Girls To Grow - Page 2 of 180 - Nurturing moms in their walk with God

Saturday Salutes

August 26, 2017 by Tracey 1 Comment

Tuesday was the first day of school for my daughters ~ a High School Junior and a Freshman!

Melanie’s one of my favorite bloggers, and I loved the video and thoughts she shared on her daughter’s first day of high school.

Cassandra asks, Feeling Bored with Your Marriage? Here’s How to Change It.

Ayanna shares Five Things Every Mom Wants Her Daughter to Know.

Laura gives us a Master List of Simple Lunch Box Ideas. These would work well for quick lunches at home, too!

Even though we’re still experiencing hot weather here, I made this White Bean and Chicken Enchilada Soup for supper on Thursday night. It was delicious, and will definitely go on the menu for fall and winter.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

How to Live in the New School Year (Or Anytime You Want a Fresh Start)

August 24, 2017 by Tracey 3 Comments

My girls went back to school on Tuesday. After the rained-out solar eclipse on Monday afternoon (though at least we got to use our glasses for a few minutes when the eclipse first started!), we packed book bags and lunch boxes and headed out the door quite early Tuesday morning.

I wasn’t ready for the school year to start, but I do sincerely love getting back into a routine! In the spirit of starting the day on the right foot, I was up early to do my devotions. I just started reading through Isaiah, and in chapter 2, verse 5, I found some inspiration for my girls (and myself) for the new school year.

“…let us walk in the light of the Lord.”

I shared this with my girls on our drive to school. I wish I was disciplined enough to remember to say it to them every morning when they head out the door. (Okay, I’m dealing with two teenagers here so I could get some funny looks, but if I say it enough, it might sink in!) Maybe I need to post it somewhere visible – like taped to the dashboard of the car, or on the door that leads out to the garage.

I wanted to break down for myself what it might mean to live in the light of the Lord. Here are a few ideas I had.

1. Live in the light of the salvation I have through Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:9 says, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light;”

Every day I live I should be grateful for my salvation. God sent His Son to die for my sins. He provided a way for me to live with Him in heaven forever. Praise God for that! Because of my salvation, I can live in victory over sin and with the hope of an eternal home in heaven always before me.

2. Walk in the light of His Word.

Have you ever studied all that Psalm 119 has to say about God’s Word? Verse 105 says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

Each day my daughters and I – and you – can be guided by principles from God’s Word. This is why it’s so important to be reading it every single day. It’s where I learn what steps I should take and how to handle what comes my way. My girls are in a stage of life where they will be making “big” life decisions. What better way for them to find guidance than through prayer and consistently studying God’s Word.

Psalm 119:130 says, “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” I get wisdom and understanding from God’s Word. I find instruction that tells me how to live as God wants me to.

3. Grow in the light of knowing God.

1 John 1:5, “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” As we get into God’s Word, we learn more about Him, His character, and how He works in the lives of His children. How I want my daughters to learn more about God in the coming months by experiencing answered prayer and by seeing Him carry them through difficult days that come.

We can’t be distracted by the darkness of sin; that keeps us out of His light. Prayer helps keep our consciences tender towards the conviction of the Holy Spirit when we’re straying from the right path.

4. Show His light to others.

What Scripture fits better here than Matthew 5:16? “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

I’m sure we can all think of practical ways to show His light to others. At school, my girls can be a testimony by having compassion when a classmate’s hurting, treating teachers with respect, and making choices to do what’s right in spite of what others choose to do. Humility and graciousness in the way we interact with others will get us all a long way.

It’s not my own light that I want to be recognized. Rather I should ask myself how well I’m reflecting the light of God. If my heart is right with Him, I can shine brightly for His glory.

My hope and prayer is that over the next nine months, each of us in our family will “walk in the light of the Lord!”

Saturday Salutes

August 19, 2017 by Tracey 5 Comments

Took this photo earlier this week behind our minor league baseball stadium. So many beautiful views in Charleston!

This past week has been full of getting ready for our girls to go back to school, and having new carpet put down in our three bedrooms.

It actually worked out as a great way to end the summer! Since everything had to be moved out of those rooms, we had a chance to really clean and organize those spaces. (Okay, maybe my girls didn’t think it was such a fine way to end the summer – but I did take them for back-to-school pedicures yesterday!)

Here are some helpful posts I’ve found lately.

Katie shares What I Almost Missed at 7:56.

Sally writes about Making Choices That Invest in Eternity.

Christy talks about Growing Old and Fat with a Side of Happy.

If keeping up with the laundry has you flustered, Shannon has 6 Routines for Getting the Laundry Done.

Kathie tells us How to Stay Connected to Your Teen.

Can I just say we need this in our house at times? Lisa lists 3 Steps to Battle Bickering.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!

4 Ways You Can Live as a Philippians 2 Christian Woman Today

August 8, 2017 by Tracey 5 Comments

There’s silence in the house.

My girls are at band camp this week. It’s just a day camp at their school, but they leave the house by 8:30am and get home around 3:30pm. It’s good for us to be getting back into some kind of routine before school starts again in two weeks. All of that to say that maybe this will be the week that boosts me back into some regular blogging activities!!

When I’m in between Bible studies, I default to reading through my favorite books of the Bible. In the Old Testament, that’s usually Isaiah (Psalms is also a favorite, but I already have the habit of reading a chapter there daily). In the New Testament, it’s typically Philippians. There’s so much in that book that tells me how to live the Christian life successfully!

While I’ve read Philippians many times, it struck me last week just how practical it is. If I followed its principles, I know I’d see growth in my spiritual life. I’m praying that the Holy Spirit will give me strength and guidance to use what I’m learning there to live for God. Below are four principles from chapter two that will help me do exactly that.

1. Keep a lowly mind.

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” ~Philippians 2:3

Do you see that it is says “Let NOTHING be done through strife or vainglory?” That means that I shouldn’t do anything out of bitterness or anger (not typically so much of a problem for me as I tend to have a peacemaker personality). But the vainglory part – doing nothing with the desire of getting glory for myself, just hoping I’ll get noticed, with pride as my motive? That one I definitely struggle with!

This sets the stage for the second part of the verse, which deals with how I view myself and others. It’s easy to tell my kids “put others first,” but hard to live in front of them. Am I putting myself first when I won’t let someone pull ahead of me in traffic? How about when I secretly race to beat someone to the checkout line at the grocery store? (Is that just me???) How about if I work behind the scenes to get my children placed ahead of others in some scenario? None of those are evidence of having a meek and gentle spirit.

2. Have a servant’s heart.

“But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:” ~Philippians 2:7

Of course this verse is referring to Christ. If you read verse 8, you might begin to realize the magnitude of Christ’s servant hood. He emptied Himself of His heavenly glory, took on the form of man, and willingly died on a cross for our sins.

Jesus CHOSE to humble himself. And I get to choose every day if I’m going to humble myself. Look at all that Jesus gave up for me. Will I give up my rights, subdue my pride, do that job that no one else wants to do?

3. Cultivate a contented spirit.

“Do all things without murmurings and disputings:” ~Philippians 2:14

Well, I would say that’s pretty plain. Here we are again with those absolutes – “Do ALL things…” Doesn’t leave much room for argument, does it? Without complaining or arguing, I’m to go about my daily business.

I think this ties in to verse 13, which says, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” To me, that says that God is doing His work according to His plan and for His glory in my life. So why would I complain about what He’s doing or argue that it shouldn’t be this way?

4. Shine as a light in the world.

“That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;” ~Philippians 2:15

Living out the three verses listed above leads us to this one. If I’m following what Paul wrote earlier in the chapter, I’m going to be different than the unsaved people around me. Our flesh usually defaults to a prideful, me-first, unhappy-when-things-aren’t-going-my-way spirit. I can draw others to Christ if I’m showing them the opposite of what comes naturally to us all.

Let’s choose to live today with a lowly mind, a servant’s heart, and a contented spirit so that we can shine as lights for Jesus and show His love to others.

Saturday Salutes

August 5, 2017 by Tracey 5 Comments

I’ve been collecting these over the last several weeks, and finally have enough to fill up a post!

Saturday Salutes from Girls to Grow

Let’s Bring Motherhood Down a Notch was just the post I needed to read in this season.

Ashleigh has Four Ways to Practice Patience in Marriage.

Anastasia lists Top 10 Habits That Will Destroy Your Marriage.

If you’ve got a road trip left this summer, Gretchen has The Ultimate List of Epic Audio Adventures for the Whole Family.

I found Six Biblical Attitudes to Instill in Our Children at Faith Filled Parenting.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!

He Is My Strength, My Song, My Salvation

August 1, 2017 by Tracey 6 Comments

We know that life is full of peaks and valleys. Sometimes a single day has its fair share of ups and downs!

If you want to see the whole range of human emotions laid out in the Bible, run to the Psalms. David can go from the depths of despair to praising the Lord profusely in a matter of a few verses. He’s not afraid to share his fears, his joy, his anger, his doubt, his hope, and his failings.

One of the things I love about David’s Psalms is how he shares his view of God. He sees God as a rock, a refuge, a shield, and a fortress. He praises God by highlighting different facets of God’s personality. Today I want to look at one of those verses from Psalms where David describes our Lord.

“The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.” ~ Psalm 118:14

The three “s” words in this verse caught my attention.

The Lord is my strength, song, salvation.

1. He is my strength. In time of need, God is my anchor and my rock. He gives me courage to face whatever today may bring. I often think that I’m strong all on my own, but in a moment, a trial can knock me off my feet. No problem I face will ever be greater than God’s ability to handle it.

He gives me the power to resist Satan’s attacks and to overcome the weaknesses of my own flesh. God’s resources of power are unlimited. If I don’t access them, it’s because I’m failing to ask for His help, not because He is weak.

2. He is my song. Almost every morning, my husband is whistling or humming a song as he gets ready for work. I’m sure he doesn’t automatically feel that happy when he gets out of bed every day. I sense that he’s making a choice to positively focus his thoughts in order to start the day with joy.

God can give us that song in our hearts. There may be days when it’s hard to move that song up out of our hearts and onto our lips. Yet I can have gladness in my soul as I find my joy in Him. He provides the underlying melody for my life. He offers joy unspeakable, peace that passes understanding, and love that never fails.

3. He is my salvation. Because I have trusted Jesus as my Savior, I have eternal salvation. However, the Lord is also my salvation from the sin with which I struggle today. Through His Spirit’s power, I can overcome my troublesome tongue, my grumpy attitude, my pride, or whatever sin that tempts me.

God also offers me salvation from going my own way as a Christian. He can keep me from taking wrong steps if I’ll just look to His Word for direction and ask for His wisdom in prayer. I’m thankful that His salvation is not only for my past sins and the future of my soul, but for my present life. I know that He watches over and protects me as His child.

The longer I live this Christian life, the more I see my need for Him. How thankful I am for God’s faithfulness and the reassurance I find in His Word!

Pinpointing Blessings and Finding Encouragement

July 24, 2017 by Tracey 4 Comments

So this isn’t going to be a “normal” post, but just an update on why I’ve been absent from the blog lately.

First of all, it’s summer. Our schedule’s been different every week, and it’s been hard to get into a writing routine.

Secondly, my dad’s had some health issues, so I took a trip up to Virginia last week.

I don’t think I’ve ever been away for several days while my husband and daughters were still at home. In spite of the difficult circumstances that caused me to leave town, I was so thankful for the following:

~ a new realization that my siblings are some of my favorite people on the planet

~ two teenage daughters who managed the house while I was gone

~ two sweet friends who delivered the girls where they needed to be (and entertained them as well)

~ a husband who told me to take as long as I needed to help my family

I’ve certainly been looking for encouragement in this season, and, as always, God’s Word and good music have been a blessing to my heart.

After praying through much of the night, and feeling like my prayers weren’t being answered, I read Psalm 65:2. Here David addresses God as “O Thou that hearest prayer…” What a reminder that God is hearing, and will answer in His time and His way.

When I looked at the circumstances and thought, “Lord, it’s hard to trust you now,” I found Psalm 62:8 that says “Trust in Him at all times…”

When I said “Yes, Lord, but this is really hard,” I remembered Job 13:15, which says “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him…”

And a comforting hymn to remind me of God’s care…

Be not dismayed whate’er betide,
God will take care of you;
Beneath His wings of love abide,
God will take care of you.

Refrain:
God will take care of you,
Through every day, o’er all the way;
He will take care of you,
God will take care of you.

No matter what may be the test,
God will take care of you;
Lean, weary one, upon His breast,
God will take care of you.

~Civilla D. Martin

I know I’ve shared the video below on the blog before, but it’s been a fresh blessing to me in these days. When it seems like God isn’t at work, I have to trust that He is, and keep taking my burdens and needs to Him in prayer.

[If you’re reading in e-mail, you’ll have to click over to the blog to see the video.}

We have Vacation Bible School at our church this week. I’m looking forward to working with the 3rd and 4th graders each night!

Hoping to be back to a more regular blogging schedule soon. In the meantime, I hope your summer is going well!!

A Prayer for When You’re Feeling Overwhelmed

July 12, 2017 by Tracey 3 Comments

We all have those times in our lives when we feel utterly undone. Every day just seems to bring a new burden. Or perhaps negative emotions threaten to bury us. It could be grief, sickness, a jam-packed schedule, disappointment, or fear.

When that happens, I know where I need to go. It may not be what I feel like doing in the moment. But I’m writing this down here in hopes that I’ll look back and find encouragement in these words when I’m struggling through one of those seasons.

Comforting words based on Psalm 61

I’ve based this prayer on what I read from David in Psalm 61.

O, God, hear this prayer of mine.

I’m in a place I’ve never been before, and I’m overwhelmed. I can’t see my way out. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Set me in Christ, my Savior.

You’ve been my shelter in the past; shield me once again. I know I can find refuge in you. Help me trust You, lean on you when my strength is all gone. Let me have full confidence in your protection.

Measure out your mercy to me; I need it so much. Allow the truth of your Word to flood my mind and keep me safe from all the fears that want to take me down.

At the end of it all, dear Lord, let me praise your name. Have this situation bring you honor and glory. May I live every day, no matter how difficult, with a song of praise on my lips.

On the day that I was studying this chapter, I also read this hymn. I thought they fit well together!

Is there a heart o’erbound by sorrow?
Is there a life weighed down by care?
Come to the cross, each burden bearing;
All your anxiety—leave it there.

Refrain:
All your anxiety, all your care,
Bring to the mercy seat, leave it there,
Never a burden He cannot bear,
Never a friend like Jesus!

No other friend so swift to help you,
No other friend so quick to hear,
No other place to leave your burden,
No other one to hear your prayer.

Come then at once; delay no longer!
Heed His entreaty kind and sweet,
You need not fear a disappointment;
You shall find peace at the mercy seat.

~Edward H. Joy, 1920

Saturday Salutes

July 8, 2017 by Tracey 2 Comments

One of the beautiful old houses my husband and I saw on a day trip to Beaufort, SC last week.

Rebekah shares 3 Biblical Topics Young Women Must Study. These would be great for my girls as well as for myself – or as a study for us to do together!

Kristen writes Dear Daughter: God Uses Everything.

Deb has 12 Simple Ways to Worship God Every Day.

Joy lists 32 Simple Summer Activities for Kids.

Stephanie says Don’t “Yuck” on Someone Else’s “Yum.”

Like with a lot of other things, I’d gotten behind on listening to podcasts this summer. However, the Focus on the Family broadcast Words of Kindness, Source of Healing with Florence Littauer really spoke to me about the importance of using encouraging words to uplift others (especially my husband and children).

Our girls have been out of school for five weeks now, but I still feel like we’re just getting into a bit of a summer routine. Every week looks a little different, so I’m trying to just go with the flow – not my strong suit, but I’ll keep working on it! We got their class schedules for the upcoming school year in the mail this week, and now I’m even more determined to enjoy the slower pace before Chemistry and Algebra II make an appearance in our world!

Have a wonderful weekend!!

10 Bible Passages of Praise for Worshiping God

July 7, 2017 by Tracey 10 Comments

How often do you take time to just praise the Lord? I find when I ask myself that question that the answer is “Not enough.”

Yes, I add to my written “gratitude list” regularly. I try to remember to thank God when I see a prayer answered in my life. But sometimes I find that I’m still in the spotlight at those times – whereas if I’m praising God, then all the focus is on Him.

Praising God can take the form of music, which is uplifting and ministers to my soul. Meditating on words from the Bible that give praise to God also encourages my heart.

Here I’ve gathered ten passages that are centered on praise. I didn’t type out the entire passage, but included a verse(s) that I particularly like. Many of the selections below contain praise to God for the works He has done as well as praise for His attributes, Who He is. I hope to keep that same twofold focus as I offer my own praise to God.

Meditate on one of these ten Scripture passages as you seek to praise God.

1. Exodus 15:1-19 Here Moses recounts God’s victory over the Egyptians at the Red Sea.

The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him. [verse 2]

2. I Samuel 2:1-10 Hannah praises God after the birth of her son Samuel.

There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. [verse 2]

3. II Samuel 22 David is the author of so many praise passages! Could his emphasis on praise be one of the reasons David was called a man after God’s own heart? (I Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22) Here he is praising God for delivering him from his enemies, including King Saul.

As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him. For who is God, save the Lord? and who is a rock, save our God? God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet: and setteth me upon my high places. [verses 31-34]

4. I Chronicles 16:7-36 Celebrate with David as the ark of the covenant returns to Jerusalem.

Sing unto the Lord, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation. Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations. For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods. [verses 23-25]

5. I Chronicles 29:10-20 David speaks to the people about his son Solomon becoming king, and the temple he will build for God.

Thine, O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name. [verses 11-13]

6. Psalm 103 I love that the Hebrew word for “Psalms” is “Praises.” Here’s a psalm of David.

Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: [verses 1-2]

7. Psalm 145 At one point, I wrote a post about this being my favorite praise passage.

I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. [verses 1-3]

8. Isaiah 25:1-9 And when it comes to favorites, Isaiah’s the prophet I most like to read.

O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. [verse 1]

9. Luke 1:46-55 Mary’s Magnificat, or hymn of praise

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. [verses 46-47]

10. Revelation 5:8-14 This scene is set in heaven. Yet another reason to spend time praising God here, to get ready for doing it in eternity!

Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. [verse 12]

Are there are other Bible passages that you use to praise God? I’d also like to gather a list of hymns that praise God, so let me know if you have a favorite one of those as well!