Beth Moore is one of my heroes. The way she talks, writes and teaches speaks right to my heart. Here’s one of my favorite stories she tells. It’s an incredibly powerful, touching true story!
Today George H.W. Bush passed away. In honor of his life, I’d like to share a story from when he served in World War 2. A family friend, Peter Mansfield, posted this on Facebook. I found it so interesting that I wanted to share it with you.
Remembering someone is a way to honor them. We can honor a person whether or not we share the same political views.
Today we remember you, President Bush, and thank you for serving our country.
George H.W. Bush as a member of the U.S. Navy during World War II
The following account is from Bush biographer and presidential historian Jon Meacham:
At dawn on Sept. 2, 1944, Bush was slated to fly in a strike over Chichi Jima, a Japanese island about 500 miles from the mainland. The island was a stronghold for communications and supplies for the Japanese, and it was heavily guarded. Bush’s precise target was a radio tower.
At about 7:15 that morning, Bush took off through clear skies along with William G. White, known as “Ted,” and John “Del” Delaney. Just over an hour later, their plane was hit. Meacham wrote that smoke filled the cockpit and flames swallowed the wings. Bush radioed White and Delaney to put on their parachutes.
“My God,” Bush thought to himself, “this thing is going to blow up.”
Choking on the smoke, Bush continued to steer the plane, dropping bombs and hitting the radio tower. He told White and Delaney to parachute out of the plane, then climbed through his open hatch to maneuver out of the cockpit.
“The wind struck him full force, essentially lifting him out the rest of the way and propelling him backward into the tail,” Meacham wrote. “He gashed his head and bruised his eye on the tail as he flew through the sky and the burning plane hurtled toward the sea.”
As Bush floated in the sky tethered to a parachute, he saw his plane crash into the water and disappear below. Then he hit the waves, fighting his way back up to the surface and kicking off his shoes to lighten his load.
“His khaki flight suit was soaked and heavy, his head was bleeding, his eyes were burning from the cockpit smoke, and his mouth and throat were raw from the rush of salt water,” Meacham wrote.
Fifty feet away bobbed a life raft that Bush managed to inflate and flop onto. But the wind was carrying him toward Chichi Jima, so Bush began paddling in the opposite direction with his arms. Bush would later learn of horrific war crimes committed against American captives at Chichi Jima, including cannibalism.
“For a while there I thought I was done,” Bush told Meacham.
He was alone, vomiting over the side of the life raft and slowly grasping that White and Delaney were gone. Hours passed. He cried and thought of home. Barbara would soon receive a letter from him saying “all was well,” but she had no true way of knowing. The letter was dated before his plane had been hit.
Bush, who would win the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism under fire, thought he was delirious when, suddenly, a 311-foot submarine rose from the depths to rescue him.
“Welcome aboard, sir,” greeted a torpedoman second class.
“Happy to be aboard,” replied the future commander in chief.
Thank you for your life of service, Mr. President!
Crockpot recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2-3 frozen chicken breasts (or leftover turkey!)
- 2 – 10-ounce cans of enchilada sauce (or one large can)
- One can of corn
- One can of black beans (drained)
- One can of pinto beans (drained)
- One can of great northern beans (drained)
- One can of diced tomatoes
- 2 cups of chicken broth (turkey or vegetable broth will work too)
- One small red onion- chopped finely
- One green or red pepper – chopped
- 2T chopped chilies in adobo sauce
- 1 T garlic
- 1 T chili powder
- 1 T cumin
- 1 T salt
- 1 T pepper
Optional ingredients:
- Half a cup of fresh cilantro
- 4 corn tortillas, cut into very small pieces
What do to:
- Put two or three frozen chicken breast at the bottom of a crockpot. Pour all of the other ingredients into the crockpot. Stir.
- Cook on low for eight hours or high for four hours.
- Remove chicken breast, shred with two forks. Put the chicken back in, stir again. Put the chicken back in, add a half cup of whole milk or cream. Stir again.
- Serve topped with any or all of the items listed:
- cheese,
- sour cream,
- crushed tortilla chips,
- jalapenos
*Optional: Use some of that leftover turkey!
First, add all the ingredients to the Crockpot (except chicken or turkey). Cook on high for about an hour, then add some of your leftover turkey (shredded or chopped in small pieces). Cook on low for about an hour. Add cream, stir, and serve!
Want the vegetarian version? Leave the chicken and turkey out!
Instapot Recipe
My friend Suzanne edited this recipe for the instapot. She said she used whatever was in her pantry or freezer (such as frozen tomatoes from their garden).
The men in her family smoked their turkey for thanksgiving and the leftovers made a delicious chili!
Ingredients:
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 medium chopped onion
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- 4 cups chopped turkey
- 8 peeled, quartered tomatoes
- 1 can chili beans (not drained)
- 1 can black beans drained
- 1 can navy beans drained
- 1/3 cup of sliced jalapeños from a jar
- 1 package Enchilada sauce
- 1 carton Turkey Bone Broth
Instructions:
- First mix the enchilada sauce and the turkey broth together and set aside.
- Set Instapot on sauté to high and immediately add the olive oil
- Once hot, add onions and garlic.
- Stir and cook for 3 minutes till softened.
- Stir in turkey and tomatoes and continue to sauté for 2 more minutes.
- Now stir in the 3 cans of beans and the jalapeños.
- Lastly, pour the broth/sauce mixture into the Instapot over the beans and turkey.
- Cancel sauté setting.
- Place lid securely on Instapot.
- Select pressure cook on high for 8 minutes not to release steam.
- You can either let the Instapot decrease in pressure after cooking (OR) carefully adjust to release steam manually.
- Remove lid carefully and enjoy your chili!
- We served ours with cilantro, cheese of choice and sour cream.
Thanks for reading! Happy cooking!
8
In Finding our place/ Moving/ Things to do in Minnesota/ Traveling
How to fit in as a Minnesota transplant
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If you like coffee, Caribou is the only option. Don’t say the S-word.
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Cheer for the Minnesota Vikings. Not that other team.
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Buy a cabin up north. Not somewhere in the south, where it’s warm. Up north.
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Embrace the “hotdish” as the fifth food group.
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Sign your children up to play ice hockey. It will cost all of your money, most of your time, and a few of your teeth, but it’s worth it.
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Be Nice. Passive aggressive counts as nice.
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Soft drinks are called “pop.”
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If someone cuts you in line, you can kindly ask them not to “BUDGE.” Or be Minnesota nice, and allow them to go first.
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Encourage your ENTIRE family to move to Minnesota. Don’t leave anyone out – second cousins, third aunts…they all need to move here.
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Finally, spend all weekends and holidays together…in your cabin…up north.
CLICK HERE to read my Minnesota Bucket list! Top 25 things I want to do here.
Another post you may enjoy: 8 ways to LOVE where you LIVE
Looking for the perfect gift for a young boy in your life? Whether you’re shopping for a birthday, holiday, or just because, finding something that’s fun, age-appropriate, and engaging can feel like a challenge. To help take the guesswork out of your search, I’ve listed 10 great gift ideas for boys 10 and under—tested and loved by my own four boys (and approved by me!). From creative kits to outdoor gear, there’s something here for every kind of kid.
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1. Rocket Launcher
1. A really fun gift for boys!
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2. Nerf Gun and extra bullets
Do boys ever outgrow nerf guns? All the men in my house love them. I recommend including extra bullets and protective eye gear.
A larger gun with extra bullets, click here.
Protective face mask, click here.
Protective eyewear:
Exta bullets:
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3. Rocket Balloons
This is an entertaining toy for all ages. The set comes with 100 long balloons and a pumper. You or your kids can blow up the balloons and watch them fly around the room and do tricks. Great for cold days when you are stuck inside. Again, NO batteries required and the balloons can be re-used once or twice.
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Clark got a new jersey and signed card from Don Beebe
4. Sports Jersey
You can’t go wrong with a jersey from their favorite team!
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5. Megablocks for littles (1-5) or Legos for bigs (6-12)
A classic toy!
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Clark’s hat
6. Hat
Clark loved this Cowboys hat he got for his birthday and Luke loved receiving his first Waggle hat as a birthday gift!
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7. RC Car
My boys, young and old, love their remote control cars.
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8. Any ball – soccer/Kickball/football
You can never go wrong with ANY type of ball for a boy.
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Luke, just after his first birthday
9. Plasma Car
This bike gets used more than any other in our home.
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10. Ride on Car
Great for ages 2-8. I avoided ride-on cars for so long because I want my kids to RUN and burn energy. However, we were given one, and my boys have loved it, and so do all their friends.
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Need ideas for a TEEN BOY? Click here!
For additional Christmas gift ideas, click here!
For the best INEXPENSIVE stocking stuffer ideas, click here!
For an amazing Christmas on a budget, click here!
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The links above are Affiliate links. If you choose to purchase an item I’ve recommended, I will earn a small commision at no extra cost to you.
I knew from our first date that I wanted to marry Ted Egly.
We got engaged, chose our day and it was here… the day I’d dreamed about my whole life.
Our wedding day: November 17, 2001.
Friends and family had gathered from all over the country, and the morning started with many of us gathered to finish decorating the church and preparing food for the reception.
Thank you to my mom and step-mom for delicious food and the beautiful display!
After wrapping up the last minute details…we got ready and broke a “wedding day rule.” Ted and I chose to see each other before the actual wedding. I LOVED breaking this rule because it was the first most memorable part of our day.
Ted was waiting for me at the front of our wedding chapel, all by himself. I walked down the aisle alone to just Ted. No one else was in the chapel. As I walked alone down the aisle, I was so nervous I could hardly breathe. This was really happening! When I got to the front, Ted held my hands, and we got to enjoy a few minutes together before our big day. We pushed “pause” on all the craziness of the day, to connect and speak a few words to each other….our last words before becoming husband and wife. The moment with just the two of us was unforgettable, and one of my favorite moments of the day.
After that, everything happened so quickly. We were joined by our photographer and all 18 of our bridesmaids and groomsmen. Yes … 18. I have FOUR natural sisters, TWO step-sisters, TWO cousins that are like sisters, and ONE (soon-to-be sister-in-law). Add that up, and you’ll see that I have NINE “sisters.” Ted had no brothers. Thankfully, he has a lot of great friends.
Our Bridal Party
We chose to take pictures BEFORE the wedding, so afterward we could enjoy as much time as possible with our family and friends.
At 2 PM on November 17, 2001…it was time for me to walk down the aisle.
Because I had just had a ‘practice’ run a couple of hours ago, I was no longer nervous or jittery! I was relaxed and enjoyed this second walk down the aisle. I DELIGHTED in every step. I soaked it all in. I tried to look around and see each of the 200+ people who came to celebrate with us. I wanted this time to freeze so that I could fully absorb how special this day was. Walking down the aisle, surrounded by all the people I love, was the second sweetest moment of the day.
I LOVED this moment
We said our beautiful vows and enjoyed an incredible ceremony. I loved every second of it, but when Pastor Randy announced us as Mr. and Mrs. Ted Egly…that was the best, sweetest part of the day! This is the moment I’d waited my whole life for, and I was the happiest I’d ever been.
The world’s happiest bride!
We turned toward our guests, and walked down the aisle side-by-side…as husband and wife. Mr. and Mrs. Ted Egly! Our bridesmaids and groomsmen followed close behind, and we had a few minutes to celebrate with them, right outside the doors of the chapel. This was another incredibly SPECIAL moment that day.
After the ceremony, we all gathered for the reception. We had some yummy appetizers and cake, fun and memorable speeches and toasts, and then we danced and danced (another favorite part of the day)! Our first dance was to the song, What a Wonderful World by Louie Armstrong. We also took some dance lessons before our wedding, and had fun practicing some of what we learned.
It was a day for the books. A day I will NEVER forget. Though so many things were ‘perfect’ that day and I loved SO many moments, there were a few things that went wrong…
The Pastor who married us wasn’t registered in our state and could not sign our marriage certificate. Thankfully, we were in Tulsa, OK, which meant that half of our guests were pastors. Pastor Hagin signed our marriage certificate.
We also ran out of drinks. (Where was Jesus in that moment?) But I’m not talking about wine. We ran out of all liquids. Jake Blonsky, our Best Man, gave a speech and toasted us with a pitcher of salsa. Since many of my guests and I would choose a good salsa over water, we survived.
As we were leaving our reception, I realized that I had barely eaten anything all day. I grabbed an hors d’oeuvre and put it in my mouth. “Crunch” – I bit into a raw onion in that first bite of food. We walked out to the car as our guests were shouting: “Kiss! Kiss!” Ted did kiss me and got to taste the onion I had just eaten! Mmmm…WELCOME TO MARRIED LIFE, sweetie. He still remembers that moment with “delight!”
Our wedding was one short day, but marriage is a lifetime. Though our wedding was fun and had many memorable moments, the most important part was the person I married. That’s the ONE part of the wedding you do NOT want to mess up. I’m thankful I married a man of faith, honor, and integrity. I’m grateful for my husband.
Thank you, Ted Egly, for loving me through thick and thin, good and bad. Fresh breath and onion breath.
Happy 17 years!
And if you are interested, here’s an open letter I wrote to my newlywed self.
If you were at our wedding, leave a comment with a memory you have of the day!
PS – Sorry for the blurry pictures. When I get a chance to upload the original wedding photos…I’ll include those!
Dear Kathryn,
Welcome to marriage…it’s going to be an incredible adventure that will challenge you to become the best version of yourself. Here are some things to keep in mind as you journey together into the future. Twelve tips for ‘happily ever after…’
1. Please remember that YOU ARE ON THE SAME TEAM!
Don’t try to WIN a fight and don’t get so defensive. Remember he loves you and wants the best for you.
In fact, when you are fighting, instead of trying to come up with all the things he’s done wrong (to justify your anger), think of all the things he’s done RIGHT and it will change your attitude.
2. Don’t let little things become BIG things.
Don’t fight over something that is fixable. You are going to get mad at Ted for stealing the blanket at night. Don’t get ANGRY, just GET ANOTHER BLANKET!
3. Choose friends wisely!
Be careful about choosing your closest friends. Your friends, and their marriages, will impact YOU and your MARRIAGE! Choose friends who fight for GOOD marriages. If your closest friends are criticizing their spouse, it’s easy to do the same. Choose friends who speak highly of their spouse (when they are around AND when they are NOT)!
4. Get some counseling.
You are coming into the marriage with some baggage. Talk this through with a trusted counselor who shares your values. It will do you, and your marriage, some good.
5. Say THANK YOU!
Be grateful and don’t take things for granted. Thank Ted for working hard, thank him for the things he does around the house, thank Him for his integrity. Thank him for loving you well. Be thankful, stay thankful. Tell him THANK YOU for the big things and the little things.
6. Be your husband’s cheerleader! (Not his critic)
He may not have anyone else encouraging him. Always cheer him on!
Don’t ever say things that make him look bad or mock him in front of others. You are the LAST person who should ever do that, and it will make you both feel bad.
“Be a raving fan publicly but an honest critic privately.” – Andy Stanley
7. On listening…and responding
Listen without formulating a response. Listen to UNDERSTAND.
Don’t say “You ALWAYS” and “You NEVER!” Don’t blame.
“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply…seek first to understand, then to be understood.” – Stephen Covey
8. The ‘D’ word…don’t use it.
Remove the word ‘divorce’ from your vocabulary. You may want to sleep in another room some nights and work things out in the morning. You are in this for the long haul.
9. Don’t say: “That’s just the way I am.”
We can ALWAYS learn, grow and become better.
10. Always be kind.
Sometimes you’ll be tired or irritated, but you don’t have to be rude. Be kind.
No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.
11. Respect
You were raised in a house full of women and don’t know how important “respect” is to a man. Do some research on this word, and apply what you’ve learned. (Spoiler Alert: Your future involves a house full of MEN)
12. When going through a hard time…keep going!
Tough times will come, fight the problem and not each other. It will get better.
There’s a rainbow in every cloud. – Maya Angelou
Love,
Kathryn –
17 years later, I still do NOT have all these tips mastered. I’m a work in progress. I’m still softening my rough spots and learning to love Ted. But those are some things I wish I knew from our first day of marriage!
What tip would have helped YOU as a newlywed? Leave a comment!
Most importantly, if you’ve found this post helpful, please share it on Facebook or Twitter.
O
Halloween
This was our first Minnesota Halloween, and we were invited to two neighborhood parties! One was an annual gathering and the other was a “play on words” party.
Nickelback
Clark: Ninja Kid
The Apostle Paul
Super Luke
The weather was perfect on Halloween and the kids had fun trick-or-treating with their friends. When Luke got too tired to walk, we went home and passed out candy – which is almost just as fun as collecting candy.
Neighborhood friends
Minnesota Zoo
The boys had a four day weekend, so we took one day to go to the zoo. The zoo was awesome, but Paul got his first PUNCH in the face by a kid on the Zoo playground! I’m not exactly sure what happened, but I do know it started with a game of tag and ended with a bloody nose.
Paul was okay, thankfully, and loved the Zoo in spite of the ‘incident.” We bought an annual pass, so if anyone wants to join us next time, leave me a comment!
Sharks were Paul’s favorite!
House of Mirrors
We visited the Amazing Mirror Maze at the Mall of America. The boys had been asking to do it, and when I found a discount on Groupon, I snagged the deal. They loved it! I’ve never done a mirror maze and it was fun! If you bring young children, I recommend you hold their hand. Paul (my 6 year old) insisted on walking ahead of me and banged his head into a mirror. He was okay but the mirrors are incredibly deceiving! I walked very SLOW!
Four pairs of wrestling shoes!
Wrestling
The boys started wrestling and needed wrestling shoes. I went to Play it again sports and they didn’t have any good used ones, so I bought one pair of new ones. I didn’t know how EXPENSIVE wrestling shoes were, and I didn’t want to buy FOUR new pairs. Thankfully, a friend gave us a pair of shoes that her son had outgrown for free. I found another pair on Facebook Marketplace, and the last pair on Craigslist. The 3 used pairs of wrestling shoes were still cheaper than the ONE pair of new ones. I wasn’t in sports as a kid, so I’m still adjusting to how much sports (and all the equipment) can cost – and am happy to let my boys borrow or purchase used items whenever possible.
Saying Good-bye to the Minivan Years
We traded in our minivan for a car. My minivan was sooo well loved and it was time to trade it in before winter arrived. I was nervous about getting stuck somewhere with four boys. Ted’s going to use the car for work, and I’m driving our SUV. I LOVED my minivan… the sliding doors and all the space! If I don’t feel the same about this SUV, I may have to go back. Minivans are MADE for moms – especially moms with four boys!
Minnesota Vikings
Chad Beebe, a family friend, has been on the Vikings practice squad since the summer and just got called up to play with the team. It was fun to watch him play – especially since he did really well. We attended church with his family in Illinois. My first memory of Chad was when he was about 8 years old. I had just started my position as the Children’s Ministry Director. I was signing him into Children’s Church and I couldn’t remember his name. I was too embarrassed to tell him that I didn’t know his name so I said: “Spell your name for me buddy!” He said slowly, “C….H….A….D.” I smiled, thanked him and handed him his tag. I should have just asked him his name because I was more embarrassed having him spell it. I never forgot his name after that. The Beebe’s are an amazing family and I’m excited for all of them.
What I’m loving this week:
My Swagbucks app because I get free Starbucks gift cards! This is a screenshot of the gift cards I’ve earned in just the last couple of months.
These are the gift cards I’ve received in the last two months!
Click here if you’d like to download the FREE app that earns you FREE gift cards:
Use code SHOP348890 or download http://getsk.co/shop348890
One of the joys in moving is how small the world seems when you find old friends in new places. I love how I can see God directing my path as I meet people at just the right time and place.
This happened to us when we moved to Colorado in 2015, I wrote about it here.
It’s happening again in Minnesota. Here are three examples:
One:
I told myself that when we got settled here, I would reward myself with a massage. Well, we are finally feeling settled and I found a massage therapist in my town and booked an appointment. Her last name is very unusual – yet familiar. I had friends in Tulsa, OK with the same last name. I looked this massage therapist up on social media – and realized that she had married into an amazing family I know in Tulsa. I knew her husband, her in-laws, aunts and uncles! It was so fun to meet her and catch up on the people we know in common. And the massage was great too!
Two:
I shared a while back about a group of ladies that I ‘randomly’ bumped into at a coffee shop right after moving here. (You can read about it by clicking here – scroll down to “River Valley Church”) Those ladies have become friends and have helped me get to know SO many others! They’ve welcomed me into their community and I’ve loved getting to know them.
Three:
I went to a woman’s conference recently. As we were walking in, I met and started chatting with a lady. I really connected with her and wanted to sit by her so we could continue talking – but I was with a large group – and I didn’t know any of the ladies very well, so I didn’t want to force myself into a seat next to her. However, it just happened that we DID get to sit next to each other and had time to chat some more. I loved hearing her story and the interesting things that have happened in her life. I asked if she’s ever written her story or had an outlet to share it and she responded, “Yes, I help run the TwinCitiesMomBlog.com and am a blogger.” Wow! I told her I had just begun writing for the Colorado Springs Mom Blog before I moved. This new friend and I exchanged numbers and I look forward to connecting with her in the future.
Are these three incidences RANDOM COINCIDENCES? I don’t think so!
The steps of good men are directed by the Lord. He delights in each step they take. Psalm 37:23 (The Living Bible)
These experiences have been added to my GRATITUDE list! When days are hard and I’m feeling lonely in my new place, I remember that slowly, doors will open and new friendships will form. I may find an old friend who becomes a new friend, and new friends who will eventually be old friends!
Do you have a story of “coincidence?” Share it in the comments section!
In the Bible, in the book of Exodus, Moses asks God, “Who should I tell the people who sent me.” In other words, ‘What’s your name?”
In Exodus 3:14 God answers Moses by saying,
“I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”
Have you considered that because God calls himself, “I AM,” we could be using God’s name in vain by saying “I am ____” and filling in the blank with something negative.
Exodus 20:7 “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.”
I still believe that we shouldn’t use God’s name as a swear word, but perhaps we should also avoid calling ourselves something that contradicts who God made us to be!
When my children say something negative about themselves, it hurts this mama’s heart. I immediately correct them. How much more does it hurt God’s heart when we talk negatively about ourselves – His Creation…His child?
Who does God say that you are?
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14
You are righteous Romans 3:22
You are loved Jer 31:3, Ephesians 3:18, I John 3:1
You are created with a purpose Jeremiah 29:11
You are chosen, special, royalty 1 Peter 2:9
You are protected Psalm 121:3, 2 Thessalonians 3:3
You are strong 1 Peter 5:10, 2 Timothy 1:7, Isaiah 41:10
You are a child of God 1 John 3:1
You are Holy and Blameless Ephesians 1:4
You lack nothing Psalm 23:1
You are honorable Psalm 8:5
“Our minds will be influenced either by our Father’s affirmations of us revealed in the Scriptures or by the negative thoughts and images that continually try to cripple us through feelings of rejections, loneliness and shame.” -SJ Hill, What’s God Really Like?
Let’s help our children remember who they are and WHOSE they are.
When they are talking negatively, have them REPLACE their words with truth.
Change “I can’t do this” to “I can’t do this, YET!” (or “I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me Strength” Philippians 4:13)
“I am afraid” becomes “God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of LOVE, power and a SOUND mind” (1 Timothy 1 :7)
“I’m a failure” to “I was chosen by God!” (John 15:16)
“No one likes me” to “I am loved by the Creator of the Universe!” (1 John 3:1)
Take a minute, close your eyes, and let God tell you who you are!
You are LOVED!
Click here for a POWERFUL Daily Declaration to speak over yourself and your family.
Click here for 12 verses to reduce your fear and build your FAITH.