Instructions for Moms - Part 4

Ever feel frazzled from the pressure that comes with being a mom? You weren't meant to do this on your own. The Bible gives us instructions on how to parent. It tells us to be humble and realize we can't do this on our own, but we can through Christ because He is sufficient, so we need to seek Him with all of our heart. One of the best ways to seek Him is to read the Bible. And that's what this week is about.

-Part 4-
-Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly-

Colossians 3:16- Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.

It says ‘let the word dwell in you’. You have to let it. It’s not going to happen on its own. It wants to, but you have to let it. And it says ‘dwell in you’. Dwell means: reside, stay, have your home, inhabit, settle. Sounds long-term to me. Like, daily! And it says ‘dwell in you richly’ which means: luxuriously, abundantly, fully, totally, deeply….like a place of honor, a priority, remember you are doing this with all of your heart!

David understood this when he wrote Psalm 1. It says,

¹ Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.

² But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

³ He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.

He is meditating on the Bible day and night. He is letting the word dwell in him richly and the result is that he is like a tree planted by the water. He has all he needs and he does his job well. His endeavors are fruitful and he’s not tired, he’s not withering. Whatever he does he prospers at it. Doesn’t that sound like what every mother needs? Are you dwelling in the Word?

We are called to teach and correct and train our kids. Are you prospering in that area? In 2 Timothy 3:16 it says - All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. That’s exactly what we are doing as mothers and what we need help in. So if we don’t know scripture and we aren’t getting our help from scripture, where are we getting it from?

Situations will arise that we would not choose for ourselves (disobedient kids, loneliness, no $, loss of job, miscarriages, etc.). I am more and more convinced that what frustrates me the most with my kids is what I need to surrender in my own life. God in His perfect love for us knows our hearts and the foolishness that dwells in them and knows we need trials to sanctify us into the image of Christ. To chip away at the parts of us that don’t match Christ’s image. If you are in His word, your heart will be able to rest in Him during the trials. You can be content in any circumstance.

Which is my next point for next week… -then be content-

Paneer

I saw this recipe at Heart of Light and thought it would be really fun to try! Make your own cheese? How cool is that?! It's really easy and simple and turned out great! A great project for kids too!
Paneer is a traditional Indian cheese and it only takes 2 ingredients: milk and lime juice. (I added salt to ours).


The cheese is firm enough to cut into cubes or you could crumble it. It has a creamy texture, and does not melt, similar to the mexican cheese queso.


Paneer
from Heart of Light

1/2 gallon of whole milk
juice of 1 lime
1 t salt

Bring milk to a boil.
Turn the heat down and add the lime juice.
Stir and wait for curds to form (at least 5 min)
Once large curds have formed, turn off heat and pour into a strainer lined with a lightweight dishtowel.
Sprinkle the salt over the curds.
Tie up to hang and let drip for 30 min.
Twist towel to form ball and hang another 30.
Unwrap and put in fridge to chill.


1st drain and 2nd drain

Instructions for Moms - Part 3

So far in the Instructions for Moms series we've talked about being humble and recognizing that we can't mother on our own, but we learned that we can through Christ because He is sufficient . This week we continue on with seeking after Him with all our hearts.

-Part 3-

-So Seek Him with all of your heart-

Everyone knows the familiar verse in Jeremiah 29:11- for I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. But have you ever read on?

Jeremiah 29:12-13- Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.¹³ You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. ¹⁴I will be found by you, declares the LORD,

Look at verse 13, you will seek me and find me when you seek me halfheartedly? When you are upset enough? When you’ve tried everything else? ….NO! when you seek me with all of your heart! More humility… more acknowledging Him.

Look at this promise found in Psalm 119:1-2 - Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart.

Are you seeking Him with all of your heart? What does that look like?

Think of it this way:
Think back to when you first met your husband. You found out everything you could about him. You hung out where he hung out. You found out what he liked to eat and tried to like it too. You found what music he liked to listen to and listened to it too. You sought him with all of your heart! You wanted to know everything about him! You cared what he said and how he said it and hung on to and replayed in your mind every sweet word that fell from his mouth. You read, and re-read, and re-read the letters he sent you. You adored him, honored him, stood up for him, defended him, revered him. You feared what he might think of you not what your friends might think of you for being so in love........how much more should our affections be towards God!

If I want godly wisdom it all has to start with knowing God-seeking Him. I'm going to hang out where He hangs out (church, small groups). I'm going to care about and memorize and replay in my mind every sweet word that came from His mouth. And read, and re-read, and re-read the letters He sent me (the Bible). I'm going to like what He likes and hate what He hates. I'm going to adore Him, honor Him, stand up for Him, defend Him, revere Him, and fear what He thinks of me not what the world thinks of me.

One of the first ways to seek God is to be in His Word.

Colossians 3:16 says, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly." And that’s my next point.

Next week....Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly

We are the 3 amigos

Here's another camp video for your viewing pleasure --

Cheese Steak Sandwiches

Another great way to use up that frozen cow in our freezer--cheesesteak sandwiches! These turned out really well...and pretty simple, really. We felt that if we were served these at a restaurant, we would be quite pleased!

Cheese Steak Sandwich
from everyday foods

2 rib-eye or eye-of-round steaks
salt & pepper
oil
onion
12 slices provolone cheese
6 hoagie rolls

Slice slightly frozen steaks very thinly against the grain and season with salt and pepper.
Slice onion and cook with 1 teaspoon of oil until browned and beginning to soften.
Cook steak until just browned.
Top with onion and cheese and cook until cheese melts.
Transfer to toasted hoagie. (I brushed mine with olive oil and garlic before grilling)

Footloose

Well we are back from a wonderful time at camp. It's always so hard to leave, but jobs, swimming lessons, and reality won out in the end and we did make our way back home reluctantly. Thanks for the great week and a half camp shetek! You are already missed!

Here's this year's maintenance man video-enjoy!