Hump Day Encouragement

You may have realized that today's post is NOT titled "Homeschool Hump Day Encouragement"! We're moving toward more encouraging messages for everyone! So today, we're going to start with educating ourselves in general.

The God who created this whole universe, every plant, every flower, every insect, every animal, bird, and sea creature, mountains, clouds, rain, grassy plains, towering redwoods, rocks, lakes, rivers, and oceans, is not surprised by anything that happens in this world. He sees the beginning from the end. He knows what is in the darkness and light dwells with Him. And even so...

You are valuable! You are loved! You were created with a purpose! You have been made for such a time as this! 

Have a blessed week!


Lyn~

Positive Words for Positive Results!

Lately, I've been struggling with staying positive. Watching my words and what I say has become less about making sure I'm not saying anything in unbelief or against the Word of God and more about speaking positive words over my life, my children, my finances, and relationships.

When we watch our words and what we're saying, it's not enough to keep our mouths shut to avoid speaking negatively. No! We must replace that negative speech with positive words and confessions found in the Scriptures. Here are some to get you started:

Think about this. What if we stopped talking about how much things will cost or how we can't afford this or that thing? What if we stopped saying how little our bank accounts have? What if we didn't speak to others about our aches and pains? What if we replaced the things we are saying with Scripture and aligned it with what God says.

"God, who gives life to the dead and call those things which do not exist as though they did..." -Romans 4:17.

So remember, it's not enough to NOT speak negatively. We must replace those negative things with positive things! And these things that we are positively confessing, can eventually be things that end up on our vision boards! 

What are you saying and believing for?

Friday 'Fess Up

This week, I am planning for our church Women's Ministry Vision Board Party! I am excited for what the Lord has for me and my sisters in the Lord in the next 12-18 months. But a friend of mine reminded me of something very important to remember when thinking of things to accomplish and place on our vision boards. She said that we need to consider how those things we want to do will benefit the Kingdom of God. What legacy do we want to leave our children and grandchildren? How do we want what we plan to achieve to be used by God to further His Kingdom? 

Many of us will celebrate over the holiday weekend. Some will celebrate graduations, some will celebrate those military men ad women who paid the ultimate price, some will celebrate family getting together, and some will celebrate the lives of those who have passed away. Each celebration brings with it a legacy that was left for the next generation. Consider this weekend how you want your goals and dreams to impact the Kingdom of God!

Have a blessed and memorable holiday weekend!


Lyn~

Preparing to Make Your Vision Board

This week, I want you to pray about what the Lord has for you for the next 12-18 months. If you’ve been thinking of writing a book, do it. If you’ve been thinking of writing a song or making a CD, do it. If you’ve been thinking of starting that business, losing weight, stepping out in a ministry, going back to college, working with media production, working with children, and so many more things, why not start now? Often the things that are on your heart and mind are there because the Lord has given you that dream!

Here are some ideas to get your thought process going!

List:

1    1. Countries You would like to visit
2. Things you’d like to collect
3.    Activities you’d like to try
4.    Beaches you’d like to visit
5.    Monuments you’d like to see
6.    Books you’d like to read
7.    Plays you want to see
8.    Classes you’d like to take
9.    Museums you’d like to visit
10. Parades you’d like to see or even be in
11. Languages you’d like to learn
12. States you’d like to visit
13. Special events you’d like to witness
14. Celebrities you’d like to meet
15. Organizations you want to support
16. Creative dates (like a romantic carriage ride in Downtown)
17. Adventures you’d like to go on
18. Creative projects you’d like to complete
19. Personal or family growth you’d like to see
20. Charitable or volunteer activities you’d like to participate in

I hope these ideas help you create a working list to pull from. In the next week, you'll choose up to 10 things (and at least 3!) you want to put on your vision board to accomplish in the next 12-18 months!

Have a blessed week!!


Lyn~

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Friday 'Fess Up

This week, we had some challenges. Financial issues, personality conflicts, offense, and pride tried to come into our lives. We looked at the issues first. Then, we turned to the Word of God. You see, as we begin moving toward those things the Lord has for us, Satan tries to corrupt and steal them away from us.

Many of you know of my passion for vision boards. As a part of women's ministry in my church, I'm hosting a vision board party. Well, as soon as those plans were decided on and announced, my family was immediately attacked. It's in these times that it is important for us to stand on the Word and to confess His promises to us!

So we confess:

It matters what you do when trials come your way or when you are being attacked by the enemy. As Christians, we stand on the Word of God and fight in the spiritual realm with the Word of God. It is then that He is able to dispatch His angels and fight on our behalf. We just have to put the Word--His Word--into action!


Have a blessed weekend!


Lyn~

Homeschool Hump Day Encouragement

Helping Your Homeschool Students Find Their Calling

I will never forget the moment when my oldest son came in to talk to me, tears in his eyes. “Mom, I’m scared. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do when I finish high school.”

It was a genuine concern he had and one I’m sure a lot of other high school students share. One moment they are happily learning and enjoying the homeschooling life. The next, it is time to decide whether or not to attend college, join the military, or begin an apprenticeship.

There are so many options available to our children when they finish. And, of course, we want to help guide and direct them, not add to their confusion.

This is when we need to take some time out of our schooling day and pray for our children. That is what we have done with each of our children, and our four oldest children are well on the way to pursuing their dreams. It is such a wonderful thing to see!

We want to pray that the Lord would show them what He created them to be and do for the Kingdom. Ask Him to give them dreams and visions. Pray that they would be filled with passion for that dream and vision. Pray that they would have favor with the people they are around daily, that will guide them toward their dreams and visions. And most importantly, we want to be intentional in our prayers and make time to show our children that their futures are of value to us, too.

Whether your children are nearing the end of their homeschooling journey or simply feel a tugging toward a specific profession in life, it is not too early or too late to begin praying with your children for their futures!

Joel Osteen said, “The calling on your life is irrevocable. Your shortcomings, your failures cannot undo the plan that was ordained for you.” Our children have been predestined for great things. Let’s pray with them now for the irrevocable call of the Lord!

Have a great week!

Lyn~

Permission to Dream

One thing I really enjoy is touring homes for sale or model homes. It's something my sister and I have done for years, and we really enjoy it. We also enjoy window shopping clothes, shoes, furniture, travel trailers, and so many other things! Did you know that is a beautiful example of dreaming? When was the last time you did any of those things? Can you imagine any of those things happening? Imaging yourself having those things, purchasing those things is the first step. If you can't imagine you, you probably won't have it.

You may think that there is no logical reason for touring model homes, especially if you already own a home or don't think you can afford to purchase a home at this time in your life or why pretend to shop for furniture you don't need right now. But that's just what the Lord wants us to do. He wants us to dream and dream BIG. The Lord is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). Do you know what that means? It means that as big as we can dream, He wants to do BIGGER! 

If you haven't ever done any of those things I mentioned earlier, I want to encourage you to give yourself permission to dream--TODAY! There is no harm in window shopping and imagining what it would be like if you owned that home, owned that travel trailer, had that furniture in your home, bought those shoes. The only thing that might happen is that you begin to see what God can do for you! 

Have a wonderful, dream-filled week!


Lyn~