Prayer Encouragement: "Disagreement among Friends" by SkyMom, Terrie Chevaillier

Disagreement among Friends

They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, ⁴⁰ but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. ⁴¹ He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.  
Acts 15:39-41

In this passage, we see where two great friends in the faith had a sharp disagreement.

This one actually caused these two to part ways.  One went this way and the other went that way.  If you read on, it becomes clear that God worked mightily to cause the gospel to be advanced in the directions they both went. They also took a friend with them when they left.  Fallen man’s mistakes did not thwart the gospel. It kept advancing.  That was the purpose of their mission.  Gospel advancement.

As I listened to a  friend’s sharing of some girlfriend conflicts her daughter was in the midst of, it became clear that even amidst the disagreement, the gospel could be advanced.  One would be spending a lot of time in one area of influence and the other would be spending more time in another circle.   Both are believers.  They reconciled.  However, instead of forsaking their mission of being light in some areas of darkness, they made peace that they would be spread out.   Out of their original huddle and into new ones.  When she shared this with me, I immediately thought…PAUL AND BARNABAS!!

It also made me think about what I call “holy huddles”.

A holy huddle is what I think about when I am wanting to quarantine myself or my kids from the world.  Don’t get me wrong. These huddles have strengthened me, encouraged me, helped me see the game plan of God’s Word, and set me on a path of right living.  I never want to leave them.  However, how would the gospel be advanced, others be encouraged in the Word, or life change happen if we all just stayed in the safe haven of these comfortable little huddles.

Sometimes disagreements cause some of us to part ways.  Other times, circumstances beyond our control cause them, such as logistics.  However, when we view them in light of the truth that one of God’s plans for our child is to advance the gospel, these disruptions in friendship circles can be viewed as opportunities for your family to be in new places and bring in the light of Christ where there might not be much light.

Sports teams dividing, new schools for 2014-15, new places of residence, name your “new”.

Let’s Pray God’s Word:

Dear Father, thank you for allowing us as your children, to be on mission to spread Your Word. Even amidst disagreements, your plan is not stopped as You use all things for the good of Your Kingdom and Your children.

This brings much comfort in a changing world.  Comfort that You don’t change and Your Word doesn’t change even when boulders come crashing into our circles and bring change.

We need your grace as we live on mission with our children and their friends.  Help us to always be mindful of this mission as we partner with others to strengthen new places and to spread Your Word and Your Love.

Amen.

~Terrie Chevaillier

Lisa Life Lesson- "Where's the Justice?"

Sometimes as parents (read Moms) we become obsessed with what the other kids are doing.  "Why didn't so-in-so get in trouble for that and my kid did? They did the same thing and so-in-so did it worse! My kid got in trouble and so-in-so didn't? Where's the justice?" blah blah 

I was always leery of Mom Cops.  The moms who wanted "justice for all...especially her kids."  Mom, there will never be justice for all in this fallen world.  Period.  Nothing will ever be perfect.  When we try to police our kid's friend, OR our friend's kids, we will go bonkers! Cray Cray! Cuckoo!!! We can't do it.  We can't be the judge and jury.  We need to just focus on our happy nest and make sure we are providing the love and discipline our children deserve from us.  

I know.  It's hard.  We see all this other stuff going on and we're like..."man, life is tough for my little man.  He can't catch a break."  Well, life is tough.  But God sees.  He is the judge, jury, redeemer, life give, life changer, manager over all.  He will make it right.  You can't.

Here's one of my favorite parenting verses for this very issue.  (See, God thought of everything.)

 "But you are obsessed with whether the godless will be judged.  Don't worry, judgement and justice will be upheld." Job 36:17  In other words, don't worry about your kid's friends being held responsible for their sins, and your friend's kids being held responsible for their sins.  God sees all and will hold ALL OF US RESPONSIBLE.  We need to focus on ourselves and our little ones.  

Here's the good news! Jesus came and lived a perfect life because we were ALL falling short.  Our sin was keeping us from a relationship with God.  So His perfect son came and died for the sins of the world.  When we accept His son and the gift of salvation, we are made clean.  Forgiven.  His grace covers ALL our sin.  And we can then have the relationship with Him that was intended from the beginning.  Thank you, Jesus!

So, here's to not judging.  Not condemning.  Just praying for the Holy Spirit to enable us to live the life of abundance He has called us to live.  A holy life full of love, forgiveness and service.


Lisa Clark
Sky Ranch Parenting Mentor



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Lisa Life Lesson- "Stop the DRAMA, MAMA!!!!"

Stop the DRAMA, MAMA!!!!

Mom, does DRAMA seem to follow you? Your daughter? Your son? (This isn't just a female issue anymore.) 

While we think it's most always the other parties fault, sometimes there are clear, decisive things we can do to prevent it from loitering around us.  Drama breeds drama.  

Here's a few tips to keep it at bay:

1) Set the right example.  As moms, we are influencers.  When we don't get involved in adult drama, it proves to our kiddos that it's possible.  You might have a gregarious personality, yet DRAMA stays far away from you.  That's simply because you don't allow it to come in.  Period.  It's a choice.  How? Good question.  Set boundaries.  Don't gossip.  Don't listen to gossip.  Don't allow gossipy friends in your closest circle of friends.  Harsh? Nope. Necessary? Yes.  Drama eludes where it is not welcome.  

2) Nip it in the bud.  Stop DRAMA immediately.  "Well, she said this..then I said this...and she said she doesn't like..." Stop.  Blah. Blah. Blah.  Nip it.  Change the subject.  Pray.  Whatever needs to happen.  But nip it. Mom, you MUST BE CONFIDENT WITH THIS.  Don't go into a fetal position when your son/daughter brings home DRAMA.  BE CONFIDENT.  You can do this!

3) When you are pulled into DRAMA, confidently say as little as possible.  Pray about your response.  Then allow the Holy Spirit to lead you.  Much of DRAMA is impulsive reaction.  We go into defense mode.  If you don't react immediately, you are no fun! That's the point.  Drama wants company.  If you're no fun, DRAMA leaves you alone.  

4)  Love everyone.  Teach your children to love their friends and their enemies.  Jesus did.  No, we're not going to be besties with everyone.  But we can love everyone.  We are able to love because Christ loved us first.  We're not capable of loving, but He is through us.  




Lisa Clark
Sky Ranch Parenting Mentor

Prayer Encouragement: "Disciple Making Moms" by SkyMom, Terrie Chevaillier

Disciple Making Moms

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.”

Matthew 28:18-20

If you are a mom who has accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, you are a disciple of Christ.  

This verse above is referred to as The Great Commission.

Do you have children in your home?  You have been given authority by the power of Jesus to make disciples.  You might not ever go to another nation.   They might go.  Their training to go might be in the small confines of your home under the teaching and training of a Godly mother.

Does the job seem too big?

Let’s pray God’s Word:

Thank You Father for the authority that you have given me to make disciples in my home and teach and train my children.

As I pray for them, help me to see how You have equipped me to teach them and where you have uniquely gifted them for a mighty purpose, therefore I need to teach them what I have learned about You.

Help me to see that my home is a training ground.  A place to be a disciple and to make disciples.  Maybe to even go to other nations and teach others when they leave my home.

This sounds like a huge call.  Thank You that Your Word tells me that You are with me always!

Amen.

~Terrie Chevaillier

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