Words…nouns, verbs, pronouns…

Sentence structure…the repetition of themes…

The majority of what I learned in school served one purpose: pass the test, get a good grade.

But as an adult I now look back with great fondness on 6th, 7th, & 8th grade English with Mrs. Reynolds. Her repetitious lessons, that seemed tedious at the time, have served a great purpose I never would have imagined…they equipped me to look at the Bible with an eye to detail.

Letters strung together to form words…words that were purposefully arranged to present a clear message…a message that transcends seasons of life or the difficulties being faced.

*******

I’ve gone back to this verse again and again over this most recent season.

“You keep”

Subject: You…the burden on the following act is dependent on the subject…who is He? The Lord God. Not me…not my heart or efforts…but the One who spoke & created life.

Verb: keep…the text is firm, conclusive, & concrete…nowhere does it say “might keep”, “occasionally keep”, or “consider keeping”. Keep. End of story. Isn’t that such a reassurance? Even if the verse ended there, and nothing followed, I have this deep sense of reassurance knowing that the God who is before all things has me kept. But it doesn’t end there.

My God concretely keeps me in a place, based on a condition…

“…him {her} in perfect peace…”

Always one to pursue the elusive idea of perfection this adjective stops me.

The text doesn’t omit this word…God could have left room for the reader to wonder what type of peace He really meant. But true to character, where He intends to leave no question, He leaves no question.

Perfect. peace.

Total, complete, and without flaw.

“…peace…”

I think it goes without saying that the days of motherhood are rarely characterized as peace-filled. But the verse says He promises “perfect peace” so I know that it isn’t my interpretation based on circumstances that matters, it’s about a surrender through faith to what His word desires to impart to me.

For this season, as I’m sure with any other, I’ve come to see it as an internal peace.

A peace that calms my heart so that whatever is swirling about will likely seem less swirly by the time I’ve walked through it in this “perfect peace” attitude.

Justice.

Oh, how that word has sat on the table in uncomfortable ways recently.

In the midst of a world that hasn’t the slightest clue how & when to implement justice, my God knows.

He isn’t a Santa God, passing out this “perfect peace” based on a whim. No, He is too good for that, too just, too loving.

“…whose mind is stayed on You…“

This person, these people, who are the recipients of such a life-changing gift have made a commitment to accept His invitation, on His conditions…to purposefully set their minds of HIM.

His character, His promises.

*******

Several years ago God gave me this illustration. Care to play along?

Focus your eyes on something directly in front of you.

Next put your hand in front of your face and begin moving your hand in and out of your line of sight, but focus your gaze steadily on the image you selected.

Isn’t it amazing how, although you’re aware of your hand moving in & out, even the fastest of motions does very little to prohibit your ability to see the image with clarity.

Now take it from the top, but this time, instead of keeping your eyes set directly ahead, with your eyes & head, follow the movement of your flailing hand.

Lord a mercy that makes me dizzy.

And so it is with my soul, when my eyes are set steadfastly on Him, the circumstances, trials, or distractions that are just part and parcel of living in a fallen world do little to the condition of my heart and mind. However, as I’ve seen all to often, the moment I get to spinning my eyes & head around with those things it has, without fail, landed me in a place of inner turmoil.

That inner turmoil is costly…too costly.

“You keep him {her} in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he {she} trusts in You.”

The only reason for staying my mind on any one thing is because I’ve found it to be better.

And the only way to go about that is to “taste & see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8).

Without hesitation, having walked through a valley darker than I knew existed, I can say I’ve tasted, I’ve seen…He.is.good…that He is true to this promise, of perfect peace, when I rest my gaze where He’s asked.

It brings endless reassurance to my soul when, in the lovely chaos of this day He has given, to be reminded that not just the verses on parenting apply to this season, but each one impacts, changes, and shapes.

His Word transcends so that we can walk in fulness of life no matter what swirls…if we chose Him.

Deep…long…sigh…

Perfect peace.

Stars glowing brightly above us, we sat in the courtyard at church.

He with his guitar, me with a notebook of heart thoughts on my lap.

He scanned the pages of words and asked what stood out to me the most…and that’s where we began…

He asked me to just try singing what I wrote…to whatever melody seemed fitting…

And so I began.

Ever so capable, he quickly matched cords to my lyrics.

There was no ‘us’ back then…no knowledge of marriage or the difficult road ahead.

It was just a song then.

Looking back, however, I see something very different.

Knowing a bit more of the road, at least the section we’ve walked together so far, I’m amazed.

Woven throughout those words I see His love, mercy, & kindness.

Even then, as oblivious as we were, I see Him preparing our hearts with a gentle message and promise of His unfailing presence in our lives.

Lord, I want to be, part of your eternal plan for me.

Whether in darkened valley’s or on the peaks of righteousness.

There you will be, I know your hand will always guide me.

So I place my trust in you…in you…because it’s all for you.

*******

It amazes me that God gave us the ability to recall events past.

Often times my memory can serve as my greatest adversary.

Flinging mistakes, moments of inadequacy, on the road before me…stopping me dead in my tracks.

Oh, the sting of a fallen world and a soul not yet perfected.

But other times it is my greatest ally.

When surrendered to His Spirit, I am reminded of the faithfulness He has shown in days past.

Words of His comfort.

Symbols of His love.

Ways He has gone before me.

Reminders He is right here with me.

And when I call to mind the former things, I can do nothing but surrender my today to Him.

Willing my heart to trust fully that He is just as involved, invested, and able to do today what He did then.

And because I am His, I can participate fully in today.

I have hope renewed, overwhelming the once mighty seeming road block.

So I discipline my mind and heart to recall His promises when darkness attempts to steal ground He won & paid a high price for.

I beg for His grace to sustain me when my heart would rather give in to despair.

Evidence in days gone by proves there’s not a reason in the world I should.

And I say ‘thank you’.

I thank Him for determining to do the same…for loving a clay vessel.

For redeeming a broken pot.

For holding fast to His word, to His promises, to His unshakable covenant to me, I say thank you.

It was blue and along the rim were the words, “You Are Special”.

Each birthday, the person of honor ate her dinner off that plate and you’d think she’d won the lottery.

So simple, yet that memory stands out vividly as a part of each birthday for my sisters & I growing up.

And now, with children of my own, I’ve begun to think more about traditions.

Activities that will knit special occassions into the fabric of our hearts.

What a relief to know it’s not the big things, but the little moments of predictability that will be a binding thread over the years.

In addition to allowing the wheels of my mind to churn out possibilities, I also love hearing the stories of others.

The traditions that they have implemented into their life quilt.

*******

I can’t remember how old I was when I met Michele, but I do remember vividly a trip to visit she & her family when Katie & Addie were about 2 years old.

Precious girls with such kind hearts toward one another.

To think that they’re now grown & beginning to navigate the path that God has established for them is another reminder to me of how quickly time does pass and how important investing now truly is.

When I heard about Michele’s new children’s book, Katie & Addie with J.D. Love Christmas I was so eager to catch a glimpse into the traditions that wove their family together.

Written for children of all ages, Michele opens the door to the heart and soul of how her family celebrated the arrival of a Savior many years ago.

With colorful illustrations and the unique touches that made up a Wetteland Christmas, this book has become a delight to my little ones as well as offering up creative ideas for keeping Jesus the center of the Christmas celebrations.

A book that I think you would love adding to your Christmas book collection.

*******

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

1. Leave a comment in the comments section below.

2. For multiple entries, mention this post on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Then come back & leave an additional comment for each here on the blog.

3. Giveaway is open through Saturday, December 10th. One winner will be selected using random.org and announced on Monday, December 12th.

THE WINNER OF I STILL BELIEVE: DISCOVERING HOPE & HEALING IN THE MIDST OF LIFE’S DEEPEST VALLEYS IS KRISTEN MONTGOMERY! EMAIL ME WITH THE ADDRESS YOU WOULD LIKE THE BOOK MAILED TO & CONGRATULATIONS!

Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to hear the testimony of faith & praise lived out by Jeremy Camp a handful of times.

Each time I was encouraged and challenged.

I tried to imagine what it must look like to feel the pressures of life weighing heavy & wrestle with truths I’d been told…that God is still on the throne and He is still good.

Seeds were planted in my heart.

Never anticipating the avenue for which God would provide the opportunity to chose joy & thanksgiving over despair & bitterness, seeds long ago tucked away begin to grow.

And although the lessons of others did serve as reminders to press on though the darkness around felt close enough to touch, I frequently dealt with an angry & demanding attitude of “WHY?!!”

As that question began to surface more persistently, I received a copy of I Still Believe, by Jeremy Camp.

Written in an easy to read, conversational tone, Jeremy shares, in depth, the lessons a faithful and loving God taught him as he learned to live a life of praise following the death of his first wife, Melissa.

As Jeremy recounts the days & weeks following the death of Melissa, he shares this moment of wrestling with God.

“Why, Lord!?’ I cried. ‘Why didn’t you heal my wife? I had faith. I believed. Why?!’ I sank back down into my chair in a heap, breathing heavily, eager to put my fist through the nearest wall. As I tried to calm down, I heard the Lord again, speaking to my heart. The message I sensed Him giving me didn’t make sense at first, but there was no mistaking it. He was saying, ‘You’re not supposed to know why. That is not My purpose for you. I want you to have a testimony of walking by faith.”

It struck the deepest cords of my heart.

*******

I felt as if God were using these words in black & white print before me to answer my nagging “why?!”

“I want you to have a testimony of walking by faith.”

And the more that settles with me, I really believe that is the message for each of us.

If we still our hearts and allow the pain to compel us to fall at His feet.

He wants that total & complete surrender from every single heart He created.

However life has unfolded up until this moment, and on whatever path the Lord wishes to take you or I down in the moments ahead, I believe that the message is the same.

“Will you still come with Me when I don’t explain and give answers to all of your questions?”

“Will you trust in Me with all your heart, and not lean on your own understanding?”

Needless to say, in the days following that passage of this book, I had to face the questions myself.

And deal with a heart attitude that more closely resembled 2 year old Seth’s fits than that of a servant of Christ.

*******

What about you?

Are there obstacles either behind or ahead that have left you shaking your fist and demanding answers?

Does your heart crave reprieve from the burden you’re carrying in trying to make sense of life’s less than pleasant seasons?

Do you know someone who might benefit from hearing the testimony of another who endured difficult times all the while clinging tightly to a Mighty God?

I’d love to, in the smallest of ways, participate in a part of your journey.

I was generously given an additional copy of I Still Believe: Discovering Hope & Healing in the Midst of Life’s Deepest Valleys for one of you.

*******

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

1. Leave a comment in the comments section below.

2. For multiple entries, mention the post on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Then come back & leave an additional comment for each here on the blog.

3. Giveaway is open through Saturday, November 19th. Winners will be selected using random.org and announced on Monday, November 21st.

]]> http://sweatpantcouture.com/2011/11/14/the-process-of-praise-jeremy-camp-book-review-giveaway/feed/ 5 mymessylife Jeremy_Camp_Photo_1 Still_Believe_Cover http://sweatpantcouture.com/2011/11/02/when-less-is-more/ http://sweatpantcouture.com/2011/11/02/when-less-is-more/#comments Thu, 03 Nov 2011 03:29:20 +0000 Stacey http://sweatpantcouture.com/?p=2626 ]]> I’ll never forget when someone told me, within weeks of sweet Hope’s arrival, that I’d better find something additional to do because I would be bored so fast just staying at home.

Looking back it would have been very liberating to answer according to my real thoughts about that opinion, but, not wanting to argue, I said nothing.

I suppose it could be seen as an ignorant comment, but after examining a few passages of Scripture recently I really think that comment was Folly knocking at my door, beckoning me to look around…for other arenas to apply my talents to.

Fully intending to give myself entirely to the nurturing & training of my sweet gift, as well as any others that would be entrusted to us, not refuting that comment allowed it to settle itself in as a persistent question.

“There are gifts God has given me…I don’t want to neglect the use of them…I’d better just always keep my eyes & ears open…ready…just in case…”

Although I have idealized the notion that going back in time & giving an answer full of conviction would be just the ticket to bypassing the continual nagging of these thoughts over the last 3+ years, I would have missed the lesson of wrestling with why I felt intimidated to answer then as well as the strength garnered over time of walking this journey with our little people.

You know where I’ve arrived?

There is no greater place than to pour all of my gifts, all of my heart, all of God’s Word spoken to my heart than into the hearts of the little blessings that I live the day in & day out with.

To think that every gift He has given was for the purpose of pouring it back out…into them!

Every lesson, every failure, every moment of praise, worship, & falling before His feet.

Every moment of awe & wonder when journeying into His creation.

The breathing in of new life that was freely given though the cost was great.

He gave to me so I can give to them…as a call…an invitation…that they would taste and see Him too.

Marvel with them at the world, in spite of it’s fallen state, that He took such delight in creating.

So while I think I could always carry a bit more on my plate, it’s just my very hardline type A side…I’m not sure thin is best for me.

********

Over the last x amount of months, I’ve really known what it feels like to be depleted.

God has been gracious, but all of me has not been present.

Yet with the season of grief nearing its close, I’ve had to do some soul searching.

The reoccurring question being where & how do I go forward from here?

There is much to be considered and searched out, but one thing I do know is this: I want to go 100+ feet deep with the lives closest to me.

I know some regret is unavoidable but my prayer & hope is that, as I live in obedience to God’s call to disciple, love, train, & live life with these blessings, my great, faithful God will draw them ever closer to His heart.

I can’t imagine anything boring about that.

And, furthermore, I can’t see anything I would regret more than looking back & wishing I’d not let someone else participate so heavily in the shaping of these precious lives.

¹ Give ear, O my people, to my teaching;
   incline your ears to the words of my mouth!
² I will open my mouth in a parable;
   I will utter dark sayings from of old,
³things that we have heard and known,
   that our fathers have told us.
⁴We will not hide them from their children,
   but tell to the coming generation
the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might,
   and the wonders that he has done.

 ⁵He established a testimony in Jacob
   and appointed a law in Israel,
which he commanded our fathers
   to teach to their children,
⁶that the next generation might know them,
   the children yet unborn,
and arise and tell them to their children,
 ⁷so that they should set their hope in God
and not forget the works of God,
   but keep his commandments;
⁸and that they should not be like their fathers,
    a stubborn and rebellious generation,
a generation whose heart was not steadfast,
   whose spirit was not faithful to God.

~Psalm 78:1-8

Thankful for God’s Word…for the many people I’ve gleaned from…pressing on for their sake & God’s glory.

And so,  I suppose, in the midst of daily living it is important to keep proper perspective…looking with eyes to see “what life hands us” instead as divine.

There are times when difficulty is faced on account of the consequences that result out of our disobedience.

But that’s not what I’m talking about.

No, I mean those moments, brief or long-winded that seem to be squeezing  you.

The ones that leave you facing a fork in the road.

Will I grow bitter, angry, & shake my fist…demanding answers to questions in a passionate effort to avoid a narrow path of faith & life?

Or. Will I praise Him, the Holy God, though all around me pushes, presses, & leaves me feeling the weight of this world?

It could be a job loss, difficult marriage, health issues, shattered hopes & dreams…and on the possibilities go…

The package is not as relevant as the angle from which it is viewed.

Perspective really is everything.

And in this moment of difficulty, finding His is the only thing that matters.

Because we’re guaranteed that trials & persecution will arise.

It’s part & parcel of being a disciple of Jesus.

So throw your urge to make a mad dash back to comfort away.

Be mindful that your x moment is, if you’re His, a chisel, a flame, that a Master Craftsman is using to get rid of the gunk sin has piled up on your heart.

He is taking you somewhere.

And it’s better.

Painful, but better.

Keep wrestling until you find that angle, His angle…that allows you to see whatever sits on the table in front of you the way He sees it.

And with arms upraised, thank Him for the storm, for the fire, for these are the very evidence that He’s not done…that He’s in it for the long haul.

*******

We never saw it coming.

Not in the package it came…tears come readily when I even reflect for a moment on our package.

And we had moments of fist banging on His chest.

Blindsided.

BUT. Choosing anything less than praise & willing ourselves to trust that “He is before all things & in Him all things hold together” only led to further pain…we know, we certainly didn’t handle the fire well at times.

Yet in our forward motion, though slow at times, I see Him weaving a story of faith, praise, & marveling in God for who He is…in all things.

I didn’t get to chose the package His fire came in, not this time & I won’t the next time.

Neither will you.

But when the fire comes, and you arrive at the fork, each time you do I pray your heart will chose Him.

His name.

His glory.

To trust when you can’t see.

To praise when your knees are weak and your heart weaker.

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” ~Romans 5:1-5

In your pain, by your choice, you can know Him in a way set apart for those willing to lean into Him when He’s silent.

She posed the question, “why do you think more people aren’t experiencing the full power of God working through them?”…in so many words.

A handful of answers were given…from busyness to modern day technology providing distractions…

As is always the case when I listen to Sally speak, the pistons of my heart began firing.

This question touching on a topic I’ve given much thought, prayer, & exploration to.

So, with pistons fully engaged, here’s what I think.

One layer of an answer anyway.

We don’t want the fire.

Somewhere along the line we’ve mixed up the messages of the Gospel and the American Dream.

We’ve accepted a philosophy of man and allowed the living, active, Word of God to run through that filter.  As opposed to the other way around.

*******

One book in particular, that I read just prior to God revealing all He did last year, speaks to the notion of refinement…

Using the example of a silversmith, Kay Arthur describes the necessary method for removing dross from silver and how it parallels to the work of the Father in our life.

The dross is ugly and a hindrance to the silver being it’s most beautiful.

Each time the silversmith takes the silver into the fire it is for the purpose of purifying…precision is of the essence or the piece will be ruined.

There is nothing haphazaard about the time spent in the fire or the degree of heat the silver endures.

The silversmith is purposeful and attentive to the process.

Then the piece is removed.

After a time of inspection, once again into the fire it goes…each time the fire removing more and more of the dross that prevents the metal from reflecting, in it’s purest state, the image of the silversmith.

Some pieces are cast aside.

Unyielding to the heat, they simply hold tightly to the dross.

And in doing so, in that unwillingness, the sole purpose of the silver is never fulfilled.

In resisting the intentional exposure to a searing heat, the silver will never reflect the Master’s face.

*******

How often does the heat come in your life and you see it as too painful to endure? How many times have you raced from the flames, resisting a purifying work that a skillful and loving Father wishes to perform on your heart?

The book of Job exhorts my heart to praise Him though He slay me.

The book of Psalm encourages me that when my spirit was overwhelmed within me, He knew my steps.

His purpose is bigger.

The fire is painful, but good.

To be joyful in the flames is the very first step of experiencing the work of God in and through you.

For if unwilling to identify with Jesus Christ in death, how dare our hearts expect to identify in His resurrection.

Press into the flames…run not from the pain that removes all that is of sin & your flesh.

Even rejoice, with thanksgiving, that you can see evidence of the Creator working in you to remove all that prohibits His image from being all that is seen.

The fire is good.

*******

What would our homes look like, if little blessings saw Mommy rejoicing in this purifying work?

How might, one little life at a time, hearts be discipled in a profound way?

…seven…eight…

That’s right 8…8 days after I figured I’d starting writing here again…I’m feeling awfully rebellious.

A little more than that even…more than awfully…

See, the thing is…I had so much fun on my month+8 break…and had a bit more time to think that I might otherwise…that I realized I’m cutting back…just because I can…

Because sometimes when you blog for a while you begin to see all of life in two categories:

1. Post worthy

2. Non-post worthy

And, for me, it’s a bit of a zapper from all the other categories that life should be falling into…

So I think I’ll be around here and there…when I feel so inspired I’m nearly ready to bust at the seams…or need company with my soap boxing …

And I think I’ll just carry on with the living part…the bike rides, the snuggles meant just for us, the cute one-liners I’m sure are cuter than anyone else’s kids, and the stillness it allows my mind to not try to capture it all…just soak it in, love on it a little, and press forward, towards the ultimate prize.

Take some time to attend to things here and now.

Besides, we’ll be “starting” school again soon.

Which really just means we’ll keep doing what we’re doing…living, loving, and learning…and I want to just soak it all up minus the aforementioned 2 point filter.

So I’ll see ya around and hope you’re summer was as slow & lovely as ours…

And, um, by the way…I’m blushing to see how many of you have been checking in so regularly in spite of my absence…truly humbled and smiling.

Good ones.

Particularly the ones that God orchestrates.

There is nothing more beautiful or reassuring than a sunrise.

Light slowly, but surely, making it’s presence known.

Perfectly timed.

Ushering darkness away.

It’s a daily reminder to me that darkness doesn’t prevail.

Darkness is no match for light.

And with light comes the ability to see clearly.

*******

Never before, as darkness has reared its ugly head in the most ambitious fashion, have I seen & come to know more deeply this truth about light.

Promise after promise, some from many directions, flooded my heart over the last year.

Reminding me that “weaping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning.”

Over and over the pages of the Bible describe God Most High.

And woven so purposefully and boldly, are His promises.

Given so that the darkness cannot prevail.

Given so life may be seen even in the darkest valley.

*******

But let me just be honest, while I know these promises are sure and true…sometimes that demanding darkness bends my ear, questioning Truth.

I hate that it does, but I would be lying if I didn’t tell you that.

Just like anyone walking this road of faith, there are times when I need someone else speaking Truth in my ears.

To remind me that Truth is what’s real.

Those reminders have come in a variety of packages.

And a few weeks back it came in another.

Ten promises, that I’m chewing on slowly…then going back over to chew on again.

Because it would seem that as I read and go back, I’m seeing layers I might have missed the first time.

"I saw not only that all God's promises of shelter are fulfilled in Christ, but that He is our Shelter. He is the cleft in the rock. Christ's promise to us is not that He will give us shelter but that He will be our shelter."

Covering areas such as hope, peace, and strength, plus seven others, Sheila beautifully takes the reader from one promise to another, instructing and encouraging to run straight into the arms of a waiting Savior.

Especially in times of trial.

With thanksgiving, welcoming the fire that only the ultimate Refiner can bestow because the promises are loved and treasured.

*******

Simply by opening the Bible and beginning to read, you will see again and again the promises of God laid out before you.

And I would encourage you, that if you heart is fainting within you, to remember that He knows the path ahead…and has laid aside promises to see you through.

If you are interested in Sheila’s book, for another voice on the matter of promises you can find purchasing information here.

Whatever is on the road before you, the storm’s & valley’s are not yours to walk alone.

His presence & promises, may they be your deepest comfort.

*******

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

1. Giveaway prize is one {1} copy of God’s Shelter for Your Storm.

2. Giveaway is open to all. To enter, leave your name & some way for me to contact you in the comments section.

3. For multiple entries, post about the giveaway on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog. Please leave an additional comment indicating the additional mentions.

4. Giveaway will close on Thursday, July 15th at midnight. Winner will be selected randomly and announced July 16th on this post.

And the winner (selected randomly by random.org) is…Nathan Stimson! Congratulations Nathan! Please send me an email with your mailing address to sweatpantcouture@gmail.com

And to those of you who entered but didn’t win, but would like to purchase the book, you can find details on purchasing “Our 24 Family Ways” here.

“Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.” ~Proverbs 22:6

It seems as if this verse was emblazoned on my heart in the same moment God placed the desire for children there.

From that starting point came the question of where to go from there.

One of many theories I had, gleaning from my own upbringing and sorting through what I would like to be different, I often wondered if it wasn’t best to preemptively give a child tools so he or she would know what was expected and be set up to succeed.

It, however, had never occurred to me how important it would also be to have the details of those expectations on hand.

Fast forward to children, throw in a bit of life’s chaos and we found ourselves doing the opposite: parenting reactively…I can practically see the head shakes

Then a friend mentioned she was purchasing this devotional for her family.

That was my introduction to Our 24 Family Ways.

Written by Clay Clarkson, it’s a family devotional unlike any we had come across.

Each family way includes 5 days of verses, questions, talking points and suggested prayers.

Our 24 Family Ways is a resource that gives feet to Proverbs 22:6.

Going through the devotion in the morning, the topic then becomes a common ground for discussion throughout the day.

We refer back to it, pull it into times of conflict, rest in the encouragement and exhortation it brings.

It is invaluable to us.

Here today,to share his heart behind the devotional, is Clay Clarkson.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I’m a 60-something husband of one, father of four (27, 24, 22, 16), friend of some, foe of none (I know of), and follower of Jesus. I’m a ministry director, author, writer, publisher, speaker, teacher, singer-songwriter, acoustic-guitarist, blogger, game-designer, creative. Sally and started Whole Heart Ministries out of a shared desire to encourage and equip Christian parents to raise wholehearted Christian children. It is our life’s message and ministry.

We’re talking about your book Our 24 Family Ways. Can you share the concept of this book?

I created Our 24 Family Ways in 1995 as a just-add-Bible devotional-discipleship resource for busy homeschooling dads. I wanted to provide something for dads that I wanted for myself—an easy, low preparation tool for family devotionals that would be fun, meaningful, memorable, and life-changing. I didn’t want just a script that would fill up 15 minutes with Christian talk, but a tool that could change my children’s hearts and minds with biblical truth.

What was the inspiration behind this devotional?

There were books about family rules out at the time, but I wanted something that focused on biblical wisdom and spiritual training. Although I’m a practiced rule-maker, I wanted my children to know the biblical ways of God that would lead to blessing, not just rules to obey. I was driven by an axiom in my head that you can learn the Bible without loving it, but you can’t love the Bible without learning. I wanted a tool to help my children learn to love the Word of God.

With every moment of inspiration there is often a road of personal growth that was walked prior. Can you give us a glimpse into that? What was required of you? 

What lesson(s) have you learned that you would like to most impart to someone else?

We have a family axiom (our own Way) that we still quote regularly: “In absence of biblical conviction, even good Christians will go the way of culture.” We see so many good children scarred and wounded by culture because there was not a strong foundation of biblical conviction. Part of the goal of Our 24 Family Ways is to help form some of those biblical convictions in children. We want to help parents prepare their children to follow God’s “way of life” and find the greatest blessing.

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Thank you again Clay, for taking the time to answer these questions and share your heart for intentional families.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

1. Giveaway prize is one {1} copy of Our 24 Family Ways.

2. Giveaway is open to all. To enter, leave your name & some way for me to contact you in the comments section.

3. For multiple entries, post about the giveaway on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog. Please leave an additional comment indicating the additional mentions.

4. Giveaway will close on Saturday, July 9th at midnight. Winner will be selected randomly and announced July 11th on this post.

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For a complete description of Our 24 Family Ways, please visit the Whole Heart bookstore here.

I wasn’t paid or perked for this review, we’ve just seen the incredible benefit and rewards of going through this devotional with our little people.