“Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life." 1 John 2:24-25 |
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Dear First name / Friend, The past few weeks at the McGlothlin Home for Boys have reminded me that I'm raising two normal, challenging, beautiful boys. At almost 15 and 17 (one with a new driver's license), they are spending more time away from our home. Sports, time with friends, girlfriends (gasp!), church activities, and more threaten our time with them on a regular basis. And I'm not complaining. They are getting ready to be men. My oldest will be a senior next year, and we're talking to friends and family who work in the profession he's interested in to figure out next steps. Next. Steps. How did we get here? When I wrote my first book, Praying for Boys, they were 5 and 7 years old, and I wasn't sure I would survive them! In fact, I had realized I wouldn't without God's help (that's why I wrote the book!). I look back now at all the time my husband and I have poured into them, prayed over them, taught them the scriptures, and taken them to church, and I can see how quickly it all moves. And I'm left with this one prayer: Lord, let it stick. A teacher at my sons' school approached me this week while I was working concessions at a basketball game to tell me my oldest was a good boy. Her son had attended the FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) meeting after lunch the week before, and my son was the speaker. Just for a few minutes. Probably less than 5. But whatever he'd shared stuck with her son enough that he shared it with his mom. And his mom felt like I needed to know my son was a good boy. He IS a good boy. But he's also a goofy boy, a little bit of a class clown, and really, a completely normal teenager with doubts, fears, and questions about life and faith. It's important to me that you know that. My boys are normal, and the fears I face as a mom are most likely the same as yours. Many, MANY mornings, I've watched him ride down our driveway with his cousin and brother and prayed, “Lord, let it stick.” What I mean by that is, Lord, please take everything we've done and said, and let the truth of it all be what whispers in their ears when they're away from us. Let what they've heard from the beginning abide in them. May the truth of God's Word we've tried to hide in their hearts over the last almost 17 years, root itself so deeply that it comes out when they least expect it—to guide them, control them, inspire them, and lead them. So this is my prayer for my sons this March. As everything here in Southwest Virginia turns green, and blooms with some of the finest beauty in the country, I pray God's Word will be fruitful and bloom in their hearts, so that they will “abide in the Son and in the Father.” Pray with me? |
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- A New Podcast Season - dropping today! This new season on the MPM Podcast is called REAL moms, REAL challenges, REAL prayer. I'm interviewing six of my favorite people, whose voices I personally listen to on a regular basis, to talk about what their prayer lives look like—how they started, how it's going now, and what prayer really looks like for them on a daily basis. These moms have overcome serious challenges to pursue vibrant prayer lives, and I hope you'll be encouraged by their stories, maybe even finding a piece of yours reflected in theirs. Click here to tune in!
- Prayer Club Starts Today - for the next 30 days, we're studying about and praying for true, biblical joy using our latest prayer journal, Everyday Prayers for Joy, and it's NOT too late for you to join. Click here to learn more and get signed up so you can get access to the Facebook group!
- The March Prayer Calendar is Ready - yours for just $5. Molly Cash, our Prayer Coordinator, put together a beautiful set of prayers for this month, focusing on newness, beauty, beginnings, and growth. Click here to learn more about getting your new prayer calendar at the beginning of each month.
- Join the MPM Prayer Team - if you're a committed believer who believes in the power of prayer, and is in agreement with our Statement of Faith, you can join the MPM Prayer Team and get weekly prayer requests for the ministry. We'd love to have you! Email me to learn more about it.
- A New Prayer Class - now that my family is all well (we had the crud for WEEKS in January/February it seemed) I have enough voice to teach again, and I'm happy to be recording a new MPM Prayer Class on The Lord's Prayer. Details coming soon!
- The Prayer Huddle Is Reopening - I'm not 100% sure of the date yet, but my prayer course for moms will reopen sometime this month. Be watching for details coming soon!
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- I'm getting ready to read Once Upon a Wardrobe, by Patti Callahan, and I can't wait! As a fan of C.S. Lewis, I know I'm in for a treat!
- I've been binging Madame Secretary on Netflix, and I can't believe someone didn't tell me about this show sooner! I've found it to be a mostly clean show that gives a behind-the-scenes look at the running of the US Government. But what I think I love most about it is that it follows the life of a busy mom as she struggles to do a hard-core job + love her husband and family well. I know it's a show, but I find Elizabeth McCord's effort and drive inspiring.
- Trim, Healthy, Mama. It's the only thing that works for me, and it's working!
- Seint Makeup. Anyone else using it? I've probably spent way too much time lately watching women in their 40s (like me) paint their faces with it, but I really do love it! Not selling it. Just love it and wanted to pass it along!
- It's officially baseball season! Anyone else a baseball mom?
- #AmWriting ;) I'm been working my tail off on a new book project that is due this week. Pray for me to finish well. I'll share title and book details as soon as I can!
- I LOVE the Worthy Podcast, with Elyse Fitzpatrick and Eric Shumacher. They have a variety of guests on the show, and I don't agree with everyone's theology, but it's kind of designed that way…to make us think outside of the box and consider things we haven't before. If you'd like to hear me on their show, click here.
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This month's prayer was written by my friend, Rachel Wojo. If you don't know her, you're in for a treat! It's my pleasure to introduce you to her. Please take time to get to know her better. She has a tremendous heart for prayer, which makes her the exact right person to write our prayer, and a brief devotion to go with it. You won't want to miss her heart, so head over to the website now and start praying. |
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