This came to me this morning in email, and I thought I'd re-post it for you all to enjoy. It really struck a chord with me. Both in the desire I have to see my children create successful marriages, but also as a reminder to myself about my own marriage. 

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Mothering from a Biblical World-view Raising Obedient Children; Our 6 Convictions Our Greatest Role as Moms

Our Greatest Role As Moms Is To Be Like Christ

Christ spent much time in prayer, in relationship with others, in service to the less fortunate, and even alone.

He was concerned with heart matters over physical matters.

He gave of Himself without complaint.

He forgave freely.

He instructed in what is good and against sin.

He meditated on God’s word.

He told lots of stories.

He recharged Himself spiritually and physically.

And, most importantly, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us! He lavished GRACE on a sinful, dying world.

……..

“We must be the parents who become the flesh of Christ to our children!”

In order to do that we need to know Him, LOVE Him, spend time with Him… LOTS of time with Him!

“You must be a gardener of your own soul, and then a gardener of your children’s soul.” “You can’t pass on what you’re not living.”

“The Proverbs 31 woman ‘clothed herself’ with strength and dignity… She had to ‘put’ it on. It’s a choice to be made.”

“Godly, strong, overcoming women who have a testimony don’t happen by accident.”

“You (and your children) are being groomed to become like Christ. Many times that’s done through difficulty.”

“He desires not for you to be happy and shallow, but to be Holy.”

“Our children learn how to believe & persevere by watching us. How do we handle trouble/discouragement?”

Our children will be prepared for trials in life by seeing how we trust and lean on God in our sadness.

“Your spirit is an example to others – how you walk with God is a model for your children to follow.”

We can’t give our children what we don’t have. If we want them to know and love God. We need to know and love God.

“Be a learner. Be curious about all that God has made (surround yourself with others who do the same).”

“God isn’t calling you to be exhausted, He’s calling you to rest.”

“Light a candle, put on music, get a real tea cup, make a pot of tea, invite someone to sit w/ you… & talk! Make some quiet time.” (Jesus went away to be alone and spent intimate time with friends.)

“Everyone needs a place of quiet that is nurturing to your spirit, enriching your soul. What nurtures your heart & brings you closer to God?“

“If your soul isn’t rich, how can you give richness to your child? Enrich YOUR soul!”(see Sally’s post on this here)

“Your children are watching everything you are doing!” “What are you doing in front of your children? What are you speaking in front of your children? Is it pleasing to God?”

“The spirit of a woman to speak light into darkness can change a whole family’s history.”

“God isn’t asking you to do more, he’s asking you to rest in him/trust him. The more you rest in him the more you become like him.”

“God doesn’t want you to be perfect. He wants you to love Him and make Him known to your children.”

“God doesn’t ask for perfection, He asks for a heart for Him!”

“Are you (am I) a picture of the incarnate Jesus to your husband, your children, your friends?”

__________________________

Until next Tea Time (next Tuesday) when we talk about the reason behind all of this (the arrows we are shooting into the future generations),

May you be filled to overflowing with God’s love and may your children be drawn to the light of Christ in you!

And remember…

God has a plan and purpose for each one of our children, and He has placed YOU as the parent of your children!

Check out more GREAT insights from the Mom Heart Conference from some of my blogging friends:

You Are Building Your Legacy Today

What Are Your Questions? Do you worry that you’ve blown it?

Tea Time: Where The Heart Is

God Is At Work In Your Child’s Life(last week’s Tea Time post here at SomeGirl’s Website)

Feel free to pass this along to your friends! ♥ Love, Michelle (aka SomeGirl)

Disclaimer: Most of what I share in this and future Tea Times came directly (or was gleaned) from theMom Heart Conference hosted by Sally Clarkson. Where I quote directly from her or another speaker I will use quotation marks. In my haste to write down the great nuggets of truth shared with us I failed to write who said what, so my quotes will not be referenced. In other words, if you see something in quotes it was said by someone wise at the conference.

post from the URL: http://somegirlswebsite.com/showing-love/2011/03/greatest-role-moms/

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Four God Filled Moments (Among many others of course!)

Of course back in bible times the mode of transportation was walking; Or riding on an animal if you were wealthy to afford an animal. So a lot of time was spent walking together, and God said that this was a perfect time fore discussing eternal things together. Sometimes I feel like we spend half our day in the car! Make it a point to turn off the radio and spend some time being spiritually focused. Maybe it’s a short drive…Spend it in prayer for safety and reflection on the mornings events; good or bad. Dr. Rienow is a down to earth kind of author and admits to forgetting this occasionally. I’m going to quote what he said about this small tidbit of effective time.

When You Rise Up

Cheers~

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Choosing the Better Things Recent Convictions (Part one) Mothering from a Biblical World-view

"This is a guest post written by a new member of the MightyNest community. She is just beginning her journey towards creating a safe and healthy home for her family. Amanda will be writing posts periodically, sharing her journey with us.

Up until about a month ago, I would call myself a blissfully ignorant consumer. I took everything at face value. Any claims made on a product’s packaging I would believe. After all, why would a reputable company deceive their consumers? Then I had the opportunity to talk in depth with the founders of MightyNest whose mission is to educate consumers like myself who are concerned about the impact of chemicals and toxins on their family’s health.

Last summer there was some press about estrogen in Neutrogena sunscreen. My friends started talking about how this might affect our daughters. We all worry about them reaching puberty too early. After all, that's one of the reasons why I purchase organic milk for my family. Anyhow, the sensible part of me said that I should research this concern and perhaps find a sunscreen that didn’t contain this chemical. The admittedly uninformed side of me didn’t feel ready to give up the convenience and low cost of my favorite drug store brands.

Don’t get me wrong, I care deeply about the health and wellbeing of myself and my family. In fact, I truly believe that I can deal with just about any challenge or obstacle, as long as my family is healthy. After spending time on MightyNest.com and talking with Chris and Kristen Conn, I decided that I owe it to myself and to my family to become better educated on this topic so that I can make an informed decision about which sunscreens I purchase this summer. I don't believe in putting synthetic estrogen into my body, so why should I put it on my skin?

MY RESEARCH

I consulted three reputable sources:

• The Environmental Working Group (EWG): A non-profit organization which, through research, works to expose potential health and environmental hazards. Their 2011Sunscreen Reportis a comprehensive resource rating more than 1,700 products for effectiveness and safety.
• The Safe Mama: This web site, started by a mom of two, is a resource designed to educate parents and save them time by pulling together information from a wide variety of sources that relates to the safety and health of children. Recently, the Safe Mama published her list of approved sunscreens which are all free of many harmful chemicals. You can read her reporthere.
• The Huffington Post: This article by Mindy Pennybacker,The Best Sunscreens to Use – and Lose, combined scientific research from the EWG with consumer testing and feedback to produce their top-ten list of the least toxic sunscreens.

WHAT I’VE LEARNED

• The sunscreen industry isnotregulated by the FDA. In fact, the FDA has promised to regulate sunscreen manufacturers since 1978, but has yet to follow through on that promise.
• Because this industry is not regulated, claims made in advertising or on packaging donothave to be true or proven.
• Neutrogena sunscreen, which recently received buzz in the press concerning its high levels of oxybenzone, bears the American Cancer Society seal of approval. Neutrogena pays a royalty to use the ACS logo, but isnot endorsedby the ACS. I had NO IDEA that sunscreen wasn't regulated by the FDA or that a major corporation would falsely advertise their product. I trusted that the ACS seal meant it was SAFE.
• The main chemical found in a vast majority of sunscreens is Oxybenzone (aka Benzophenone-3), which seeps into the skin and enters the bloodstream. The properties of this chemical are such that it mimics estrogen. It is an endocrine and hormone disruptor which may accelerate the growth of cancer cells.
• SPF (Sun Protection Factor) applies only to UVB rays – the harmful effects of which are visible as a burn. SPF doesnotapply to UVA rays. UVA rays penetrate the skin accelerating the aging process and potentially cause cancer.
• All sunscreens have UVB protection, butnotall sunscreens protect from the harmful effects of UVA rays. Look for a UVA/UVB or broad spectrum sunscreen.
• A 2007 study “reported that 96% of 6 to 8 year old girls had detectable amounts of oxybenzone in their urine.” You can read more in thisarticlepublished by the EWG.
• Products that bear the Skin Cancer Foundation Seal of Recommendation meet a set of criteria less rigorous than those of the EWG or American Academy of Dermatology. Among the criterianotassessed by the Skin Cancer Foundation are UVA protection and the potential health effects of the ingredients contained in these products.
• Vitamin A is a common ingredient found in nearly 30% of all sunscreens. Vitamin A is an anti-oxidant that slows the skin’s aging process. However, when exposed to sunlight, it may speed the development of skin cancer.
• The safest, least toxic sunscreens are those with the active ingredient Zinc Oxide.

MY TAKE AWAY

(While) I was shocked when I read that the sunscreen industry is not regulated, (I'm actually still liking the idea that's it's less government invasion into my home. This is one of reasons why it's important not to remain an ignorant consumer, because I firmly believe this is our responsibility to know what it is we purchase and to understand the pro's and con's of products). This fact alone was enough for me to seriously consider making a change and after all of my research, I've decided it's in order. Here's are the changes I intend to make:

• I will purchase sunscreens that primarily consist of zinc oxide.
• I will not use an aerosol sunscreen. Not only is it bad for the environment, but it is wasteful and harmful to my children’s lungs.
• Rather than slathering my children with sunscreen all over their bodies – before they put on their suits – I will only apply sunscreen to the exposed skin.
• We will take advantage of sun hats and swim shirts.

If I can change one thing to keep my family safe, it’s worth it. One small change is bound to lead to another small change. I know now that I’ll begin to look at what I purchase with a more discriminating eye. As a mom, it’s my job to keep my children safe and that includes making sure that what goes into and onto their bodies is the least toxic available option. I’m willing to give it a try – one small change at a time."

It's from October 2010 @ Theresurgence.com (http://theresurgence.com/2010/10/22/missional-mothering)

Missional Mothering Young mother, it seems like everyone wants something from you. And you’re probably already giving way more than you ever thought you could give. But even with all your giving, you might struggle with guilt—lingering, joy-drenching, energy-sapping guilt—that you should be doing more, giving more, accomplishing more. Don’t waste that guilt. Pay attention to it. Use it. Take it out of the shadows and examine it in light of Scripture. Is this a godly grief that leads to repentance or a worldly grief that produces death (2 Cor. 7:10)? Is it life-giving or life-depleting? Ask yourself, does this bring fresh joy and peace to those nearest me, or does it add unnecessary stress and strain to my home? Mother: You have a mission field Our first and primary mission field is our children. God values our children. Jesus became indignant when the disciples didn’t embrace the worth of children in God’s expanding kingdom (Mark 10:13-16). God tells us that children are his blessing to us (Ps. 127:3). And he places great importance on our teaching our children to love and serve him (Deut. 6:7-9). Don’t feel guilty over making your children your primary ministry investment in their early years. Your availability, sensitivity, affection, and unhurried attention are irreplaceable. There are no neutral moments in a young child’s life. Someone is going to be influencing your children, inculcating values and imprinting standards on their impressionable young minds. Let it be you! Accept your calling from God to serve your family. As a mother, you are helping to shape the souls of your children for Christ and ultimately influence the world. Your children are your gift to the future. Stay on mission Does this mean you will never invest in others outside your family? Goodness, no. But if you are a young mother, stay on mission. Use your primary ministry of mothering to serve Christ now. Don’t let anything diminish your unique role as a wife and mother. It is not godly guilt that would call you away from a wholehearted investment in your little ones for his sake. “ Don’t feel guilty over making your children your primary ministry investment in their early years. ” This season in your life is just that—a season. And each season is a divine calling from our creator and king. Organizing a new event at church is important. Teaching your little boy to be kind to his sister is also important. But which one can best be done by you during this season? Serve God well by ministering to your children first. Very soon they will be grown and gone, and you will be unable to recapture the teachable moments you have now. Mothers, listen to Psalm 78:4-7: “We will . . . tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders he has done . . . that the next generation might know . . . so that they should set their hope in God.”

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Red Minky and Black and White Quilters cotton in a floral pattern, just perfect for the sweet little girl who rides in it.

Original pattern made by yours truly and available through special order begining at $100