THIS WARRIOR IS A CHILD...IN THE WORD...

Have you ever sat and thought about what it must have been like for God to come to earth as a baby, live in a somewhat blended family, and submit to others? His family scenario is on my mind frequently. Yesterday, as I was driving from one clinical student teaching supervision to the next, I heard Jesus' family dynamics discussed on christian talk radio. I immediately knew what I needed to change what I had originally planned to share on this post today. Once again, I thank God for the way His Holy Spirit works!
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This past Sunday at noon, we celebrated with our high school seniors from church at a luncheon. Steve spoke. He shared many wonderful things, one of which was part of a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow that he memorized in the fourth grade: PAUL REVERE'S RIDE. He recited it for us word for word over 45 years later. Amazing!
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There is a Jewish prayer that is taught by Jewish mothers to their young children. It is actually something that Jesus said as He hung on the cross.
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So, it is quite possible that Mary taught this prayer to her children and that it was still in Jesus heart and head almost 30 years later:
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"Father, into thy hands,

I commit my spirit."

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Ahhhh!!! Mary knew how to trust God...to submit...to commit... to be humble...
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Listen to Mary's own words:
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• "And Mary said: 'My soul exalts the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave...' " Luke 1:46-48

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I do believe that Mary modeled a deep childlike dependence on her Heavenly Father. Jesus understood. His life and death fleshed out what had been modeled and taught.

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• "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3

• "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 "Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3-4

• "And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, "Father, into Thy hands I commit My spirit." And having said this, He breathed His last." Luke 23:46

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I do believe that THIS WARRIOR IS A CHILD!

• Father God, I need Your protection...Your armor!
• Brother Jesus, I need the shield of Your faith!
• Holy Spirit, I need Your sword!

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"Father, into thy hands, I commit my spirit." What wonderful WORDS to help us celebrate the first birthday of this blog for

• COMMITTED MOMS
• SUBMITTED MOMS
• TRANSFORMED MOMS

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THIS WARRIOR IS A CHILD...I'M SO GRATEFUL!!!

Thank you, God for one year of posting on http://momtransformed.blogspot.com

Today is the 365th day from when we began and the 342nd post! I am very amazed at what You, God, have done.


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I would like to share a few "remembrance stories" today to honor God and encourage each reader. Feel free to come back and click links as you are moved to do so. Leave a comment each day this week and it will automatically sign you up for a daily drawing for a framed print. For those who win the daily drawings, I will send you several calligraphied framed print options to choose from. I plan to mail them out the first of next week along with the ones from my last drawing. We will continue celebrating each day this week.

Click here for one of my favorite

SUNDAY IN THE SON posts:

http://momstransformed.blogspot.com/2009/04/ive-been-crucified-with-christ-so-how.html

Click here for one of my favorite

MEDITATION MONDAY posts:

http://momstransformed.blogspot.com/2009/04/crucified-with-christforgivenforgiving.html

Click here for one of my favorite

GRATITUESDAY posts:

http://momstransformed.blogspot.com/2008/12/because-he-livesin-steve-sikes.html

Click here for one of my favorite

WOMEN IN THE WORD WEDNESDAY posts:
http://momstransformed.blogspot.com/2009/04/crucified-with-christforgivenforgiving.html

Click here for one of my favorite TRANSFORMING THURSDAY posts:
http://momstransformed.blogspot.com/2009/01/i-surrender-all-its-transforming.html

Click here for one of my favorite

FAMILY FELLOWSHIP FRIDAY posts:

http://momstransformed.blogspot.com/2009/06/i-am-friend-of-godwork-heartily-for.html

Click here for one of my favorite

KETCHUP AND MUSTARD SATURDAY posts:

http://momstransformed.blogspot.com/2009/03/too-blessed-to-be-stressed.html


My very first post on June 17, 2008 addressed the ongoing spiritual battle that each of us are in. It raised an important QUESTON and ANSWER:

• QUESTION: How do each of us leave the "damsels in distress" lifestyle and become "maidens for the Master"?
• ANSWER: By learning to walk daily in, by, and with the Holy Spirit...it is then that we truly begin growing into Mom's "full of the Master" -"Master-full Moms" - "MOMS TRANSFORMED" - "TRANSFORMED MOMS". "
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I'm so grateful to begin a new study with our Bible Study group here in Pitman beginning next week entitled:

• The Virtuous Woman - Seperating Truth from Tale

We'll begin here, on this blog, with a daily study on this topic this Sunday June 21st and those who are nearby are invited to join us each Tuesday morning from 9:30-11:00 for discussion (babysitting and Alpha-Omega Kids classes provided).

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THIS WARRIOR IS A CHILD...WEARING HER DADDY'S ARMOR...

MEDITATION MONDAY

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This blog began one year ago this week! Hard to believe that I've been postng almost daily for a year! Last June, when we began teaching our MASTER-FULL MOM'S class, at the Pitman church, I thought this venue would be a good way for our women to connect. Since then, we've connected in a myriad of ways and are so thankful that many of you have joined us.

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This week's theme follows my very first post....it's cause for meditation... time to reflect on how far we've each come in a year... assess our relationship with God...thank Him for the transformations he has allowed in this past year...please join me in this meditation. I have added current comments in italics.

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From June 2008:

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"We met this morning...it was good to be together. We will not meet again for 2 weeks, but talked today about several very important things:

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1. The ongoing spiritual battle for our minds and our families. The battle belongs to the LORD, therefore, we must put on our Daddy's armor...Ephesians 6:10-20

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• Belt of truth: Do our children witness Moms who always tell the truth? Do we know God's word well enough to know what "the truth" is?
• Breastplate of righteousness: Do our children know that Mom is trying to do the "right thing" - God's way? That the breastplate is for "heart protection"... are we keeping our hearts pure?
• Feet ready for peace: Do our children see us as peacemakers OR instigators, arguers, complainers, naggers...? Have we each made peace with God in such a way that we're standing on a firm foundation?
• Shield of faith: Do our children hear words and see actions of doubt (Mom as a "damsel in distress"?) OR hear words and see actions of faith "because God can" (Mom as a "Maiden for the Master?") ???? Do we understand that the bottom line is that it is the "faith of Christ" that will protect us and save us?
• Helmet of Salvation: Do our children witness Moms who are confident in their salvation because they are confident that their God keeps His promises? Are we keeping our head/minds protected from the outside influences of the world?
• Sword of the Spirit: Do our children hear us reading the Bible (could be picture Bible) with them daily? Are we memorizing God's word with them and making it practical? Do our children hear us fighting our battles with scripture?
• Praying in the Spirit: Do our children hear us talking to God daily (multiple times)? Do we talk to God together with them on all occasions and with all kinds of prayers and requests? Do we talk about being alert to people's needs to know what to pray for?

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2. How do each of us leave the "damsels in distress" lifestyle and become "maidens for the Master"? By learning to walk daily in, by, and with the Holy Spirit...it is then that we truly begin growing into Mom's "full of the Master" -"Master-full Moms" - "MOMS TRANSFORMED" - "TRANSFORMED MOMS". "

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Meet me back here on WOMEN IN THE WORD WEDNESDAY and we'll relook at how the BATTLE BELONGS TO THE LORD.

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THIS WARRIOR IS A CHILD

SUNDAY IN THE SON

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Ephesians 6:11-13 tells us to:
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11 Put on the full armor of God
so that you can take your stand
against the devil's schemes.
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,
but against the rulers, against the authorities,
against the powers of this dark world
and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
13 Therefore put on the full armor of God,
so that when the day of evil comes,
you may be able to stand your ground..."
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In light of the above verses,
please consider the words to our theme song of the week:
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THIS WARRIOR IS A CHILD

Lately I've been winning battles left and right

But even winners can get wounded in the fight

People say that I'm amazing

Strong beyond my years

But they don't see inside of me

I'm hiding all the tears

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CHORUS:

They don't know that I go running home

when I fall down

They don't know WHO picks me up

when no one is around

I drop my sword and cry for just a while

'Cause deep inside this armour

The warrior is a child.

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Unafraid because HIS armour is the best

But even soldiers need a quiet place to rest

People say that I'm amazing

Never face retreat

But they don't see the enemies

That lay me at HIS feet

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CHORUS X2

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I drop my sword and look up for HIS smile

Because deep inside this armour

Deep inside this armour

Deep inside HIS armour

The Warrior is a child.

HE IS EVERYTHING TO ME...EVEN IN DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES

KETCHUP AND MUSTARD SATURDAY

Catch Up and Must Do:

How's your life when things get stressful and you get squeezed?

Last Sunday, Steve and I were in Chicago worshipping with Jordan, Jacqueline, Chloe, and the Keesee's. As I have shared the last two weeks, we certainly enjoyed our time together.

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All the visitors have now returned home and Jordan and Jacqueline are packing for their big move to Kansas City, Missouri this Thursday. Bill and Edna Miller will help them drive their vehicles for which we are so thankful.

A big move, buying a house, starting a new job, and making new friends with a newborn will not be easy...yet, GIGATTAATTGIG...

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Ecclesiastes tells us that different things are going on at the same time in the world. Yes, there are times of celebration. Yet, at the same time there are many who are suffering. Our daughter Jessica has had a headache almost everyday of her life for the last 13 years...little Lauren Schwamb and family wait for someone to "fix" her heart... Scott McEndree and family pray and work for a cure to his cancer....

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Yesterday, I posted something that had been written by Lauren's daddy, Tim. Today, I share with you part of Scott McEndree's post from his Thursday Caring Bridge site.

"Romans 12:12
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Joyful in hope
It’s easy to be joyful in hope.

When you have true hope, everything looks grand.

It’s like having warm sunny days and cool star-filled nights.

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Patient in affliction
Patient in affliction is tough.

Patience in itself is tough,

but throw in a little affliction

and rather than more patience

most of us get more frustration or stress.

If you can attain patience instead,

you will be much better off though.

Patience in affliction only comes for me

AFTER I simplify my stress points

and re-group around only what’s important

and needed at the time.

Throwing off the other “minor” things

that used to be important

before the affliction came is the only way I can do it.

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Faithful in prayer
Faithful in prayer is another tough one for me.

I pray most every day,

and many days I’ll pray throughout the day

as I go about things.

It makes me feel good to pray for others that need it,

and I appreciate knowing so many others are praying for me too.

To be honest, I don’t think that is faithful in prayer.

Faithful in prayer to me means

it is at the front of your mind all day everyday.

To me it means you will turn off American Idol

to pray right then about something.

(an example from someone else)

Faithful in prayer is something I still strive to attain....

Romans 12:12
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."

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I ask each of you to continue to pray for these families and keep connected to them through the links on the right sidebar of this blog.

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I also ask you to talk more to God on behalf of our daughter, Jessica. We've done many medical things over the years but with not much success to heal her migraines. Currently, Jessica can only function in rooms that have very little or no light and is in pain 24/7. She rates her pain from 1-10 and then if it's unbearable she'll say that it's an "11". Her pain is rarely below a 6 and this week it has been at an 11. We beg God for mercy and grace and healing and direction. We've been down many "bunny trails" in search of help...we remain hopeful...GIGATTAATTGIG...

HE'S EVERYTHING TO ME...GIVING PEACE THAT PASSES UNDERSTANDING...

Back when I started calling Fridays on this blog "Family Fellowship Friday", I shared my definition of the word "fellowship":

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• "a group of fellows in the same ship!"
• "a group of people in the same boat!"
• "a group of people experiencing similar circumstances!"

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To add the word family to fellowship means this on this blog:

• "...a family (physical or spiritual) experiencing similar circumstances"

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Since hearing their story and meeting their family, I have felt a deep "family fellowship" with Tim, Cristi, Addison, Brennan, and Lauren Schwamb. As a teacher and parent of children with special needs, my heart connects easily with others with special needs. Yesterday, my heart connected once again with the Schwamb family as I read something that Tim wrote on Facebook. I will share it with you, in part, here:
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"Today is Day 156

of Lauren and Cristi's unfortunate incarceration

as we've taken to calling it...

...Today marks being in the hospital for one day longer

than all of Lauren's previous 20 hospital stays combined.

Yes, you read that right:

Lauren accumulated 155 days in the hospital

in just short of 3 years and 20 stays,

and has now been in the hospital

waiting on a heart transplant for 156 days --

a combined total of 311 days in 3 years and 5 months.

Wow!

Thinking about that makes me wonder how long?

On days like this, though,

I'm reminded that our deployed troops

spend at least 6 months away from their families --

some over a year.

That kind of puts it in perspective.

Having been deployed twice, though,

I can tell you that,

no matter how many people you're around,

you miss your family.

Certainly that's true for my family

as every day begins to look like Groundhog Day.

As I feel myself slipping into sadness, though...

...I can fight those feelings of despair

by focusing on all the good things God has blessed me with...

...it's the Peace of God that passes all understanding,

knowing that it will all be okay,

because He promised it would."

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1. Please pray for this family daily!
2. Find ways to encourage them!
3. Connect to Cristi's blog on Lauren's picture on the right sidebar.
4. Connect to Tim's blog and gratitude list here:

http://simplefamilycomplexlife.blogspot.com/2009/04/count-your-blessings-reprise.html

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HE'S EVERYTHING TO ME...LIFE! AIR! WATER! FOUNDATION!

TRANSFORMING THURSDAY
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Romans 12:1-2 "I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."
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Colossians 3:16-17 "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father."
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• Transform? Who? Me!
• Transform? What? My body as a living and holy sacrifice!
• Transform? When? Now! Daily!
• Transform? Where? Everywhere I go!
• Transform? Why? To prove what the will of God is in my life!
• Transform? How? By the renewing of my mind! Doing everything in the name of the Lord Jesus! Singing and giving thanks!

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Scripture teaches Jesus!
I believe Jesus!
I want to live Jesus...
breathe Jesus...
drink Jesus...
and stand on Jesus...
I want to be transformed by Jesus!
Oh! That's right! Each new day I can...
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• BREATHE JESUS! DRINK JESUS! - Renew my mind by asking God for HIS WISDOM!
• BREATHE JESUS! DRINK JESUS! Renew my mind by meditating on THE WORD!
• BREATHE JESUS! DRINK JESUS! - Sing praises to Jesus! Sing teachings of Jesus! Sing admonitions to live Jesus! Sing thanksgiving for and to Jesus!
• BREATHE JESUS! DRINK JESUS! - Count my blessings in Jesus Christ!
• STAND ON THE FIRM FOUNDATION OF JESUS! - Do everything in the name of Jesus!
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He's everything to me
He's more than a story
More than the words on a page of history.
He's the air that I breathe,
the water I thirst for,
and the ground beneath my feet.
He's everything, everything to me.

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