Thursday, February 24, 2011

Helping Children Learn the Ten Commandments(and parents too)

A friend (Roxanne) told me about a way to quickly memorize the Ten Commandments. It gives you a visual to put with each commandment to help you remember them. We used this last night in TeamKID at church and it amazed me how fast the kids committed the Commandments to memory. As well as helped me too.  If something works I like to share it. So here it is...


The picture was found by a Google search at goodmessenger.org

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Monday, February 21, 2011

A Child's Ten Commandments to Parents

I am not the best mom, but I try. I know that everyday is a new learning experience for me as a parent. Sometimes I come across things that stir my heart and open my eyes and I want to share it with others. Sunday night I heard  "A Child's Ten Commandments to Parents" in the Bible study I am attending entitled Value-Packed Parenting by Kevin Leman.


 
A Child's Ten Commandments to Parentsby Dr. Kevin Leman
As presented on the realFamilies TV Show with Dr. Kevin Leman
and Dr. Jay Passavant, here are ten ways to better parenting,
and of course better kids.

1. My hands are small; please don't expect perfection whenever I make a bed,
draw a picture or throw a ball. My legs are short; please slow down so that
I can keep up with you.

2. My eyes have not seen the world as yours have; please let me explore safely. Don't restrict me unnecessarily.

3. Housework will always be there. I'm only little for a short time, please take time to explain things to me about this wonderful world and do so willingly.

4. My feelings are tender; please be sensitive to my needs. Don't nag me all
day long. (You wouldn't want to be nagged for your inquisitiveness). Treat me as you would like to be treated.

5. I am a special gift from God; please treasure me as God intended you to do, holding me accountable for my actions, giving me guidelines to live by and disciplining me in a loving manner.

6. I need your encouragement to grow. Please go easy on the criticism; remember, you can criticize the things I do without criticizing me.

7. Please give me the freedom to make decisions concerning myself. Permit me to fail, so that I can learn from my mistakes. Then someday I'll be prepared to make the kinds of decisions that life requires of me.

8. Please don't do things over for me. Somehow that makes me feel that my efforts didn't quite measure up to your expectations. I know it's hard, but please don't try to compare me to my brother or sister. 

9. Please don't be afraid to leave for a weekend together. Kids need vacations from parents, just as parents need vacations from kids.  Besides, it's a great way to show us kids that your marriage is very special.

10. Please take me to church regularly, setting a good example for me to follow. I enjoy learning more about God. 
Dr. Kevin Leman is an internationally known psychologist, humorist, best-selling author, TV personality and speaker. Dr. Leman is probably best known for his Birth Order Book.

The Song On My Heart

This song has been on my heart for two days now. Just wanted to share the lyrics.


AMY GRANT - Better Than A Hallelujah

God loves a lullaby
In a mothers tears in the dead of night
Better than a Hallelujah sometimes.
God loves a drunkards cry,
The soldiers plea not to let him die
Better than a Hallelujah sometimes.

We pour out our miseries
God just hears a melody
Beautiful the mess we are
The honest cries of breaking hearts
Are better than a Hallelujah

The woman holding on for life,
The dying man giving up the fight
Are better than a Hallelujah sometimes
The tears of shame for what's been done,
The silence when the words won't come
Are better than a Hallelujah sometimes.

We pour out our miseries
God just hears a melody
Beautiful the mess we are
The honest cries of breaking hearts
Are better than a Hallelujah

Better than a church bell ringing,
Better than a choir singing out,singing out.

We pour out our miseries
God just hears a melody
Beautiful the mess we are
The honest cries of breaking hearts
Are better than a Hallelujah



.

Monday, February 14, 2011

A Valentine Just For You!


“My lover is mine, and I am his.”
Song of Solomon 2:16 (NLT)

While I spent the last few months thinking a lot about Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s, greeting card writers likely spent it focused on today – Valentine’s Day.
Valentine’s Day is the second-biggest card-buying holiday besides Christmas. More than 200 million Valentine cards will be exchanged today.
Have you ever watched somebody pick out a greeting card? Growing up, my family owned a chain of Hallmark stores where I worked as a sales clerk. The occasional customer would breeze in, look at two or three cards and then head to my cash register. However, most would spend 15 or 20 minutes reading through cards, searching for the just right expression of their love.
You may or may not receive a paper Valentine today, one from a greeting card company, or one hand-made of red and pink construction paper stuck together with paste. But I know you and I are both the recipient of the best Valentine ever – one that shines like rubies, one that is bright white and blood red.
In Christ, God sent us the ultimate Valentine. “This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life” (John 3:16, MSG).
“Whole” and “lasting” – two things we seek but rarely find in this world. Sweet friend, long after the paper Valentine cards exchanged today are discarded or forgotten, God’s love for you endures.
Jesus is God’s demonstration of His eternal love for us. Not only that, Jesus taught us how to live and love each other. He experienced criticism and rejection – and yet gathered strength from God to turn the other cheek. He showed love to all around Him, regardless of class, status or nationality. He prayed for His friends and His enemies. He even suffered crucifixion in order to save us from our sin.
Jesus is God’s perfect expression of love. His life and death are God saying to you and me, “Be Mine.”
Yes, God loves us so much that He gave us His most valuable gift – Himself. And after Jesus rose from the grave and ascended back to heaven, God sent His Spirit to remain with us. As God shares Himself with us through His Son and His Spirit, He says to us, “You are my beloved.”
Hearing that is better than any sentiment a card-writer could pen. God Himself, given for you and me, demonstrates the ultimate expression of love. Like melt-in-your-mouth chocolates from a heart-shaped satin box, He invites us to taste and see that He is good and His love endures forever.
It’s time to open your Valentine. Close your eyes and hear Him whispering to you today, “Be Mine.”
Dear Lord, thank You for first loving me, and for showing me what love truly is. I’m so grateful You invited me to be Yours. Like a bouquet of exquisite roses in a simple earthen vase, I treasure Your presence in this “jar of clay.” May others see You displayed in me this Valentine’s. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.


Reflections:
Do I realize the great extent of God’s love for me?
What does it look like to “Be God’s?”


Power Verses:
John 15:12-13, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (NIV)
1 John 3:16a, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.” (NIV)
Romans 5:5, “And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” (NLT)
1 John 4:8, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (NIV)

© 2011 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.

If you liked this devotion and would like the read more, go to http://devotions.proverbs31.org/

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Shane's Valentine's Day Present... Shhhhh!

My husband doesn't read my blog so I decided to post his Valentine's present Matthew and I made in Picasa. (Matthew helped pick out the pictures) 

 I am going to print it off at Walmart later today. I think he will like it for his office.


I have the most sweetest, wonderful, caring, loving husband who is the best dad to Matthew and an amazing man of God. I thank the Lord for blessing me with him.

Friday, February 11, 2011

You are more than the sum of your past mistakes...



"YOU ARE MORE"
Thenth Avenue North

There's a girl in the corner
With tear stains on her eyes
From the places she's wandered
And the shame she can't hide

She says, "How did I get here?
I'm not who I once was.
And I'm crippled by the fear
That I've fallen too far to love"

But don't you know who you are,
What's been done for you?
Yeah don't you know who you are?

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

Well she tries to believe it
That she's been given new life
But she can't shake the feeling
That it's not true tonight

She knows all the answers
And she's rehearsed all the lines
And so she'll try to do better
But then she's too weak to try

But don't you know who you are?

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

'Cause this is not about what you've done,
But what's been done for you.
This is not about where you've been,
But where your brokenness brings you to

This is not about what you feel,
But what He felt to forgive you,
And what He felt to make you loved.

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

You've been remade
You've been remade.
You've been remade.
You've been remade.

Who Will Love Me.....For ME?



He cries in the corner where nobody sees
He's the kid with the story no one would believe
He prays every night, "Dear God won't you please...
Could you send someone here who will love me?"

Who will love me for me
Not for what I have done or what I will become
Who will love me for me
'Cause nobody has shown me what love
What love really means

Her office is shrinking a little each day
She's the woman whose husband has run away
She'll go to the gym after working today
Maybe if she was thinner
Then he would've stayed
And she says...

Who will love me for me?
Not for what I have done or what I will become
Who will love me for me?
'Cause nobody has shown me what love, what love really means

He's waiting to die as he sits all alone
He's a man in a cell who regrets what he's done
He utters a cry from the depths of his soul
"Oh Lord, forgive me, I want to go home"

Then he heard a voice somewhere deep inside
And it said
"I know you've murdered and I know you've lied
I have watched you suffer all of your life
And now that you'll listen, I'll tell you that I..."

I will love you for you
Not for what you have done or what you will become
I will love you for you
I will give you the love
The love that you never knew

By: JJ Heller

Thirty-One Has Something For Everyone



  

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Thirty-One Online Catalog Party- Shop Now!

Click below to view the 2011 Spring/Summer Thirty-One Catalog

Trying to be a Betty Crocker?

Ok, So I'm going to be honest and say that I am not the best cook or even a good cook/baker. When I cook I'm more like a scientist in the kitchen. I don't use a measure much, I am always adding different ingredients, so I do not cook the same dish twice usually.

On that note: Monday I was in the kitchen most of the day cooking/baking. And I did do so bad this time.

I made three desserts: Strawberry shortcake cups, Oreo cookie layered cup and mini cupcakes.

I really took my time and I was actually a little impressed with myself. I took a few pictures but not of every step because I kept forgetting. So here It is....


Mini cupcakes with homemade cream cheese icing... yummy







~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Layered Strawberry Shortcake- light and fluffy!






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Layered Chocolate Oreo Cup- yum!

 






Tuesday, February 8, 2011

10 Things I'm Thankful For 02/08/2011

  1. the warmth of the sunshine on my face
  2. people who help support the dreams and goals that you may have
  3. strawberry shortcake....yum!
  4. my wonderful husband!!!
  5. Mexican food
  6. Proverbs 31:10-31
  7. my jammies
  8. the sermon on the Mount
  9. jump-drives
  10. naps

Matthew 5-7 (New International Version, ©2010)


Matthew 5

Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount
 1 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.
The Beatitudes
    He said:    3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
   for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
   for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
   for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
   for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
   for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
   for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
   for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
   for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
   11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Salt and Light
    13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.    14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
The Fulfillment of the Law
    17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Murder
    21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder,[a] and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister[b][c] will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’[d] is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.    23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
   25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
Adultery
    27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’[e] 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
Divorce
    31 “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’[f] 32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Oaths
    33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.[g]
Eye for Eye
    38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’[h] 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Love for Enemies
    43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[i] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Matthew 6

Giving to the Needy
 1 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.    2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Prayer
    5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.    9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
   “‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
   on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
   as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,[j]
   but deliver us from the evil one.[k]
   14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Fasting
    16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Treasures in Heaven
    19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.    22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy,[l] your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy,[m] your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
   24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Do Not Worry
    25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[n]?    28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 7

Judging Others
 1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.    3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
   6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
Ask, Seek, Knock
    7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.    9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
The Narrow and Wide Gates
    13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
True and False Prophets
    15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
True and False Disciples
    21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
The Wise and Foolish Builders
    24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”  28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Placing a Thirty-One order on Feb. 8. Don't miss out!



 I am sending an order off on the Feb. 8! Please let me know if you would like to place a order! This is out of the NEW SPRING CATALOG!! You can go to www.mythirtyone.com/brookelatta to look at the new catalog!!!

I have recently decided to start a new adventure as I have started my very own Thirty-One business and would love to share our products with you. Our company mission is to Celebrate • Encourage • Reward women for who they are and I couldn't agree more with this mission. I have decided to become an independent consultant for Thirty-One as it is very flexible and allows me to keep my title of stay-at-home mom.
I am currently hosting an online Open House until Feb. 8 to debut my new adventure as an independent consultant for Thirty-One gifts.
If you have any questions, please contact me at thirtyone.brooke@gmail.com

Below is a preview of some of are fabulous products from our new spring/summer Thirty-One Gifts' catalog.









Below is our February Specials.



Thursday, February 3, 2011

That's it! I can't take it anymore!

I am sooooo ready for spring! I am so tired of this weather. It is freezing! I am tired of telling Matthew, "No we can't go ride the bike you got for Christmas because it's too cold outside."  So I let him ride in the house.

Saturday was just a slap in the face..... it was 60+ degrees and beautiful. We went and walked on the beach, we rode our bikes in our neighborhood and just enjoyed the beautiful day. The next morning.... cold again.

On top of that, I live in the south, we should not be having weather like this! Yesterday light snow was reported falling in Mobile, Al which is only 45 minutes from my house. WHAT? 

What about global warming? I just don't understand.

So from now on, if you see me wearing flip-flops and short sleeved shirts, think nothing of it... I'm just trying to get spring to get the hint...."It's time"! 

OK I think I feel a little better now....o what I'm still cold!

Warm Wishes,
Brooke

P.S. Here are some pictures from Saturday.