look for with our preschoolers and here it is. It is fun to have a mission for a book at a library trip and then theme your weeks activities around this book. Here is a good link to some reading programs as well.
http://www.southernsavers.com/2011/06/free-kids-summer-reading-programs/
These two principles are filled with fun applications. I feel like I need to print out these ideas and use them to set goals at the start of the year. The fun reading ideas and inspirations to be a better mom and care what is going on in the circus I call my home is very inspiring.
Heaven Help Us
Worship Song ~ Casting Crowns Slow Fade
Romans 7:18-25
John 15:5 "I am the vine and you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit: apart from me he can do nothing."
Nobody's Perfect pg. 194
"Feed my sheep" John 21:17-18
This poem speaks volumes to me!
"I'd rather see a sermon, than hear on any day.
I'd rather one would walk with me than merely tell me the way.
The eye's a better pupil, more willing than the ear,
Fine council is confusing, but example's always clear.
And the best of all people are the ones that live their creeds,
For to see good in action is what everyone needs.
continued on pg. 196
pg. 203 Has some real fun ideas to apply traditions throughout the different holidays!
pg. 210 Has some wonderful travel ideas~ What are some of yours? I love this goodie bag idea and I am going to use it next month for our beach trip! No more fighting over treats and toys:)
Principle 6~
We are all changes in the making.
pg. 219 "But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation."
I have to always ask myself am I looking to my foundation for my strength or just my self?
pg.231
My mommy friends and I were just talking about good books to look for with our preschoolers and here it is. It is fun to have a mission for a book at a library trip and then theme your weeks activities around this book. Here is a good link to some reading programs as well.
http://www.southernsavers.com/2011/06/free-kids-summer-reading-programs/
These two principles are filled with fun applications. I feel like I need to print out these ideas and use them to set goals at the start of the year. The fun reading ideas and inspirations to be a better mom and care what is going on in the circus I call my home is very inspiring.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Principle 4~ Strong Relationships
MEET UP ~
Morrison YMCA in front of Smoothie King at 10:30
Had a great time of fellowship last time and look forward to seeing you all again~
Worship Song ~ How He Loves Us
This song was awesome for me to see that if I submit to the love that God has for me I can then submit to my husband and his love that he has for me.
pg. 159 "The Five Languages of Love" Chris and I did this when we got married and I would love to do this again to see if anything has changed. It is so important for me to serve his love language and accept it when he expresses his love for me in his way.
pg. 162 "Are you communicating respect in your message and your tone of voice." I am so bad about flying off the handle and not thinking before I speak. Some days I pray about everything before I talk to Chris about anything. This prevents displacement of anger on him and has improved our relationship.
pg. 164 We love to watch movies. I think that it is fun to get fun treat candy to go along with the movie and it shows Chris that I thought about him that day:)
This was a good reminder to pick a book or devotion to do with my husband. We had been doing one but it did get put to the side at the beginning of the summer and I put it back on my bedside today.
pg. 167 Choose~ This is another good application to make a memory list of all the things you love about your husband. Once you start having that mental pity party you can remember the list.
Do~ I did take a picture of where Chris and I very first started dating and sent it to his phone and asked him to guess where it was. It did put a smile on his face and he sent me a little love line back. So easy and meant so much~
I enjoyed this chapter just as much as the last. I feel that at the end I am going to go back through all the last pages and reread the scripture and make sure that I am doing the DO section. I did the life map that she talked about last week. I pinned it up in my closet. Really made me see all the blessings that God has given me!
Talk to you Wednesday or next week here on the blog~
Morrison YMCA in front of Smoothie King at 10:30
Had a great time of fellowship last time and look forward to seeing you all again~
Worship Song ~ How He Loves Us
This song was awesome for me to see that if I submit to the love that God has for me I can then submit to my husband and his love that he has for me.
pg. 159 "The Five Languages of Love" Chris and I did this when we got married and I would love to do this again to see if anything has changed. It is so important for me to serve his love language and accept it when he expresses his love for me in his way.
pg. 162 "Are you communicating respect in your message and your tone of voice." I am so bad about flying off the handle and not thinking before I speak. Some days I pray about everything before I talk to Chris about anything. This prevents displacement of anger on him and has improved our relationship.
pg. 164 We love to watch movies. I think that it is fun to get fun treat candy to go along with the movie and it shows Chris that I thought about him that day:)
This was a good reminder to pick a book or devotion to do with my husband. We had been doing one but it did get put to the side at the beginning of the summer and I put it back on my bedside today.
pg. 167 Choose~ This is another good application to make a memory list of all the things you love about your husband. Once you start having that mental pity party you can remember the list.
Do~ I did take a picture of where Chris and I very first started dating and sent it to his phone and asked him to guess where it was. It did put a smile on his face and he sent me a little love line back. So easy and meant so much~
I enjoyed this chapter just as much as the last. I feel that at the end I am going to go back through all the last pages and reread the scripture and make sure that I am doing the DO section. I did the life map that she talked about last week. I pinned it up in my closet. Really made me see all the blessings that God has given me!
Talk to you Wednesday or next week here on the blog~
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Principle 3 ~The Power of a Good Attitude
Worship Video ~ Healing Hands of God
From Imogene~
Chapter 9~ pg. 125 "our contentment is independent of what we have or who surrounds us."
This one is a hard one to swallow sometimes. Where is my contentment? It is so easy for us to look to others and things here on earth rather than The Maker. I have to admit I read this chapter the week before on the perfect day, I was one step away from my own pity party in my bathroom!
Chapter 10~ pg.139
I can not wait to make these posters with my family. I think this will be a fun weekend activity.
Chatter 11~ pg.146 "In this world you will have trouble." I loved the story that came after my favorite verse about the teachers. I have two young boys and it was awesome to see this mom discussing this situation.
Psalm 37:23 ~ "for the Lord upholds him with his hand" The Do in this last chapter is to make a Life Map. It is going to be fun to track the progress of all these activities on these blogs. When I get time I would love to post mine for you all!
Imogene
From Imogene~
Chapter 9~ pg. 125 "our contentment is independent of what we have or who surrounds us."
This one is a hard one to swallow sometimes. Where is my contentment? It is so easy for us to look to others and things here on earth rather than The Maker. I have to admit I read this chapter the week before on the perfect day, I was one step away from my own pity party in my bathroom!
Chapter 10~ pg.139
I can not wait to make these posters with my family. I think this will be a fun weekend activity.
Chatter 11~ pg.146 "In this world you will have trouble." I loved the story that came after my favorite verse about the teachers. I have two young boys and it was awesome to see this mom discussing this situation.
Psalm 37:23 ~ "for the Lord upholds him with his hand" The Do in this last chapter is to make a Life Map. It is going to be fun to track the progress of all these activities on these blogs. When I get time I would love to post mine for you all!
Imogene
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Principle #2 ~ Power of Prayer
Worship Song ~ God Speaking
Thanks to all the moms that took the time to meet in groups to go over the introduction and principle #1. Was so awesome to have fellowship in the middle of school endings and all the activities that brings. Here we are in the second principle and what a powerful one it is.
Chapter 6 ~ pg. 80
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6
Imogene~ What a wonderful structure for prayer. Each week we will face the little trials of being a mother. God is telling me to calm down, pray, be thankful, and ask. He knows the greater purpose for the trail and I am so focused on the moment I need to step back and look at this verse daily.
pg. 88 offers other great verses that can help us structure our daily prayers
Chapter 7 ~ pg 105 CHOOSE
Imogene~ I was reading another book and the author had you write a "I remember List". This is a list of prayers that God has answered in the past. This is a great application in combining with chapter 6. If I go back to Philippians 4:6, again he is telling me to calm down, pray for his peace, remember all the other answered prayers, and ask for this prayer.
Chapter 8 ~ pg 108
"praying moms saw the power of God to work through their prayers"
This is a great chapter on prayer and how we need to be accountable to others in our prayer life. Since we are all busy moms it helps to find some friends and when you need their prayers ask. This allows them to come along side you in this trial and enjoy in the answering of your prayers in the deliverance of the trial. I also have started asking God to lead me to pray for different moms that may need prayer. He often brings them to mind. Then I will pray, reach out to that mom, and let her know that I was in prayer for her. You would be amazed at how many times I hear, "You have no idea how much I needed prayer that day." We need to lean on our father and pray to him daily so we can lean on him through this journey of being a mom.
pg. 117
"So I think I know the secret
Learned from many a troubled way,
You must seek God in the morning
If you want him through the day."
Comment Question~ What are you willing to give up in order to have time in prayer?
Imogene~ I would have to confess that I need to give up my junk tv shows I watch at nap time and spend that time praying.
Talk to you next week!
Thanks to all the moms that took the time to meet in groups to go over the introduction and principle #1. Was so awesome to have fellowship in the middle of school endings and all the activities that brings. Here we are in the second principle and what a powerful one it is.
Chapter 6 ~ pg. 80
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6
Imogene~ What a wonderful structure for prayer. Each week we will face the little trials of being a mother. God is telling me to calm down, pray, be thankful, and ask. He knows the greater purpose for the trail and I am so focused on the moment I need to step back and look at this verse daily.
pg. 88 offers other great verses that can help us structure our daily prayers
Chapter 7 ~ pg 105 CHOOSE
Imogene~ I was reading another book and the author had you write a "I remember List". This is a list of prayers that God has answered in the past. This is a great application in combining with chapter 6. If I go back to Philippians 4:6, again he is telling me to calm down, pray for his peace, remember all the other answered prayers, and ask for this prayer.
Chapter 8 ~ pg 108
"praying moms saw the power of God to work through their prayers"
This is a great chapter on prayer and how we need to be accountable to others in our prayer life. Since we are all busy moms it helps to find some friends and when you need their prayers ask. This allows them to come along side you in this trial and enjoy in the answering of your prayers in the deliverance of the trial. I also have started asking God to lead me to pray for different moms that may need prayer. He often brings them to mind. Then I will pray, reach out to that mom, and let her know that I was in prayer for her. You would be amazed at how many times I hear, "You have no idea how much I needed prayer that day." We need to lean on our father and pray to him daily so we can lean on him through this journey of being a mom.
pg. 117
"So I think I know the secret
Learned from many a troubled way,
You must seek God in the morning
If you want him through the day."
Comment Question~ What are you willing to give up in order to have time in prayer?
Imogene~ I would have to confess that I need to give up my junk tv shows I watch at nap time and spend that time praying.
Talk to you next week!
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Introduction and Principle #1
Here we go!
Worship Song~ HOLD ME
Chapter One
pg. 10 "You are absolutely essential in your home and in the lives of your kids. Your job has more than monetary value: it has eternal worth!"
Imogene~
Wow! When I was going to school I wanted a job just like this! But my view was alot different. I would have the nice car, home, husband, nanny, and big office. I would mean alot to alot of people. Well boy has all this changed. I got to that career and realized that it really did not matter. Guess what? The bank will open with or without Imogene Noe. Little did I know that the job that would have eternal worth would be filled with one of daily self sacrifice. Not to mention all the dirty diapers and daily beat downs of being a mom. But boy is this when God lifts me up, HOLDS ME, and shows me that he can do all things through me that really matter to him.
Share the Do on pg. 16 (please comment on one thing that is on your card)
Imogene ~ "To TRUST in Christ to do all things through me." I can not tell you how many times during one day I close my eyes and think, "God you have something for me here, right here, and I am not seeing it. Please show me so I can get through this."
Chapter Two
pg. 23 "..build on your strengths"
Imogene~ I took the spiritual gift test that you can find here. This helped me to realize that I am not all things to all people, BUT I can be something to a few people and be good at it.
http://www.ebcrochester.org/misc/php/LifeWaySpiritualGiftsSurvey.php
pg. 29 "God's Holy Spirit is our power source.."
Imogene~ I need to spend time with him daily to really see him and see his provisions in my life. This is when I feel my real purpose.
Chapter Three
pg. 42 "by praising our Holy Father"
Imogene~ Just last year I made a worship song part of my quiet time and I really feel that this is my thanksgiving to him daily. When I am having a hard time and facing doubt I go to him in worship and this is when I hear him and his verses that he has for me for this exact situation. But how can I hear if I do not submit to him?
I did write down the accolades for my family. I made a point to say the first one to my husband. He looked at me and said, "What?" Wow, this shows you how much work I have to do to let my husband know what I love about him. He is so stressed at work and when he comes home we are his peaceful place. I guess I need to think of this more and make an effort to make him feel loved, like Christ loves me.
Chapter Four
My sister plays this game with her family where they list out blessings that people are to their lives. This makes the kids focus on the good in the family and not the bad. After reading this chapter and having two boys under four, I will be playing this game tonight:)
pg. 72 Story about Karol ~
I realize that my husband desires for me to happy. He goes to work to provide for our family and shows us love in his love language. I need to accept, appreciate, and realize that this is how God made him. A couple of months ago I was at a Mentor Night and we realized that if we go to our maker with all our problems before our hubbies come home we are less likely to do the emotional dump on our husbands. It really has made a difference in my personal life. We focus on the goodness in the day and then address the couple of items that need to be discussed.
I am so glad that I made the commitment to finish these chapters. I know that it is a struggle for us all. But awesome to see three take aways from these chapters that will daily help me stay on the positive side of being a mom.
Serving Him,
Imogene
From Melissa~
After reading the introduction through Principle #1, I am so excited to see what God has planned for us! God is already speaking to my heart through His Word and this book. I truly want to not only hear what God has to say to me, but I want to do what He has called me to do.
In chapter 1 (p.11), I was reminded of just who my employer is. I am quick to quote Colossians 3:17 to my kids, but this was all up in my face about me...Who am I working for? I had forgotten this in the day to day struggles of caring for my family.
On page 22, she talks about "neither circumstances nor people are ever perfect". The bottom line is that I am a perfectionist, but "is my vision realistic or just a glorified picture of what we think we ought to be?" What are my expectations for myself, my husband and my children? To be perfectly honest, I had to stop and repent. (p.27) "Are we taking time to love and enjoy the people God has placed in our care?"...or am I too busy trying to be perfect?(p. 29) Am I allowing the Holy Spirit to be my power source or am I relying on my own self? I tend to try to be my own power source and being the human that I am I usually blow a fuse or burn out!
Priniciple #1: The thing that really spoke to me here is what she has to say about self worth.(p. 38) "Children need to establish in their hearts and minds that their worth is not wrapped up in what they do or what anyone else thinks...rather, it is based on who they are in Christ." This is my prayer for my children...and for myself. I really struggle with the fact that I need to be doing something to have self worth.
Finally (p. 48), Colossians 3:12-15(NIV) says this..."clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience...and over all of these virtues put on love which binds them all together. Key words "clothe yourselves" and "put on". It is a deliberate, intentional action. These things will not just happen because we wish it were so.
I am looking forward to what is in store for us as we seek God's will for us as a Mom!
Worship Song~ HOLD ME
Chapter One
pg. 10 "You are absolutely essential in your home and in the lives of your kids. Your job has more than monetary value: it has eternal worth!"
Imogene~
Wow! When I was going to school I wanted a job just like this! But my view was alot different. I would have the nice car, home, husband, nanny, and big office. I would mean alot to alot of people. Well boy has all this changed. I got to that career and realized that it really did not matter. Guess what? The bank will open with or without Imogene Noe. Little did I know that the job that would have eternal worth would be filled with one of daily self sacrifice. Not to mention all the dirty diapers and daily beat downs of being a mom. But boy is this when God lifts me up, HOLDS ME, and shows me that he can do all things through me that really matter to him.
Share the Do on pg. 16 (please comment on one thing that is on your card)
Imogene ~ "To TRUST in Christ to do all things through me." I can not tell you how many times during one day I close my eyes and think, "God you have something for me here, right here, and I am not seeing it. Please show me so I can get through this."
Chapter Two
pg. 23 "..build on your strengths"
Imogene~ I took the spiritual gift test that you can find here. This helped me to realize that I am not all things to all people, BUT I can be something to a few people and be good at it.
http://www.ebcrochester.org/misc/php/LifeWaySpiritualGiftsSurvey.php
pg. 29 "God's Holy Spirit is our power source.."
Imogene~ I need to spend time with him daily to really see him and see his provisions in my life. This is when I feel my real purpose.
Chapter Three
pg. 42 "by praising our Holy Father"
Imogene~ Just last year I made a worship song part of my quiet time and I really feel that this is my thanksgiving to him daily. When I am having a hard time and facing doubt I go to him in worship and this is when I hear him and his verses that he has for me for this exact situation. But how can I hear if I do not submit to him?
I did write down the accolades for my family. I made a point to say the first one to my husband. He looked at me and said, "What?" Wow, this shows you how much work I have to do to let my husband know what I love about him. He is so stressed at work and when he comes home we are his peaceful place. I guess I need to think of this more and make an effort to make him feel loved, like Christ loves me.
Chapter Four
My sister plays this game with her family where they list out blessings that people are to their lives. This makes the kids focus on the good in the family and not the bad. After reading this chapter and having two boys under four, I will be playing this game tonight:)
pg. 72 Story about Karol ~
I realize that my husband desires for me to happy. He goes to work to provide for our family and shows us love in his love language. I need to accept, appreciate, and realize that this is how God made him. A couple of months ago I was at a Mentor Night and we realized that if we go to our maker with all our problems before our hubbies come home we are less likely to do the emotional dump on our husbands. It really has made a difference in my personal life. We focus on the goodness in the day and then address the couple of items that need to be discussed.
I am so glad that I made the commitment to finish these chapters. I know that it is a struggle for us all. But awesome to see three take aways from these chapters that will daily help me stay on the positive side of being a mom.
Serving Him,
Imogene
From Melissa~
After reading the introduction through Principle #1, I am so excited to see what God has planned for us! God is already speaking to my heart through His Word and this book. I truly want to not only hear what God has to say to me, but I want to do what He has called me to do.
In chapter 1 (p.11), I was reminded of just who my employer is. I am quick to quote Colossians 3:17 to my kids, but this was all up in my face about me...Who am I working for? I had forgotten this in the day to day struggles of caring for my family.
On page 22, she talks about "neither circumstances nor people are ever perfect". The bottom line is that I am a perfectionist, but "is my vision realistic or just a glorified picture of what we think we ought to be?" What are my expectations for myself, my husband and my children? To be perfectly honest, I had to stop and repent. (p.27) "Are we taking time to love and enjoy the people God has placed in our care?"...or am I too busy trying to be perfect?(p. 29) Am I allowing the Holy Spirit to be my power source or am I relying on my own self? I tend to try to be my own power source and being the human that I am I usually blow a fuse or burn out!
Priniciple #1: The thing that really spoke to me here is what she has to say about self worth.(p. 38) "Children need to establish in their hearts and minds that their worth is not wrapped up in what they do or what anyone else thinks...rather, it is based on who they are in Christ." This is my prayer for my children...and for myself. I really struggle with the fact that I need to be doing something to have self worth.
Finally (p. 48), Colossians 3:12-15(NIV) says this..."clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience...and over all of these virtues put on love which binds them all together. Key words "clothe yourselves" and "put on". It is a deliberate, intentional action. These things will not just happen because we wish it were so.
I am looking forward to what is in store for us as we seek God's will for us as a Mom!
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