Category: Family Life: Parenting

How to teach our kids to make wise godly decisions 

Leave a comment

HOW TO TEACH OUR KIDS TO MAKE WISE GODLY DECISIONS. This verse arrested me this morning. I have been seeking God about something for one of my kids and God told me to turn to Hosea 10. Nothing hit me until I got to Verse 12 then it was like the Fourth of July went off in my spirit- there is more to the story that I will continue very soon.
What I can say now, is that I am so thankful we have taught our kids how to hear the voice of God. It is in times like this where God is directing my 12 year old’s path and even talked to my son before he talked to us his parents. Our conversation about this totally took us by surprise. We are teaching our son that having the feeling or a sense is not the only way we go about making decisions. When we feel like God is talking to us there are many confirmations we need to get before we make major decisions in our life. Even though he had a couple vivid dreams about this situation and really wanted to do it, we told him we need to dig in a little deeper to God’s heart and get confirmation in other ways. 🚦

1. We asked him if he had prayed about it. Yes, sincerely🙏🏻

2. Did he ask for advise from parents and pastors? 👍🏻Yes from us and he went on his own to talk to his pastor yesterday, which was easy because it is his (Papa) Grandpa Hjertstedt. The cool part was that we didn’t even tell him to do this, he did it on his own 😍

3. What confirmation has he seen in the Bible? 🔦 he hasn’t come to this part himself but the verse below did it for me. Reading it and studying its meaning gave me confidence and peace. Now I will ask him to see what God says to him from the Bible.

Colossians 3:16 Let the word spoken by Christ the Messiah have its home in your hearts and minds and dwell in you in all its richness, as you teach and admonish and train one another in all insight and intelligence and wisdom in spiritual things, and as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, making melody to God with His grace in your hearts. – Amplified

4. Is there an open door for the desired decision to happen? 🚪Need to knock and find out.

5. Provision? Is the financial part working out?💸 “If it is God’s WILL it is God’s BILL .” says my dad, Joel Hjertstedt

6. Do you have peace? Do your parents and pastors have peace? ✌Yes

Colossians 3:15 And let the peace (soul harmony) which comes from Christ rule (act as umpire) continually in your hearts deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state to which as members of Christ’s one body you were also called to live. And be thankful appreciative, giving praise to God always.   -Amplified

Unfortunately, I know many adults who have never learned this process of making a wise godly decision. It breaks my heart and I hope this blesses you to see how we can go about making a decision and know we have followed God’s heart and lead down his path.

Here is a link to Joyce Meyers article about making good decisions. Definitely a confirmation.

https://www.joycemeyer.org/articles/ea.aspx?article=following_peace_to_make_the_right_decisions

Hosea 10:12 Sow for yourselves according to righteousness uprightness and right standing with God; reap according to mercy and loving-kindness. Break up your uncultivated ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, to inquire for and of Him, and to require His favor, till He comes and teaches you righteousness and rains His righteous gift of salvation upon you. (Amplified version)


3 Ways to Protect your Child’s electronic innocence

Leave a comment

5/29/15: UPDATED BELOW: (warning graphic) 3 ways to check how your innocent kids may be affected by unintentional trash on their electronics. Parents, if you have minor children in your house who have access to a iPhone, iPod, iPad or other brand devices, You need to read this!  Have you done a check recently on what they have been engaging with? I would severely encourage you to set boundaries with your kids and have them realize their electronics are a privilege not a right and you have access anytime to do a check. And do it weekly if needed. With our kids they are required to tell us what the password is and give us access it anytime. When they try to swipe things up before they hand it over it puts me on edge. For those of you who need help in a technological way of how to look at their history here are three  ways to do it

Go to:

Settings -General- Usage – Battery Usage (this will show you which apps or things they have had open in the last 24 hours or more) 

The most important one is to check what they have been watching on the Internet. This can be done two ways: first go to Safari. 

On Safari – click on the book in the toolbar below- then look at history

The next most important and most revealing is to go on to that YouTube app – clicked on the dashed lines in the top left-hand corner and select history. Many apps from games nowadays will ask kids if they want free coin by viewing a video. But the sinful crap that comes before their eyes and ears is something you will never be able to take away. I recommend removing any game that requires young kids to watch videos for free coins. The temptation is so great because any kid wants free coins. But what comes through the speakers would absolutely make you throw up like it did with me tonight. Even though my son said he never watches the videos he turns them over when they begin to play and does not listen to your phones, the level of filth I saw was beyond sick. I need to pray a cleansing prayer over myself from just what I saw (Pig in a Strip Club) need I say more!

Parents this is not legalistic and it is not taking away your kids choices, it is been a good parent. A parent that loves your kids. Parent who’s teaching them to make good choices. But sometimes kids need a revelation on what those choices are. God tells us to train up a child in the way he should go and when he is older he will not depart. (Proverbs 22:6) 

  Training doesn’t mean tell them one time and expect they will do it right every time. It is up to us to show them what a godly standard is.

Its when you see secretive behavior when you begin questioning kids that you know there is something there that is pricking their conscience.  We cant give up asking questions and asking the Holy Spirit to bring to light what is hidden. If not there is a path of destruction drawing them in. We need to pray that God gives parents and guardians wisdom. On how to train our kids hearts. The temptation of this world is absolutely horrible and going to get worse. God have mercy on the parents of the last generation.

Here is a link to some of the top apps that block porn.
http://appcrawlr.com/ios-apps/best-apps-block-porn

There are two other amazing computer protection and accountability websites:

Covenant Eyes: http://www.covenanteyes.com

Net Nanny: http://www.netnanny.com

This Mobicip site is amazing. I just paid for the premium subscription and it is worth every penny. I just installed it on my kids devices. You can customize everything specifically and what is restricted as well as customize each of the 5 devices and their security level. Tim and I are getting set up on it now. This is the first program I have found that uses its own browser to help block restricted sites. I am so thankful God led me to this.

http://www.mobicip.com/

 Article from Time Magazine on Christians and Pornography (Thank you to my friend Shara for sending this to me)
UPDATED 5/29/15

 I would never post a picture like this except my son was just playing an Angry birds Transformer edition on my phone and clicked on the option to watch a video to get extra game rewards (which I have to sternly remind him he is not aslllowed to do) While he said he flipped the phone over while it was playing, my phone rang and this was what was on my screen when I hung up!!!!   

I realize now I need to have as strict rules on my phone that I have set up for my kids. The video played inside the game app so I dont know if it would have been blocked anyways. I am one fired up mama!! YOUR KIDS COULD BE SEEING THIS EVERY DAY AND YOU WOULD NEVER KNOW!!! We have to be VIGILANT!!

Please check out this link for 10 steps to be free of porn addiction and masterbation 

http://xxxchurch.com/men/10-steps-go-year-free-porn-masturbation.html

You were not born with a cape!

Leave a comment

Lets just say, it was a very bad morning. Which started last night when my daughter finally let me wiggle her tooth that needed to come out because she has another one behind it coming in. Unfortunately we didn’t stop till 9:45 PM which was way past their bedtime. (Husband not happy) The tooth is still in there. That affected everybody else at night and this morning as they were very tired. My oldest (12yrs) didn’t have clothes that were clean because he did not follow directions and put them in the washing machine over the weekend, dispite 3 reminders. Then he broke his brother’s plastic gun by sitting on it. Which resulted in a very mad brother.

 All in all, everybody got to school on time and I was very happy to know that I am not superwoman. Despite my day starting off the way it did I will not live in a state of frustration or depression.  God said, 

  

I am so thankful that I can rely on his grace and strength every day. Because if I had to go on my own, it would’ve stopped about 12 years ago.

NEVER FORGET- GOD DID NOT CREATE YOU WITH A CAPE! So stop living under the expectations of being superwoman.

  

I realized today that I need to make sure I am DAILY declaring the promises of God over myself, my children, my family and friends, my church, my city and my nation.

I just purchased the book “65 Promises from God for your child” by Mike Shreve. (http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1616389605/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1432068946&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SY200_QL40&keywords=65+promises+from+god+for+your+child&dpPl=1&dpID=510LChhk6yL&ref=plSrch)

  

 I am literally trembling with excitement just reading the first few pages. It is time to start to DAILY declare the promises of God over my children. As I declare it will change my own attitude and shift my spirit to be focused on my kids are the eyes of Christ.

Here is the article I found out about his book

http://www.charismamag.com/life/relationships/16417-learn-to-claim-god-s-promises-for-your-children

I love dubstep…from the mouth of my babe

Leave a comment

Tonight I stepped into something that allowed my son to experience music like he had been desperate for. The mainstream Christian music scene has done a very poor job of catering to a group of society who kick it just a little bit different.  My son heard dubstep from a video game and then asked friends what it was. Without me knowing he began listening to many different songs (that was before our Mobicip app was installed). Although there are few to little words there is always the spirit behind the music that drastically affects him. When you have a kid who is very spiritually sensitive I have learned that I have to teach him to be careful what is feeding him.  I was desperate and reached out to a old friend (Andrew Iverson) who I knew had talked in the past about the mainstream Christian music scene being soo limited. He turned me on to http://www.ChristianDanceMusic.net

This website is absolutely incredible. David has been going through it today looking for the artists he likes. There are many more genres besides dubstep for you to check out. PARENTS WE NEED TO BE VIGILANT, and TAKE TIME TO FIND RIGHTEOUS REPLACEMENTS for what our kids are drawn to. I am not going to reject a genre altogether just because I do not personally enjoy it myself. If I deny my kid something that is enticing him, just because it does not fit into the traditional Christian framework, and I do not take the time and effort to find another way to replace what was lost, I may lose him, and I WILL NOT LOSE HIM! On the flip-side if I allow my son to listen to secular music that is attached to pornography, violence and witchcraft (just check out what the artists endorse like I did, yikes!!) than I will lose him for not guiding him biblically. I want my kids to have a heart for music that glorifies God, it just takes a little digging. Thank you so much Andy!!

  

Mom’s you are not a holiday failure 

Leave a comment

God told me to send this out to every mom out there feels like she doesn’t do it good enough for your kids. I know I am not a mom who is good at all of the creative extra detail things when I comes to holidays. This last weekend the enemy kept on trying to heap on condemnation and guilt that I’m a horrible mom because I don’t do all the creative and fancy holiday extras that other moms and grandmas to do.

But this picture below solidifies what God is trying to tell me. I’m speaking this to all of you moms and grandmas out there who feel a heavyweight of “I’m not good enough”. That is a lie from the pit of hell, ask forgiveness for believing that lie and asked Holy Spirit what the truth is. I know I am.

Foundational Tool Essentials for every kind of relationship

Leave a comment

If you are going through any struggles in your relationship whether it be with your spouse, relatives, friend or coworker – you need these two books Keep Your Love On by Danny Silk & The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman. They have revolutionized my life and marriage in ways no other teaching tools has. They should be a foundation in your life no matter what age or status you are. Destiny Christian Fellowship Family Life Ministries will be starting the first two Video sessions from Danny Silk’s book “Keep Your Love On” this Saturday.

IMG_3875

IMG_3876

The Reason I Live and Breathe

Leave a comment

Lately there has been a heightened level of talk about the coming back of Jesus. Especially if you listen to the teachings on what is happening in the signs in the heavens, and the blood moons.

I know HE is coming back and I also know that no man or woman knows the day or the hour. I have no doubt, however, that the season is getting closer. People are talking about economic collapse, World War III, especially with all the intensity that is happening in the Middle East. I know that I will be praying on March 3, as prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the United States Congress on what is happening in Iran and how it is affecting Israel. Christians in America need to stand in the gap for our nation on that day, that the hearts of our leaders would turn towards God and also towards Israel. The nation who supports and blesses Israel will be blessed.

With thoughts of the return of Jesus, my first instinct is to make sure I am living a life of purity and righteousness before God, that is my personal responsibility. I want to live this life in honor and respect with my husband, walking hand in hand with him in peace as we “press in to the High calling in Christ Jesus”. Next it is my responsibility to train and teach my children to walk closely with God, not just head knowledge but heart knowledge that causes them to have a personal relationship with their Savior. I want to live a life that is an example of Jesus to others, my neighbors, my friends and people I meet.

The world is hungry for what Jesus has, many do not know what that hunger is or where to find it. This is our chance to give them a piece of the puzzle that they have been missing their whole life. Why would I hold back their completion?

My mandate, in the season, is to do all that I can to equip families in our church and wherever around the world God sends my family and I. To give them the tools they need to build strong relationships with their spouse and raise a mighty women and men of God.
If couples do not know how to handle conflicts in their relationship before the tribulation, how in the world are they going to withstand when things get really tough.

Think about families in the Middle East who are having their love ones slaughtered by ISIS, I bet they are not fighting over who left the milk out and who spent the last of the grocery money. This is where it gets real people. We need to know how to communicate with each other, how to have self-control in our thoughts and actions. How to make good decisions. How to honor our spouse and leaders even when we don’t agree 100% percent. Honor is not about agreement it is about respecting a person because of who they are as a son and daughter of God. This list could go on and on which shows the necessity of my mandate.

Our children need us to hold it together and thrive because they are going to carry the torch in their generation. I want them to be prepared to be the army of God who will stand righteous and victorious.
IMG_3866

PARENTS: YOU are a Worship Leader

Leave a comment

worship with your kids

There is nothing like the sweet presence of Jesus filling our home as we worship! I just sat down at the piano which I dont do very often, and began playing from my heart a few songs that flowed right into each other. This morning I have been singing I Surrender All. So I started with that, then a song God gave me in High School. Next I exalt Thee and I love you Lord. When I was done I looked and David was curled in a ball crying saying that was the most amazing thing I have felt and heard. I told his it was the presence of Jesus. That when our worship goes up to him, He comes down and spends time with us. We dont even have to sing any words, he knows our hearts.

Elicia was crying on the couch in the other room because she was sad about her missing kitty. She said when she heard the music she felt peace and stopped crying. 

 Oh, Jesus we love You and Your presence. Take over our lives, let our children experience the outpouring of your presence and the filling of your Spirit. Take control and consume us with only you. ‼️