Spectrum Spirit

Are you using your talent for God?

2012-01-25T09:00:00.000-05:00

God has given gifts to each of you from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that God's generosity can flow through you. Are you called to be a speaker? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Are you called to help others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then God will be given glory in everything through Jesus Christ. All glory and power belong to him forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:10-11

God has blessed us all with a talent. Some people have the gift of talking, writing or listening. Some people can sing, dance, play football. Some are very artsy and creative. Some people are hard workers and succeed dramatically in the business world. All of these talents are awesome to have, if we use these talents for God. Nothing is more pleasing to God than for him to see us living our lives for him and using our gifts to further his Kingdom.

Tim Tebow. Almost everyone in America is familiar with Tebow and his dedication to the Lord and strong faith in God. It is so inspiring to not only watch him succeed on and off the football field, but also to see him give all of the glory to God. Our world needs this today. Our youth needs this today. I need this today. Tebow is a perfect example of using his talents for God. This is living for God.

I encourage you to discover what your talent is that God has given you. Every one of us has a special talent. God gave us this gift to help others. Are you using your talent to do so or are you more using it to pat yourself on the back to make you look better? I know it's difficult to use our talents during our times of suffering. Just know that by doing so, it will make everything else so much better.

Next Week's Reading Is....

2012-01-18T10:33:00.001-05:00

1 Peter 4:1-11

Can People See Christ Through You?

2012-01-11T09:26:00.000-05:00

This week's reading is 1 Peter 3:13-22. These verses teach us about suffering while doing good. In other words, even though we are doing what we are suppose to do, we will still go through suffering. The importance through all of our suffering is that we show others God through our lives.

1 Peter 3:15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if you are asked about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.

This verse impacted me the most this week. Especially the first part of the verse. "You must worship Christ as Lord of your life." I had to stop and ask myself, "do I worship Christ as Lord of my life?" Let's see, I attend church, I worship at church, I listen to worship music in my car, I pray. I think I worship Him as Lord of my life. Then, I read the footnotes in The Life Application Study Bible on 1 Peter 3:15 and it asked "Can others see your hope in Christ? Are you prepared to tell them what Christ has done in your life?" It's so easy for us to worship Christ when it's convenient and easy for us. We make a decision beforehand to attend church, to pray, to listen to worship music in our cars. What about during our times of suffering?

Can people see Christ through me on my bad days? Do they sense His love when they see me at my breaking point? Yes, my neighbors, friends and family can see my faith in God on Sundays while we head out to church. They can hear my worship music in my car. What about on the days where autism has reached it's highest? The scripting, the anxiety, the OCD? Can they see Christ through me during these times as well?

I like to believe the answer is yes. However, we all are human and we live in this fallen world where temptation is all around us. On my tough days, it's much easier for me to be a little meaner to the lady who messed up my order in the drive thru than it is for me to smile and say, "It's ok. I hope you have a nice day." God wants us to consistently teach the world about Him and His love for us. There is no better way to teach this than through our actions. Jesus went through the most suffering out of any of us. Did He at any point behave in a way that was displeasing to God? We all want to be more Christ-like. We want to behave in a way that is pleasing to God.

Therefore, I ask you, can people see Christ through you during your times of suffering? If not, I encourage you to join me as I battle to let His light shine through me especially during my stormy days.

This Week's Reading Is...

2012-01-04T11:12:00.000-05:00

1 Peter 3:13-22

The Only Way To Change Someone Is To Change Yourself...

2011-12-28T21:04:00.000-05:00

With the New Year fast approaching, we all have our goals about how we will better ourselves in 2012. Some of us will embark on the getting fit journey, others will try to attend church more often, some will try to get more organized and there are even some who will try to tackle all three. It's funny how the only time we try to change ourselves is during the new year. It's a fresh start. Time to start over. The rest of the year, we are probably spending a little too much time trying to change others. If only my husband would show me more attention. I wish my parents would spend more time with me. My boss is so difficult to get along with, why can't he be nicer? What we are not realizing is the easiest way to change someone is to change yourself. If you change your outlook on people, situations, etc., no one will have a choice but to change with you.

When I first read 1 Peter 3:1-12, I immediately said to myself...no way am I tackling the "obey" your husband verse. After reading it several times, I realized this group of verses is exactly what we need to discuss.

Let's look a little deeper...

1 Peter 3:1-6, teaches us that wives should obey our husbands, whether they are Believers or not, God urges us to respect and obey our husbands.

1 Peter 3:7, teaches us that husbands should honor their wives.

Sounds pretty easy, right? Unfortunately, in our fallen world, it's all about who goes first. Well, I'll respect my husband as soon as he honors me. Why should honor my wife when she doesn't respect me? Honestly, we sound like a bunch of kids. It's no fair Dad. Why do I have to go first?

The amazing thing is, if one person goes first, the other has no where to go but to change. If your husband is all of a sudden honoring you and making you feel special, you will have nothing but respect for him. Same goes for the husbands...if your wife would start respecting you, you will feel nothing but honor towards her.

The change has to start somewhere...why not with you?

As you're making your resolutions for the New Year, think of how you can help others change by changing yourself first. It's amazing the difference it can make in a marriage, a family and a friendship.

1 Peter 3:1 In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands, even those who refuse to accept the Good News. Your godly lives will speak to them better than any words.

1 Peter 3:7 In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat her with understanding as you live together.

1 Peter 3:9 Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate when people say unkind things about you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God wants you to do, and he will bless you for it.

This Week's Reading is...

2011-12-21T21:19:00.000-05:00

1 Peter 3:1-12

Please join us on Wednesday December 28th as we take a deeper look into 1 Peter 3:1-12.

Merry Christmas!

Behavior That Is Pleasing To God

2011-12-14T07:46:00.000-05:00

Last week, my family and I took a wonderful trip to Disney. For those of you who have not had the pleasure of experiencing the kindness that Disney shows to our special needs children, let me give you a brief picture. My son Sean, who has autism, loves Cinderella. All he kept telling us before we left for Disney was that he was going to say to Cinderella "May I have this dance?" He also was pretty adamant on dancing with her. As we are waiting for our turn to see Cinderella, which was a very short wait thanks to Disney's Guest Assistance pass that was given to Sean, Sean was so excited. He was literally bouncing off the walls, laughing, smiling...he couldn't wait. Then, he turned the corner and saw her. His eyes beamed. His smile took over the room. I secretly gave Cinderella's helpers a heads up that he was going to ask her to dance. They smiled and said "we can't wait." It was then Sean's turn. He walked over to Cinderella, grabbed her hands, smiled and said "May I have this dance?" She curtsied and said "You may." Then, they danced. Everyone in the room, including parents who were there to see there own children's faces light up, watched and smiled as Sean lived out his dream of dancing with Cinderella. Moms cried. Grandparents cried. Even Sean's twin brother got a little emotional as we watched Disney World make his dream come true.

In moments like these, it's very easy to have behavior that is pleasing to God. I smiled and thanked everyone for their support. My patience with my children as well as others in the park was so easy to have because I felt the support and at that time, autism didn't seem that hard.

Fast forward a couple days later. We are now at Epcot. The one attraction that Sean really had his heart on riding was Mission Space. Unfortunately, the ride was closed at the time. He ended up not being able to ride Mission Space because we had to hurry up and catch our bus or we would have had to wait another 2 hours for the next bus. At that time of the day, we were all done. Of course, this meant major meltdown in the world of autism. Please remember my child is now 9. He starts doing what we call his "fake" cry as we are walking. Keep in mind, on my son's shirt is a big name tag that says "Autism" along with his name and my cell phone number. Most people smiled or gave me a supportive look. However, I did have to meet that one person who made it all come crashing down and made this week's post really speak volumes to me.

As Sean is fake crying, a mom...yes, a mom...stops dead in her tracks, looks at my son and gets the most disgusting look on her face. She then proceeds to say very loudly, "Ew!" right in my son's face. In that moment I could do one out of two things. One is a behavior that is pleasing to God and the other is not. I chose to look at her, smile and say "Merry Christmas!" She still didn't get it and probably never will. However, I did. I knew that chasing her down, smacking her across the face and saying really mean things to her may have felt good in the moment but it is not the behavior that Christians need to have. People are watching us and learn from us as we smile during our moments that seem to be the hardest.

1 Peter 2:12 says... Be careful how you live among your unbelieving neighbors. Even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will believe and give honor to God when he comes to judge the world.

You see, she may not have learned anything from that moment but someone else around me did. She may not have seen how staring and saying things could really impact a person. However, I did. I know that I am more careful with how I look at others, say things about others and I try so hard not to judge. After all, we have no idea what crosses others are carrying.

I like to think that this mom had no clue that my son has autism. I like to think that to her he was acting like a typical 9 year old. Thinking like this helps me continue to take moments like these and try my hardest to as Jesus did when he suffered.

This suffering is all part of what God has called you to do. Christ, who suffered for you, is your example. Follow in his steps. He never sinned, and he never deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted. When he suffered, he did not threaten to get even. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. He personally carried away our sins in his own body on the cross so we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. You have been healed by his wounds! Once you were wandering like lost sheep. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls. - 1 Peter 2:21-25

Correction....

2011-12-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

Join us to discuss our current reading on Wednesday December 14th!

This Week's Reading is....

2011-11-30T12:23:00.000-05:00

1 Peter 2:11-25

In these verses, we learn how God wants us to behave during the times that we suffer.

I look forward to sharing more with you on Wednesday December 7th!

1 Peter 2:1-10

2011-11-23T11:41:00.000-05:00

We all face disappointment in life at one time or another. Whether it be not getting a job we were hoping to be offered or our spouse letting us down, we will face disappointment at one point. During this time we need to remember that God will never let us down. We need to remain faithful and true to God and his word.

The verse that just struck me the most in this week's reading is 1 Peter 2:6...

As the Scripture expresses it,
"I am placing a stone in Jerusalem,
a chose cornerstone,
and anyone who believes in him
will never be disappointed."

My bible, Life Application Study Bible, explains this verse even further...

Christians will sometimes be put to shame or face disappointment in this life, but their trust in God is never misplaced. God will not let them down. We can safely put our confidence in him because the eternal life he promises is certain.

What disappointment are you facing in life? What hurt or shame are you experiencing? Have you truly trusted in God during this time.

I think about what my family and I go through with autism. The struggles that my son with autism faces on a daily basis, on an hourly basis, on a minute by minute basis. I think about the struggles that my son without autism faces as he's trying to understand autism and how he can truly connect with his twin brother. I look at my husband as he pours himself hour after hour into work so that he can financially provide anything that Sean may need. I watch as he still continues to worry about our children's future. I feel the disappointment that I feel myself. The disappointment that makes me, as the mom, feel guilty. Guilty for feeling any kind of disappointment that has anything to do with my child. You see, it's not my child that has disappointed me. It's the struggles that he faces that get to me. However, these struggles are related to my child so it really throws me through an emotional loop.

It's during these struggles and disappointment that we need to remember that we can trust in God. If the only thing we can remember during our hardships is to trust in the Lord, than we will make it.

As we all know, tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Let's take the time to remember what we are truly thankful for in our lives. Our children, our spouses, food on the table, family, our health, God's word, and so much more. Take the time tomorrow to see the blessings and not the hardships.

Happy Thanksgiving!

This Week's Reading is....

2011-11-16T05:00:00.002-05:00

1 Peter 2:1-10

I know this may seem like only 10 verses, but I promise you these verses hold so much information in them. Spend this week reading, memorizing and studying these verses. Discover how these verses speak to your life now. If you read these verses and don't really get anything out of them, keep reading them. Read them as often as you can.

Join me on Wednesday November 23rd to share what you've learned through God's Word.

1 Peter 1:13-25

2011-11-09T05:00:00.000-05:00

A Call to Holy Living

It's funny how on Sundays I'm ready. I'm ready to fight the good fight for God. I leave church feeling refreshed and armored to battle for the week. Around Thursday, I start to fade. I get overwhelmed, worry and start to doubt. What am I doing wrong? I'm a horrible mother. Why is my son still struggling? It's just not fair. Then it's Sunday again. I get out of church feeling refreshed and ready to fight my battle.

It's very easy for us to "slip up" in our Christian walk. We are tempted by so many things in this life to keep us from doing what God needs us to do. Whether it's a gossip session, a movie about adultery that intrigues us or a little white lie that we feel won't harm anyone, it's far to easy for us to go back to our ways before becoming a Christian.

1 Peter 13-15 reminds us to be prepared for these set backs. Be ready to jump back into your Christian ways and live a holy life. Peter reminds us that all of our earthly things will disappear one day. The Life Application Study Bible reminds us that Only God's Word, will and works will remain forever.

We need to keep this in mind during our walk with autism as well. We will have the setbacks and regression that can very easily knock us to the ground. However, if we remember that God's will, His Word and his works are what matter the most then our setbacks will be so much easier to handle.

Verse that meant the most to me:
"Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And because God raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory, your faith and hope can be placed confidently in God." - 1 Peter 1:21

God,
We thank you for your Word and all of the advice you have given us. Please reach us during our "slip ups" and help us to quickly return to you and your Will.
In Jesus name we pray,
Amen

This Week's Reading is...

2011-11-02T08:02:00.001-04:00

1 Peter 1:13-25

Take the next week and truly dive into His Word. Take the time to pray, learn, read and re-read 1 Peter 1: 13-25. See if you can summarize in your own words what you've read. Ask yourself how this particular reading fits into your life. Then pray again for guidance on what God is asking of you.

It's very easy to become distracted while reading the Bible. I believe it's Satan's way of trying to get us as far away from God as possible. I can't tell you how many times I've sat down to read a few Bible verses and my mind is wandering. When this happens, I stop, pray and ask God to keep me focused. Then I start the verse over.

I love forward to discussing these verses with you on Wednesday November 9th!

* Please note, due to the upcoming holidays, we have chosen to "discuss" each reading every other week. Therefore, you will have an entire week to study each reading. We look forward to you joining in on the discussions!

1 Peter 1-12

2011-10-26T14:30:00.000-04:00

(We are very excited to study 1 Peter with you. Please keep in mind that we are not experts on the Bible. We are studying 1 Peter for the first time with you. Therefore, if we write anything that you feel is incorrect, we ask that you share this with us. We want to make sure we are as accurate as possible. We also ask that you share your thoughts each week as well.)

Peter, whose name Jesus changed from Simon to Peter, was one of the 12 disciples. He did deny Jesus, but repented and became an Apostle. Peter wrote this letter to encourage Christians who are suffering. A lot of the Christians during that time were being persecuted for their belief in Jesus. These were new believers who were being forced to question their new faith. The purpose of this letter is hope.

Even nowadays, there are Christians being persecuted for their beliefs. However, we also have to remember that persecution and suffering can happen to any of us through any trials of life. Including autism. It's hard to remember during our suffering, persecutions and storms in life that this is not forever. We have something so much better in Eternity with Christ.

Below are some points that my Bible, Life Application Study Bible; New Living Translation, made in the footnotes that meant a lot to me.

* God will protect us and help us remain faithful during our trials.
* Trials teach us patience.
* Faith is tested during trials.

When I think about autism and the struggles we have dealt with over the years, I am so thankful for God's hand through it all. During the hard times, I couldn't see where he was taking us. I had no idea where we were going. All I knew was to remain faithful and he would guide me on where to go, what to do and how to help my child. My patience has been tested and made stronger. My faith has been tested and is the strongest it's ever been. 1 Peter 1-12 shows me to keep my eyes on eternity, have faith in God and how he will be there for me and to stand firm in my Christian beliefs.

Verse that meant the most to me:
You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him, you trust him; and even now you are happy with a glorious, inexpressible joy. - 1 Peter 8

Our Next Study is...

2011-10-19T19:01:00.000-04:00

The Bible! Well, a book in the Bible. We've decided to study 1 Peter. There are many different versions of the Bible that are available. For myself, I will be studying from the Life Application Study Bible. Here's what this version tells us about Peter:

Peter, whose name Jesus changed from Simon to Peter, wrote this letter for Christians suffering for their faith, giving comfort and hope, and urging continued loyalty to Christ. The purpose of this book in the Bible is to encourage suffering Christians.

Key Verse:
"These trials are only to test your faith....So if your faith remains strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world." -1 Peter 1:7

Take the next week to read, study and pray that God will speak to you over the following verses: 1 Peter 1-12.

Join us on Wednesday October 26th for a more in depth discussion on 1 Peter 1-12.

We are excited to begin studying 1 Peter with you!

We want to hear from you!

2011-09-29T10:39:00.000-04:00

Before we end this study, we'd love to hear your thoughts on The Power of A Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian.

What prayers meant the most to you?

Do you have any creative ways of reminding you to pray over your children throughout the day?

Which prayer challenged you the most?

Please share your thoughts on this study in the comment section below this post. We would love to hear from you!

Chrissy, Jessica and Nicole

* We will be taking a few weeks off in October. Please join us on Wednesday October 19th when we will announce our next study. In the meantime, if you need some spiritual uplifting, you can always read our previous studies and posts. If you are need of a prayer or have a praise report, you are always welcome to leave those as well.

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1

2011-09-26T11:13:00.000-04:00

Below are Nicole's thoughts on Chapter 30 of The Power of A Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian. Please know that what we all learn from a study is usually different. We encourage you to share what you've learned from this study in the comments section below this post.

I've come to realize that one of the main things our children will take with them when they leave our realm of influence is their faith. -Stormie Omartian page 198

Merriam Webster online dictionary for kids defines faith as a belief and trust in and loyalty to God. Stormie teaches us that the most important thing our children will learn from us and our examples is their faith. What are we teaching our children about faith? How strong is our faith?

Stormie writes on page 197...
Kids without faith have a harder time in life. Kids without faith have no positive motivation, no sense of purpose, and no hope for being any different than they are. Kids without faith sit in front of the TV hour after hour, day after day, month after month. Kids without faith roam the streets looking for trouble and usually find it. Kids without faith hang around with other kids without faith, and that's the main problem with kids who are in trouble today.

Stormie writes on page 199...
Children who have faith have distinctly different characteristics from those who don't. They are more confident, more motivated, happier, more positive about the future, and more giving of themselves. A person of faith is filled with God's love and looks for opportunities to share that love with others.

Now how in the world do we teach our children with autism about faith? The first thing we need to do is pray. Prayer will be the best thing. Pray that God will show us how to teach our children about faith. Pray that we will lead by example. Pray that as we read from our Bibles to our children that he is doing amazing work inside of them.

Ever since my children were born we have always said prayers at night with them. I have twin sons who are now 9. One of my sons, Sean, has autism. When they were about 3, it was very easy to pray with Hunter. He would thank God for all of his toys, family members and stuffed animals. When we prayed with Sean, we were worried that he wasn't getting it. Did he really know who God is? We would pray each night with him as well. Sean would say one word requests so we never really knew what he was thinking and learning. Then, one night it was prayer time. For some reason I paused before I started praying. At that moment I heard the following...

Now my lay me down sleep
Pray Lord my soul keep
Angels watch me through night
Wake me wiff a morning light.

Our Father who art in Heaven
Hallowed be thy Name
Thy Kingdom come
Thy Will be done
On Earth as it in Heaven
Give us our daily bread
Forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive our trespassers
Lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from Evil
For thine is the kingdom, power, glory
forever and ever
AMEN!

Dear God,
Thank you for mommy, daddy, Hunter, Aunt Tanya, Uncle Kevin, Drew, Nana, Pappy, Uncle El, Aunt Beff, Gramma and Grampa.
Amen

What was so awesome about that moment is this...here is a little boy struggling to be able to say "Can I have a cup of juice?" Yet, he could recite his version of The Lord's Prayer, his nightly prayer and his thank you prayer. He was getting it. His faith is there. Over the years, we continued to do children devotions with him and his brother. Sure, Hunter would sit right beside me and ask questions and even answer questions. Yes, Sean may spent most of his time running around his room looking for something to play with but here's the thing, he was hearing it. This will only strengthen his faith. Now that Sean is older, he listens better and answers questions. His faith is growing and that's what we want.

We want our children to know that they have no limitations in this life. No matter what kind of diagnosis they have. Stormie shares on page 198 about children without faith..."All they see are their own limitations and the failings and struggles of the adults around them, and so they give up. But it's even more than that, because sensing our limitations doesn't necessarily mean we don't have faith. It's feeling that God has limitations that indicates a lack of faith. And if children don't have faith in the only thing that is secure, unchanging, and all-powerful, how can they believe in themselves and their future, which they know is insecure, unstable, and powerless?"

I'm sure we can all agree that we all want our kids to be a kid with faith. Let's pray...

Dear Lord,
What an amazing study! Thank you so much for putting this book on our hearts. Thank you for teaching us how to pray over our children and even where we need to pray over others as well. Faith is such an amazing thing when you find it. Please help us teach our children about the faith they can have in you. Show us what we need to do to help them. Teach our children in ways that only you can.
In Your Name We Pray,
Amen

Bibles Verses from Chapter 30
Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. -Hebrews 11:6

Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. -Mark 11:24

If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, "Move from here to there," and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. -Matthew 17:20

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. -James 1:6-8

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. -Galatians 6:9-10

The Autism Prayer

2011-09-22T09:58:00.000-04:00

Below are Nicole's thoughts on Chapter 29 of The Power of A Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian. Please know that what we all learn from a study is usually different. Therefore, we encourage you to share what you've learned in the comments section below this post.

Stormie begins Chapter 29, Seeking Wisdom and Discernment, with the following:

Will my child know not to get into a car with a stranger? Will she see that playing near deep water is dangerous? Will he just say "No" when peers offer him drugs? Will she remember to look both ways before crossing a street? Will he ask the wrong girl to marry him? Will they be able to sense danger when it is imminent?

Now let's add autism...
Will my child wander off? Will my daughter ever really know how to make a real friend? Will my child know who they can trust and who they can't trust? Will they know not to just take what they want? Do they know they real dangers out there in life like fire, water, traffic, etc?

As a parent to a child with autism, we think these things just about every day. This is the prayer that I would actually consider The Autism Prayer. This is what I feel like my child needs the most. He needs to know how to make his own decisions based on what is pleasing to God and not himself. He needs to know what can hurt him and when to back off. For me, this is the prayer that I need to pray over him each day. My child with autism not only needs my guidance throughout his life, he also needs God's guidance in making the right decisions throughout his day.

Lord,
I thank you for showing us how important it is to pray over our children. I ask that you give each of our children the wisdom and the discernment they need to make the choices that are pleasing to you. Help us to remember to pray this prayer over them.
In Your Name We Pray,
Amen

Bible Verses from Chapter 29
The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, and he who begets a wise child will delight in him. Let your father and your mother be glad, and let her who bore you rejoice. -Proverbs 23:24-25

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. Exalt her, and she will promote you; she will bring you honor, when you embrace her. -Proverbs 4:7-8

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. -Psalm 19:7

When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, discretion will preserve you, understanding will keep you, to deliver you front the way of evil, from the man who speaks perverse things. -Proverbs 2:10-12

Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding; for her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. Length of days is in her right hand, in her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who retain her. -Proverbs 3:13-18

Praying Down The Strongholds of Anxiety and Fear

2011-09-19T13:13:00.000-04:00

Below are Nicole's thoughts on Chapter 28 of The Power of A Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian. Please know that what we all learn from a study is usually different. Therefore, we ask that you share what you've learned in the comment section below the post.

In Chapter 28, Breaking Down Ungodly Strongholds, we learn the importance of praying away certain feelings that Satan can use to keep us down. We also learn about the different types of strongholds that are not good for us. Lying, fear, hurting, anxiety, hopelessness, confusion, envy, selfishness and pride. There are so many strongholds that Stormie encourages us to pray to God to show us the strongholds over our children.

For my child with autism, it's fear and anxiety. Almost everything he does is out of fear. Scripting, going into his room and being by himself, not approaching other children, covering his ears. My son is now able to tell me how he is feeling. Still working on the why he's feeling that way however, if I ask him "why are you covering your ears?" if he's scared, he will tell me "I'm scared." If it's too noisy, he will say "too loud." It breaks my heart to know that he is constantly living in a state of fear. However, it warms my heart knowing that God is there to help him through it. I just need to cover him in prayer and ask God to break down that stronghold of fear and anxiety. Ask him to show me why anxiety is playing such a huge role in his life. Is it environmental, physical or a combination? God will show me what I need to know to help my son through his fears. I know this because when I am anxious, I pray over myself for God to help me through the fear and he does. This is something I need to be doing for my son with autism throughout the day.

Lord,
Thank you for bringing us together for this study. Thank you for opening our eyes and our hearts to how you need for us to pray over our children. We lift up all of our children and ask that you show us what strongholds need to be broken in them. Please show us how we can help our children and how they can help themselves.
In Your Name We Pray,
Amen

Bible Verses from Chapter 28
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. -Matthew 16:19

There is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. -Matthew 10:26

Though they join forces, the wicked will not go unpunished; but the posterity of the righteous will be delivered. -Proverbs 11:21

The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. -Psalm 9:9

Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know. -Jeremiah 33:3

Confessing and Repenting

2011-09-15T18:29:00.000-04:00

Below are Nicole's thoughts on Chapter 27 of The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian. Please know that what we all learn from a study is usually different. Therefore, we ask that you share what you've learned in the comments section below this post. We're sure you'll lift someone's spirits.

In Chapter 27, Walking In Repentance, Stormie shares with us how even our children need to confess, repent and change their ways. I believe this chapter is a lot like our chapter on forgiveness in that we need to lead by example and let them see us doing this.

On page 179, Stormie writes "Children who admit their mistakes and are sorry enough about them to want to change their ways have an entirely different countenance than those who hide their sin and have no intention of being different." She also shares with us how children who know how to confess and repent are more confident because they are not weighed down with worry because they sinned.

"I remember detecting sin on my children's faces before I ever discovered it in their actions. They used to tell me how irritating it was that they could never get away with anything for long. 'That's because I asked God to reveal to me anything I need to know', I told them, 'and the Holy Spirit always tells me if you've done something wrong." I would say this was the most important lesson I learned from this chapter. Having a child with autism makes it that much harder for us to see when they need to repent. Therefore, we need to spend a lot of time praying that God will not only show us when we need to teach them how to confess and repent, but that he will also show us how we can teach them this. I don't believe there is just one way to teach this. I believe it will be in the moment depending on each child. Therefore, it is imperative that we cover them in prayer over this.

Our children with autism are already full of anxiety, stress, gut problems, sensory issues, communication issues and so much more. The last thing they need to feel is guilt. I pray that you will join me in covering all of our children with autism in prayer over confession, repentance and learning from their mistakes.

Lord,
We lift up all of our children to you. We know that you have an incredible plan in our lives and we totally trust you with this plan. We ask that you will show us when our children need to confess, what they need to confess and how they can repent. You know how truly difficult it can be raising a child with autism. We know that you are with us through this all. Please show us when we need to confess and repent as well.
In your name we pray,
Amen

Bible Verses from Chapter 27
Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. -1 John 3:21-22

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. -Isaiah 55:7

"Therefore, I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways," says the Lord God. "Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin." -Ezekiel 18:30

He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. -Proverbs 28:13

Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. -Acts 3:19

I Forgive You

2011-09-12T09:00:00.003-04:00

Below are Nicole's thoughts on Chapter 26 of The Power of A Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian. We'd love to hear your thoughts on this chapter as well. Feel free to share in the comments section below the post. We're sure you'll lift some one's spirits!

I forgive you...I'm sorry...these words are very important for us to hear. It is important for us to teach this to our children as well. I'm on the fence with making our children with autism say these words. I do believe it's important for our children to say their sorry or that they forgive someone. However, I think it's equally important for our children to understand what it means. If I make my son with autism say he's sorry to a child he accidentally ran into, I am more so doing it for the other child and not my own. I need to teach him what it means to say I'm sorry and in turn, I forgive you.

How do we teach our children with autism this? I believe we teach them in the moment, by example. For instance, we accidentally step on our children's foot. Very quickly tell them you're sorry, give them a big hug, smile and show them the feelings on your face. Teaching forgiveness is a lot trickier. We can also teach in the moment with this as well. Your child says they are sorry for something they've done. Use your facial expressions to show them how happy it made you for them to say sorry and immediately tell them you forgive them.

Adding autism to the mix makes this a lot more difficult. We definitely need to be praying over our children with this one. We want our children to forgive and to truly understand what it means to be sorry and to forgive. The easiest way to teach them this is to lead by example and to cover them in prayer.

Lord,
I lift our children to you and ask that you will give them a heart full of forgiveness. Show us how we can teach them out to forgive and how to let others know that they forgive them. Remind us to lead by example and to always be quick to forgive.
In Your Name We Pray,
Amen

Bible Verses from Chapter 26
Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you. -Ephesians 4:31-32

If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. -Matthew 6:14-15

His master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brothers his trespasses. -Matthew 18:34-35

The discretion of a man make him slow to anger, and it is to his glory to overlook a transgression. -Proverbs 19:11

Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. -Mark 11:25

The Perfect I-Do

2011-09-08T10:16:00.001-04:00

Below are Nicole's thoughts on Chapter 25 of The Power of A Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian. Please know that what we all learn from a study is usually different. Please share what you've learned in the comment section below this post. We'd love to hear from you!

Will my child ever get married?

I'm sure this thought has entered your head just as often as it does mine. I immediately try to push this thought out of my head. I have too much to concentrate on now. Making friends, holding an age appropriate conversation, being friendly, happy and loving life. Why in the world would I want to add more to my plate and think about my child with autism getting married in another 15-20 years?

In Chapter 25, Finding the Perfect Mate, Stormie writes the following...

Some may think these prayers are premature. They are not. Next to their decision to receive Jesus, marriage is the most important decision our children will ever make. It will affect the rest of their lives, not to mention the lives of other family members. The wrong decision can bring misery and pain for everyone concerned. And since only God knows who will make the best marriage partner for anyone, He should be consulted first and He should give the final answer.

Again, we must pray now. We need to pray for our children, especially our children with autism, that they will find the perfect mate. The one that God wants them to share their lives. I know it's such a long way away, but think about, we can get in to the habit now of covering them in this prayer so that when the time comes, it will be easy for them. Our children with autism will grow up into fine young adults. Adults who have jobs, go to school and yes, get married. Let's pray now for their special "other half" now.

Dear Lord,
Thank you for teaching us the power of praying over our children. We pray for all of the children with autism and their future spouses. We pray that you will help build their future spouse into the person that You need them to be for our children. We pray that you will help our children know who that special person is and when the right time to get married will be.
In Your Name We Pray,
Amen

Bible Verses

From the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate. -Mark 10:6-9

Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge. -Hebrews 13:4

Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. -Mark 10:11

He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord. -Proverbs 18:22

You cover the alter of the Lord with tears, with weeping and crying; so He does not regard the offering anymore, nor receive it with good will from your hands. Yet you say, "For what reason?" Because the Lord has been witness between you and the wife of your youth, with whom you have dealt treacherously; yet she is your companion and your wife by covenant. But did He not make them one, having a remnant of the Spirit. And why one? He seeks godly offspring. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth. For the Lord God of Israel says that He hates divorce. -Malachi 2:13-16

Today, We Pray.

2011-09-05T09:00:00.001-04:00

Below are Nicole's thoughts on Chapter 24 of The Power of A Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian. Please know that what we all learn from a study is usually different. Therefore we encourage you to share with us what you've learned from this chapter as well.

Chapter 24's title made me want to skip right over it....Rejecting Sexual Immortality. "My children are only 8. I can wait on this prayer." I thought to myself. Then, I read the chapter.

On page 162, Stormie writes the following...

We can't wait until our children are teenagers to pray about this, just as we can't wait until then to instruct them that life works better when we live God's way. Today is the day we pray. Sexual temptation is everywhere. It's in front of our children's eyes at every turn.

Today we must pray for our children. Pray that sexual sin will not be a strong temptation for them. Pray that they will want to live a pure life for God and that they will know that sex out of marriage will never give them what they are searching for in this life. Pray that they are safe from anyone who wants to wrong them sexually. No matter how much it makes us want to skip right over this prayer, it is so important that we pray for our children to reject sexual immortality.

Our children grow up very quickly. One minute they are bouncing up and down on a Johnny Jumper and the next minute they are trying to jump their bikes over a bike ramp. They will need this prayer before you know it.

As Stormie writes on page 162....We must pray for them to live God's way.

Lord,
I lift up all of our children today and ask you to give them the spirit of wanting to reject sexual immortality. I pray that you will make their heart and desires pure and that they will always long to live a life that is pleasing to you.
In Your Name we pray,
Amen

Bible Verses from Chapter 24

This is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immortality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God. - 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5

Flee sexual immortality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immortality sins against his own body. - 1 Corinthians 6:18

The body is not for sexual immortality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. - 1 Corinthians 6:13

No temptation has over taken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, thar you may be able to bear it. - 1 Corinthians 10:13

But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full grown, brings forth death. - James 1:14-15

Abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul. - 1 Peter 2:11

He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks wisely will be delivered.". Proverbs 28:26

Addiction Avoidance

2011-09-01T06:33:00.001-04:00

Below are Jessica's thoughts on Chapter 23 of The Power of A Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian. Please know that what we all learn from a study is usually different. Therefore, we encourage you to share what you've learned from this chapter as well.

"The point is, the draw of the flesh and the devil's plans are alot stronger than we'd like to think. In a moment of weakness, such as is possible for all of us, we can end up doing something we never thought we would. Only the power of God, through prayer, can make the difference"
-Stormie Omartian, The Power of A Praying Parent, p. 160

I have to be honest, my first thought when reading this chapter and especially the above sentences, was of us as parents, not our children. I want to take a moment to encourage all of the moms who are feeling exhausted and overwhelmed right now. We all reach a breaking point and the important thing is that we reach out before we get there. The first person we need to reach out to is God. Cry out and surrender all to Him. The next step is to get support and prayer from your family in Christ and you will find strength in your weakness. Just as our children need to be covered in prayer, so do we. OK, back to the kids...

This chapter, to me seemed to point out the need to further cover our children in prayers of protection against the evil one. Tendencies toward addictive behavior can take the form of drugs, alcohol, but also worry, approval and striving for perfection. Even if we don't think our children are in imminent danger of being offered drugs or alcohol, we still need to cover them in prayer. We need to pray, as Stormie points out on p. 161, that our child will "choose life in whatever she (he) does and may her (his) only addiction be to the things of God." (Stormie Omartian, Power of A Praying Parent)

Bible Verses:

I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.
-Deuteronomy 30:19

Let those who love the Lord hate evil,
for he guards the lives of his faithful ones
and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
-Psalm 97:10

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.
The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
-Romans 16:20

Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
Psalm 34:14

A Godly Inheritance

2011-08-29T08:40:00.002-04:00

Below are Jessica's thoughts on Chapter 22 of The Power of A Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian. Please know that what we all learn from a study is usually different. Therefore, we encourage you to share what you've learned from this chapter as well.

"for I, the Lord, your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments."-Exodus 20: 5-6

We all have dysfunction and sin in our family history to some degree or another. It is easy to fall into condemnation and guilt over how this affects our children and what we are praying for their future. As soon as I am tempted to fall into this, I must choose to meditate on the second part of this scripture-and realize that the choices I make now can reverse this for my family here on earth and future generations.

In my own family, through my own example I can see a history of perfectionism that is showing up in my nine year old son, Anthony. With God's help, I have made great strides in my own life but am still seeing some of the effects in how he sees himself when he makes mistakes or just isn't the best at something. This chapter was a good reminder for me to pray more fervently about this, and for any other ways patterns and habits of sin could be affecting our family. The thing to remember, especially for a perfectionist, is that no amount of striving will change this kind of behavior. We must repent, commit to working with God and allow Him to work in us little by little until we get there. We must remember that as long as we are working with God and making progress there is no reason to condemn ourselves or feel guilty.

Heavenly Father,
I thank you for all of the wonderful blessings you have bestowed on us and our children. Thank you for your Love and Your grace that has the power to break any bondage and create a new family pattern of holiness. We realize that all blessing and all goodness within ourselves come from you. In Jesus' name we break the bonds of sin in our families and surrender to Your grace so that we can change. We trust You and invite You to lead us into all truth regarding this kind of bondage in our family. Thank you for Your promises and for Your faithfulness in all things.
In Jesus' name we pray,
Amen

A Peaceful Child

2011-08-25T13:56:00.000-04:00

Below are Nicole's thoughts on Chapter 21 of The Power of A Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian. Please know that what we all learn from a study is usually different. Therefore, we encourage you to share what you've learned from this chapter as well.

On page 146 Stormie writes the following...

Take a long look at your child. Is the common expression on his or her face one of peace, happiness, and joy? Or is it distress, frustration, dissatisfaction, anger, depression, or sadness?

After reading this, I pause and think of my child with autism. I remember when he was 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and even 7 years old he was the happiest child. He always smiled. He always gave big hugs. Most importantly he always had a sense of peace about him that let you know "I'm ok mom." even though he couldn't verbally tell me. Recently, we enrolled Sean, who is now 8, in public schools. I have been thrilled with his academic progress, his social progress and how well he is adjusting. However, he seems to have lost that permanent smile. The desire to hug us all of the time. This chapter reminded me that our children go through so much socially and emotionally. It's important that we lift them up in prayer so that they have a peaceful mind. Most likely with Sean, it is due to more anxiety with starting school again. It's so easy for me though, to blame it on the food, sugars or fighting off a virus. I'm sure it all plays a part in his anxiety. However, I've forgotten the most important thing here...prayer. I should be covering my son in prayer over his anxiety. By doing this, God will not only protect my son and give him that peaceful mind he needs, he will also guide me in the right direction to help find the source of the anxiety.

Lord,
I lift up all of our children to you today. I ask that you give them all a peaceful mind. Help them fight off the anxiety that plays such a huge role in autism. Guide us in helping them remain peaceful and feeling your love. I also pray that you will protect everyone on the East Coast from any disaster that Hurricane Irene may cause. I pray that you will give us all a sense of peace during this time and keep us safe from harm.
In Your Name we pray,
Amen

Bible Verses from Chapter 21
If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. -John 15:10-11

You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. -Psalm 16:11

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. -Romans 15:13

His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. -Psalm 30:5

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. - Isaiah 61:10

A Peaceful Mind

2011-08-22T20:40:00.000-04:00

Below are Nicole's thoughts on Chapter 20 of The Power of A Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian. Please know that what we all learn from a study is usually different. Therefore we encourage you to share your thoughts on this chapter as well.

Cow jumping over the moon...cow jumping over the moon....cow jumping over the moon...cow jumping....These were the words I heard coming out of my son's mouth over and over again this past weekend. If I tried to help get these thoughts out his mind by having him talk to me about other things it increased it more. This time louder...COW JUMPING OVER THE MOON, COW JUMPING OVER THE MOON, COW.... Until he breaks down in tears saying "I'm sorry Mommy." It's so difficult for me to know what it's really like for him having autism. Does he say these things to control the situations surrounding him? Or does he say these things because he gets thoughts, phrases, songs stuck in his head like a broken record? When my son has episodes like this, I can't even get him to answer me. It's heartbreaking, frustrating and feels hopeless.

What Jesus wants me to see is that it's not hopeless. I tried everything in my power to get him to stop saying this and to just focus on being with us. However, it kept getting stronger and I felt like he was blocking us all out. In fact, as I type this, he is in school and I wonder if he's having as difficult of a time there. I'll be the first to admit that I totally forgot about writing in the blog this morning. In fact, I just read the chapter. However, I am so glad I did remember. Chapter 20, Receiving a Sound Mind, is exactly what I need to be praying over my son at this particular moment.

Stormie reminds us on pag 139 that the Bible says "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.". Phillipians 2:5. We are also reminded on page 140 "For God has ot given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.". 2 Timothy 1:7. Further down the page she gives us the following verse from 1 Corinthians 14:33 "God is not the author of confusion but of peace."

In other words, we should be praying that our children have a restful mind. We need to go to God in prayer and ask for peace of mind in our children, especially our children with autism. We need to ask that anxiety, confusion and fear be taken from their minds and be replaced with peace, rest, and love.

Lord,
We lift up all of our children with and without autism. We ask that you will fill their minds with your love. Give them the peace that can only come from you. Keep their minds safe and away from any confusion that may be thrown their way.
In Your Name we pray,
Amen

Fearless Faith

2011-08-18T06:13:00.002-04:00

Below are Jessica's thoughts on Chapter 19 of The Power of A Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian. Please know that what we are learn from a study is usually different. Therefore, we encourage you to leave your comments, questions and/or scripture in the comment section below this post.

"FEAR-or False Evidence Appearing Real- easily strikes children because they can't always discern what's real and what isn't. Our comfort, reassurance and love can help them; but praying, speaking the Word of God in faith, and praising God for His love and power, can free them." (Stormie Omartian, The Power of A Praying Parent, p. 136)

I know this chapter is about praying for our children to be free from fear. I feel like I need to examine and reflect on how we as parents can recognize and deal with our own fears first. Stormie reminds us of a very important truth in this chapter. Fear is not from God. It is a tactic that the devil uses to confuse, immobilize, frighten and scatter us so that we can't see our blessings and give up before we reach our victory.

Jesus tell us in John 10:10, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

Those nagging doubts, fears about the future, how it feels when one bad day seems like the ultimate realization of defeat-these are not from God. Anything that paralyzes us, traps us and defeats us is not from God, it is from the enemy. Whenever a thought comes into our minds, whatever it is based on- we can determine if it is from God or the enemy by the effect it has on us. When God speaks to us, we receive revelation, insight, courage, strength and inspiration. When the enemy speaks to us, we receive condemnation, doubt and fear. God's words give us peace and can fill us with boldness. The enemy's words steal our joy so that we don't know our power through Christ in us.

At the end of this chapter Stormie shares this scripture, "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." (1 John 4:18)

I always understand this scripture better when I include the two verses before it:

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (1 John 4: 16-18)

If we keep our minds, hearts and mouths full of God's love we can drive out fear, just as Stormie and her family did in Los Angeles. As Stormie points out, our children are even more vulnerable to fear because they do not understand how they can discern what is good and evil. However, our prayers can cover them and protect them from this kind of fear. We can use the wisdom and knowledge that God gives us to bind evil spirits and break strongholds in prayer. By confessing God's love as spoken in His word, being persistent in prayer and full of praise, we can set our families free from fear.

Spiritual Cleaning

2011-08-15T06:23:00.003-04:00

Below are Jessica's thoughts on Chapter 18 of The Power of A Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian. Please know that what we are learn from a study is usually different. Therefore, we encourage you to leave your comments, questions and/or scripture in the comment section below this post.

When I first saw the title of this chapter, "Praying Through A Child's Room", I thought of the many times I have prayed on my knees in my boys' rooms, often while they are sleeping. I am usually prompted to do this after we have had an extremely difficult day or I feel like something is troubling them that I wasn't able to help with. Doing this gives me the peace I need to put it in God's hands and call it a day.

It never occurred to me to actually pray about what is in their rooms. Just as we pray about the influences that they are exposed to outside of our homes, we need to make sure that we prayerfully consider what is already there. This chapter was a wake up call for me. There are a few things that I will now look into further to see if there are indeed evil undertones to the video games, toys and collectibles that my son has in his possession. I have a feeling there will be some things that we will be getting rid of as well. Stormie reminded me of how subtle and crafty the enemy can be, and how he seeks to strike at our children and build strongholds any way he can. By being persistent in prayer, we can receive insight from the Holy Spirit as to what changes need to be made and how to live in a way that is pleasing to God. We can also receive discernment to know if there are any evil influences that we are unaware of and can bless our child and his/her room, also our homes in general as an act of dedication to God and for our protection.

Blessing our homes and inviting the Holy Spirit to dwell in every area covers our family with protection and frees us from alot of fear. Several months ago I couldn't sleep one night and felt the urge to go through every doorway in my house with blessed salt, blessing it in Jesus' name, covering every area and room of our house by name with His precious blood in prayer. I especially felt like I had to open and pray over every doorway that led into the house from the outside. Around that time I learned that there were a string of robberies in the neighborhoods surrounding mine. I later noticed more police cars patrolling and reminding homeowners to keep their houses locked. I have to say that knowing that I had invoked God's blessing and protection gave me the peace I needed to sleep at night in spite of all of this. Thankfully, our home was not burglarized.

This chapter also reminded me to examine and pray through the room in my heart. As I raise my special needs child, there are certainly many ways the devil tries to discourage and derail me. There are also many obstacles that my child has to overcome, and God's discernment alone will show me what needs to be done in all of these areas.

Dear Lord,
I pray in agreement with every mother reading this for the protection, blessing and well-being of their children, families and homes. In Jesus' name I ask You to put a hedge of protection around each family member, home and surrounding community. I pray for the Holy Spirit to give discernment so that evil can be rooted out, wisdom so that right choices can be made and perseverance so that we can stay constant in prayer as You work in our lives. In Jesus' name I bind anything that is not of God and place it at the foot of the cross. Bless our children's rooms, that they may be special places that are occupied by You. Let them be places where Your healing, restoration and peace can work Your purposes for our children's lives. Fill them with the Holy Spirit and the overflowing love of the Father. Lord, search the rooms of our hearts and show us if there is anything there that is not of You. Cleanse us, strengthen us, fill us and give us your peace. I ask this in Jesus' name.

Amen.

Forever Seeking God

2011-08-10T16:23:00.000-04:00

Below are Nicole's thoughts on Chapter 17 of The Power of A Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian. Please know that what we are learn from a study is usually different. Therefore, we encourage you to leave your comments, questions and/or scripture in the comment section below this post.

I remember my boys being two years old and loving church. They couldn't wait until Sunday. After church, my son Hunter would fill our ears with everything he learned at church and how he needed to make sure everyone knew Jesus. Our son with autism, Sean, would tell us his memory verse each week. When Hunter turned three he was very concerned about his friends at school that didn't know Jesus. Sean would sing "Jesus Loves Me" and "Joshua Fought The Battle of Jericho." My boys had a true desire to not only hear and learn about God but to be surrounded by other Believers.

Then when they turned six, the songs changed from "Jesus Loves Me" to songs Sean heard on television. Hunter complained about having to get up and go to church. They were losing their true desire to be holy. I believe this happens because of many different things. We may have skipped a Sunday or two and they got in the habit of not going. They watched tv and read more books that didn't have anything to do about God. They wanted to watch what all of their friends were watching. I look back now and can see that they are still Believers and love church. However, their passion has dwindled.

I am so thankful for this chapter. It has shown me that I need to pray that my boys will get their passion back and seek the Holy Spirit. I know they love God and I know they are Believers and enjoy church. However, I also know they have so much more passion in them for Christ.

Dear Lord,
I thank you so much for giving my kids the love for You. I pray that you will show me how I can help them always seek the Holy Spirit so that they can discern what is right and what is wrong in life. Help them find their passion for you again and to truly desire to seek your ways throughout their lives.
Amen

Bible Verses from Chapter 17
Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. -Psalm 24:3-5

In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 2 Timothy 2:20-21

Every branch in me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. -John 15:2

Speaking Life

2011-08-08T11:03:00.000-04:00

Below are Nicole's thoughts on Chapter 16 of The Power of A Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian. Please know that what we all learn from a study is usually different. Please feel free to share what you've learned in the comment section below this post. We would love to hear from you!

* My son is never going to get better...
* My life is too hard...
* This is not fair and is too much for me to handle....
* My child will never make friends...
* I can't believe our family has to live with autism...

So, the statements above may not be your typical "bad words". However, they are definitely NOT words of life. In other words, they are not words that God wants us to speak into our lives. I believe that what comes out of our mouths effects our lives in so many different ways. I also believe that statements like those listed above can do more harm in our lives than those naughty four letter words. Not saying I'm a fan of using foul language. What I'm saying is that what we speak really truly effects our lives. Therefore, it's important that when we open our mouths and speak, we are speaking in a way that is pleasing to God. So let's take the above statements and speak life into them.

* I know my son has autism and the world is telling me that autism isn't curable. However, I also know that "with God all things are possible."...
* My life may seem hard but "this too shall pass" and God is with me every step of the way...
* No one ever said life was fair. I am a strong person of God and I know that I have so much to learn through this all.
* My child will make some incredible friends one day and he is going to be an awesome best friend to someone.
* Our family has learned so much through autism. We are finding ways to see the blessings through this all.

Isn't this how we want our children to speak? Isn't this what we want from them? To see the best out of every situation. To find the good in the bad. To speak good into everything and about everyone around them. If this is what we want, then we need to lead by example.

Our first step in leading by example needs to be praying. We need to take the time to not only speak the word of life into our children but into ourselves as well. We also should take the time to make sure if we are pouring out to others that we are some how, some where getting poured into. Whether it's church, Bible studies, Bible readings, praying...we need to be fed to make sure the right words are coming out of us.

Below are the points that Stormie made that meant the most to me:
Words have power, and we can either speak life or death into a situation. -p 116
We need to ask God to put a guard over our own mouths as well as the mouths of our child. - p116
Speech that is not godly or not of the Lord, such as "I'm no good," "I wish I was dead," "Life is terrible," "People are horrible," "I'll never be anything special," does not reflect a heart filled with the Holy Spirit. It reflects the work of darkness. And that is exactly what will play itself out on the stage of your child's life if you don't help him monitor what he says. -p 166
The best way to improve speech is to improve the heart. - p 117

Life gets tough. It's hard to remember to speak so positively about things when everything seems to be crashing down all around you. This is when we need to speak life into our situations. Speak positively about what can and will happen in your lives. Remember the good things that have happened and speak about them. This will only help you to teach your child to do the same.

Lord,
I pray that you will help us to remember the good things in life and to not focus on the bad. Help us to see the good things that either have happened or can happen in our lives. Help us lead our children into speaking positively and being full of life. Show us the right words to use in every circumstance we encounter. Guard our mouths as well as our children's mouths from any foul language and negative speaking.
Amen

Bible Verses from Chapter 15
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, o Lord, my strength and my redeemer. -Psalm 19:14

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. -Matthew 12:35

But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. -Matthew 12:36-37

Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. -Proverbs 16:24

There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health. -Proverbs 12:18

Gifts from God

2011-08-04T06:28:00.001-04:00

Below are Jessica's thoughts on Chapter 15 of The Power of A Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian. Please keep in mind that what we all learn from a study is usually different. We would love to hear your thoughts on this chapter as well. Please share in the comment section below this post.

I have often been inspired by some of the most fascinating stories about individuals with autism who have areas of giftedness. Often, these gifts are what enables them to overcome their autism and succeed in ways they never could have imagined. Temple Grandin immediately came to mind when I read this chapter. I also have a friend whose autistic son is extremely gifted in music.

As I've mentioned previously, I have two sons, ages 6 (with autism) and 9 (with ADHD). I feel like I am still "discovering" what their gifts and talents are. This chapter was a good reminder for me to pray about and be on the lookout for whatever these gifts and talents might be. My older son has shown some precursors to athletic ability in soccer and innovation in art. He has also enjoyed playing in his school orchestra last year. He also struggles with tremendous anxiety and is prone to give up easily or lose interest quickly. My husband and I agree that his well being is most important and are doing our best to not pressure him in any one direction. This chapter helped me to see that we are the ones who need direction. I will be more mindful to first thank God for this wonderful child in whom He's placed special gifts and talents and then ask for guidance to help him develop and grow in those gifts. My younger son is the one who has autism. While he definitely has some real areas of strength (especially relative to his areas of need), we have not seen any savant-like qualities or areas of exceptional giftedness. This does not mean that he is lacking his God-given gifts and talents.

On page 113, Stormie writes,

"What gifts and talents has God planted in your child? Every child has them. They are there, whether you can see them or not. the Bible says, 'Each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that' (1 Corinthians 7:7). Sometimes it takes prayer to uncover them."(Stormie Omartian, The Power of A Praying Parent)

I try to remain thankful for and to view every step forward of progress as a precious gift from God. Whatever gifts my children have, I pray that I my eyes will be opened to see, and and that I will follow God's lead in nurturing them.

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for all of our precious and wonderful children. Thank you for all of the special gifts and talents that you have placed in each and every one of them. Give us the discernment, wisdom and knowledge we need to recognize and develop these gifts as You would have us do. Give us a true and heartfelt appreciation for what you have placed in our children. Cover our children with your divine favor, so that these gifts can continue to flourish in spite of the obstacles they face. With your help, we believe that our children can and will overcome the difficulties of autism through the development of these gifts and talents. We ask this in the name of Your Son, our Lord, Jesus.
Amen.

A Love of Learning

2011-08-01T07:15:00.003-04:00

Below are Jessica's thoughts on Chapter 14 of The Power of A Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian. Please keep in mind that what we all learn from a study is usually different. We would love to hear your thoughts on this chapter as well. Please share in the comment section below this post.

This chapter ministered to me on so many levels. I have been homeschooling my six year old son with autism, Matthew and have recently begun to also home school my nine year old son, Anthony. I was especially touched by the prayer at the end of this chapter, which focused and encouraged me greatly in terms of what I want each of my children to receive from their educational experience.

"In one way or another, of course, we all have deficiencies. Thankfully, God makes up for our deficiencies with His strength. His word says, 'Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God' "(2 Corinthians 3:5) -quoted from The Power of A Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian p. 107-8)

When I tell people that I am homeschooling I am always intrigued by their reaction. Often, people think I must be a saint or full of unending patience. The truth is that I am neither of these things, I am simply doing what God has put on my heart to do. Whenever we are operating in God's will for our lives He gives us His grace to do what we think we cannot do. I needed that reminder: that I am only able to do this through God's grace. As Stormie points out from 2 Corinthians 3:5, my sufficiency is from God, and He makes up for my deficiencies. In the same way, we must trust and believe that when we place our children and their needs in His hands, He will do the same for them.

It also encouraged me greatly when Stormie reminded me to pray that my children will be taught by the Lord. The hardest part for me about homeschooling is falling prey to the thought that I am doing this all on my own, when this couldn't be farther from the truth. God has his own plan for my children and I am simply the hands and feet that He is using at the moment. She also reminds us that a love of knowledge begins with love and knowledge of the Lord.

I know that many of us are either preparing to begin our school year or getting our kids ready to go back to school. Wherever and however our children are being taught, we can pray that they will be taught by the Lord, and that He gives them knowledge, understanding, perseverance and strength to make up for any areas where they are lacking.

Bible Verses from Chapter 14:

"All your sons shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children."
-Isaiah 54:13

"Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything."
-2 Timothy 2:7

"Not that of ourselves we are qualified to take credit for anything as coming from us; rather our qualification comes from God"
-2 Corinthians 3:5

"Then you will understand the fear of the Lord; For the Lord gives wisdom, from his mouth come knowledge and understanding"
-Proverbs 2: 5-6

Praying for Healthy Habits

2011-07-28T09:22:00.002-04:00

Below are Nicole's thoughts on Chapter 13 of The Power of A Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian. Please keep in mind that what we all learn from a study is usually different. We would love to hear your thoughts on this chapter as well. Please share in the comment section below this post.

"I don't ever want to go back to that doctor again!" Hunter screamed as we walked out of the pediatrician's office yesterday. "He's the worst doctor ever. I can't believe he told you that!"

Yes, my son was mad. He was devastated. How could his favorite doctor in the world advise me the worst possible thing in the world...no more fast food. As Hunter is screaming mad and Sean is clearly not happy either that we would no longer be visiting some of our favorite fast food hang outs and getting those cool little toys, I'm wondering how in the world am I going to do this. How can I take away something that I just started giving them?

Sounds crazy right? Let me back up a little...for the past four years, my children have been on a very healthy diet. Aside from the occasional splurge, everything we ate was organic, no preservatives, no food dyes and my son with autism ate completely gluten and dairy free. Fruits and vegetables were the core of our diet. Since the beginning of summer, we have had alot of traveling, alot of company and alot of chaos. So my husband and I decided we'd let our son go off the diet with enzymes. He did wonderfully. No behaviors, no bathroom issues. We, along with our son, loved our new options of food. Then, we slipped more. We did more fast food, chicken nuggets, french fries, chips, ice cream, chocolate, candy....all of the things that I swore I would never give my kids on a daily basis. About a month ago, my son with autism was prescribed a big dose of steroids and antibiotics to try to eliminate all of the strep in his body. Needless to say, a mixture of steroids and a bad diet equals weight gain. My son gained six pounds in less than a month. My pediatrician reassured me that he is by no means over weight. Before the steroids and bad diet, he was a little on the skinny side. However, if we keep eating the way we have been and he continues to gain six pounds each month, that's a 72 pound weight gain in a year. Not good for anyone, especially a child.

Back to the screaming and crying about no more fast food...I'm driving in the car thinking how in the world am I going to get these kids back on a healthy diet. How am I going to convince two eight year olds, one with autism, that grilled chicken, asparagus and rice is so much better than that Happy Meal from McDonald's? What have I done?

After we get home from our wonderful doctors appointment, I grabbed my book, The Power of the Praying Parent. It's my turn to write in the blog this week. I really am overwhelmed but I will follow through with what God wants. Then, I open the book to this week's chapter...Having the Motivation For Proper Body Care.

Seriously God?

Just what I needed. I realized in that moment that it's not about me convincing my children to have healthy habits. It's not about me sneaking their veggies in their favorite foods or taking the long way home so that we don't pass those fast food restaurants. It's about me giving it to God. It's up to me to pray for my children as often as possible to desire the healthy foods, to truly want to eat healthy so that when they grow up they make the right choices for their bodies, not for me.

You know, my first thought when the doctor told me no more fast food was "but they are so happy when we pull into Chick-fil-A." The very first sentence in Chapter 13 quickly grabbed ahold of my heart....

"Left to themselves in this junk-food world, children will be attracted to all the wrong foods." page 99 In other words, if we let our children decide for themselves, they are going to go for the food that looks good. Most of the time, it's food that is not good for them. Stormie reminds us on page 100 that we can't force our children to make these healthy choices for themselves, especially when they are older. Only the power of God through prayer can make the difference. Stormie ends this chapter with this...
Your child needs Holy Spirit guidance and strength to do what's right for his or her body. Your prayers can spare them much defeat, frustration, and heartbreak. Don't you wish you'd had someone praying about this for you?

Dear Lord,
I lift up all of our children as we try to teach them the healthy road in life. I ask that you guide us as teach them about healthy food and exercise. Give them the spirit to crave the healthy way in life instead of the fast food way. Also give us as their parents the desire to be healthy as well so that we can lead by example.
In Your Name We Pray,
Amen

Bible Verses from Chapter 13

Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's. - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. - 1 Corinthians 3:17

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. - Romans 12:1

Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. - Romans 13:14

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. - 1 Corinthians 10:31

Praying for a Healing

2011-07-25T10:15:00.004-04:00

Below are Nicole's thoughts on Chapter 12, Enjoying a Life of Health and Healing, of The Power of A Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian. Please know that what we all get from a study is usually different. We would love to hear your thoughts as well. Feel free to leave a comment below each post.

A prayer of health and healing....probably one of the most popular prayers that moms who have children with special needs pray on a daily basis. We pray for our children to be healed of autism. We pray it as hard as we can every day, sometimes more than once a day. We know this prayer. However, are we praying it knowing that it is in His timing? For me, I don't have peace about my son having autism. I feel there is something else going on with him as well. I pray every day that God will either heal my son or give me peace about it. He may heal him tomorrow, twenty years from now or He may give me peace about it. Either way, He is in control of this. I will trust Him and keep moving forward.

Its very important for us to continue to pray that our children will be healed from autism. However, we also need to cover them in prayer over other health issues as well. Accidents, diseases, cancer....there are so many things we need to pray over our children to keep them safe. That's what I love about the prayer Stormie wrote in this chapter. You can pray this prayer over a specific health issue and also covering their health in general.

Remember that God's healing is real and is powerful.

Bible Verses from Chapter 12

He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James 5:16

But to you who fear My name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings. Malachi 4:2

Lord,
I lift up all of the children in this world who have autism. I pray that you will heal each child. Show each parent what we can do to help our child be the person you need them to be in this world. If it is something we need to accept, I pray that you will give us an incredible amount of peace that can only come from you. I also pray a wall of protection over all of our children. Protect them physically and mentally.
In Your Name we pray,
Amen

Vacation Week

2011-07-17T21:17:00.003-04:00

Nicole, Chrissy and I are going to take this week off from posting so that we can enjoy some vacation time with our families. We hope that you will all join us on Monday, July 25th as we continue our study with Chapter 12 of The Power of a Praying Parent, Enjoying a Life of Health and Healing. Have a blessed week!

In the meantime, we hope that you will be encouraged by these Bible verses from each of the chapters that we've covered so far:

1. Becoming A Praying Parent:
You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. -John 15:16

2. Releasing My Child Into God's Hands:
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! -Matthew 7:11

3. Securing Protection From Harm:
If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
-Psalm 91:9-10

4. Feeling Loved And Accepted:
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God,
and God in them.
-1 John 4:16

5. Establishing An Eternal Future:
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

6. Honoring Parents And Resisting Rebellion:
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise: that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth. - Ephesians 6:1-3

7. Maintaining Good Family Relationships:
Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. -1 Corinthians 1:10

8. Attracting Godly Friends and Role Models:
Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
-Psalm 1: 1-2

9. Developing A Hunger for the Things of God:
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
-Matthew 5:6

10. Being the Person God Created:
We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. - Romans 8:28-30

11. Following Truth, Rejecting Lies:
Do not let kindness and truth leave you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
So you will find favor and good repute
In the sight of God and man.
-Proverbs 3: 3-4

Walking in Truth

2011-07-14T06:36:00.003-04:00

Below are Jessica's thoughts on Chapter 11 of The Power of A Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian. Please know that what we all learn from a study is usually different. Feel free to leave what you've learned in the comment section below this post.

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
-John 16:13

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
-1 John 1:4

Walking in truth can be pretty brutal for parents in the world of autism. To be honest, if I were 100% facing the truth on my own strength, I think that I would be a very depressed person. I am learning to allow God to show me what He feels I need to know and face, so that I will have His grace to do so. By allowing God to reveal hidden truths we are able to receive healing in the places of our hearts that are hurting the most.

I realize that this chapter is about teaching our children to value truth and honesty. I agree that this is of the utmost importance. Recently, a few of my autism mom friends have been celebrating because their children told a lie for the first time. This isn't because they want their children to be dishonest or to encourage the behavior. It is recognizing that their child is passing through a "normal" developmental phase and taking delight in the opportunity to guide their child in this area of development.

On page 91, Stormie says, "Children will lie at one time or another. The question is not if they will, but whether or not lying will become something they can get away with". We want to discourage our children from lying. More than that, we want to make sure they know the full ramifications of lies. I have told my nine year old that if he lies, then I won't be able to trust him because I won't know if he is telling the truth or not. That upset him greatly. I really appreciated Stormie for reminding me that Satan is the father of all lies, and every time we tell a lie we give him a piece of our heart. This is another reason for not lying that I need to reinforce with my children.

As far as facing the truth in our own lives, I am by no means suggesting that we all live in denial. I am suggesting that we surrender our entire lives to God, and trust Him to lead us into all truth. Whether that is about why our child regressed into autism, the full scope of all that our child needs or may need in the future, or simply how to help them in the here and now: these are all areas that God can help us with. He can heal our hearts so that we don't feel condemnation about our child's autism and its possible cause. He can show us the way in which we need to go and He can provide for and bless us in our journey in ways we could never imagine.

Dear Lord,

Please grant a special blessing to every mother who reads this. Many of us are in great pain over the condition of our child/children. Cover us and our children with your precious blood and free us from any condemnation. Give us the grace and strength to walk in truth and to teach and guide our children to do the same. Cleanse us of any areas in the past when we did not do this and fill us with your healing love. I ask this in Jesus' name.

Amen.

2011-07-11T09:00:00.000-04:00

Below are Nicole's thoughts on Chapter 10 of The Power of A Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian. Please know that what we all learn from a study is usually different. Feel free to leave what you've learned in the comment section below this post.

Chapter 10,Being The Person God Created, was difficult for me to read. I trust God and know that He knows what is best for my son. However, I don't feel like autism could be a part of His plan. Or could it? I believe that our God can take something difficult, hard and hopeless and give it a whole new meaning. I think back to how many lives my son has touched. Therapists, friends, family, even complete strangers. Could he have done the same without autism? I don't think it's our job to find the answers to these questions. I believe it's our job to have faith in God and trust in Him.

Below are the points that Stormie made that meant the most to me...
* We become the person that God created us to be when we ask God for guidance and then do what He tells us to do. p. 82
* One of the devil's plans for young people is to get them to compare themselves with others, judge themselves as deficient, and then seek to be someone they were not created to be. p. 82
* This day after day comparing and falling short can attack the true identity of a child. p. 82

As parents of children with autism, it is very difficult for us not to compare our children. It is hard to look at other children, see what they are doing and then look at our own and try to make them do it as well. I think it's very important that we help our children and strive to make them the best they can be. However, I also think it's just as important to help them be the children that God created them to be. Their personalities, their spirits, their loving nature. We need to pray and protect them from losing who they truly are. Therapy is a must with our children. Whether it's occupational therapy, speech therapy or ABA, this is what our children need. However, I'm sure they feel overwhelmed at times. We, as their parents, need to protect them in prayer that God will help show us how we can help our children stay who God created them to be while helping them strive to be the best they can be.

Lord,
I lift up all of our children with autism. I pray that you will show us and them who you need them to be. I pray that you will help us find ways to bring out the best in them and to protect them from the enemy. Help us raise them into the person you created them to be.
Amen

Bible Verses
You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. -1 Peter 2:9

Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. -1 Corinthians 2:9

Be even more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble. - 2 Peter 1:10

We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. - Romans 8:28-30

Arise, shine; for your light has come! and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. -Isaiah 60:1

Hungry for God

2011-07-07T05:42:00.002-04:00

Below are Jessica's thoughts on Chapter 9 of The Power Of A Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian. Please know that what we all learn from a study is usually different. We love to hear what you have learned as well. Please leave a comment in the comment section below this post.)

The woman who directs faith formation for special needs children at my church once said to me that we as adults often know "about" God, but the children she teaches actually "know" God. This chapter points out that our children will be targeted by Satan for attacks to draw them away from the things of God. I do believe that this is important for us to pray against but want to also make another point. Our children perceive the world and even God differently than we do because of the unique way that they are affected by autism. I see my son as being very impressionable when it comes to matters of faith, and often more open to God than I am. Matthew has a great deal of difficulty sitting through church, will make noise at the most inopportune times and his prayers are often difficult for others to understand, but there is a certain reverence that he has. Last week, he walked with me on the communion line. After I received communion and the minister gave him his blessing, he looked up at me, smiled and said, "Jesus". It was so sweet and precious. I imagine that God delights in his little voice saying the name of Jesus even more.

I think it's important to realize that, whether we can see outward signs of it or not, our children are very susceptible to the influence and power of God in their lives. Through our prayers and the example we set, we can feed this tendency and increase their hunger for God.

Lord,
Thank you for hearing us and for the power you make available to us through prayer in the name of Jesus. Help us to recognize and take advantage of every "teachable moment" where we can help our children to learn Your holy Word, develop their faith and a deep hunger for the good things of God. If there are people or things in our lives that keep us from doing this, I ask that you remove them. Furthermore I pray that you will send people that will encourage us and our children in our walk with God. Give us wisdom and understanding so that we make the most of every opportunity you give us and may our prayers on behalf of our children be a source of comfort, strength and hope. We ask this in your Holy name.
Amen.

Special Friends

2011-07-04T06:44:00.000-04:00

Below are Jessica's thoughts on Chapter 8 of The Power Of A Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian. Please know that what we all learn from a study is usually different. We love to hear what you have learned as well. Please leave a comment in the comment section below this post.)

Social skills and peer relationships are often at the forefront of importance to all children, especially our children with autism. Many of our children participate in social skills classes and developing relationship skills are often a big part of their individual teaching programs. Often many children with autism have a deep hunger for close, meaningful and reciprocal relationships but certain obstacles, such as anxiety and language disorders present a formidable obstacle for them. I feel that my son Matthew, who has autism, reaches out constantly to adults for social interaction but is fearful when peers approach him. He will often watch first, for a long time, and then if he is feeling well, well-regulated, etc. he will eventually join in on a simple activity. It is very rare for him to respond to a peer-initiated invitation to play. There are those seemingly few and far between times, those golden, miraculous moments where he responds with happiness that give me great hope that one day he will overcome the obstacles that hold him back. I thank God for those moments.

This chapter helps me with the time that passes between these miraculous moments. It reminds me of the tremendous power that is made available to me in prayer. We have alot to pray for in this area, but our God is able to go above and beyond what we could even conceive of in the natural. That is why instead of me laboring to find the perfect playmate for my son, I need to surrender this area fully and trust God so that He can provide exactly and perfectly what Matthew needs.

Lord,
I thank You for the tremendous power that you make available to us as parents to pray over our children. We surrender our children's needs in the area of socializing and making friends completely to You. I pray that Your hand will guide and encourage each child to develop and heal where it is needed. In Your name, Jesus, I pray that no obstacle will be able to keep our children from the relationships they crave with other children. I pray that our children, and the friends you choose for them to be filled with and led by the Holy Spirit. I pray for their relationships to include sweet fellowship with You and governed by the values and morals that God teaches us in His word. I ask all of this in Jesus' name.
Amen.

Praying for Strong Family Bonds

2011-06-30T09:00:00.000-04:00

Below are Nicole's thoughts on Chapter 7 of The Power Of A Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian. Please know that what we all learn from a study is usually different. We love to hear what you have learned as well. Please leave a comment in the comment section below this post.)
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. -Matthew 5:9

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! -Psalm 133:1

Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. -Romans 15:5-6

If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. -Romans 12:18

Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. -1 Corinthians 1:10

Chapter 7, Maintaining Good Family Relationships, really showed me where my prayers are lacking. I pray for my sons to make friends, I pray for others to be nice to my kids. However, I'm forgetting about their relationship and bond with each other. The one thing that Stormie says in Chapter 7 that meant the most to me is from page 63...

One of the things the enemy of our soul likes to do is get into the middle of God-ordained relationships and cause them to misfire, miscommunicate, short-circuit, fracture, or disconnect. The more a family can be splintered apart, the weaker and more ineffectual they become and the more the enemy has control of their lives. The way to avoid this is through prayer.

Both of my sons are very fortunate to have each other. My son with autism learns so much from his twin brother. My son without autism learns so much more from his brother. It's amazing to see their bond. However, as they grow older, and even on their rough days, that bond can start to diminish. If no one is really watching, it can even dwindle away. It's my responsibility as their mom to pray over their relationship. To pray that Hunter will be more patient and understanding of his brother. To pray that Sean will feel the "twin bond" from his brother and be able to show him. I even need to pray that they will continue to help each other in other relationships as well. If your child doesn't have a sibling, it's just as important to pray over their relationships with cousins, aunts, uncles, even ourselves..their parents. I believe kids in general are more self confident when they have those strong family bonds. People they can trust. The same goes for a child with autism. We need to help them create these bonds. They may look entirely differently than we expect these bonds to look but they can be created. Here's a quick example...my husband works incredibly long hours. His time with our kids is very short. However, he has created special things to do with each of our boys to get that bonding time they need with their dad. With Hunter, he goes for a walk every morning. They find blueberries, watch the deer, walk our dog, and just go trekking through the woods. With Sean, they go outside and swing together on the swings. Just laughing and hanging out. It really doesn't matter what we do, it's just doing it and creating that bond. I've learned from this that my sons need these special moments with themselves as well. Things the two of them just do together. It's hard sometimes to keep Sean on track to do these things with Hunter. However, with lots of prayers and patience, their "twin bond" is getting stronger each day!

Lord,
I lift up Sean and Hunter to you. I pray that you will help them find that special way to connect only like brothers do. I pray that Hunter will have the patience and understanding for Sean. I pray that Sean will feel at ease enough to block out all scripting and anxiety to really just be with his brother. I also pray that you will show my husband and I ways that we can increase our family bonds with each other. I pray that all of our family members will see how important is to not only connect with Sean but with Hunter as well. I pray a hedge of protection over these relationships in our family and ask that you give our family the strength we need to keep our bonds strong.
Amen

Praying For Honor

2011-06-27T09:00:00.003-04:00

(Below are Nicole's thoughts on Chapter 6 of The Power of the Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian. Please know that what we all learn from a study is usually different. We encourage you to share your thoughts in the comment section below this post. We're sure you'll lift someone's spirit.)

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise: that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth. - Ephesians 6:1-3

Whoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp will be put out in the deep darkness. -Proverbs 20:20

Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. -Colossians 3:20

Everyone rebels at some point in life. Especially if we are not taught to be obedient to our parents and to God. Even our children with autism will rebel one day. However, for me, my son with autism is easier to point in the right direction than his brother who doesn't have autism. Today, we're going to talk about the siblings of children with autism.

Let me back up a little....I have twin boys who are eight years old. One of my sons, Sean, has autism. His brother, Hunter, does not. Hunter, however, suffers from a case of rebellion. At school, he's the perfect student. An angel. At home, it's the opposite. He really pushes the limit to see what he can get away with. Hunter even says to me one day..."Mom, it's just not fair. Why do I have to listen to you and Dad? Why do you have to be in charge? It's just not fair!" Do you think he's ever said this to any of his teachers? No, of course not. That's when it dawned on me. His teachers have always taught him you have to be obedient at school. You listen to the teacher, sit at your desk, prowl the Panther hallway (school lingo), raise your hand in class, and do your work. Don't get me wrong, my husband and I have tried our hardest to make sure he is disciplined at home as well. However, in the back of our minds we're always saying..."he's going through something too with having a twin brother with autism." So we may let things slide a little more than we should.

Chapter 6, Honoring Parents and Resisting Rebellion, spoke volumes to me. Especially for Hunter. Here are the points that really touched home the most:

* Rebellion is actually pride put into action. Rebellious thoughts say "I'm going to do what I want, no matter what God or anyone else says about it." -p. 58
* The Bible promises that if we are obedient we will be blessed, but if we are not we will dwell in darkness and be destroyed. - p. 58
* One of the first steps of obedience for children is to obey and honor their parents. This is something a child must be taught, but teaching becomes easier when prayer paves the way. - p.58
* Rebellion will surface in your child at one time or another. Be ready to meet the challenge with prayer and the Word of God, along with correction, discipline, and teaching. Don't be intimidated by a rebellious spirit. - p. 60

Please don't get me wrong...my Hunter is a good child. He helps around the house, does his homework, plays with his brother and is very respectful to us. However, he is my strong willed child. He is the one who will question authority in the our home and why he can't be in charge. He even told me one day after I told him to go clean his room that I treat him like a servant. After I opend his Bible and showed him where God says to honor your mother and father as well as some other wonderful parenting verses, he knew he needed to do what we asked, he just didn't like it. For Sean, my son with autism, we just have to explain to him why he has to do what we say and what the consequences are and he does it. He may need help following through but he will do it. For Hunter, he will question why he has to listen. He will still do what I ask him to do but it always entails a long battle beforehand.

The key to all of this is that we as the parents of our children are responsible for teaching our children how to be obedient. We are the ones who rebel when we do not do this. I'm very exciting to cover Hunter in this prayer against rebellion. I am also excited to cover Sean in it as well to help him stay on task. It gives my mind so much peace knowing that God has control over this situation because of prayer.

Dear Lord,
I give you Hunter and his rebellious ways. I pray that you will protect his mind and spirit from all rebellion. Thank you for his loving spirit, fun personality and big heart. Help him see how honoring his parents will give him many more blessings in life and that it's easier to do as we ask instead having a battle with us. I also pray for Sean that you will help him follow through with continuing to listen and to stay away from being rebellious.
Amen

A Future for Eternity

2011-06-23T06:41:00.003-04:00

(This week, we have the privilege of hearing from our guest writer, Crystal. Below are Crystal's thoughts on Chapter 5 of The Power of the Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian. Please know that what we all learn from a study is usually different. We would love to hear your thoughts on this chapter as well.)

Several years ago, I worked at a retirement home. The minimum age requirement for residents was 65. One of the residents in my assisted living unit was a man named Bill, who was 55 years old. Bill first moved to the community with his mother about 10 years before I started working there. Before her death, Bill's mother worked it out so that Bill could continue living there, after she died, even though he did not meet the age requirements. Bill was born with Epilepsy, Cerebral Palsy, and Mental Retardation. His mother knew he would be cared for at the retirement home by the loving staff until his death. She died having that peace about her son and his future.

We all want the best for our children. If we could personally pick ever detail of their future, I know lots of parents who would do it without blinking. We can't predict the future on this earth, but we can for their eternal life.

Having my children tell me they want to surrender their lives to Jesus are sweet words I hope to hear soon. To know they will walk with Jesus in Heaven is a scene so beautiful, I can only imagine. My hubby and I take the girls to church, have Bible study with them, and talk to them about God everyday. We want them to make that decision to accept Christ when they truly understand and asked to be baptized.

Once they make that decision, our work isn't over. We must continue to help them. Satan will throw a lot of temping offers at them. As their parents, it's our job to continue to pray for they and help them not to catch those throws. I love John 15 :1-5. If Jesus is the vine we are the fruit. If a branch falls off the tree, the fruit will eventually spoil and rotten. . You can water and fertilize the branch, but it won't bear more fruit. It has to stay connected. Jesus is our Vine. We, and our children, are the branch, the fruit. We have to stay connected to Jesus to survive. We have to pray our children stay connected and do what we can to keep them connected.

With so much chaos in the world today, I have no idea what the future holds. And that's o.k. God said He will never leave or forsake me, so I know we will be fine. It's not "this" life that concerns me the most. It's the one after this. To know my children will one day run in the beautiful gardens in Heaven, what more can a mother want.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

-Post written by Crystal. Join us again on Monday as Nicole shares her thoughts on Chapter 6. Thanks Crystal for sharing your thoughts and time with us all!

Feeling Loved and Accepted

2011-06-20T09:00:00.000-04:00

(This week, we have the privilege of hearing from our guest writer, Crystal. Below are Crystal's thoughts on Chapter 4 of The Power of the Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian. Please know that what we all learn from a study is usually different. We would love to hear your thoughts on this chapter as well.)

When I first read the title, I immediately thought about the Fruits of the Spirit. Is it a coincidence the first trait Paul mentioned is love? I don't think so. Love is what motivated God to create us, sustain us, and send Jesus to us. 1 John 4:16 tells us, "God is love". Making our children feel love and accepted, at least for me, helps to motivate and sustain me. As Stormie said, a parent's love is the first love our children experience and understand. I pray everyday for God to help me show my girls love and to feel it.

About a month ago (at my hubby's request) I read "The 5 Love Languages". Basically, the book said there are 5 different ways to feel loved. And each of us has our own love language. Example, if a Person A's LL is words of affirmation, and their partner shows them love by spending time together, that's fine and dandy. But Person A will not feel loved because it is not what he needs. I have been secretly quizzing and monitoring my girls to figure out their individual LL. I want to make sure I am giving her the type of love she requires.

Unfortunately, the word 'love' is overly used today. I try very hard not to say I love things like a song or food. I want my girls to know that when I say 'I love", it is serious. Maybe I'm going to the extreme, but I want them to know I don't feel the same about them as I do coffee. (However, coffee is very special to me).

Children want to feel special. Part of that is being accepted. Again, I think this is one of the reasons God warns us not to be of the world. I do not want my girls to feel that in order to be accepted, they have to be a certain size, have a certain eye color, or excel in a certain sport. I want them to know I accept them as a precious gift from God. I want them to know God accepts them whether they are short, tall, clumsy, athletic, or have an IEP. I want to teach them God's standards are what should matter. After all, we were made in His image.

Our children need us to show them love and acceptance more than ever. I tell them all the time, if God is for us, who can be against us? NO ONE! They must always put God first. And I think the Beatles got it right when they said, "All we need is love," because remember...God IS love.

Dear God,
Thank you so much for all of your blessings. Thank you so much for giving me (us) these beautiful, wonderful children. Please guide me (us) everyday so I (we) can show them and give them the love and acceptance they need. Help me (us) to teach them to love and honor You. Help me (us) to teach them they are made in Your image and you make everything glorious.
Amen

-Post written by Crystal. Join Crystal again on Thursday as she shares her thoughts on Chapter 5. Thanks Crystal for sharing your thoughts and time with us all!

Our Best Protection

2011-06-16T06:00:00.002-04:00

(Below are Jessica's thoughts on Chapter 3, Securing Protection from Harm of The Power of A Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian. Please feel free to leave a comment, suggestion, question and/or scripture at the end of this post.)

There are so many things that we want to protect our special children from. So many things weigh on our minds; bullying, physical injuries, bad teachers, adverse side effects from treatments and the thing I think we all fear the most raising children with autism-that we will be unable to meet their needs as they get older. It is so easy to play the "what if" game and get caught in a tailspin of fear and anxiety.

I think our children remind us of the need to be dedicated prayer warriors all the more because of the special challenges they (and we) face. At these times, when they seem like they are the most vulnerable, we need to remind ourselves of how strong and resilient they are. My son can seem so fragile because he struggles with severe social anxiety and painful sound sensitivity. But when you think of all he has had to deal with and face, most people stand in awe. It never ceases to amaze me when I see what a good sport he is when he has to endure another medical procedure or how hard he works to make progress. This is truly a gift from God. By remaining committed to praying for their specific needs, we are opening them up to God's protection and for His supernatural power and grace to flow through them (and us!).

I also need to take these moments as an opportunity to take inventory of the ways that God has protected him already. Before I gave birth, I lost consciousness when my blood pressure drastically dropped in response to anesthesia. When he was a year old, he had an unexpected and life-threatening allergic reaction. I have often looked at these events as parts of a great loss, eventually leading to an autism diagnosis. But looking at them through the eyes of a "Praying Parent", I am blessed to have his life still intact after these events. I can be thankful for the progress, healing and guidance I have received. I can pray about all of my fears for the future, and know that God's protection is on him. I can trust that God already has his future mapped out, and, unlike me, His plans are always perfect.

Bible Verses from Chapter 3:

For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
-Psalm 91: 11-12

When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
-Isaiah 43:2

No weapon forged against you will prevail,
and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
and this is their vindication from me,”
declares the Lord.
-Isaiah 54:17

If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
-Psalm 91:9-10

Just Released!: The Burden of Doing It All Yourself

2011-06-13T06:01:00.001-04:00

(Below are Jessica's thoughts on Chapter 2, Releasing My Child Into God's Hands, of The Power of A Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian. Please feel free to leave a comment, suggestion, question and/or scripture at the end of this post.)

"Lord, my son is my biggest 'care' I have, and I release him into Your hands. Only You can raise him right and truly keep him safe. I will no longer strive to do it all by myself but will enter into full partnership with you" -(Stormie Omartian, Power of a Praying Parent p. 33)

I greatly relate to Stormie's journey in raising her first child. I think I was possibly the most neurotic first time parent ever. This caused me a great deal of stress and kept me from true peace. Unlike Stormie, I didn't fully surrender my children to the Lord until my second son was diagnosed with autism. At first, I tried to solve all of their issues on my own strength and understanding. I prayed a great deal, but like Stormie shares, often out of desperation and sheer exhaustion. I felt like I had faith in God, but it wasn't until I learned to partner with Him and trust Him to lead me that the pressure lifted and peace could return.

I'm going to be honest. My peace is attacked quite often. There are many days that I feel like I need to be in constant prayer in order to have any measure of patience in light of the demands of raising my children. The difference is, I know it is not all on me, and that our Heavenly Father is the only one who really knows all the answers. I was so caught up in having the right plan, teachers, schools, therapists, treatments and doctors that I, of course, was the only one who could find. Only when I took a step back and gave God control over my son's present needs and future did the right doors begin to open for us. On my own strength, homeschooling seemed like the most impossible task. I am only able to do it because I know that God is doing it with me. I would never attempt something like this on my own or without God's leading.

Whatever decisions you are facing for your child, know that you are not alone. Let your soul rest in the assurance that your Heavenly Father knows best and loves your child more than you could imagine. He is waiting for you to take the next step, to invite him into this very important aspect of your life and to give your cares, fears and questions to him. He will lead you in the direction you need to go and will never leave you without the help you need most.

Bible Verses from Chapter 2:

I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” -1 Samuel 1: 27-29

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. -1 Peter 5:7

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! -Matthew 7:11

They will not labor in vain,
nor will they bear children doomed to misfortune;
for they will be a people blessed by the Lord,
they and their descendants with them.
-Isaiah 65:23

Become A Praying Parent

2011-06-08T10:00:00.005-04:00

(Below are Nicole's thoughts on Chapter 1 of The Power of A Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian. Please feel free to leave a comment, suggestion, question and/or scripture at the end of this post.)

Weapons of Warfare: Chapter 1

You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. -John 15:16

The righteous man walks in his integrity; his children are blessed after him. -Proverbs 20:7

Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. -John 14:13-14

Do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. -Ephesians 6:4

Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. -Ephesians 6:17-18

I have been super excited about doing this study. I mean, there is no greater way for us to protect our children than prayer. Praying does wonders for everyone. I can't wait to see how we've all grown over the next couple months. I look forward to becoming a Prayer Warrior Parent with you all.

This week we're looking at Chapter 1, Becoming A Praying Parent. In this chapter, we learn why it's not only important to pray but to pray over our children. I love how Stormie introduces us to a personalized prayer list. This is when we make a list of things to consistently pray over our children. However there are two things that Stormie discussed that really touched me the most.

"...As I covered Christopher in prayer and released him into God's hands, God released my mind from a particular concern. This doesn't mean that once I prayed for something I never prayed about it again, but at least for a time I was relieved of the burden. When it surfaced again, I prayed about it again. God didn't promise that nothing bad would ever happen to my child, but praying released the power of God to work in his life, and I could enjoy more peace in the process. I also learned not to force my own will on my child in prayer." - p 16 Stormie Omartian

When I read this, I think of us. Mothers who have children with autism. I remember how much stress, how much worry, how much heaviness was on my shoulders, in my mind, in my heart on a daily basis before I prayed and released autism into God's hands. It was very difficult for me to do. I honestly thought that no one, including God, could handle and help my son like I could. How wrong I was. When I finally realized how foolish I was being, my load got a whole lot lighter. Like Stormie, the fear and the unknown continue to creep into my mind. I feel this horrible feeling in my heart that it just causes me to worry. Then I stop and pray. Sometimes I have to do this on a daily basis and other times an hourly basis. The most important thing to remember is that when we do give God the control over this, we stop stressing. We have that peace that Stormie mentioned. The peace that will give us the strength to help our children. Do I think it's still important to research? Yes. I will continue to research how to help my son and every other child with autism until they find a cure. If we continue to pray for God's Will to be done in our children's' lives, it will be done. As Stormie mentions above, just be careful you're not praying for your will to be done in your child's life. We have to trust that God loves our children even more than we do. He knows what has to be done in their lives. Let's just keep them covered in prayer that whatever happens in their lives is part of God's will. We may not understand or see the reasoning behind it but we will trust in God because we've prayed His will over their lives.

"Possibly the hardest part of praying for our children is waiting for our prayers to be answered. Sometimes the answers come quickly, but many times they do not. When they don't, we can become discouraged, despairing, or angry at God." page 25

In the times where we see that our prayers are not being answered how we want them to or when we want them to be answered, we need to do what Stormie suggests on page 26..."Instead of giving up, resolve to be even more committed to prayer. Pray with other believers. Stand strong and say "I've only begun to fight.", keeping in mind that your part of the fight is to pray. God actually fights the battle."

I am very excited to study this prayer book with all of you. For now, I'm off to make my list. I've decided that today I'm going to take Stormie up on her suggestion of making a list. My list is going to be things I want to pray over my children for the week. Then, every time I'm anxious or my peace is dwindling, I know to read over my list and pray over my children. I invite you to do the same!

Lord,
I pray that you will help each one of us as we start this journey of praying over every part of our children's' lives. Help us remember that You have the answers to all of our questions and the solutions to all of our problems. Help us be the parents that you designed us to be and to accept your will in our children's' lives. Lord, we look forward to the time of praying over our children but as you know our lives are demanding so help us remember to stop and cover them in prayers.
In Jesus name we pray,
Amen
* Exciting news about the remaining posts...We know you have all been our faithful Wednesday readers. However, with this particular study, we will be doing two posts each week. Please join us on Monday as we look at Chapter 2 and again on Thursday as we look at Chapter 3. We encourage you all to join in the conversations. Any suggestions you may have to help us all in our prayer walk over our children will be much appreciated!

Our Next Study...

2011-06-01T08:23:00.003-04:00

We are so excited to announce our next study beginning on Wednesday June 8th. We will study The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian. We look forward to learning how to pray over our children in every aspect of life. We are also excited to have a new guest writer who will contribute to this study.

Please join us on Wednesday June 8th as we discuss chapter 1 of The Power of a Praying Parent.

Take Some Time To Pray

2011-05-25T07:06:00.001-04:00

Join us as we pray over our next study. We believe it's important for us all to take the time to pray over what study God wants us to do next. We will announce the next study on June 1st and begin the study the following week on June 8th. This will give you a chance to order your books.
In the meantime, if you have a prayer request, we'd love to be in prayer with you. Please post it under the prayer request section of this blog.
We can't wait to see which study God brings us next!

Are You Prepared For the Battle?

2011-05-18T09:05:00.001-04:00

(Below are Nicole's thoughts on Chapter 25, "I'm going to do it my way or not all" Wilderness Mentality #10, of Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer. Please know that what we all get from a study is usually different. Therefore, we encourage you to write a comment/question or even scripture in the comment section below this post. Let's join together and fight this battle!)

We are all pretty stubborn people. It's hard to not want it our way especially concerning our children. For me, I think I know what my children need and how to get them there. However, I am reminded daily that my way isn't always the best. I need to listen to God and do it His way.

Below are a few thoughts of Joyce's from Chapter 25 that I want to briefly share with you. I believe these thoughts show us why our way isn't always the best way.

* The Lord demands that we learn to give up our own way and be pliable and moldable in His hands. As long as we are stubborn and rebellious, He can't use us. - p. 274

* Victorious living demands prompt, exact obedience to the Lord. - p. 274

* We must be obedient in all things-not holding back anything or keeping any doors in our lives closed to the Lord. -p. 274

* Often, we don't want to do what God asks, and then we attempt to do something to compensate for our disobedience. p. 275

* ...if the Israelites would have promptly obeyed God, how much greater their lives would have been. Many of them and their children died in the wilderness because they would not submit to God's ways. Their children were affected by their decisions, and so are ours. -p. 276

* We must choose to examine our thoughts in light of the Word of God, always being willing to submit our thoughts to His thoughts, knowing that His are best. -p. 278

* Examine what is in your mind. If it does not agree with God's thoughts (the Bible), then cast down your own thoughts and think on His.

This chapter is very simple. We must obey what God is asking us to do. We can't do it our way. We need to do it God's way. Otherwise, we too will be in the wilderness far longer than we need to be.

Now let's take a look back at this study. The most important and obvious thing that we need to remember about this study is that our minds are a battlefield. We can choose to listen to Satan's team or God's team. Listening to God will help us win this battle quicker than anything else. Don't forget about the Wilderness Mentalities. On page 185, Joyce says "The people of the nation of Israel wandered around in the wilderness for forty years making what was actually an eleven-day journey....As I was pondering this situation, God gave me a powerful revelation that has helped me personally as well as thousands of others. The Lord said to me, "The Children of Israel spent forty years in the wilderness making an eleven-day trip because they had a "wilderness mentality." The following are the 10 wilderness mentalities that Joyce teaches us to overcome. They are: not having spiritual eyes and ears, not wanting to take responsibility for what God wants you to do, having a mindset that things are too hard for you to do, being addicted to grumbling and complaining, wanting everything immediately, blaming others, feeling sorry for ourselves, feeling like we don't deserve God's blessings, being jealous and envious, and wanting to do it our way not God's way. Joyce encourages us to changes these mentalities immediately. Trust and obey God. Here's the thing, we don't know how long we will be in these different storms of life. For some of us, it could seem like a lifetime and for others not so long. What we do know is that life is so much easier when we do life with God. We trust Him. We confide in Him. We obey Him. We spend time with Him. When we do all of these things, our minds are strong for any battle that Satan may through our way. It's ok if we fall. It's just like what we say to encourage our kids after they fall off their bikes...get up, dust yourself off and get back on that bike and do it again. We can't give up. Our children need us to be the strong parents that we are. Our children need our minds to be strong in fighting this battle. I encourage you to keep this study close by. Any time you feel like you are stuck in life, lost in the wilderness. Pick up Battlefield of the Mind and re=read the Wilderness Mentalities again. I want to end this study with one more thought from Joyce and scripture.

The mind is the battlefield! It is on this ground of the mind that you will either win or lose the war htat Satan has launched. It is my most heartfelt prayer that this book will assist you in casting down imaginations, and every high and lofty thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity, into obedience to Jesus Christ. - Joyce Meyer p. 278 Battlefield of the Mind

For the weapons of our warfare are not physical (weapons of flesh and blood), but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds,
(In asmuch as we) refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the (true) knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Mesiah, the Anointed One.) - 2 Corinthians 10:4,5

So, I ask you again....Are you prepared for the battle?

Conquering Jealousy with Love

2011-05-10T06:34:00.000-04:00

(Below are Jessica's thoughts on Chapter 24, Why shouldn't I be jealous and envious when everybody else is better off than I am?, Wilderness Mentality #9 of Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer. We'd love to hear your thoughts on this chapter as well. Feel free to leave a comment, question and/or scripture in the comment section below this post. Let's join together and fight this battle.

As autism moms, we are certainly not immune to feelings of competition, inferiority, inadequacy, jealousy and envy. We want to feel like we are "normal" and compare our ourselves and our families to those that don't have a child on the spectrum. We look at how other moms are handling their child with autism's needs and compare ourselves to them. We even compare our children with other children on the spectrum. We want to make sure we are doing our very best and that our children move ahead in the quickest way possible. We want to be happy for other people, but sometimes we feel more downcast about our own struggles. This all sounds like we all have the very best intentions but what it really boils down to is jealousy and envy.

I remembered hearing a verse in Isaiah recently and went looking in my Bible for it to share here, about how we are not to think one way is better than the other, for God knows what is truly best for us. What I found is this:

I, the Lord, your God, teach you what is for your good, and lead you on the way you should go. -Isaiah 48:17

However, as I scanned the book of Isaiah, what kept jumping out at me were God's promises to rescue, bless and remember his chosen people. Above all, how treasured and loved His children are. I want to expand on this, because as Joyce mentions in this chapter, jealousy and envy stem from feelings of inadequacy. In weak moments, we can convince ourselves that someone else is more blessed than we are. It is as if we are saying that we think God loves someone else more than he loves or favors us. When we have a true revelation of God's individual love for us, there is no room for these feelings. We can then be free to pray for others to be even more blessed, as Joyce suggests, in spite of our natural first inclinations. The best way to conquer a jealous impulse is with an act of love. I want to share the verses that jumped out at me in the hopes that they will minister to each of us as a powerful reminder of God's love for us and free us from this wilderness mentality.

Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you,
nations in exchange for your life.
-Isaiah 43:4

I will not forget you!
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;
your walls are ever before me.
-Isaiah 49: 15-16

Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,”
says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
-Isaiah 54: 10

But Do I Really Deserve It?

2011-05-04T09:00:00.003-04:00

(Below are Nicole's thoughts on Chapter 23, I don't deserve God's blessings because I'm not worthy Wilderness Mentality #8 of Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer. We'd love to hear your thoughts on this chapter as well. Feel free to leave a comment, question and/or scripture in the comment section below this post. Let's join together and fight this battle.)

Wilderness Mentality #8...I don't deserve God's blessings because I'm not worthy.

When I read this mentality, I think of two kinds of people. The first person is the person who believes that in order to receive blessings from God, you have to earn them. The second person I think of is the one who struggles to believe that they actually deserve the blessings because of something in their past. In this chapter, Joyce shows us how to overcome this mentality and get out of this Wilderness Mentality.

Here are some of the points that Joyce made in Chapter 23 that helped me out the most:

* God wants to give us grace, and Satan wants to give us disgrace, which is another word for reproach. (p. 256)

* God's rolling away the reproach from us means that each of us must receive ourselves the forgiveness He is offering for all our past sins. (p. 256)

* You must realize that you can never deserve God's blessings-you can never be worthy of them. You can only humbly accept and appreciate them, and be in awe of how good He is and how much He loves you. (p. 256)

* Your mind must be renewed concerning right standing with God through Jesus-and not through your own works. (p. 256)

* Please be aware that Satan will fill your mind (if he is allowed to) with all types of negative thinking about yourself. (p. 258)

* Fear of failure and rejection keep many people in the wilderness. (p. 258)

* God is willing to give you mercy for your failures if you are willing to receive it. He does not reward the perfect who have no flaws and never make mistakes, but those who put their faith and trust in Him. (p. 259)

* Whatever we do for God should be because we love Him, not because we are trying to get something from Him. (p. 259)

* ...we should know that we are loved, special, valuable and that we should be holy, blameless and above reproach. (p. 260)

* You will never make it through the wilderness without a great deal of help from God. But, if you have a negative attitude about yourself, even when He does try to help you, you won't receive it. (p. 260)

The kind of mentality I want to touch on in this post is the one we get when we feel we have to earn our blessings. Remember that God knows your heart. He knows your intentions and why you do things. Do you find yourself praying, reading your Bible and even attending church more often when you are in the midst of asking for a huge blessing? I am sure we are all guilty of this at some point in our lives. But here's where we're all missing the point...God doesn't want us to earn his blessings. He doesn't want us to have to feel worthy of his blessings and his love. That's why it's called God's grace. I went to an online dictionary to look up the word grace. Never once did I see it say the word earn. I did see the following words....unmerited divine assistance, favor, mercy, and so many more. You see, God wants to bless us because he loves us not because we lit a candle at church today. Yes, going to church is important. Yes, we need to be reading our Bibles. We do these things to get closer to God. To hear from God. To truly know God. Then and only then will we realize how awesome of a God we have and how truly blessed we already are. We can't trick God into giving us what we want. The only thing we can do is wait and be ready to accept the blessings that God is trying to give us.

Bible Verses:
I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ (right up to the time of His return), developing (that good work) and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you. -Philippians 1:6

If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God (Who gives) to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him. -James 1:5

Even as (in His love) He chose us (actually picked us out for Himself as His own) in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love. -Ephesians 1:4

But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must (necessarily) believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him (out). -Hebrew 11:6

Pitiful or Powerful...You Can't Be Both!

2011-04-27T05:55:00.002-04:00

(Below are Jessica's thoughts on Chapter 22, My life is so miserable; I feel sorry for myself because my life is so wretched!, Wilderness Mentality #7 of Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer. We'd love to hear your thoughts on this chapter as well. Feel free to leave a comment, question and/or scripture in the comment section below this post. Let's join together and fight this battle.)

I'm going to approach this a little differently this week. I'm going to start with a quote from Joyce Meyer in this chapter that had a big impact on me and then share about it.

It is vitally important to understand that we cannot entertain demons of self-pity and also walk in the power of God! (Joyce Meyer, p. 247)

I have to admit, it is very easy for me to fall into self-pity. The minute someone asks me how I am, and how Matthew is doing, I have to make a quick decision. Do I speak words about our situation that allow God's power to shine through, or do I go on about my hardships so that person feels bad for me? I'm not saying that we have to be dishonest and just say everything is great all the time. But for me, if I allow myself to dwell on the difficulties I feel so much worse about our situation, and physically drained. The truth is, raising a child with autism is seemingly an impossibly difficult task. Most people who do not have direct experience can't fathom all that our lives entail. But here's the thing: it is like that in any situation you are not acquainted with. This brings me to this next point:

Self-pity is idolatry-turning in on ourselves, concentrating on us and our feelings. It makes us only aware of our own selves and our own needs and concerns-and that is certainly a narrow-minded way to live. (Joyce Meyer, p. 248)

Joyce suggests a great strategy when we feel self-pity tugging at us. She recommends that we get ourselves off of our mind and reach out to someone else. There are lots of other moms in situations that are similar and also moms with challenges that we know nothing about. It means alot when someone lends a hand in support or a word of encouragement. It really matters when someone takes the time to find out how you are feeling and how you can be helped. You are sowing a beautiful seed when you take the time to reach out to someone else, no matter how you are moved to do so. Joyce also points out that overindulgent self-love and self-pity have alot in common. We are supposed to love and be loved by God and others (including ourselves) in a healthy and balanced way. If we get out of balance and focus exclusively on ourselves, it leads to selfishness and self-centeredness. We are supposed to feel honest compassion for those around us who are suffering, and be moved to help wherever we can. We are not supposed to take this to an unbalanced extreme and feel sorry for ourselves all the time. I believe the reason for this is because imbalances in self-love and self-pity sometimes feel like we are doing what feels best but actually work to isolate us. They block God's blessings from flowing in our lives. Not only are we not able to bless others but we are unable to fully receive the love and blessing that God intends for each of us. We are so much more powerful when we use our energy and gifts to encourage and bless eachother.

A Christian has a rare privilege when he experiences disappointment-he can be re-appointed. With God there will always be a new beginning available. (Joyce Meyer, p. 249)

I really liked this point. It reminds me of something I heard Joel Osteen say in one of his sermons, to not think of hard times as setbacks, but as set-ups. You may feel like you've been set back, but God is really setting you up to be blessed. Disappointments can be devastating, but God is always there. Turning inward and drawing close to Him, when you really want to run the other way and give up, is the truest measure of faith. Our God is faithful, and can be trusted, His way is always the best way and He is the one who can give us the new start that we need.

Bible Verses:

Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.
-Isaiah 43: 18-19

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
-Galatians 6:2

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
-Philippians 2: 3-4

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
-1 Thessalonians 5:11

I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.
-Romans 1: 11-12

Spring Break

2011-04-20T21:52:00.002-04:00

This week, most of our children are out of school for Spring Break. With hectic schedules, travel plans and families visiting, we've decided to take a break of our own. We will be back on Wednesday April 27th. We hope you will join us then!

Two of Satan's strongest weapons...If's and But's

2011-04-12T16:02:00.011-04:00

(Below are Nicole's thoughts on Chapter 21, My behavior may be wrong, but it's not my fault Wilderness Mentality #6 of Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer. We'd love to hear your thoughts on this chapter as well. Feel free to leave a comment, question and/or scripture in the comment section below this post. Let's join together and fight this battle.)

Do you ever find yourself using autism as a reason for not doing what God needs you to do? I know that's a pretty bold question but really stop and think if you do. Autism is not easy and is definitely a struggle for not only our children but for us as well. So, I'm not saying that autism is an excuse. What I am saying is that I believe that sometimes we can all be guilty of using it as a reason for not doing what God needs us to do out of fear. Think back to Chapter 21 where Joyce lists the "if's" and let's think of it more in our world....

If only my child didn't have autism, then I'd volunteer more.

If only my child would go outside and play with the other children, then I would tell my neighbors more about Christ.

If only autism didn't financially drain us, then I would tithe to the church more.

If only my child wouldn't have autism, then I'd spend more time with my husband.

If autism wasn't so hard, then I'd have the energy to take care of myself and exercise.

If only my child would have a good day today, then I could go spread the word about autism and how others can help.

If only....

Joyce also takes us to the "but's" as well. This is when we see where God wants us, BUT we find something there that we feel is too big for us to handle.

I know I should take the time to meet other families with autism, BUT what if they don't like me.

I know I need to take the time to really play and connect with my child, BUT it seems too hard and my child doesn't seem to like to play with me.

I know my child will talk one day, BUT what if he doesn't.

Joyce tells us on page 240....'If' and 'but' are two of the most deceptive words that Satan ever plants in our heads. Satan knows that if he can cause doubt in our heads, we will be to frightened to move. If he can keep us from reaching out to other parents, keep us from tithing to our church, keep us from spending quality time with our spouses, then he can keep us in the Wilderness. Joyce reminds us that we need to keep our eyes on God and not on our problems or potential problems. One of the reasons our problems defeat us is because we think they are bigger than God. (p. 240 Joyce Meyer) Is it? Is autism bigger than God? I can tell you very quickly that it's not. Nothing is too big for God. He can handle and will handle everything. We just have to face the truth about ourselves. Joyce called this our inner self. On page 241, Joyce writes...God desires truth "in the inner being". That means that if we want to receive God's blessings, we must be honest with Him about ourselves and our sins. We do this through confession. God already knows everything about us. He just wants us to come to him, confess, ask for forgiveness and move forward. It's so easy for us to do however it's one of the most difficult things for us to do as well. We have to remember what Joyce says on page 242....God is quick to forgive us if we truly repent, but we cannot truly repent if we will not face and acknowledge the truth about what we have done. Joyce continues on page 243...Satan wants to keep things hidden in darkness, but the Holy Spirit wants to bring them into the light and deal with them, so you and I can be truly and genuinely free. Jesus said it was truth that would set us free. (John 8:32)

I believe the more honest we are with God, the more we seek his guidance, help and wisdom, the happier and more peaceful our lives will be. We have a choice to continue on in this mindset of letting autism hold not only our children back, but us back as well or we can fully trust in God to help our children and us through autism. We do this by listening to not only what therapies, treatments, supplements that God may want us to do but also where else he needs us to be. Who he needs us to reach out to. We have to remember that this life is so minute compared to eternity. God has a much bigger plan in place and we need to be certain we are doing our parts in helping out. We start by revealing the truth inside of us, confessing to God, accepting his forgiveness and then hearing where and what he wants us to do next. Please know that I am not by any means saying that autism is not difficult. I know how difficult it is. In fact, today was one of those very difficult days for us in our home. However, I believe our attitudes and faith in God will make these days so much easier. I could have very easily said...if only Sean didn't have a so many behaviors today, then I could write in this blog. I could have also said...I know I need to write my post today BUT I'm scared no one is going to like. I could blame autism and believe me I am just as guilty at times for doing so.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that this kind of Wilderness Mentality is so easy to fall into and so hard to get out of. I know it's kept me in the Wilderness much longer than I should have been. God has a plan for us. We need to try our hardest to listen to the Holy Spirit and do what we need to do to get out of the Wilderness as quickly as possible.

I love what Joyce writes on page 244 and I'm going to close this post with it...

You don't have to spend forty years wandering in the wilderness. Or if you have already spend forty years or more out there because you didn't know that "wilderness mentalities" were keeping you there, today can be your day of decision. Ask God to start showing you the truth about yourself. When He does, hang on! It won't be easy, but remember, He has promised, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' Hebrews 13:5"

Dear Lord,

Thank you for teaching us how to come to you to find the truth about ourselves. I pray that you show each and every one of us the truth of our inner beings and that we embrace this truth and move forward.

In Your Name we pray,

Amen

Then, you will know the truth and the truth shall set you free. -John 8:32

The Waiting Game

2011-04-06T05:21:00.000-04:00

(Below are Jessica's thoughts on Chapter 20 "Don't make me wait for anything; I deserve everything immediately." Wilderness Mentality #5 of Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer. We'd love to hear your thoughts on this chapter as well. Feel free to leave a comment, question and/or scripture in the comment section below this post. Let's join together and fight this battle!)

I don't think many of us are walking around saying, "It's OK if my child's breakthrough comes a year or two from now, we are happy to wait." Most of us have endured extended periods of trial and difficulty and are ready for that breakthrough now. I know I am! Joyce Meyer points out a very important point about patience being a fruit of the spirit. We can't practice or have patience until we learn to act this way while under trial.

This was a major stumbling block for the Israelites. They simply could not understand why God had to lead them through trials and did not take them directly to the Promised Land. In His perfect wisdom, God led them through these trials so that they would be ready to possess the Promised Land from its current occupants and take hold of the blessings God had in store for them. Many missed out on their promise, simply because they did not have the patience to see their journey through. I don't know about you, but I don't want to miss out on my promise like they did!

Back to the patience being developed under trial, I really appreciated Joyce's honesty about what else gets brought out before you get to patience. She shares with us that "pride, anger, rebellion, self-pity, complaining, and many others" had to be dealt with before she could display patience. (p.231) I am learning not to feel bad every time I fail and wish I had been more patient in a given situation. I am to be thankful that the Holy Spirit showed me an area where I can improve with God's help, so that next time it won't be so tempting to be impatient. These trials that we all face can be valuable teaching time and we can emerge not only stronger in our Christian walk, but as a better example to others.

Often when I open up this book, it as if God is speaking directly to me. This week was no different, as soon as I saw the title of the chapter I thought, "Yep, this is a lesson for me!". I am believing God for an incredible breakthrough. There are times when I feel so positive and strong and times where I am just exhausted. The lessons in this study are helping me to cast down negative thoughts or temptation to give up in my weak moments. Joyce Meyer teaches us that the battle is waged and ultimately won in our minds, so I have decided to do everything I can to keep a good attitude until I see what God does next. I like the way Joyce puts this on page 230:

"I remind myself that patience is not my ability to wait, but my ability to keep a good attitude while I wait."

Waiting sounds very boring, but in our lives it is very active. We are fighting the good fight, keeping up with specialists, diets, supplements, educational goals and whatever else our family needs to function well and thrive. We do all of this and more, full of hope and positive expectation that we will see our promise come to pass. We do this fully believing that our faith and diligence are seen and will be rewarded. Most of all, we do this because we are loved by our Heavenly Father, who unfailingly has our best interests at heart and sent his only Son, Jesus, to lead us to eternal life.

Bible Verses from Chapter 20:

Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.
-James 5:7

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
-Colossians 3:12

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
-James 1:2-4

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
-Hebrews 10:36

Stop, Pray and No More Complaining

2011-03-29T10:55:00.006-04:00

(Below are Nicole's thoughts on Chapter 19 "I can't help it; I'm just addicted to grumbling, faultfinding and complaining." Wilderness Mentality #4 of Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer. We'd love to hear your thoughts on this chapter as well. Feel free to leave a comment, question and/or scripture in the comment section below this post. Let's join together and fight this battle!)

For God is pleased with you when, for the sake of your conscience you patiently endure unfair treatment. Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing right and are patient beneath the blows, God is pleased with you. - 1 Peter 2:19-20 Life Application Bible

In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing, so that no one can speak a word of blame against you. You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of crooked and perverse people. Let your lives shine brightly before them. - Philippians 2:14-15 Life Application Bible

Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:6-7 Life Application Bible

In Chapter 19, we are introduced to the Wilderness Mentality #4..."I can't help it; I'm just addicted to grumbling, faultfinding and complaining."

Usually, at this time I like to summarize my favorite parts of the chapter. Things that hit home to me the most. However, this week...it all hit home. It's so easy for me to jump on the pity me train and complain about things. Whether it's autism, finances, a rough day, people tailgating me on the highway...I'm the first to voice my complaint. It's not that I'm a negative person. I think it's that I'm looking for someone to validate my feelings. Some one to say "it's ok to feel that way." What I've learned with this chapter, is that no one can make me feel better about this. No one but God can. So I'm taking my concerns, aka complaining, to the wrong people. Instead of complaining to my friends, husband and even kids (what am I thinking?) I need to stop and spend some time with God. I need to stop and pray about. I need to spend time with him so he can hear my concerns and give me the peace that I am looking for in every situation in life.

Let's look at this even further....

Situation #1:

Let's say my son with autism is having a really tough day. It seems that all language gains are regressing. Play skills are dwindling. The connection just isn't there. I have two ways I can go with this. The first way is to pray. Pray to God and give him my frustration, my concerns. However, I need to also give him my thanks for what he has done for me. In this moment, God will give me peace over this situation so that I can move forward and help my son through this day. The other way to handle this situation is to complain. Complain to family members, to friends and to God. This will keep me frustrated. I will not find peace and will most likely frustrate people around me as well. As Joyce says on page 218 "How we handle ourselves in front of other people shows them how they should live." In other words, people know that we are Believers in Christ. They watch our every move to see how we handle things in life.

Situation #2:

Argument with your spouse. Let's say you have a major argument with your spouse. Unfortunately, they may have said something that really hurts your feelings or makes you feel like you should fight back and prove them wrong. What's the first thing you do when you're alone? Do you call your friends and complain about your husband/wife? Do you think of ways to get your point across so you can be the one who is right? Or...do you stop, pray and give it to God. Pray that God will work his way into not only your spouse's mind to show them where they could be wrong but to your mind as well. Another situation in which others are watching how we handle ourselves.

Situation #3:

You've decided to take your child with autism to the park this morning. While there, you notice a lot of parents staring at your child. You can tell by their facial expressions that they are wondering what is going on. In the meantime, you hear other children laughing at your child, wondering what they are doing as well. What do you do in this situation? Do you take your child, leave the park, cry the whole way home and then complain about your life, your situation, autism to any one and everyone who will listen? Or do you use this as a teaching moment to not only teach these children and adults about autism and your child, but to show them how God is working through you?

Situation #4

Autism. How do we not complain about autism? How can we not feel that our children are being cheated out of so many things in life and it's just not fair? How can we not complain about not receiving government assistance that all of our children deserve? How in the world do we stay positive and patient during our trials with autism? It's not easy and God never said it would be easy. This is where we need to take Joyce's advice that she writes on page 222 and 223. "Complaining is definitely a wilderness mentality that will prevent us from crossing over into the Promised Land. Jesus is our example, and we should do what He did. The Israelites complained and remained in the wilderness. Jesus praised and was raised from the dead." On page 223 Joyce shares with us the following Bible verse from Philippians 4:6...Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. She continues on page 223 "...patience is not the ability to wait, but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting."

Life isn't going to be easy. We can all agree on this. However, God uses so many storms in our lives for good things to come out of them. It's important to stay faithful to God during our storms, be patient and know that he is with us every step of the way and will help us through every situation in life.

This week, when life brings you situations where you want to call a friend and complain...just stop and pray. Watch how much more quickly peace comes over you and the situation seems so much easier.

Dear God,

Thank you so much for giving us such a wonderful book to grow together spiritually. In every situation in life, you never disappoint us. You always provide and we thank you for this. Please remind us this week to come to you with our thanksgivings and our hard moments in life so that you can give us the peace that we are all searching for in life.

Amen

Nothing is "Too Hard" for God

2011-03-23T05:20:00.002-04:00

(Below are Jessica's thoughts on Chapter 18, "Please make everything easy; I can't take it if things are too hard!", Wilderness Mentality #3, from Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer. We'd love to hear your thoughts on this chapter as well. Feel free to leave a comment, question and/or scripture in the comment section below this post. Let's dig deep and join together to fight this battle.)

Most of the time I have more than enough in front of me to focus on while keeping busy with what needs to be done. I don't exactly stop and take inventory of every little thing I do or all that I have ahead of me. When I do, and it all hits me, I hear the thoughts "This is just too hard. No one can do all of this or carry this load." The fact is, we can't be going all the time and we do carry a heavier load than most of us ever imagined. However, we all are called by God to do the work in our own special way, on His strength, not our own. Since I know that these moments will inevitably happen, I have decided to arm myself with these scriptures, committed to memory:

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
-Philippians 4:13

"With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
-Matthew 19:26

I will literally stop in my tracks and recite these in my head as a comeback whenever thoughts of "I can't do this" come to mind. Not only does it break the negative thought pattern, but it brings God into the situation. His power can come to you, and will strengthen you where you need it most at that very moment. We have to fully rely on God, and these are the moments we need Him most.

I want to be really clear about this, this does not mean that we are expected to do everything like some kind of superwoman who never runs out of strength. God gives us strength for what He anoints and purposes for us to do, at the very moment we need it. If we try to take on more than we are supposed to, or more than God leads us to-it is very likely that we will run out of steam quickly. On page 210, Joyce says,

"Grace is the power of God coming to you at no cost to you, to do through you what you cannot do by yourself."

I sometimes want to wince when people say that trials are blessings in disguise. But, as Joyce points out, the truth is we would never grow if our life was easy all the time. Not only would we probably grow bored, but we would never truly know what we are capable of by letting God work through us. As I look back at the past few years of my life, I can see that I am clearly changed. I am not at the place where I would willingly choose for my son to have autism, but I am grateful for the change that has taken place in me. I know and love God in a way that wouldn't have been possible if I wasn't in the position to need Him so much. I clearly see that I need Him desperately in every aspect of my life and am so grateful for the love and grace that He gives, whether I deserve it or not.

Here are some more Bible verses from this chapter that really strengthened me:

Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach.
-Deuteronomy 30:11

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
-Galatians 6:9

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth.
-John 14: 16-17

The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
-Isaiah 40: 28-31

Being Responsible

2011-03-15T09:00:00.007-04:00

(Below are Nicole's thoughts on Chapter 17, "Someone do it for me; I don't want to take responsibility", Wilderness Mentality #2, from Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer. We'd love to hear your thoughts on this chapter as well. Feel free to leave a comment, question and/or scripture in the comment section below this post. Let's dig deep and join together to fight this battle.)

And Terah took Abram his son, Lot the son of Haran, his grandson, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram's wife, and they went forth together to go from Ur of the Chaldees into the land of Canaan; but when they came to Haran, they settled there. -Genesis 11:31

...For many are called, but few chosen. -Matthew 20:16

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. -1 Peter 5:6,7

As Jessica mentioned last week, Joyce Meyer uses the next section of the book to teach us how to overcome the ten "wilderness mentalities" that the Israelites had that kept them from reaching the Promise Land. Last week, Jessica talked about Wilderness Mentality #1: My future is determined by my past and present. We also learned to use our "spiritual eyes and ears".

This week's Wilderness Mentality is...Someone do it for me; I don't want to take the responsibility.

I do have to preface this post with something that happened this morning. Tuesdays are the days that we use to write our posts on Spectrum Spirit. As I was drinking my coffee this morning, I started thinking about everything I have to do today. I have a meeting with a case worker for my son. I want to go through old toys that I hung on to in hopes that one day my son would want to play with them. He's now too old for them so I'm participating in a consignment sale this week which takes a lot of work. I'm puppysitting a friend's new puppy while they go on vacation. Let's not forget homeschooling, housework, and of course doing this week's post on Spectrum Spirit. That's a lot of things to do in one day! The first thing I did to ease the stress on my day was I decided to wait to do this post. I emailed Jessica and Chrissy to let them know I wouldn't get to the post until tomorrow. There, now my load is lighter. Right? Wrong...God got a hold of my heart very quickly. As I was finishing my coffee, I decided to pick up Battlefield of the Mind and read Chapter 17. Wow did God speak to me quickly. He showed me how I was trying to put off the one thing He needed me to do today. How I was trying to avoid my responsibility. I quickly prayed and asked God for His forgiveness. I devoured Chapter 17 and motivation has now taken over me. It's amazing how I still have the same work load today but after spending the time I needed to with God, I now have my responsibilities in the right order for today!

So, here we go....here are the main thoughts by Joyce that touched me the most in Chapter 17:

* To be responsible is to respond to the opportunities that God has placed in front of us. (p. 199)

* It is fairly easy to be excited when God first speaks to us and gives us an opportunity to do something. But, like Terah (Genesis 11:31), many times we never finish what we start because we get into it and realize there is more involved than goosebumps and excitement. (p. 199)

* ....the Israelites did not want to take responsibility for anything. Moses did their praying; he sought God for them, he even did their repenting when they got themselves in trouble. Exodus 32:1-14 (p. 200)

* We must live our lives before God, knowing that He sees all and that our reward will come from Him if we persist in doing what He has asked us to do. (p. 201)

* ...a lot of people have wishbone but no backbone. People with a "wilderness mentality" want to have everything and do nothing. (p. 201)

* You and I will never have the privilege of standing and ministering under God's anointing if we are not willing to take our responsibility seriously. (p. 202)

* When the Lord asks His people to do something, there is a temptation to wait for "a convenient season". Acts 24:25 There is always the tendency to hold back until it won't cost anything or be so difficult. (p. 203)

* If we do not use the gifts and talents that He has given us, then we are not being responsible over what He has entrusted to us. (p. 203)

* I encourage you to respond to the ability that God has placed in you by doing all that you can with it, so that when the Master returns, you can not only give Him what He has given you, but more besides. (p. 204)

* Set your mind to do what is in front of you and not to run from anything just because it looks challenging. (p. 205)

* Always remember that if God gives you whatever you ask Him for, there is a responsibility that goes along with the blessing. (p. 205)

I want to stop and really talk about the last thought that Joyce has shared with us. Always remember that if God gives you whatever you ask Him for, there is a responsibility that goes along with the blessing. It's so easy for us to pray and ask God for what we want most in life. We want our child to be healed from autism. We want them to live their life to the fullest. We want everything for our children, which is only natural. All parents do. To me, parents with children with autism want it more. However, are we taking up our responsibility that goes along with this blessing? Are we doing God needs us to do? Are we making sure that other moms, therapist, friends, even our spouses know Christ and the difference He's made in our lives? Do we take our responsibility seriously of reaching out to other moms who have children on the spectrum? The moms who are lost, have no hope and don't know where to turn. Or are we hoping the next person will do it because it seems so difficult? Let me ask you this...what if there is no one else that can reach that person besides you? What if that is your big moment in this life for Christ? We can be so much like the Israelites it is scary. We can turn something into a long hard journey when it could have only taken a short amount of time. I believe that we all have many different responsibilities in this journey of autism. As parents, we are the glue that is holding it all together for our kids. We research, we talk to other parents to get new ideas on therapies, biomedical treatments, teaching moments and more. How often are we taking the time to talk to other parents about God and how He is the glue that is holding us together?

It's time for us all to be honest with ourselves and see how we can be very similar to the Israelites and hide from our responsibilities that God has given to us.

Joyce writes on page 203...In meeting resistance you will build your strength. If you only do what is easy, you will always remain week. The easy thing for me to have done this morning is to procrastinate with writing this post and really feeling what God is placing in my heart. It's amazing how after reading Chapter 17 and writing this post, my day doesn't seem so overwhelming to me. I have the same amount of things to accomplish today. I just did the one thing that God needed me to do first and it's made me stronger.

So I ask you, what is God placing on heart to do after reading this post? I encourage you to read this post again, especially the Bible verses and the points from Joyce. I also encourage you to read more about the Israelites. You will find motivation to move forward in doing what God needs from you.

Dear Lord,

Thank you so much for motivating us all to pick up your Word and study it. Thank you for your Word and for guiding us through the tough times. I ask that you show each one of us our gifts and talents and what you need for us to do. Help us be more like Christ and less like the Israelites.

Amen

Seeing Beyond the Wilderness

2011-03-09T06:06:00.001-05:00

(Below are Jessica's thoughts on Chapter 16, "My Future is determined by my past and my present"[Wilderness Mentality #1], in Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer. We'd love to hear your thoughts on this chapter as well. Feel free to leave a comment, question and/or scripture in the comment section below this post. Let's dig deep and join together to fight this battle!)

Joyce Meyer uses the next several chapters of Battlefield of the Mind to teach us to overcome ten "wilderness mentalities" that kept many of the Israelites from reaching the Promised Land. It is my prayer that each mother will receive many insights from these chapters. I also pray that, unlike the Israelites, these insights will keep us from making an 11 day journey in 40 years and that we ALL make it to the Promised Land.

Wilderness Mentality #1: "My future is determined by my past and present"

It is so easy to get caught up only in what we see, hear and experience in the natural circumstances of life. We can know what the Word of God says, how He has a good plan for our children and how His will is for us to be blessed. Then, you have a really crazy day. Your child is melting down inconsolably for no apparent reason. Immediately, you are seized with thoughts of regression. Looking with your human eyes and operating on high emotions, God's truth can be forgotten, especially in moments of weakness such as these. This is when we find out what our faith is really made of. If in these moments, you do not behave or believe as someone who truly believes God's promises (like most of us at times!), take heart! With God's help you can overcome any negative situation or mindset.

Last week, we learned about having the mind of Christ. This week, Joyce gives us biblical tools to getting a new mindset:

Believe that with God all things are possible (Luke 18:27); with man some things may be impossible, but we serve a God Who created everything we see out of nothing. (Hebrews 11:3) Give Him your nothingness and watch Him go to work. All He needs is your faith in Him. He needs for you to believe, and He will do the rest. (p.192)

The Israelites were only using their natural eyes to view their future. They were seeing themselves as still in bondage, and could not envision the reality of all that God had promised them. As a result, they complained, were ungrateful, fell into strife, doubted and were negative. These attitudes counteracted the power of God in their lives and many never saw God's promises come to pass. Those that did, spent 40 years instead of 11 days getting there.

In order to truly overcome our past and present circumstances, we must learn to use "spiritual" eyes and ears. That is, we must let God be the one who tells us what our future will be, not what the past or present situation looks like. On page 192 Joyce Meyer states,

"We cannot judge things accurately by the sight of our natural eyes. We must have spiritual "eyes to see" and "ears to hear". We need to hear what the Spirit says, not what the world says. Let God speak to you about your future-not everyone else."

In addition to all of the negative reports and daily challenges we face, I believe that God has a positive vision and outlook for each of our individual futures. We need to stay in the Word of God and we need to be available to hear what the Holy Spirit wants to tell us. We then have to dare to dream and claim those promises and visions as our own, even when our natural eyes tell us differently.

As Joyce Meyer reminds us of what the Lord told the Israelites, "You have dwelt long enough on the same mountain; it is time to move on." (Battlefield of the Mind, p. 185)

Bible Verses:

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. -2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 3: 13-14

Thinking Like Christ

2011-03-02T08:00:00.001-05:00

(Below are Nicole's thoughts on Chapter 15, The Mind of Christ, in Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer. We'd love to hear your thoughts on this chapter as well. Feel free to leave a comment, question and/or scripture in the comment section below this post. Let's dig deep and join together to fight this battle!)

For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord as to guide and instruct Him and give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart. - 1 Corinthians 2:16

The mind of Christ...that is the mind set we should all strive for. But how? How do think like Christ? How can we change our minds to think like the most perfect man alive?

Joyce gives us six simple steps to follow to have a mind like Christ. They are...

1. Think positive thoughts. Have a positive outlook and attitude. Maintain positive thoughts and expectations. Engage in positive conversation. (p.162-163) During this step, Joyce discusses two things that are very important for us to grasp. The first she writes on page 163...Jesus certainly displayed a positive outlook and attitude. He endured many difficulties including personal attacks-being lied about , being deserted by His disciples when He needed them most, being made fun of, being lonely, misunderstood, and a host of other discouraging things. Yet in the midst of all these negatives He remained positive. He always had an uplifting comment, and encouraging word; He always gave hope to all those He came near. I don't know about you guys but being a mom to a child with autism, I could surely use the mind set of Christ right now. I really had to humble myself and ask if in the midst of this negative battle we call autism, am I remaining positive? Am I providing uplifting comments to other moms or to just anyone? Am I providing hope? I want the mind set of Christ. The second thing that I think it's very important for us to grasp in this first step of thinking like Christ is overcoming depression. Too often, Satan grabs a hold of our minds and will throw us down into a whirlwind of depression before we even know it. Thoughts will come in our heads like "my son will never get better", "will we have to look into institutionalizing him eventually?", and even "I just can't do this." Joyce gives us eight things to remember to quickly help us run from Satan and his trickery of depression. They are to identify the nature and cause of the problem (Satan is going to show you all of the negatives to autism so quickly get them out of your mind), to recognize that depression steals life and light (remember...the longer it is allowed to remain, the harder it becomes to resist.), remember the good times (Look at how far your child has come!) , praise the Lord in the midst of the problem (Thank God for all of the milestones your child has met and IS going to meet! Joyce writes on page 165...God alone can water a thirsty soul. Don't be deceived into thinking that anything else can satisfy you fully and completely. Chasing after the wrong thing will always leave you disappointed, and disappointment opens the door for depression. Thank Him for all He is doing for you!), ask for God's help, listen to the Lord (Wait for Him. Don't decide on your own.) and seek God's wisdom, knowledge and leadership. Don't let Satan win this battle over depression in your mind.

2. Be God-minded. Meditating on God and His ways and works will need to become a regular part of your thought life if you want to experience victory. (p. 167-168) Take the time to really be with God.

3. Be "God-Loves-Me" Minded. (p. 169-172) This is a tricky one. I think that when most of us go through something hard in life we immediately think "What have I done wrong?" or "God is punishing me." When my son was first diagnosed, I immediately thought that God was mad at me. I quickly had to remind myself that God loves me no matter what and does not use our storms in life to punish us. Joyce reminds us on page 169 if we never meditate on His love for us, we will not experience it.

4. Have an exhortative mind. The person with the mind of Christ thinks positive, uplifting, edifying thoughts about other people as well as himself and his own circumstances. So are you the person who adds fuel to the fire, salt to the wound or do you try to put the fire out? In other words, when a friend calls you to vent about someone or something can you speak positive, uplifting words to help them or do you add fuel to the fire to make them even angrier? I really think that with this step, Joyce is encouraging us to not only think positive things about ourselves and each other but to also speak them as well. I love the example she gave on page 173 about the child with behavioral problems...Let's say you have a child who has some behavioral problems and definitely needs to change. You pray for him and ask God to work in his life, making whatever changes are necessary. Now what do you do with your thoughts and words concerning him during the waiting period? Many people never see the answer to their prayers because they negate what they have asked for with their own thoughts and words before God ever gets a chance to work in their behalf. I really think she was speaking directly to me here! Joyce then adds...To live in victory, you must begin by lining up your thoughts with God's Word.

5. Develop a thankful mind. Be a grateful person-one filled with gratitude not only toward God, but also toward people. It's very easy for us to get overwhelmed with autism. However, we need to start taking the time to not only being thankful to God but for each other as well. Especially our spouses.

6. Be Word-minded. It always comes back to the Word of God. Everything that we can do in live to better ourselves, our minds, our family, our physical being...everything goes back to the Word of God. This is why it is so important that we spend a lot of time studying His Word. Not just reading it, but learning from it. Growing from it. I absolutely love what Joyce writes on page 179....The Lord keeps revealing His secrets to those who are diligent about the Word. Don't be the kind of person who always wants to live off of someone else's revelation. Study the Word yourself and allow the Holy Spirit to bless your life with truth. I am guilty of this. I love to read a good, uplifting spiritual book to help get me on track spiritually. However, I need to spend more time with God by reading His Word so that I can get God's interpretation on my life and what I need to do.

I believe that by following these steps we can have a mind like Christ. I love how Joyce closes this chapter with the following scripture:

...whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things. - Philippians 4:8

Lord,

Thank you for showing and teaching us how to have a mind like Christ. We all want what is best for us in life. Sometimes life gets hard and Satan tries to grab a hold of our minds so that we can't see the victory we have in you. Thank you for always being there for us and helping us through it all. Teach us all to have a that is pleasing to you...a mind like Christ.

Amen

The Problem With Being Passive

2011-02-23T06:30:00.003-05:00

(Below are Jessica's thoughts on Chapter 14, A Passive Mind, of Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer. We'd love to hear your thoughts on this chapter as well. Feel free to leave a comment, question and/or scripture in the comment section below this post. Let's dig deep and join together to fight this battle.)

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. -1 Peter 5:8

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. -1 Peter 1:13

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. -Romans 12:2

We've heard the expression, "An idle mind is the devil's playground". This chapter takes this a step further and reminds us that a "passive mind" can lead to trouble in the same way. With all that each of us have going on trying to manage the needs of a child with autism, I think it is safe to assume that none of us has an "empty" mind. Speaking from my own example, if anything I find I need to fight not to have an overwhelmed mind.

It takes a great deal of discipline to be able to direct and then filter the thoughts we dwell and ultimately act on. Joyce gives a great example by sharing her husband Dave's struggle with passivity. She reveals that he was very disciplined in areas of work, fitness and leisure but difficult to motivate in other areas. It was an eye-opener to me to learn that the devil can create strongholds as a result of long-term passivity. Over time, with alot of practice, little by little, he began to study the Word regularly and diligently. As the Holy Spirit showed him the truth, he was much more active, motivated and eager in other areas of his life.

This made me think about myself. On page 150, Joyce writes: "A passive person thinks he is doing nothing wrong because he is doing nothing." The difference between sins of omission (not doing what you should have) and sins of commission (doing something you shouldn't) struck me here. Being afraid to act and follow God's leading keeps us from missing out on what God wants us to do. If that isn't bad enough, it also opens a door for the enemy to make it harder for us to follow God next time around. I thought of all the times I had a great idea (from God) and didn't act on it right away. Procrastinating has been something throughout my life that made many things much more difficult than they needed to be. From school assignments to cleaning my room, exercising, etc., I always had trouble getting started, which led to inactivity. Beyond that, I now see that as procrastination becomes a pattern, it develops into a stronghold-an area where the enemy has gained some footing against my walk with God.

The good news is that strongholds can be broken! Every time I am tempted to procrastinate or not obey God right away, I have these insights to help me do what I need to do-right away. Whenever I feel the "I can't do this" welling up inside of me, I can boldly declare that "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13) I now can add this to my prayer life and meditate on what scripture says and pray against this. I can think about the right things on purpose so that my mind is not available for the enemy to attack.

Heavenly Father, Thank you so much for hearing and answering all of our prayers. Give us the grace and strength we need to stay alert and vigilant about our thought lives. In the name of your son, Jesus and by the power of His blood, we come against any evil spirits behind the passivity and inaction that may be attacking our minds and keeping us from Your purpose. Fill us with your Holy Spirit, renew our minds and help us to develop godly self-discipline in any areas where we need it most. Open our minds and give us understanding so that we can hear from you and follow where You will lead us. We give all of the glory to You and ask this in your son Jesus' holy name. Amen.

Judging Others

2011-02-16T06:39:00.004-05:00

(Below are Nicole's thoughts to Chapter 13, A Judgemental, Critical and Suspicious Mind of Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer. We'd love to hear your thoughts on this chapter as well. Feel free to leave a comment, question and/or scripture in the comment section below this post. Let's dig deep and join together to fight this battle.)

Why do you stare from without at the very small particle that is in your brother's eye but do not become aware of and consider the beam of timber that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, Let me get the tiny particle out of your eye, when there is the beam of timber in your own eye? You hypocrite, first get the beam of timber out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the tiny particle out of your brother's eye. - Matthew 7:3-5

The next mind that Joyce Meyer introduces us to is the judgemental, critical and suspicious mind.

Here's what Joyce had to say about this condition of our minds:

-Being judgmental, opinionated and critical are three sure ways to see relationships dissolve. Satan, of course, wants you and me to be lonely and rejected, so he attacks our minds in these areas. (p.133-134)

- God is the only One Who has the right to condemn or sentence, therefore, when we pass judgement on another, we are, in a certain sense, setting ourselves up as God in his life. (p. 134)

- I was critical because I always seemed to see what was wrong instead of what was right. (p. 134)

- We like to tell people what we think, and that is exactly the point-what I think may be right for me, but not necessarily right for you, and vice verse. (p. 135)

- Judgement and criticism are fruit of a deeper problem-pride. (p. 135)

- We must have "holy fear" of pride and be very careful of judging others or of being critical of them. (p. 136)

- The devil stays very busy assigning demons to place judgmental, critical thoughts in people's minds. (p. 137)

- Now, we cannot always prevent ourselves from having opinions, but we do not have to express them. (p. 137)

- A major problem is brewing in your mind when you ponder opinion until it becomes a judgment. (p. 137)

- Remember, your actions won't change until your mind does. (p. 137)

- Many times we are reaping in our lives what we have previously sown into the life of another. (p. 138)

- The devil loves to keep us busy mentally judging the faults of others. That way, we never see or deal with what is wrong with us! (p. 139)

- Allow God to deal with you first, and then you will learn the scriptural way of helping your brother grow in His Christian walk. (p. 139)

- ....the very same things we judge others for, we do ourselves. (p. 141)

- We make excuses for our own behavior but when someone else does the same thing we do, we are often merciless. (p. 141)

- When your mind has been poisoned, or when Satan has gained strongholds in your mind, it has to be renewed according to God's Word. This is done by learning the Word and meditating (pondering, muttering to yourself, thinking on) it. (p. 143)

- Our thoughts are silent words that only we and the Lord hear, but those words affect our inner man, our health, our joy and our attitude. The things we think on often come out of our mouth. And, sad to say, sometimes they make us look foolish. Judgment, criticism and suspicion never bring joy. (p. 145)

I never really thought of myself as one who judges. I know I do have my fair share of problems with being opinionated; however, I didn't think I judged others. Until this past weekend when my husband pointed out to me how much I judge him. At first, I thought he was crazy but then I kept feeling inside of me to listen to him and hear him out. Let me preface this story with a little background on my current life. I have been homeschooling my son, who is now 8, for the past two years. Before this, I was a stay at home mom who basically ran his in home therapy program, working with him and his therapists to give him the best life possible. Even before the therapy and his diagnosis, I was home with both my kids before they started school. Over the past 8 years, my days revolved around my kids. Therefore, it's only natural for me to feel that I know my children best and what is best for them. This is all well and good as long as I'm not critical or judging others. Case in point this past weekend. My husband stayed home to watch the boys while I went out to run some errands by myself. When I returned home, I immediately started grilling my husband with questions. What did you and the boys do? Did Sean have any behaviors? What did you do? Did you go outside? Did he go on the computer for too long? As I'm asking these questions I see my husbands face start to tense up. I thought he was just overwhelmed. Later, he explained to me what was going on with him. And I am so thankful he did or I would not realize that others were feeling this way. He told me that he felt like I judge him or I am critical of him when he watches the boys. He explained that it's not really what I'm asking as it is my facial expressions and how I'm asking. This was a very big moment not only for myself because I realized that I was being critical of him, but for our marriage as well because Satan could have really gotten a stronghold on our relationship at this point. Can you imagine the damage to our marriage that Satan could have done at this moment if my husband would not have brought this up to me? After apologizing and sharing that I didn't realize how critical I was being, I started seeing this week how often I am judging others and their ability to be with my children. It's something I am having to let go of and know that when I feel like I'm being critical I need to go to God immediately, ask for forgiveness and ask Him to show me the good in the situation.

I challenge you all, to take the rest of this week and this upcoming weekend and look at areas in your life where you could be judging, being critical or suspicious. Then go to God and ask Him to help you overcome this so that Satan has no room in our minds and we can move forward with having a mind that's pleasing to God.

Lord,
Thank you for showing us how judging our minds can be and how displeasing this is to you. We ask that this week you show us situation where we are being judgemental or critical. We ask that you forgive us and help us have a mind that's pleasing to you.
Amen

If You Pray, Don't Worry

2011-02-09T06:03:00.001-05:00

(Below are Jessica's thoughts on Chapter 12, An Anxious and Worried Mind, of Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer. We'd love to hear your thoughts on this chapter as well. Feel free to leave a comment, question and/or scripture below this post. Let's dig deep and join together to fight this battle!)

When I read this chapter, I had no problem relating to the effects of worry and anxiety on my life and relationship with God. As a mother of a child with autism, it is so easy to spiral into worry and anxiety about what the future may or may not hold. I have worried about how he could ever come close to catching up to his same-age peers, how will I be able to meet his educational and developmental needs, what needs will he have as an adolescent and then and adult-and how will we afford it all? As I type this I also think of how God has met our needs to this point, all of the amazing ways he has come through for us. He has never let us down. Yet, from time to time I need to have a serious chat with myself to be reassured that yes, every step forward presents new challenges, but God will also offer new solutions.

After I delivered my first son in the hospital, one of the nurses shared some great wisdom on this with me. She must have noticed this tendency in me because she said, "If you pray, don't worry and If you worry, don't pray". She was telling me that if I trust God and cast my cares on Him, I don't need to worry. Worrying, on the other hand, would undermine my faith and lessen the power of my prayers.

I think that I used to believe that worrying was some kind of insurance policy to keep me from becoming lazy and would actually help the outcome of whatever the situation was. If I didn't worry, wasn't I not taking things seriously enough? If I didn't worry, then I wouldn't be prepared for all the things that could possibly go wrong. As I learn more from God's word and through teachers such as Joyce Meyer, I can see how negative and self-defeating this kind of thinking is. When I realize the toll of repeated worry; how much harder it was to stay focused, how it stole my joy and peace, how exhausted it left me, etc., I can see that clearly this way of doing things is not only the least productive, but also not going to yield a positive result in any way. The very first thing Joyce states in Chapter 12, identify what worry really is and what it does to your life;

Anxiety and worry are both attacks on the mind intended to distract us from serving the Lord. The enemy also uses both of these torments to press our faith down, so it cannot rise up and help us live in victory. (Battlefield of the Mind, p. 119)

How do we break the cycle of worrying, especially when it is viewed as a part of our personality? We have to recite what the word of God says about worry and anxiety and learn how to enter into the rest of God. We have to remind ourselves of God's goodness and his promises to never leave or forsake us.

When we proclaim what the Word says about worry, and about how God promises to meet all of our needs we increase the power of God in our lives and decrease the power the enemy has. When we can trust fully in God, we enter into His rest and experience His peace. What does that mean exactly? To me, it means that regardless of how things look on paper, I can let my mind rest because I know God is working behind the scenes. When our mind is at rest, or at peace, we can hear from God and know what we should or shouldn't do. We will have more energy and focus to keep up with the work he has called us to do while we are waiting. Even if I can't see, I have to believe and trust. The bible tells us that there will always be storms and trials in this life. (John 16:33) Our example to others can be that of the "calm within the storm". To me, that is real power, to be able to face the trials of this life without fear and still have peace and joy.

Dear Lord,
Thank you so much for hearing and answering our prayers to you. I thank you for all that you do for each of us and our precious children. We cast all of our cares for their needs, both at this present moment and in the future, fully and completely on you. You have told us in your word that you love us and will provide for all of our needs, and your words are always true. Give us your grace and strength and call to our minds what your word says every time an anxious thought attacks us. We trust you fully with our lives and the lives of our children. By your goodness, may we enter into your rest and know the assurance that only your peace can give. We ask this in Jesus' name.
Amen.

Do You Have The Mindset of Peter or Abraham?

2011-02-02T15:26:00.005-05:00

(Below are Nicole's thoughts on Chapter 11, A Doubtful and Unbelieving Mind, of Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer. We'd love to hear your thoughts on this chapter as well. Feel free to leave a comment, question and/or scripture below this post. Let's dig deep and join together to fight this battle!)

Bible Verses:
When God promised Abraham that he would become the father of many nations, Abraham believed him. God had also said, "Your descendants will be as numerous as the stars," even though such a promise seemed utterly impossible! And Abraham's faith did not weaken, even though he knew that he was too old to be a father at the age of one hundred and that Sarah, his wife, had never been able to have children. Abraham never wavered in believing God's promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was absolutely convinced that God was able to do anything he promised. And because of Abraham's faith, God declared him to be righteous. - Romans 4:18-22 (Life Application Study Bible)

"All right, come," Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he looked around at the high waves, he was terrified and began to sink. "Save me, Lord." he shouted. Instantly Jesus reached out his hand and grabbed him. "You don't have much faith," Jesus said. "Why did you doubt me?" And then they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. -Matthew 14:29-32 (Life Application Study Bible)

In the previous chapters, we've learned our minds go through many conditions which keep us from living the life that God wants us to live. These mindsets include a wandering, wondering mind and a confused mind. This week, Joyce introduces us to another condition of our minds...a doubtful and unbelieving mind.

Doubt and unbelief...that's a deadly combination if you ask me. When you doubt something, that means you're not too sure if it can happen or not. When you have unbelief in your mind, that means you believe it can not happen. Either one is not a good condition for our mind to be. Unfortunately, Satan uses both of these to try to keep us from having faith.

There are so many good points that Joyce teaches in Chapter 11. Instead of listing them on here, I encourage you to read this chapter several times to really let it sink in.

However, I would like to talk about two very important people that Joyce mentions in Chapter 11....Peter and Abraham. We can learn a lot about our mindsets in dealing with autism by looking back at Peter and Abraham.

Let's start with Abraham. Joyce writes on page 107..."Abraham had been given a promise by God that He would cause him to have an heir from his own body. Many years had come and gone and still there was no child as a result of Abraham and Sarah's relationship. Abraham was still standing in faith, believing what God had said would come to pass. As he stood, he was being attacked with thoughts of doubt, and the spirit of unbelief was pressing him to disobey God." I believe that disobedience in Abraham's case means that Satan wanted him to give up on having a child. Sure, Abraham wasn't perfect. He made his fair share of mistakes. I'm sure he had his moments when unbelief and doubt had a hold of his mind. However, he had faith that God would give him a child no matter how old he was. He kept faithfully pushing forward through all of the storms that came his way. Satan knows how dangerous we are when we have faith. As Joyce writes on page 107, "...so he attacks us with doubt and unbelief."

Which brings us to Peter's story. Immediately after Jesus feeds the five thousand people with five loaves of bread and two fish, he sent them all home. Jesus then made the disciples, including Peter, get on the boat and cross to the other side of the lake. At night time, Jesus decided to go up in the hills to pray by himself. During this time, the winds grew stronger causing the waves in the water to rock the disciples in the boat. Jesus came to them walking on water. The disciples thought he was a ghost. Peter asked Jesus to command him to get out of the boat and walk to Jesus. Jesus did. So Peter got out of the boat. However, doubt and unbelief quickly overtook Peter and he started to sink when he looked at the waves surrounding him. He then shouts to Jesus and asks him to save him. Joyce writes on page 109, "Peter made a mistake; he spent too much time looking at the storm. He became frightened. Doubt and unbelief pressed in on him , and he began to sink."

What if Abraham's mindset was full of doubt and unbelief like Peter's? What if he doubted and didn't believe God's promise that he would have a son. What if he would have looked at the facts surrounding him...his age, his wife's inability to have children? What if he let doubt and unbelief take over his mindset?

We can ask ourselves these same questions with autism. What if I allow doubt and unbelief to creep in and keep me from believing that my child can get better? What if I start doubting that God wants me to reach out to others during this time? What if I only look at the facts surrounding me...my child's age, where he is compared to other children? What would happen in my life, better yet, what would happen in my child's life if I let doubt and unbelief take over my mindset?

You see, only you know what God wants and needs for you to do in your life and through this storm we call autism. Maybe it's to reach out to other moms like yourself. Maybe it's to learn how to reconnect and play again. Maybe it's to share the Word of God with therapists and teachers. No matter what God asks of you, have faith. Like Peter, He wants us to get out of the boat, trust in Him and have faith. However, let's not be like Peter where we look around, get overwhelmed and start sinking as we look at the waves surrounding us in this storm of autism. Let's have faith that God is with us to help us through this storm.

The last thing I wanted to add that just really stood out for me in this chapter was on page 111. Joyce was sharing with us a story about her pastor and how he was wavering between two options in his life. He was given advice from another pastor that I am going to start doing in my life...."Go somewhere, get quite and still, then turn your head off. Look into your heart, see what is there, and do it!" I believe by doing this as well as by staying in the Word of God, we will know when God is talking to us and encouraging us to FAITHFULLY do something. We also be able to recognize when Satan is trying to fill our minds with doubt and unbelief.

Lord,
Thank you for teaching us how to have a mindset for you, full of faith. Help us to cast out any doubt or unbelief and to press forward for you. Encourage us to find our quiet time and place to spend with you and hear from you what we can faithfully do for you.
It's in your name we pray,
Amen

Today's Post...

2011-02-02T07:37:00.003-05:00

Good Morning!
I hope that everyone is doing well! Unfortunately in my house, I have two sick children. As we all know, sick children require a lot more time, attention, love, energy and patience. Therefore, I'm running a little behind on today's post. I hope to have it up by this evening.
Thanks for understanding and please check back in later!
Nicole

Beyond Reason

2011-01-25T13:59:00.008-05:00

(Below are Jessica's thoughts on Chapter 10 of Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer. We'd love to hear your thoughts on this chapter as well. Feel free to leave a comment, question and/or scripture below this post. Let's dig deep and join together to fight this battle.)

Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. -Proverbs 3:5

For as long as I can remember, I have had to fight the urge to over-think things. I still do. Perfectionism, fear of the unknown or of the cost to me personally can overpower the good that God wants me to do if I let myself reason too much. It can also make decision-making much more difficult than it needs to be.

This chapter talks about a confused mind. The bible warns of the dangers of being of two minds in James 1:5-8. When we go back and forth, again and again on an issue or decision, it can rob us of our focus, energy and peace. (I know from experience) This is also why God doesn't want us to worry, but to trust Him completely.

As Joyce teaches us, the battlefield is our mind, and this is where the devil attacks us. God speaks to us in our spirit. Confusion and over-reasoning can lead to the mind overriding what God wants to reveal in our spirit. It is important to understand that we need both, and both ideally work together. Joyce makes this point really well on page 100:

The mind and the spirit do work together, but the spirit is the more noble organ and should always be honored above the mind.

We are to let God lead in the spirit and then follow in obedience with the mind. This doesn't mean acting on whims all the time and not using your mind to think things through. It means that we learn to listen to what God says (both in His word and in our spirit) above all else. God can work things out on our behalf in ways that we can't even imagine. He is not limited to what we can conceive of in our minds, His power and reach are truly beyond anything we could dare to dream. He knows everything that will happen as well as everything that could potentially happen.

We have all heard the expression that "knowledge is power". When you feel helpless and your child is in such great need, it is natural to seek out knowledge that will help. I have spent more hours than I can count researching and comparing various supplements, therapies and approaches that may help my son. It is important to be well-informed, but to stay balanced by not overdoing it. I have found when I overdo the research and reasoning, I end up feeling overwhelmed and confused.

When we trust God, we experience peace and rest in our minds. When our mind is at rest, we can hear from God and be led by the spirit. Only then can we have discernment about whatever we need to decide on. Joyce shares with us that this took getting used to at first. She was so used to her mind being full of reasoning, that peace actually felt "boring". Over time, and after seeing the fruit of peace in her life, she has come to treasure and protect her peace. I have found that my best decisions have come from a place of peace. I am learning to only do that which I have peace over. (this is so hard sometimes!) It does sometimes involve staying where you would rather not be until you have the right answer. (and not just trying something because you can't stand the waiting-like I said, I have experience with this.)

Dear Lord,
Thank you for hearing us whenever we pray to you. I am so grateful to serve a God that already has everything figured out, so that I don't have to. Thank you so much for always having our best interests at heart. I pray for all of the mothers that read this, that we all can experience your perfect peace. May our minds be at rest so that we can hear from you and have true discernment in every area of our lives. I pray that we trust in You fully and do not lean on our own understanding. When we are overwhelmed, confused or distraught over what we don't know, let us be comforted by the thought of knowing You, who is all-knowing, all-seeing and all-powerful. We give you all of the honor, glory and praise, and ask this in Jesus' name.
Amen.

Bible verses:

As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. -Isaiah 55:9

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:6-7

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. -Romans 15:13

“What no eye has seen,
what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”—
the things God has prepared for those who love him—
-1 Corinthians 2:9

Do You Have A Mind That Likes To Wonder or Maybe Wander?

2011-01-19T11:56:00.001-05:00

(Below are Nicole's thoughts on Chapter 9 of Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer. We'd love to hear your thoughts on this chapter as well. Feel free to leave a comment, question and/or scripture below this post. Let's dig deep and join together to fight this battle.)

In Chapter 9, A Wandering, Wondering Mind, Joyce Meyer talks about the importance of gaining control of your mind so that it doesn't wander and so that you don't spend so much time wondering about things you shouldn't.

For me, a wandering mind describes my mind perfectly. Wondering isn't so much of an issue for me as a wandering mind. However, if you have a "wondering mind" I'd love to hear your thoughts on this as well!

What's sad is that my mind doesn't seem to wander during television shows, chitchatting with friends and family or when I check my email. For me, it's during prayer. My prayers at bedtime usually sound a little like this inside my mind...

Dear God, thank you so much for this day today. Thanks for keeping me and my family safe. I'm really needing some help right now with patience and understanding. Oh, I wonder what time we're leaving for the mall tomorrow. I really need to get my grocery list ready before I go. I can't believe that so and so forgot to call me back today. I wonder if I've made them mad. I think I want to go visit my sister soon. I haven't been up there for like 8 months......zzzzzzzzz

What I meant to pray for is my friend whose Grandma recently passed away. For my husband who is overwhelmed at work. For my children's safety. However, before I even started to pray for my friends and family, my mind started to wander. I didn't cover them in prayer like I meant to do. Joyce reminds us throughout chapter 9 about the following...

* An inability to concentrate indicates mental attack from the devil. (p. 87)

* The devil knows that a person cannot discipline himself to complete a project if he cannot discipline his mind and keep it on what he is doing. (p. 89)

* ...if the devil went through the trouble to attack me with a wandering mind, then perhaps something was being said that I needed to hear. (p. 89)

* The devil will give up when he sees that you are not going to give in. (p. 89)

I think about autism and realize how often my prayers aren't heard because of my wandering mind. I completely forget to pray over a new therapy I researched earlier in the day. I forget to give God my worries over my son's progress. It's pretty sad that we can go to God and ask, ask, ask then when it's time for us to listen, listen, listen our minds are not on track and not paying any bit of attention to what He's saying. We're too busy wandering!

In chapter 9, Joyce teaches us that we need to discipline our minds to stop wandering. How do we do this? When we pray, stay focused and make sure we're actually praying and not just saying the words. When we read the Bible, make sure we're comprehending God's word and not just reading the word. My favorite thing that she recommends that we do is to get a cd of your church's service so that you can hear it again and really let it sink in.

I decided to start something new that I'd like to share with you. I am a list maker. I get a lot of comfort out of making a to-do list for my day. There's something about crossing things off my list that makes me feel successful. Therefore, I made a "To Be Prayed Over" list. On this list are things and people I want to pray over, things I'm thankful for and things I need to give to God. Then, I pray over this list throughout the day. At the end of the day when I say my bedtime prayers, my mind will be so focused on what and who I need to pray for that my mind will not have time to wander. The best part is, I'll have prayed all day! Satan will have no room in my mind!

Now, I have to ask you...is your mind wandering? If so, take the time to read this chapter again. Really let God speak to you and tell you what He needs for you to hear. Stop your mind from wandering!

The following are the Bible verses that Joyce has throughout Chapter 9. I've listed them below in New Living Translation.

Bible Verses from Chapter 9

"So think clearly and exercise self-control..." - 1 Peter 1:13

"As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God." - Ecclesiastes 5:1

"I tell you the truth, you can say to the mountain, 'May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you've received it, it will be yours." - Mark 11:23-24

Mind-Spirit Connection

2011-01-12T09:00:00.000-05:00

(Below are Jessica's thoughts on Chapter 8 of Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer. We'd love to hear your thoughts on this chapter as well. Feel free to leave a comment, question and/or scripture in the comment section following the post. Let's dig deep and join together to fight this battle.)

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. -Ephesians 1: 17-19

What is normal? I now think of the expression that "Normal is just a setting on a washing machine." Most of the time I feel like my life is anything but normal because of the ways autism has changed it. Although I treasure my son and praise God for the good He brings out of this alternate situation, I do relish any experience we get to have as a family that resembles what is considered "normal". As we grow and heal, we learn to live in a "new normal" (which is often subject to change), pressing on towards what God has in store for us as mothers and our children with autism.

In this chapter, Joyce emphasizes that as believers, our mind and our spirit are to work together. This allows us to hear from God, be convicted in certain areas of our life that need changing, have His divine guidance and share God's message while we help build faith in others. In order for this to happen, we have to have a normal mind. If our mind is too busy, negative, worried, distracted or overwhelmed, the Holy Spirit can't get through to give us the revelation that we need from God. She describes a normal mind as one that is serene and calm, yet alert and focused.

We keep our mind in its best normal condition by renewing it in the presence of God, and by studying His word. The next step is to speak it out loud and meditate in our thoughts what the word of God says we should be thinking on, as Nicole pointed out from Chapter 7. We can then take this a step further in our prayer life. This is a very concrete and visible way that we can see the mind and spirit at work together.

What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also. -1 Corinthians 14:15

Joyce shares about how this works in her own prayer life. By praying in the spirit, or praying in an unknown tongue, we are able to pray from our spirit directly to the Holy Spirit. She will often begin her prayer time by praying in the spirit, and then something will come to mind in her own tongue (English). If she doesn't feel the stirring of the spirit within her, she will begin by praying about what is in her mind, and continue until the Holy Spirit draws her attention to a specific area. It is important to have both the mind and spirit involved for balance. We know that we are praying as God wants us to in the spirit, but lack understanding of what God wants us to know if the spirit can't enlighten our mind.

I would like to share a portion of my own testimony in this area. In the early days of autism, as I was first dealing with a diagnosis, I leaned on my own understanding. I frantically researched and sought out intervention after intervention, thinking that the more I tried in the shortest time, the better my son's outcome would be. In addition to the pain of the loss, I was overwhelmed and frantic to find the answers that would recover my son. Reflecting this on what Joyce teaches us in this chapter, this was not a normal mind that could easily hear from God. However, in my great pain I reached out to God and He heard me. He graciously blessed me and gave me opportunities that I couldn't have gotten on my own. He set me on a path to help my son, heal my heart and help others, even when I didn't always have the right kind of peace in my mind.

I believe that Spectrum Spirit is not only to help other mothers but is a special gift of God to me personally, to help me grow in Him, love and serve Him better. Another important turning point was two years ago, when I brought my son to a spirit-filled prayer meeting to receive prayer. As I continued to attend this prayer group, I received my own experience of being filled with the Holy Spirit. I definitely relate to the way that Joyce explains this part of her prayer life. I am still young in this area and growing, but do feel as though I can talk to and hear from God with more certainty. This helps me to be more at peace and better allow God to lead me. After the spirit of God comes into you after becoming a believer, we can experience a release of the gifts and become full of the Holy Spirit. This can happen through personal prayer/meditation and also through the laying on of hands. The important thing is to have the Holy Spirit, in whatever way God wishes to give, and a peaceful, normal mind so that we can "open the eyes of our heart" and hear God's voice.

Dear Lord, Thank you for hearing us when we pray to you. Help us with your grace to trust in you fully, and set our minds at ease. Lift the burdens and cares of our daily responsibilities and free us from all worry about the future. Renew our minds and let our focus be on you. Fill us with your Holy Spirit and healing love. Open the eyes of our heart and lead us to true understanding, which can only be found in you. Show us the way in which to go and give us your joy to be our strength. We give you all glory, honor and praise for what you are doing in our lives and ask all of this in Jesus' most precious and holy name. Amen.

Lining Up Our Thoughts With God's Word

2011-01-05T10:00:00.003-05:00

(Below are Nicole's thoughts on Chapter 7 of Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer. We'd love to hear your thoughts on this chapter as well. Feel free to leave a comment, question and/or scripture in the comment section following the post. Let's dig deep and join together to fight this battle.)

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will. -Romans 12:2

Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Phillipians 4:8

"Consider carefully what you hear," he continued "with the measure you use, it will be measured to you-even more." Mark 4:24

The following are the points that Joyce Meyer made in Chapter 7 that had the most impact on me....

- The Word of God teaches us what we should spend our time thinking about. (p. 63)
- It is very beneficial to think about God's Word. The more time a person spends meditating on the Word, the more he will reap from the Word. (p. 63)
- ....we will get from the Word what we put into it. (p. 63)
- The flesh is basically lazy, and many people want to get something for nothing (with no effort on their part); however, that really is not the way it works. I will say it again, a person will get out of the Word what he is willing to put into it. (p. 64)
- How much time do you spend thinking about the Word of God? If you are having problems in any area of your life, an honest answer to this question may disclose the reason why. (p 65)
- Your mind plays an important role in your victory. (p. 67)
- By this process of new thinking we will be changed or transformed into what God intends us to be. (p. 67)

This next point just really hit home for me. It has changed me dramatically. I'm excited for the doors it's going to open for me.

- Many people will be in heaven because they truly accepted Jesus as their Savior, but many of these same people will never have walked in victory or enjoyed the good plan God had for their lives because they did not get their mind renewed according to His Word. (p. 68)

Think about how much time we truly spend in His Word. Studying it. Memorizing it. Truly knowing Him. I can honestly tell I do not spend any where near the amount of time that I need to right now. I sit hear and wonder why God hasn't answered me or shown me what I should do next for my son. Well, He's right there waiting patiently for me to dive into His Word. Truly knowing His Word is going to change my thinking. There won't be room for confusion, worry or doubt when I'm constantly learning about His love, giving and hope. However, for me to truly change my thinking, I need to get out all of the clutter. I need to shut of the television and study my Bible. I need to turn off my Black Eyed Peas music and turn on some Toby Mac, Mercy Me or Creed. It's all about what we put into our minds as to what thoughts are then produced. If we have nothing but good going in, our positive thinking will come out on top. I'm not saying that we should only watch Christian shows and listen to Christian music. I love some of today's new music. However, I think it's important that in today's negative society we pour alot more of the "positives" in our minds. Doing all of this will help keep us on track to lining up our thoughts with what God has written in his Word.

You see, God can't do the work He needs to do in our lives if we don't know Him. The best way to know God is through His Word. The more we know His Word, the more we can't help but be positive thinkers and look forward to everything in life. And the easier His Will can be done in our lives and in this world. By lining up our thoughts with God's Word, we will then have a much easier time figuring out which thoughts are from Satan, which are just pure nonsense and which thoughts are the good ones. Look at page 69 in Chapter 7. Joyce writes "Thinking about what you're thinking about is very valuable because Satan usually deceives people into thinking that the source of their misery or trouble is something other than what it really is. He wants them to think they are unhappy due to what is going on around them (their circumstances), but the misery is actually due to what is going on inside them (their thoughts.)" Truly knowing and "getting" God's Word makes this process so much easier.

So, I ask you, like Joyce did...what do you spend a majority of your time thinking about? Instead of thinking so much, pick up His Word and see what He can bring to the table. I'll bet you anything it'll help you be more aware of your thoughts and how to make them better.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

2010-12-22T10:35:00.002-05:00

We hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a very happy New Year. We will not be doing a study this week or next so that we may all slow down and really find the Christmas spirit this year. Try not to get caught up in the stress and making everything important. Let's all slow down and really "be" with our children as we celebrate the day that Christ was born!

We'll continue our study with Chapters 7 and 8 after the New Year! If you have a prayer request or a praise, please share so that we may all lean on each other this Christmas season!

With lots of love,
Chrissy, Jessica and Nicole

Delivered and Set Free

2010-12-15T05:45:00.004-05:00

(Below are Jessica's thoughts on Chapter 6 of Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer. We'd love to hear your thoughts on this chapter as well. Feel free to leave a comment, question or scripture in the comment section below this post. Let's dig deep and join together to fight this battle!)

Have you ever felt like you were bound, blocked, or just too confused to see what was once made so clear to you by God? The first thing I thought of as I read this chapter was the very beginning of this journey with autism, when I was researching, researching, researching. I felt nearly paralyzed and completely overwhelmed with all I could pursue to help my son. I relate to this where I am now also, as trials of various sorts come at me as I do my best to maintain everything I have in place and follow where we are meant to go. Sometimes the present crisis takes so much attention that it is easy to forget all that God has done for us in the past. It is easy and quite understandable to be thrown off focus in this way with so much going on.

It becomes very apparent in these times that we need to lean on God's understanding completely. Joyce shares a struggle that she had early in her ministry with confusion, self-doubt and unbelief. This nearly threw her completely off course to where she couldn't possibly see how her ministry could grow into what God had showed her it would be. In prayer, the Holy Spirit revealed and confirmed repeatedly that there were "mind binding spirits" at work. As soon as she prayed for deliverance, she was set free and was able to believe again.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. -Romans 8:26

This journey requires faith, stamina and motivation far beyond what any of us could have imagined. The only way to have this is through God. If we ask in prayer, the Holy Spirit will reveal to us things that we could not possibly know otherwise and lead us to pray the way we need to. We are drawn closer to God into deeper relationship and are better able to be used by Him.

As Joyce prayed for her deliverance, she confessed these two passages of scripture, out loud:

John 8:31-32
If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."

Psalm 107:20
He sent His word and healed them,
And delivered them from their destructions.

I love the way Joyce reminds us that God "chooses weak and foolish things to confound the wise" (1 Cor 1:27, p.58). It may seem to others that we are foolish in our hope, optimism, faith and the lengths we are willing to go to for our children. It makes me feel better to know that even at my weakest moment, God can and will use me for something great. So if you've ever felt like you were too weak, confused, tired, weighed down or overwhelmed to make any difference, take heart! You are in very good company, as one who can be used by God in extraordinary ways.

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for hearing us when we pray to you. Thank you for each and every mother that you draw closer to you and for all of the ways you have blessed us as we raise our children with autism. In the name of your son Jesus, and by the power of His blood, we come against any "mind-binding spirits" that have been causing difficulty as we live to fulfill your purposes. In Jesus' name, set us free from anything that holds us back and is not of you. Fill us with your Holy Spirit, give us faith, insight, wisdom, love, healing and deliverance where you know we need it most. We turn from our old ways of relying on ourselves and surrender fully to you. We trust in Your ways and Your perfect plan for our lives and the lives of our children. Speak Lord, we are listening. We ask this in Jesus' name.
Amen.

It All Begins With Being Positive

2010-12-07T15:17:00.003-05:00

(Below are Nicole's thoughts on Chapter 5 of Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer. We'd love to hear your thoughts on this chapter as well. Feel free to leave a comment, question or scripture in the comment section below this post. Let's dig deep and join together to fight this battle!)

....it shall be done for you as you have believed.... -Matthew 8:13

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.... -Proverbs 23:7

Negative Nancy....have you ever been called that before? I'm sure we all have. It's so hard in today's society to not be negative. We look at all of the devastation around us in this time of war, this time of poverty and this time of sickness and it's very hard to be positive. However, what Joyce teaches us in Chapter 5 is that now is the time for us to be positive. It doesn't mean you run around being Miss Perfect-Happy-Go-Lucky. It means that you have the faith in God to help you through any negativities that are thrown your way. You accept your situation and realize that it is happening but you also rely on God to allow the good to come out of it.

Being a positive person doesn't mean you are living in your own little perfect world where nothing can go wrong. It means that you can be the person that Joyce reminded us that Apostle Paul tells us to be in Romans 12:16....the kind who plans things but doesn't fall apart if the plan don't work out. I think back to the moment I was told I was having twins. For the next three years, I had our lives planned out. They would be the best of friends. They would go to school together. They would build forts throughout the house. Climb trees. Play in the treehouses. I even had them marrying sisters. All of a sudden, my plans came crashing down when one of boys was diagnosed with autism. Then, over the next three years I slowly watched their relationship change. I didn't have a choice. I had to change my plans. They were now in two different schools. One would make new friends. One would try his hardest to get his brother to play with him. Climb trees, build forts, chase him around the yard. He didn't care, just play with him. While the other slipped into his own world as we desperately tried to get him to be with us. As his mother, I had no choice. My plans changed. I couldn't be disappointed because then I felt like I was disappointed in God. This is the life we were given. God knows what we need in our lives. We just have to adjust our plans a little. Yes, my boys are the best of friends. Sure they may need a little help from me but they climb trees together, build forts, and play in the treehouses. (I even have two sisters picked out for them who live right up the street.)

Here's the thing, if we consume our minds with negative thoughts how in the world will good ever prevail in this world. Sure it hurts if what we hope for doesn't come true. But how much more sad is it if it doesn't come true because we didn't hope for it. As we pray for God's will to be done in our lives, we have to accept whatever his will is and know that it is the best for us all.

No matter what is thrown at us in this life...autism, cancer, divorce, poverty....we have to remember what Joyce tells us on page 50...."have a ready mind". Having a ready mind isn't being negative. It's basically accepting what is going on, being positive and trusting that God is with you through it. There's a bigger reason that we can not see.

I'd like to close this post with what Joyce says on page 50 in regards to the young lady whose engagement was broken off. (She put a small paragraph showing us how to have a positive ready mind.) However, I've changed it up a bit to focus it around our children having autism. I hope it helps you as much as it has me today.

...I'm really sad that my child has autism, but I'm going to trust God. I hope my children will still be the closest friends, share the deepest secrets and the have the most fun together. I am going to ask and believe that my son will be healed from autism; but more than anything, I want God's perfect will. If it doesn't turn out the way I want it to, I'll survive, because Jesus lives in me. It may be hard for a while, but I trust in the Lord. I believe that in the end everything will work out for the best.....

As Joyce puts it afterwards...."this is facing the facts, having a ready mind and still being positive."

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. -Proverbs 3:5

Dear Lord, I thank you so much for everything you are giving us through this study. I pray that you will keep us all safe from negative thoughts. Help us see the positive in everything that comes our way but to most of all trust in you. Amen.

Little by Little

2010-12-01T12:36:00.000-05:00

(Below are Jessica's thoughts for Chapter 4 of Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer. We'd love to hear your thoughts on this chapter as well. Feel free to leave a comment, question or scripture in the comment section below each post. Let's dig deep and join together to fight this battle!)

And the Lord your God will clear out the nations before you, little by little; you may not consume them quickly, lest the beasts of the field increase among you. -Deuteronomy 7:22

This is a chapter I really needed to read, right now. I have been struggling with discouragement and it has been very hard to keep focus on what I need to do. That plus the beginning of the holiday season, and some other stressors make me really "get" the whole "Battlefield of the Mind" concept. I'm going to start out with what jumped at me right away, as if God meant it just for me.

"When you fail (which you will), that doesn't mean that you are a failure" (p. 40). Just last night, in a moment of weakness I asked my husband, "Am I failing Matthew?". In the light of discouragement (or as Joyce puts it, lack of hope), I was only seeing what he couldn't yet do. The truth of the matter is that my son is growing, learning and progressing-but little by little, often in a back-and-forth fashion, not in huge spurts. Joyce reminds us that we should turn to Christ and let Him be our strength when we feel weak. As long as we keep getting back up, and leaning on God, we can't fail. If I am doing what God wants me to do (which I believe that I am) and he is there every step of the way (which I know he is), then I know that only victory can be the final outcome.

Why are you so cast down, O my inner self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted withing me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, my Help and my God. -Psalm 42:5

Joyce identifies condemnation and discouragement as key weapons that the devil uses in an attempt to keep us from reaching our victory. This is a good time to use our weapon, the weapon of the Word, and speak out loud the truth of God over our lives. There are some key verses that I lean on heavily in difficult times:

Jeremiah 29:11
Romans 8:28
Philippians 4:13
Isaiah 40:31

Hope is the opposite of discouragement and getting ourselves in line with God's will for our lives will involve putting more weight on what God says for our lives than our feelings or even what we see in front of us. Hope creates strength and energizes us. There is great power in praying out loud the word of God and also in praise during the times you least feel like it. Praise keeps us connected to God, the source of all things at all times. It also confuses the enemy when we are praising when it feels more logical to despair.

I like how Joyce gives us two different scripts to illustrate negative versus positive thoughts. In this respect, I would like to humbly offer this prayer:

Dear Lord, I thank you for hearing and answering our prayers. I thank you for your love, faithfulness and patience with our human frailty. Thank you for setting us free from condemnation and for carrying the cross on our behalf. It is by your blood that we are made right with you. Help us to remember this always, especially in times of discouragement. Help us to always stay mindful of what you say about our future and our potential. Thank you for telling us in your word that you want good things for our lives and for your encouragement and your mercy. Give us the grace we need to develop the fruit of patience that you placed within us as we persevere toward our victory, little by little. We ask all of these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.

With Thankful Hearts

2010-11-22T09:27:00.011-05:00

(This week we are sharing five things relating to our journey with autism which we are most grateful to God for. We encourage you to share the ways that God has blessed you also by posting a comment. Each of us is gifted, loved and blessed by God in a unique way. We are sure that everyone will be encouraged by what we all share.)

Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
-Psalm 100: 4-5

Jessica's List:

1. God- Without the guidance and wisdom of the Holy Spirit, I would be completely, 100% lost as to how to help my child. At best, I would have a shot in the dark. God's unfailing love and forgiveness have been a constant. There have been many times where I've wanted to give in to the temptation to just try things out of desperation to help my son or felt lost from frustration or sadness. God has always been faithful and helped me to get back up again each and every time.

2. Matthew- Through all of this I have the most amazing, sweet, resilient little boy to cherish, teach and love. He brings so much happiness, love and joy to my life.

3. Being a witness to miracles-Every step forward is appreciated so much more, and is such a source of hope for me. Autism is so very hard sometimes, but the rewards of seeing my son reach a new milestone are truly amazing.

4. A community of autism moms-This is a club that I never wanted to belong to, but is filled with the most determined and inspiring people anyone could hope to meet. I love the way we support, help and strengthen one another.

5. The change in my heart- Having a child with autism is continuously challenging on so many levels. As I learn, heal and grow, I get to know God better every day. I am also better at relating to others who are suffering and have a much greater capacity for love and compassion. In relation to this, I am also so grateful for any chance to use my pain and also my victories to help and encourage other mothers.

Nicole's List:

1. God- I am so thankful that you, God, continue to amaze me. On days where I just don't feel like I can give any more, you surprise me with the comfort and the motivation that I need. I am so thankful that I know you and know the power that you have over everything in this world.

2. Sean's Voice: I know there are days where I ask for so much God. Days when I beg and plead for you to help my son be able to hold a conversation with me. Days when I bargain with you to help my children form that brotherly relationship that other brothers have. Today God, I want you to know how thankful I am just to hear the sound of my son's voice. Whether it's scripting, a one word phrase or one of his phenomenal sentences I never thought I'd hear, I thank you for every sound he makes.

3. Friends: I have to give kudos to you God for giving me the friends who don't have children on the spectrum. Yes, they may not totally "get it" however, they help me appreciate things in a whole new light. Thank you for giving me friends and neighbors I can lean on, cry with and see the miracles that you do with my son.

4. My husband and my family: I thank you God for giving me a husband who is hard working and a wonderful father. Thank you for giving him the heart and the passion to want to help his children and most importantly want to spend time with them. I also thank you for blessing me with a family that is always there to lift us up when we need it.

5. Sean's Twin Brother, Hunter: I'll never forget the moment you let me know that I was having twins God. The excitement, the fear, the happiness, the fear :). I was so honored that you trusted me with two at one time. After Sean was diagnosed with autism, it was extremely difficult for me to accept the fact that one had autism and the other didn't. Then I was concerned what that would do to their "twin relationship." Yet you never failed me. You gave me Hunter, an amazing little boy who wants nothing but to help his brother be happy. You helped him form an exceptional "twin relationship" with Sean that they both treasure. You never cease to amaze me God.

We hope that you all have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving and look forward to resuming our study of Battlefield of the Mind next Wednesday!

Jessica, Nicole and Chrissy

What are you thankful for?

Let's Never Quit on God

2010-11-16T14:35:00.006-05:00

(Below are Nicole's thoughts for Chapter 3 of Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer. We'd love to hear your thoughts on this chapter as well. Feel free to leave a comment, question or scripture in the comment section below each post. Let's dig deep and join together to fight this battle!)

And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint. -Galations 6:9

In Chapter 3, Don't Give Up, Joyce Meyer encourages us to stay strong and never give up. We are reminded of Galations 6:9 and how Paul encourages us to do the same thing. How hard it is though, to keep pressing forward when we see no results or no end in sight. I think about my child having autism. On the days were I see some sort of praise, accomplishment or hope it's easy for me not to give up on this battle in my mind. However, on the days where we have a lot of stimming, behaviors and no connecting, Satan has lots of room to take over with negative thoughts and worries.

Joyce reminds us of Isaiah 43:2...

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you. -Isaiah 43:2

In other words, God is with us every step of the way. I'm sure you've heard the saying of God will never give you too much that you can't handle. That's exactly what Isaiah 43:2 is saying while letting us know that God is with us through it all. On page 33, Joyce writes "The way God helps us make spiritual progress is by being with us to strengthen and encourage us to 'keep on keeping on' in rough times." We just have to believe.

Once we've made our choice to trust in God, sometimes we have to do so on a daily basis. Here Joyce shares with us Deuteronomy 30:19...

I call heaven and earth to witness this day against you that I have set before you life and death, the blessings and the curses; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live. -Deuteronomy 30:19

Here is where Joyce teaches us to make that daily decision of following the flesh or following the Spirit. We are told how easy it is to follow the flesh because we've been doing so our entire lives. However, now that we want to follow the Spirit, we need to make this choice daily. I think about what Joyce says on page 34 "When we begin to feel that the battle of the mind is just too difficult and that we aren't going to make it, then we must be able to cast down that kind of thinking and choose to think that we are going to make it!" As parents of children with autism, I think we need to write this quote down and carry it with us throughout the day. It's so easy to fall down to the negative thinking. What will my son be like when he's older? What if he never gets better? Is it my fault that he has autism? What if he doesn't want to play with the other children? Will he ever say a word in his life? We've all been there. The scary part to all of this is that our negative thoughts are like a snowball effect. The longer we think them, the more negative thoughts come into our minds. I believe it's important in moments like this that we not only cast the negative thoughts out of our minds quickly but that we bombard our minds with the positive things as well. As Joyce says on page 43 "Our thoughts become our words." Let's start thinking more positive thoughts so that our children hear more positive words. If all we're thinking is more negative then positive, our mood will be negative, our words will be negative and our children will feel it.

I love how Joyce shares with us the idea behind God being our "computer programmer." In other words, he has to take a life full of the wrong way to think and reprogram us to think the positive thoughts. It takes time but she reminds us that he's the best "computer programmer" ever.

I think one of the best things that Joyce included in this chapter is the section called "Turn and Take Possession!" Here we read about Moses when he pointed out to the Isrealites that it's only a short journey to the Promised Land but it's taken them forty years to find it.

"The Lord our God said to us in Horeb, You have dwelt long enough on this mountain. Turn and take up your journey and go to the hill country of the Amorites....Behold, I have set the land before you; go in and take possession of the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give to them and to their descendants after them." -Deutoronomy 1:6-8

Joyce then asks us..."have you dwelt long enough on the same mountain? Have you spent forty years trying to make an eleven day trip?" I think I can be honest with you and share with you my answer. I have. I am stuck on a mountain and turning what should be a short amount of time into a long journey. It's time for me to make that daily choice, sometimes hourly choice, to get the negative thoughts out, never give up, have faith and trust in God that if my worries would come true that he would do what he promises in Isaiah 43:2 and I will not be overwhelmed, the fire will not burn me and it will definitely not overtake me.

Dear Lord,

As we come together to learn how to win this crazy battle between negative thinking and positive thinking, we thank you for always being there with us. We ask that you help us remember when a negative thought is overtaking us that we push it out of our mind immediately and bring in positive thoughts. We know that no matter what is brought our way, you have a bigger plan and are with us every step of the way. And we ask for your forgiveness when we allow the negative thinking to multiply in our minds instead of bringing it to you.

Amen

You Are What You Think

2010-11-10T06:24:00.002-05:00

(Below are Jessica's thoughts on Chapter 2 of Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer. We'd love to hear your thoughts on this chapter as well. Feel free to leave a comment, question or even scripture on the comment section below this post. Let's dig deep and join to together to fight this battle!)

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he...
(Proverbs 23:7)

Throughout this chapter, Joyce Meyer points out the parallel between our the quality of our thoughts and the state of our physical life. Aside from the verse cited above, the very first point she makes is that we can't "have a positive life and a negative mind" (p. 27).

As I reflect on the battles in my own mind, I can see clear patterns of how this works. If I am not vigilant, my thoughts and will automatically follow how I may feel physically or emotionally. If I am tired, it is easy to let my thoughts go down with my energy level. Before I know it, if I'm not careful I will be talking myself out of feeling productive. If I am feeling sad or anxious, my thoughts can spiral downward into all the reasons why I will fail at something or why I should not have hope. Also, if my mind is unoccupied, a random suggestion or thought can derail my focus and in certain situations lead to negative thinking. It is no coincidence that we feel attacked in our thoughts when we are feeling physically or emotionally vulnerable. As Nicole pointed out last week, our enemy has studied us carefully and knows our weaknesses.

The weapons Joyce mentions are praise, prayer and the word of God. We've heard the expression in sports that the best offense is a good defense. If we are going to win the battle in our mind, we've got to take action beforehand to make sure we are headed in the right direction with our thoughts.

Let's start with praise-I have heard that we can choose to either start our day saying "Good morning Lord!" or "Good Lord, it's morning...". I find that it helps me to begin the day with some sort of blessing like this. Like Nicole, I am also homeschooling my son with autism. This has been a wonderful blessing for our entire family and is truly an honor. However, there are days when I'm tired, not feeling well or just not always as motivated as I'd like to be. We start the day singing "This is the day that the Lord has made" (VeggieTales version). As soon as the song starts playing, he's on my lap smiling at me while I sing. Each and every time it makes me smile inside and so glad that we have this special time to learn together.

Prayer- It really was a good reminder for me to read that we can't conquer our thoughts on our own. No matter how much we strive or how many good intentions we have, there is no way to do this without God. In our prayers we can ask the Holy Spirit to guide us and show us where and how to improve. God alone can give us the grace we need, this has to be a cooperative effort.

God's word-Throughout all of our bible studies, the importance of staying in the word is always highlighted. This really makes so much sense in the context of this book. By taking the time to renew our minds and meditate on God's word, we are in the key position to advance in this battle. For one thing, renewing our minds keeps us from feeling spiritually depleted and vulnerable to attack in this way. For another, we can fill our minds with good thoughts, God's thoughts, so that there is no room for negative thoughts to take up residence.

It is so important for us to understand how this works so that we can stay focused on our God-given work and not lose our peace. Joyce also reminds us that our actions and speech are the fruits of our thoughts. As I mentioned before, none of us should feel like a failure because we've tried and tried but just can't fix our thought life. We really do need the guidance and grace from the Holy Spirit. This is something that can take time to undo and heal, so we need to be patient with ourselves and trust God fully. He wants more than anything for us to lead positive lives with positive thoughts and won't give up on us until we do.

Bible verses:

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
-Romans 12:2

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
-Romans 8:14

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. -Ephesians 2: 8-9

LORD, you are my God;
I will exalt you and praise your name,
for in perfect faithfulness
you have done wonderful things,
things planned long ago.
-Isaiah 25:1

Spiritual Weapons For Your Mind

2010-11-03T09:00:00.001-04:00

(Below are Nicole's thoughts for the Introduction and Chapter 1 of Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer. We'd love to hear your thoughts on this chapter as well. Feel free to leave a comment, question or even scripture on the comment section below this post. Let's dig deep and join to together to fight this battle!)

Joyce Meyer begins Battlefield of the Mind with this scripture in the Introduction....

For the weapons of our warfare are not physical (weapons of flesh and blood), but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds. (Inasmuch as we) refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the (true) knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). -2 Corinthians 10:4,5

Chapter 1 begins with...

For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood (contending only with physical opponents), but against the despotisms, against the powers, against (the master spirits who are) the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere. -Ephesians 6:12

Both of these scriptures prove that Joyce Meyer is 100% correct. Our mind is a battlefield and we need to find our weapons quickly. We really don't understand how powerful our thoughts are.

"For as he (a person) thinks in his heart, so is he." -Proverbs 23:7

So, what are you thinking? What thoughts hold you captive all throughout the day, every day? Sometimes at night? For me, it's my children, my family. Usually it pertains to worrying about something. Mainly, autism. Sure, I can easily jump on the band wagon of having positive thoughts and not worrying. But like Joyce tells us in Chapter 1, Satan is patient. He knows my weaknesses and how to get me. Now I need my spiritual weapons.

Our three strongest weapons are the Word of God, prayer and praise. These three weapons can destroy Satan's plans. Here's the key...we need to spend as much time as possible in God's Word. Joyce encourages us to do this through "preaching, teaching, books, tapes, seminars, and private Bible study. But we must "abide" (continue) in the Word until it becomes revelation given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Continuing is important." She then reminds us of Mark 4:24..."The measure (of thoughts and study) you give (to the truth you hear) will be the measure (of virtue and knowledge) that comes back to you." The more time we spend knowing his Word the quicker we are to praise him and to pray to him.

Joyce also tells us about how Jesus used his spiritual weapons to fight the devil's temptations in the wilderness for 40 days. I remember hearing about this in church when I was little. (Luke 4:1-13) I remember thinking how important it was that I memorized scripture so that when I die if Satan tries to trick me I can fight him off and go straight to Heaven. What I didn't realize then that Joyce has shown me now is that we are in our wilderness now. Now is the time for us to know God's Word so that we know when a thought is from the devil and when it's the Holy Spirit nudging us. We need to pray to God asking for his help and praise Him for all of the wonderful things that are happening in our lives. We need to use our spiritual weapons to defeat Satan.

One of the biggest strongholds that Satan has on me is my family, particularly my children. He knows how to whisper my deepest fears at just the right moment to keep me from doing what God needs for me to do. I homeschool my son who has autism. Every Sunday night, I plan my entire week of schooling and usually come Monday morning I'm motivated and ready to go. Little by little, different thoughts slowly come in to my mind....he's not really learning anything from you, you're not that great of a teacher, he's totally blocking you out of his world...why are you even trying, you're tired...take the day off. Little by little he takes over my thoughts until finally I've given up. I have no patience. I'm frustrated. I question whether I should be homeschooling my child in the first place. (Enter the spiritual weapons here.) I pray. I ask God to show me if I'm doing the right thing. I praise him and thank him for giving me the ability to stay home and homeschool him. I ask him for help to reach my son. I pick up my Bible, read a devotion online or talk to a fellow believer friend and I'm ready. I'm ready for this war in my mind. I can't let Satan take over my thoughts, my mood and who I am. It's at this point I truly see the blessings in my son. I see him make gains in his academics that he's been struggling to do. Sure it may not be the gains I wanted to see by now but it's a gain and he's moving forward.

We have to remember that Satan knows us. He knows our weaknesses and when it's best to attack us. However, we also have to remember how mighty our God is and that he's fighting this war with us. It is so important that we do not let Satan win this battle in our minds. He's tricky and he can make anything look good even when it's not. The longer we let it continue, the stronger his hold gets on us.

Remember what Joyce writes on page 23..."...Jesus always stands ready to fulfill His promise to set the captives free. He will walk us across the finish line of victory in any area if we are willing to go all the way through it with Him."

Lord,
Thank you for giving us a heart to want to know more about you and what we can do for you. We know that our minds are subjected to Satan on a daily, hourly and by the second basis and we ask that you help us continue to dive into your Word so that Satan may not have any hold of our minds.
We ask this in Your Name,
Amen

Trials

2010-10-26T19:58:00.003-04:00

Each day in my inbox, I receive a devotional called, "Today's Word with Joel and Victoria". I find Joel Osteen's messages to be very positive and uplifting, especially when I feel I am struggling the most. Our walk with autism is filled with many trials. I felt that we all could use this post, entitled Don't Be Surprised. It reminds us that trials are inevitable but we can look forward to victory if we stay in faith. I hope that this encourages you as much as it has me.

Faith

2010-10-20T18:34:00.002-04:00

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." -Hebrews 11:1

Coming Up Next

2010-10-13T09:00:00.003-04:00

We hope you enjoyed our study of Rick Warren's A Purpose Driven Life. For our next book, we have selected Joyce Meyer's Battlefield of the Mind: Winning the Battle in Your Mind. We will be working from the book and the study guide in order to get the most out of this important topic, which is so relevant for our fellow autism parents.

We look forward to beginning our new study on November 3rd. Until then, please continue to join us each week as we share uplifting and inspirational scripture.

A Living Statement

2010-10-06T06:00:00.001-04:00

(Below are Jessica's thoughts on Day 40 of The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. Please know that what we all learn from a study is usually different. Therefore, if you would like, we encourage you to share your thoughts in the comment section below each post. We're sure you will lift someone's spirit!)

This is it, Day 40, we are now equipped with knowledge about all five of our God-given purposes for our lives here on earth. I'd like to list each one briefly with a verse of scripture from the previous days, so that we can also restate these purposes for ourselves in God's words.

1. We were planned for God's pleasure.

The Lord is pleased with those who worship him and trust his love.
-Psalm 147:11

2. We were formed for God's family.

Think how much the Father loves us. He loves us so much that he lets us be called his children, as we truly are. -1 John 3:1

3. We were created to become like Christ.

Love should always make us tell the truth. Then we will grow in every way and be more like Christ, the head of the body. Christ holds it all together and makes all of its parts work perfectly, as it grows and becomes strong because of love. -Ephesians 4: 15-16

4. We were shaped for serving God.

Each of you has been blessed with one of God's many wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others. -1 Peter 4:10

5. We were made for a mission.

Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world. -Matthew 28: 18-19

Day 40 recommends that we clarify further what this means in each of our lives by developing a Life Purpose Statement. This is something that will take us some time and effort, but can briefly and effectively keep us focused each day as we strive to live with God's purpose. In order to do this, we need to examine what the following aspects of Christian life mean to us:

1. Worship
"When God's at the center, you worship. When he's not, you worry." -Rick Warren, p. 314
This determines and points out the very center of our lives. If God is at the center, then we do not have to fear what life may bring us. We trust that all things will work out for our good (Romans 8:28) and will have the strength we need for any situation. (Philippians 4:13).

2. Discipleship
"God is far more interested in what you are than what you do." -Rick Warren, p. 314
God sees our hearts, and he wants us to use each situation in our lives to build and share the character of Christ. Good works done without right intentions ulitimately do not build God's kingdom and will not help you to become more like Christ. Real change starts from within, once God changes our hearts, our lives and relationships reflect this and blessings flow.

3. Service
This is where we determine what our greatest contribution will be. By taking an inventory of our God-given passions and gifts we can decide who we can help best and how.

4. Mission
Our mission is to bring others to the knowledge and salvation of Jesus Christ. On page 316, Rick Warren states, "Before most unbelievers accept the Bible as credible, they want to know that we are credible." The way we outwardly live our lives reflects our inner relationship with God. We can't teach others about God's love without showing a true example of this in our own lives. We need to keep our "walk" with God strong so that our "talk" has a true and lasting impact.

5. Fellowship
Although each of us has unique gifts and passions to fulfill God's purpose, none of us were meant to do this alone. Jesus loved his church enough to give his life, and he wants us to know this kind of love as well. We need to have good church communities, as well as communities of friends and family to nurture, strengthen and grow the body of Christ. Our community can shine a new light on our lives as we develop our Life Purpose Statement.

This is alot to consider and we are encouraged to take as long as we need to develop our Life Purpose Statement. Rick Warren also recommends that we make a smaller slogan-type statement that can easily be committed to memory and gives some great examples of how to do this. (see p. 317)

Most important, we are to take away from this book that everything is secondary to God's purpose for our lives. Once we set our lives to focus on God's purposes, we will be blessed because we are operating in God's will.

All for God's Glory

2010-09-29T09:00:00.000-04:00

(Below are Nicole's thoughts on Day 38 & Day 39 of The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. Please know that what we all learn from a study is usually different. Therefore, we encourage you to share your thoughts and what you've learned in the comments section below each post. We're sure you'll lift someone's spirit.)

"WHAT ON EARTH AM I HERE FOR?"
These words have been screaming at me from the front of The Purpose Driven Life book since we started this study in April. It's something I always wondered. What is my goal in life? After my son was diagnosed with autism five years ago I thought it was to help other mothers who don't know Jesus get to know him. After reading The Purpose Driven Life, I've realized it's so much bigger than that. Sure I need to reach out to other moms who have children with autism to show them how much Jesus can and will help us through this difficult time. However, it's so much bigger than autism. Autism is my platform. That's where I start. Where I go from there is up to me.

Day 38 & Day 39 really started to pull the whole book together for me. Day 38 taught me that I need to not only think about reaching out to my family and my friends and to local moms who have children on the spectrum, I also need to reach out to the entire world. That's a big job to put on someone's plate that already has a lot on it. But, stop and think about it. Who all are you in contact with that doesn't know the strength we have in Jesus? I have family members, friends, neighbors, teachers, therapists, doctors, friends on Facebook, friends on Yahoo groups, and so many more. We have been placed in their paths for a reason. How do we start? How can we make a difference in this world for God?

On Day 38, Rick Warren shares with us that one of the best things we can do is pray. On page 301, he says "The Bible tells us to pray for opportunities to witness, for courage to speak up, for those who will believe, for the the rapid spread of the message, and for more workers." He goes on "People may refuse our love or reject our message, but they are defenseless against our prayers." We need to start our mission by praying. God will lead us to our mission. Whether it's through the Internet or taking a journey across the world, it will happen. We just need to open ourselves up for it. I love how Rick Warren says on page 304 "There are over 6 billion people on earth, and Jesus wants all his lost children found." How can you do your part to help? Start by praying.

On Day 39, we learn about balancing our lives. The Purpose Driven Life has taught us the five most important things to living our lives for God's purpose. On page 310, Rick Warren reminds us of how Jesus used these five things to prepare his disciples to do the same. "He helped them to know and love God (worship), taught them to love each other (fellowship), gave them the Word so they could grow to maturity (discipleship), showed them how to serve (ministry), and sent them out to tell others (mission). Jesus modeled a purpose-driven life, and he taught others how to live it, too. That was the "work" that brought glory to God." After everything that Jesus has done for us and continues to do for us, why shouldn't we be living a purpose-driven life as well? It all starts with a prayer. Praying is easy. God will show us where we need to be and who we need to help as long as we let him in. How much easier our lives would be if we could remember this. Remember what Rick Warren said on page 299..."The only way we make this paradigm switch is by a moment-by-moment dependence on God."

Get into the habit right at this moment of praying. Yes, we can still pray to God when we need his help, need a miracle, etc...However, what most of us don't pray about is our mission and who we can help. I know it can be kind of intimidating teaching someone about Jesus. However, if you stop and think about it, that's just Satan playing with your mind. What if they ask you a question you don't know? What if they laugh at you? What if they....? It's Satan. You know Jesus. You know what he's done for you in your life and what he will continue to do for you. All you need to do is show them his love. God is so awesome that not only will he bring us our missions, he'll prepare us as well!

As a side note, if you are looking for a short book on ways to share your faith, I've found great comfort in "How to Share Your Faith" by Greg Laurie. It's an easy read that has helped me a great deal. You may be able to check it out at your local library!

Bible Verses from Day 38 & Day 39
Jesus said to his followers, "Go everywhere in the world, and tell the Good News to everyone." -Mark 16:15

Send us around the world with the news of your saving power and your eternal plan for all mankind. -Psalm 67:2

Live life with a due sense of responsibility, not as those who do not know the meaning of life but as those who do. -Ephesians 5:15

Don't let the errors of evil people lead you down the wrong path and make you lose your balance. -2 Peter 3:17

On a Mission

2010-09-22T05:54:00.001-04:00

(Below are Jessica's thoughts on Days 36 and 37 of The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. Please know that what we all learn from a study is usually different. Therefore, we encourage you to share your thoughts and what you've learned in the comment section below each post. We're sure you'll lift someone's spirit.)

I have learned through this book that in order for our lives to have meaning, passion and to make the world a better place, we must live with purpose. The only way this will really work is if we allow God to make His purpose our purpose. He prepares and trains us through our life experiences so that we can fulfill His mission: to share the truth about God, salvation through Jesus Christ and to impact the eternal destiny of the souls we come into contact with. In this way, our mission continues the work that Jesus began on earth. He continues his work by using people who were made for very specific purposes.

When we are operating in God's will, we can do very difficult things with peace and joy in our hearts and can go a step further to bless others. I really felt a great deal of connection to the statement that "Your mission is a wonderful privilege" (p.283) Whether we are working in ministry within our faith community or in our dealings with people in other aspects of our day-to-day lives, we have countless opportunities to impact others. There is no work that is insignificant to God, especially if it is done with great love and care. Going back to what I was saying about operating in God's will, I believe that a big reason why there is peace is that we know we are doing what we are supposed to, fulfilling our purpose in a way that is pleasing to God. I have been wrestling with the decision of whether or not to homeschool my son with autism. Once I felt that this was truly what God wants me to do in this instance, I was able to make the decision easily and have had tremendous peace and happiness. Before the decision, I was plagued with fears of not being capable or patient enough, and afraid that I would burn out. Those fears can still creep up, but more than anything I feel it is a privilege to be able to do this. I am still adjusting to how much work this endeavor entails, but truly feel so blessed and happy to do this work with love for God. Focusing on this helps to squash the fears and trust God to lead me. Anytime that we are given an assignment from God, instead of viewing it as an impossible undertaking, we can instead choose to see it as a great compliment. There is nothing more amazing than being used by God to impact someone's life, even more so to influence their eternity.

Day 37 takes our mission a step further by showing us what it means to be messengers of God. He has created each of us uniquely and formed us with a multitude of life experiences. Each one of us in uniquely equipped to be the ones in very specific circumstances to share the truth of Jesus through our Life Message in our words, actions and demeanor. I have always been somewhat intimidated by to commission of Christians to evangelize the world. This is not because I don't want to, but am not always sure just how to go about this in the way that will best bring someone to Christ. It is easy to avoid this and be tricked into thinking that we don't have what it takes to evangelize. I like the way that Rick Warren very plainly shows us how to extract our Life Message from our experiences and to begin by sharing our experiences with other people. I always thought you had to be the equivalent of a Bible scholar to make people understand and want to come to God. This is a great example of Nicole's point on Day 35 about impressing vs. influencing people. We most definitely need to continually spend time in, meditate on and grow in our knowledge of God's word. However, we need to make sure we use our experiences to influence instead of our knowledge to impress. Once we establish this connection, we are better able to share how salvation through Jesus Christ can change someone's life and eternal destiny. Rick Warren states this very well on page 290 by saying, "Shared stories build a relational bridge that Jesus can walk across from your heart to others." By answering the questions in Day 37 about our life experiences, we can have better knowledge of our Life Message and be better prepared to use what God has done in our lives to impact others.

Rick Warren also shares this from the Bible, that we are to "Be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you, but do it with gentleness and respect." (p.291, from 1 Peter 3: 15-16) When you are speaking from the perspective of a shared life experience, you can do so with greater humility and compassion. I have learned in my most difficult interactions with people to ask God to show me them as He sees, or to show me their heart. When I am able to do this, I can find that humility and compassion, even if I don't have a shared life experience. In addition to how we are formed by our life experiences, God also gives each of us a different passion. This will often guide us to reach out to specific individuals, by feeling God's love for his children in a particular situation. As Rick Warren points out, giving us all different passions ensures that God's work gets done in all areas.

In all things, we must always stop and pray first. The early church members were empowered through the Holy Spirit to proclaim the Gospel. In the same respect, we should always trust in, rely on and look to Him in all that we do for God.

Bible Verses from Days 36 and 37:

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. -Acts 20:24 (NIV)

All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. -2 Corinthians 5: 18-20 (Today's NIV)

The right word at the right time is like precious gold set in silver. Listening to good advice is worth much more than jewelry made of gold. A messenger you can trust is just as refreshing as cool water in summer. -Proverbs 25: 11-13 (CEV)

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. -Colossians 4: 2-6 (NIV)

To Impress or To Influence?

2010-09-14T10:38:00.004-04:00

(Below are Nicole's thoughts on Day 35 of The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. Please know that what we all learn from a study is usually different. Therefore, we encourage you to share your thoughts and what you've learned in the comment section below each post. We're sure you'll lift someone's spirit.)

Weaknesses...it's not something that most of us like to admit we have. We like to hide them, pretend we don't have any or run from them. However, they're still there. Lurking, waiting to pounce on us, make us feel inadequate and keep us from doing what God wants us to do. It's amazing how God can take our weaknesses and the areas in our lives when we are the weakest and turn them into a strength we never knew we had.

Day 35 had countless points that I would love to share with you. Too many for me to even list. Therefore, I encourage you to read Day 35 if you haven't done so already and really learn how you can turn your weaknesses into something productive. If you have read Day 35, I recommend that you read it again when you are your weakest. I really love how Rick Warren reminds us of Paul and how we can be like him during our weakest times.

For now, I'd like to talk about one point in particular that Rick Warren lists in Day 35.

"At some point in your life you must decide whether you want to impress people or influence people." page 277

This really stirred something inside of me. I immediately thought to myself..."of course I want to influence people." However, we live in a world where we are constantly trying to be the best. The best mom, the best wife, the best friend, the best employee, sometimes even the best Christian. Today's society has put so much pressure on being the best that our world has become one to impress and not to influence. Reading The Purpose Driven Life is really showing me how God uses us to influence others. Especially in the area of our weaknesses, our storms, our most difficult struggles. It's really inspiring to watch how God can take a moment when we are at our weakest and see how he helps strengthen someone else with it. That is, if we let him. We need to be very humble and uplifting and share with each other our fears, weaknesses and worries. Then, we need to step back and let God do his work. As he's working in us, others are watching and are amazed at how we handle our situation. They see a strength that we couldn't see. They see a rainbow in the midst of our storm when we are blinded. The more we keep pressing forward and doing what God needs for us to do and trusting that he will help us, the stronger we get. Case in point number 1.... last week, my boys celebrated their 8th birthday. One of my boys has autism. Birthdays are suppose to be a time to look forward to and a time to celebrate. I can honestly tell you birthdays are hard for me. It's one more year that my son is more behind than I thought he would be at that particular age. I was harvesting a lot of feelings about this and actually waited until the last minute to even send out invitations. One day, I opened up to a friend who doesn't have a child on the spectrum but one whom I knew I could share this to. I was very vulnerable and it was difficult to share my fears and my feelings. However, I kept feeling that God wanted me to open up about this. I was worried I would cry. But then I thought who cares if I cry...why is it so bad for me to cry? So I opened up and showed every weak side of me with everything dealing with autism. I can honestly tell you that I have no idea if I helped her in any way. She did help me. After pouring my heart out to her, she was able to remind me how well my son is doing and how much more potential is out there. The birthday week was a huge success. God turned this weak time in my life around. I know that God used this particular situation for something even bigger. I may not see how it helped strengthen someone else but it felt really good to be able to open up and know that God will use it.

Case in point number two...I have several friends who have recently lost a child. I can't even imagine what it would feel like if one of my children died. It's heartbreaking and hard to even imagine. What is amazing to me is seeing the strength that each one of my friends have during this time. Not only the strength that they show but also where they are getting this strength...from God. During one of the most difficult times in their lives, they have shared their faith in God. They might not be able to see it at this time, but I can see this incredible amount of strength coming from their families and it has taught me how to turn to God to find my strength when I am weak.

Do you want to live your entire life trying to impress others? Do you want to devout countless hours trying to have the perfect kids, husband, house, family? You will spend so much energy on trying to look like you have the perfect life when none of us do. The best thing you could do is open up, be vulnerable and share your weakness with others. God will work through us to help each other become stronger.

I want to live my life influencing others. I encourage you to do this with me. Let's really humble ourselves and share our weaknesses, fears and storms with parents who have newly diagnosed children, with non believers, with parents who don't have children on the spectrum, with people who aren't even parents. Let's show how God is strengthening our weaknesses to any one who will listen. It's amazing who God has watching us when we don't even realize it and how much we are helping them when we let them in.

Bible Verses from Day 35

We are weak...yet by God's power we will live with him to serve you. 2 Corinthians 13:4

I am with you; that is all you need. My power shows up best in weak people. 2 Corinthians 12:9a

See You Next Week!

2010-09-07T19:58:00.001-04:00

As everyone is playing catch up from the long weekend and getting back into the swing of things with school, we will not have a study post this week.

Please join us on Wednesday, September 15th for the next installment in this study.

Hope you have all had a wonderful summer!

Nicole, Jessica and Chrissy

Thoughts that Serve

2010-09-01T06:12:00.000-04:00

(Below are Jessica's thoughts on Day 34 of The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. Please know that what we all learn from a study is usually different. Therefore, we encourage you to share your thoughts and what you've learned in the comments section below each post. We're sure you'll lift someone's spirit.)

I have learned that before your outer life can show a change, your inner life, or thoughts must change. It is really eye-opening to know that although I may work very hard at how I am perceived by others, what matters most to God is what is in my heart. Chapter 34 tackles this by showing us how real servants think.

I'm going to borrow this writing style from Nicole and list the points from this chapter that jumped out at me before I go any further:

Service starts in your mind.
Attitudes count more than achievements.
Real servants don't try to use God for their purposes. They let God use them for His purposes.
Your service for Christ is never wasted regardless of what others say.
Only secure people can serve.
The closer you get to Jesus, the less you need to promote yourself.

The title of being a servant doesn't really sound very appealing in wordly terms. However, in the kingdom of heaven, there is no greater honor. I believe that truly becoming a servant of God in our thoughts and lives is a lifelong process. It matters to God that we continue, step by step in this process and continue to make progress.

Just as Joseph was entrusted as a steward when he was a prisoner in Egypt, we too are entrusted with great opportunities for servanthood. Joseph's good attitude and service earned him promotion after promotion, until he was eventually in control of Egypt under Pharoah. We may feel incredibly lowly as we deal with the day to day challenges, many which are upsetting and unpleasant. However, if we do our work with love for God and with a desire to use our lives to please Him, our good attitude and faithful service will help us to be promoted, both in this life and the next. As Rick Warren pointed out in this chapter, this promotion will likely not be accompanied by a glorious title or award. Every time our child makes a hard-earned and precious gain, there is promotion. Every time we are able to bear a challenge with grace, we are promoted and ready to move to a new level in our relationship with God.

The thing about God is that He sees and knows everything. He knows if we are doing something to look good or if our heart is in the right place. That is why what is in our hearts matters more than what others see on the outside. I really liked the statement "Only secure people can serve" (p. 269) Competitiveness, criticizm and petty comparisons cannot touch us when we know who we are in Christ. Rick Warren really explains this well by saying, "Because they remember they are loved and accepted by grace, servants don't have to prove their worth. They willingly accept jobs that insecure people would consider 'beneath' them". (p. 269) We are then freed from the expectations of others as we do our work. When we realize that we are working for God, and already have our value and acceptance from Him-the pressure comes off and we are free to truly shine.

Obstacles to thinking like a servant are also important to recognize. As the author points out, how we handle and perceive money is a key factor to how well we can serve. Jesus spent a great deal of his ministry talking about money, and how it can become an idol that replaces God. In fact, Rick Warren makes the point of saying that it is money that sidetracks people from serving God more than anything else. There is a great statement on page 267 that sums this up beautifully, "When Jesus is your Master, money serves you, but if money is your master, you become its slave" (Rick Warren) We need to check our motives, be honest and trustworthy with money, as well as use it to build God's church and help others.

Just as how we serve matters when no one can see or when circumstances are trying, it matters what kind of attitude we have when we are mistreated. People often expect the worst from others and it is a powerful witness when a person can be positive, kind and loving after being mistreated. This doesn't mean being a doormat, it means not allowing that person to take the joy of serving God from you or your personal peace. That to me is real power. It is also impossible to do apart from God.

Bible verses from Day 34:

Whatever you do, work at it with your all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. -Colossians 3: 23-24

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. -Philippians 2: 5-7

Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My father will honor the one who serves me. -John 12:26

What Does A Servant Look Like?

2010-08-25T09:00:00.005-04:00

(Below are Nicole's thoughts on Day 33 of The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. Please know that what we all learn from a study is usually different. Therefore, we encourage you to share your thoughts and what you've learned in the comments section below each post. We're sure you'll lift someone's spirit.)

In the past few weeks we discovered our ministries by finding our shapes. We are now heading in the right direction. However, now that we know we are suppose to serve we need to ask ourselves another question....how do real servants act? We want to be the best servants we can be. It's tough nowadays when everyone wants to be the leader. Rick Warren gives us the six characteristics of a real servant of God. They are: make yourself available to serve, pay attention to need, do your best with what you have, do every task with equal dedication, be faithful to your ministry and maintain a low profile. If you haven't done so, I highly recommend that you read about each of these characteristics in more detail. Rick Warren really goes into detail about each of these characteristics and how you can develop them.

For now, I'd like to touch on a question that Rick Warren posed at the end of Day 33.

Which of these six characteristics of real servants offers the greatest challenge to me?

I'd like to share with you my answer to this question. For me the answer was "Real servants pay attention to needs." I really try to pay attention to others who are hurting. However, it's difficult when you are hurting as well. Sure I trust God with autism. Although, it is a daily thing I have to give to God. As selfish as this may sound, there are days where I don't feel like serving. I can't see past my own needs to recognize others. I feel like saying "my day is hard enough." The selfish nature in us will try to put our needs in front of others which prevents us from serving others. I almost missed out on a wonderful opportunity for me to not only serve but for someone to serve me as well. I was having a very hard week. Autism was at it's peak in my home and I was so overwhelmed. A close friend who has a child with autism called me seeking guidance and prayer. I almost didn't answer my phone because I didn't feel I could do any one any good. (Isn't it amazing how God will show up and show how good He truly is?) I am so thankful that God encouraged me to pick up my phone. My friend and I were able to serve each other and give each other the strength we were both we desperately seeking. How sad it would have been if either of us couldn't have seen passed our own needs to reach other to each other. Even more challenging to me is being able to reach out to others who don't have a child with autism. God needs me to serve outside of autism as well. However, I get so focused on autism that sometimes it's hard for me to even see outside our world. Really stop and think about people around you and what they're going through. The friend at work who is making the difficult decision to move her mother into a nursing home. The family member whose husband is unfaithful. The close friend who just went through a divorce. We may not truly "get" what they are going through because we haven't experienced it but God still wants us to serve these people. He wants us to see beyond our struggles and reach out to others. After reading this chapter, I thought about a very close friend of mine that we'll call "Mary" who I believe has the biggest heart to serve. Last year, "Mary's" oldest child passed away from a rare genetic disorder. He was nine years old. A beautiful little boy who had a remarkable spirit. During this most difficult time in her life, "Mary" served me in more ways than she knows. In fact, I really don't think she even realizes how much she naturally serves others. It wasn't because I was sitting back thinking "how she has it worse than I do." It was all in the way she handled the most devastating thing that could happen to a mother....with compassion, understanding and faithfulness. She showed me how strong her faith was and how important it is to trust in God, no matter what. "Mary" taught me to totally give my situation to God and fully trust in Him. Now, she didn't do this in a big sit down talk over coffee. It was in her actions. I love to be around "Mary". Her faithfulness in God and how we should all feel blessed with what God has handed us is so catching. She is using her life and her child's life to serve others. Not only other parents who have lost a child, but to other people who are hurting. That's the key. We need to not only serve families that have children with autism, but we also need to reach out to others. We need to show others our faithfulness in God. We need to scream from our rooftops how much we trust in God even when our child seems to be regressing again. We need to show them all of the blessings that we are finding in the midst of our storm so that they too may see theirs. This is serving God. Think of how many people will hear your testimony and come to God as well.

Here's the thing, serving doesn't always have to look like bringing someone a meal, cleaning their house or taking them to dinner...don't get me wrong these are great ways to serve and I do think it's important to help others. However, we have to open our eyes, look past our own problems and reach out to others. We can use our testimonies to help others testimonies come to life. In my opinion, our best way of serving God and others is all in how we live our lives. It's all about how we handle what we've been given. We can do it to glorify God and reach out to others. Imagine our world if we all did this. If we all leaned on each other, served each other. Now that my friend, is a faithful servant. Wouldn't you love to get to Heaven and hear Jesus say to you "Well done my faithful servant, well done."

Bible Verses from Day 33
Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. -Mark 10:43

You can tell what they are by what they do. -Matthew 7:16

"If you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded." -Matthew 10:42

Just Be Yourself...The Best You Can Be

2010-08-18T06:00:00.007-04:00

(Below are Jessica's thoughts on Day 32 of The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. Please know that what we all learn from a study is usually different. Therefore, we encourage you to share your thoughts and what you've learned in the comments section below each post. We're sure you'll lift someone's spirit.)

Day 32 begins with this Danish proverb:

What you are is God's gift to you; what you do with yourself is your gift to God.

God created each of us uniquely, with great love and detail so that our gifts and talents complement and help eachother. It is so easy to fall into the trap of believing that we should be more like someone else or are inadequate because we don't have someone else's gifting in a certain area. Day 32 was a great confirmation to me that God created each of us with different strengths on purpose and that we will only cause frustration and stress if we try to be like someone else.

In our efforts to help our children overcome their obstacles, we are drawn to different teaching methods to build up their areas of weakness. This is a very important part of helping them reach their potential. At the same time, we should also be continuing to develop their areas of strength. In many instances, these strengths are what will set them apart and enable them to overcome their difficulties. We should also keep this perspective when evaluating ourselves. As autism moms, we are all drawn to different methods based on what our children need. We have collectively amassed expertise in many different areas and are often the best resource one another has. It is also easy in this position to feel like less than we would like to be when comparing ourselves to others-another trap. We are our children's best asset when we take the time to understand ourselves and operate from our own place of strength.

Rick Warren gives us some suggestions about where to start, so that we can discover our gifts and develop them:

Begin by assessing your gifts and abilities. We do this by taking an honest look at what we do and don't do well, as well as where we've had our most success. Rick Warren recommends asking people who know us well and states that "Spiritual gifts and natural abilities are always confirmed by others." (p. 250)

Consider your heart and personality. This is another area where it helps to hear from the people who know us best. We have to ask ourselves questions that lead us to discover what we enjoy most, how we like to work best and how we perceive the world.

Examine your experiences and extract the lessons you have learned. This one takes a great deal of time. In fact, Rick Warren recommends we take a life review retreat, where we review our entire life and take the time to see how God has worked in our most defining moments. He also recommends keeping a spiritual journal, where we document the way our experiences have shaped us. (p. 252)

Once we have taken the time to understand ourselves better, God wants us to accept and enjoy ourselves. I was catching up on Joyce Meyer's Enjoying Everyday Life program and really appreciated what she shared about her own journey to self-acceptance. As she was studying and building her ministry, she was very drawn to imitate her pastor's wife. This woman was very soft-spoken, creative and very good at all things homemade. Joyce Meyer felt abrasive and inadequate as a homemaker in comparison. She became convinced that she needed to become just like her, and tried to grow/can her own vegetables, even make her family's clothes-just like this other woman. The results were comical and quite disastrous: a swarm of bugs attacked Joyce's vegetables (but the other woman's were fine) and she made shorts with pockets longer than the legs. Time after time, God confirmed that it was never His intention for Joyce to be anyone other than who He created her to be. She later found out that the devil had also convinced this pastor's wife that she was inadequate (too quiet, not bold enough) and needed to be more like Joyce. How unfortunate for both of these valuable and talented women! (Joyce Meyer: Enjoying Everyday Life, Letting Go And Learning to Enjoy, 2009) How often do we do this in an effort to be better when the best we thing we can be is ourselves-just as we were created to be.

As Rick Warren points out, part of accepting who were made to be is staying within our own limitations. If we try to act outside of God's plan for us, it is likely to cause stress and frustration. We can only do well that which God anoints and purposes for us to do. God wants us to find joy in serving Him with the gifts and talents he has given. As we do this, they will be blessed and continue to grow. As illustrated in Joyce Meyer's example, the devil will try to keep this from happening. He does this by tempting us to compare ourselves to other people and conform our ministry to another's way of thinking. (p. 253) Changing our God-given course of action in response to criticism is another temptation we may face to keep us from accepting and enjoying who we were made to be. (p. 254)

Once we are able to accept and enjoy who God made us to be, we are to continue developing those areas. As Rick Warren points out in the parable of the talents, this is a "Use it or Lose it" situation. The servant who used his talent fruitfully saw his talent greatly increased, while the one who failed to use his talent lost it. (p. 255). If we continue to use and develop our gifts they will grow and be blessed. We can set a good example for our children and encourage them to do the same.

There is one other example that I would like to share. As I prayerfully consider homeschooling my son with autism, I have been networking with other mothers to help me make a balanced decision. On a discussion board, some of the mothers were asking one another for strategies to help their children to develop their children's areas of weakness in visual and auditory processing. I thought that the best perspective came from a 50 year old woman with autism who shared about how she handled this in her own life. She stated, "all of us have weak areas that force us to rely on others who are stronger in that area...that's why we need eachother so much." (-qt) She also went on to share that love and acceptance (as well as a relationship with the Lord) were her biggest help. This personal statement that she includes in her signature is a great example of the lessons this chapter aims to teach us:

"Never forget how important you really are...that you are needed and loved. No one can replace you, and only you can do the best job of being you!" (-qt, used with permission)

Bible Verses from Day 32:

Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. -Romans 12:4-6

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in men. -1 Corinthians 12: 4-6

Therefore my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. -1 Corinthians 15: 58

Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid hands on you. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. -1 Timothy 4: 14-15

Getting in Shape...Remember No Pain No Gain

2010-08-11T09:00:00.001-04:00

(Below are Nicole's thoughts on Day 30 and 31 of The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. Please know that what we all learn from a study is usually different. Therefore, we encourage you to share your thoughts and what you've learned in the comments section below each post. We're sure you'll lift someone's spirit.)

"No pain, no gain!" When I hear someone say this I think of this really muscular strong man with his biceps bulging out screaming this to his work out buddy as they're lifting every single weight around them. "NO PAIN, NO GAIN! Come on buddy you can do it!" They welcome the pain because they know the outcome. They've put in the hours and have worked really hard to work through the pain so that they can get their "gain" that they are looking for. I believe we can take this same outlook on the pain we go through in life. I believe that what you do with your pain, aka what you've been through, helps determine your gain.
I want to spend the majority of this post talking about how we can turn the pain that we are going through with autism into something good. However, before we dive right into this, I want to share with you the points that meant the most in Day 30 and 31. They are:

1. Before God created you he decided what role he wanted you to play on earth. How awesome does it feel knowing that what we're going through is not surprising to God! It may have taken us by surprise but not God.
2. You are the way you are because you are made for a specific ministry. It is so important that we discover what ministry we were born to do.
3. You are a combination of many different factors to shape your ministry. Rick Warren gave us the acronym of SHAPE to help us remember five important factors in helping us discover our ministry. They are:
a. Spiritual Gifts: you can't earn these gifts. They are given to you. Rick Warren tells us on page 236 "...you don't get to choose which gifts you'd like to have." He goes on explaining that no one receives all of the gifts. This would defeat the purpose that God has with us needing each other. It's important that you figure out your spiritual gift and use it. Otherwise, you may not be helping out someone that you're supposed to be helping.
b. Listening to your Heart. Enthusiasm and passion will guide you to what you love to do.
c. Applying your Abilities. These are your natural talents and they come from God. Page 244..."Whatever you're good at, you should be doing for your church." I believe we need to take this same approach to help everyone around us, including outside of church.
d. Using your Personality. Your personality was designed for a specific ministry. Here we're reminded that copying someone else's ministry never works. "God made you to be you!"

e. Employing your Experiences. This is where we go back to the "No pain, no gain!"

On Day 31, Rick Warren explains to us that one of the most important experiences that God uses to SHAPE us for our ministry are the painful experiences. When I got to page 247 and read..."Who could better minister to the parents of a Down Syndrome child than another couple who have a child afflicted in the same way?" my heart just stopped. I literally put down my book and smiled. I read it again but this time read it as "Who could better minister to the parents of a child with autism than other couple who has a child with autism?" That's us guys! Who can help all of the newly diagnosed parents out the most? Believers who have children on the spectrum. We can use our gifts, whether it be the gift of writing, the gift of listening, the gift of researching, the gift of caring, the gift of seeing things positively...we can use our gifts to help each other out. We all need the help. We all need each other's gifts. I think back to the day that my son was diagnosed. I knew no one. Had no one to talk to about this and really wrap my thoughts around the diagnosis. Friends and family tried to be there but they didn't get it. My church family was there to listen but couldn't really console because they didn't get it. Finally, I found a group of moms who have children on the spectrum who were also believers. They used their gifts to reach out to me. This made the biggest impact on me and showed me that I too need to reach out to other parents. Think about it...if we're all there for each other to help each other through the hard times, celebrate the good times and pick each other up when we fall...it would be that much easier. We could all use a little easy. We can take the pain we've been through in life to make that same pain a little easier for someone else. On page 247, Rick Warren reminds us of one important thing..."For God to use your painful experiences you must be willing to share them." It is so difficult to open up about pain especially when concerning our children. I don't know about you, but I know when I first starting sharing about some of the painful things we were encountering with autism, I felt ashamed. Not ashamed of my child. Ashamed of myself. I kept feeling that by talking about the hard thing I was going through with him that others may think I was disappointed in him or didn't like my life/family. It was very difficult to open up. However, the more I shared the easier it was. I realized that people didn't look at me or think of me as not loving my child. In fact, they thought the opposite. They couldn't believe the love, devotion and dedication I gave to my child and my family. However, to know this, I need to open up and share.
It is our responsibility as believers in Christ and as moms of children on the spectrum to reach out to other moms. Yes, it's important for us to be there for each other, comment on the blog when we have something to share and pray for each other. It's even more important that we reach out the moms that aren't the believers, that aren't following this blog, that really need us. I really loved how Rick Warren included Paul and his thoughts on Asia. As you read this again, think of what you are going through in your life. Think of a way you can share your pain like Paul did to help others.
"I think you ought to know dear brothers, about the hard time we went through in Asia. We were really crushed and overwhelmed, and feared we would never live through it. We felt we were doomed to die and saw how powerless we were to help ourselves; but that was good, for then we put everything into the hands of God, who alone could save us, for he can even raise the dead. And he did help us and saved us from a terrible death; yes, and we expect him to do it again and again..." 2 Corinthians 8-10

Let's go back to our muscle guys mentioned at the beginning of the post. Imagine you just started working out. We didn't realize how much pain you would go through in the first couple weeks, days, even hours. What if you didn't realize that the more pain you go through the better in shape you will be? You'd quit, you'd give up. What if there is a mom out there right now who doesn't realize how these painful experiences will help her grow? We need to get ourselves into SHAPE very quickly and find our ministry so that we can help others.
Remember what Rick Warren says on page 248..."What will you do with the pain you've been through? Don't waste your pain; use it to help others."

Bible Verses from Day 30 and 31

Your hands shaped me and made me. Job 10:8 (NIV)

The people I have shaped for myself will broadcast my praises. Isaiah 43:21

God works through different men in different ways, but it is the same God who achieves his purposes through them all." 1 Corinthians 12:6

You shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother's womb. Psalm 139:13

God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God's many kinds of blessings." 1 Peter 4:10

How May I Serve You?

2010-08-04T05:20:00.001-04:00

(Below are Jessica's thoughts on Day 29 of The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. Please know that what we all learn from a study is usually different. Therefore, we encourage you to share your thoughts and what you've learned in the comment section below each post. We're sure you'll lift someone's spirit.)

I mentioned in a previous post that becoming a parent, especially to a child with autism taught me that I needed to learn more about true patience. In the same respect, I continually learn that it's not all about me. Day 29 takes us into God's fourth purpose for our lives, We were shaped for serving God. God saves us from destruction so that we can continue on in His purpose and plan, serving and assisting others with love because of the love He has shown us.

It is very difficult for most of us to step outside of our own lives. Especially in our unique situation, we are working so hard trying to meet our family's needs and we often feel too exhausted or overwhelmed to believe that we can be of any help in service to others. I think the first thing we need to do is value and recognize the great service we give in caring for those entrusted to us in our family, especially our special children. We then take this ministry that we are living in our homes out into the community as we care for and teach our children in the public eye. It is a powerful witness to other people, especially believers in Christ when we go about our work with kindness and love-in spite of how difficult or discouraging a situation may seem. When we encounter another autism mom, or even a mother struggling with a typical child and take the time to listen and offer encouragement, we are serving in ministry. We love others because He loved us first and offers us His love daily and freely. I love to see "veteran" autism moms mentoring and supporting moms of newly diagnosed children. It is a very pay-it-forward kind of ministry we have among eachother. I want to help someone else because I know how hard it is and it meant the world when someone else reached out to help me.

The moment we truly decide to make Jesus our savior and offer our lives completely to Him, the process of becoming a servant of God begins. Meditating on and studying God's word helps us to transform our thoughts, hearts and minds. Through a gradual process of stripping away the "self" focus of our lives, we begin to shift our focus to improving the lives of others. Throughout his ministry on earth, Jesus continually served others by teaching, healing, praying and loving. We begin to have the heart of Jesus when we feel and do this in our own lives.

Chapter 29, Accepting Your Assignment, gives us the details of our servanthood or ministry as outlined in the Bible.

1. You were created to serve God.
This point, to me reminds me again of the shift that has to take place in our hearts. We make the shift from thinking about how others make our life better to "How can I make someone else's life better." At one of my friend's homes, there is a post-it note on the door leading to the outside that everyone passes on their way out that says "Do something nice for someone today." I love that.

2. You were saved to serve God.
On page 228, Rick Warren states, "Through salvation our past has been forgiven, our present is given meaning and our future is secured." A true measure of how much Christ is really in our lives is in our desire to serve. It spoke to me when Rick Warren also identified any act of service to others as ministry. It warms my heart to know that no small act of kindness on our part goes unnoticed by God. We are each ministers in our own lives and have an important role in the kingdom by building up the church (body of Christ) in our communities.

3. You were called to serve God.
It still amazes me to know before I was even conceived that God had firmly planned what my life's purpose would be, and that it is very important to him. After we invite God into our lives, the journey to spiritual maturity begins when we study the word of God. We then need to put into practice what we have learned. On page 231, Rick Warren writes that many believers "already know far more than they are putting into practice. What they need are serving experiences in which they can exercise their spiritual muscles." He also points out that the shift from "serve us" to "service" is not our first natural inclination, but a true sign of spiritual maturity.

In the end, we have to give an account to God about how we used His gifts and love to serve others. His son lived a life of service and died for us so that we could live eternally. We have already learned that we were made to live eternally. Growing in love and knowledge of God's son Jesus aids us in this process. Knowing that God never gives up on us and wants to give us grace for every situation helps us to believe that this is indeed possible.

Bible Verses from Day 29:

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. -Ephesians 2:10

By the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. -1 Timothy 8-10

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. -1 Corinthians 12:27

Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.- Matthew 20: 26-28