Category: Life experiences

Posted on

Prayer Triggers and Routines

 I want to share a few triggers or routines. Some are ones that help me and might help you with your prayer life. I believe in prayer. I believe that through prayer God can and does show his power and strength in our lives. He gives help and comfort and direction. So why is it hard to take the time to pray? I’m not sure what the answer is to that question. I know that many of you have ideas and I hope you will share those with me in the comments below. I treasure your comments.

Here is a list of prayer triggers and routines which you may find helpful. Remember that we are better together.

1. Passwords

A friend and I are working on a prayer class for the fall. As we were meeting to discuss this class we found out that we both do this with our passwords.

You may use your passwords for triggers. My work prompts me to change my password frequently. I use my passwords to remind me to pray for special people in my life. So every time I log in I can say a prayer for that person.

At first, it was a little hard trying to think of different things I might want to pray for my loved one. I pray for faith, love for God’s word, wisdom, peace, comfort, specific struggles, success in their work, for God to show himself to them specifically that day, I pray for God’s protection, for God to keep them from the evil one, etc. After a while, I kind of got a little excited when I got to sit down at my computer and bring my loved one before God. Surprise! It did get a little bit easier.

2. Calendar

Calendar reminders write the person you want to pray for on your calendar or set daily cell phone alarms to remind you to pray for a specific person perhaps for a specified time.

3. Jenga Blocks

One of my kid’s Bible classes gave the kids Jenga blocks with a person’s name on it to pray for. I love this. Whenever it surfaces in their room they remember to pray for this person. Or some might possibly put it on their shelves to glance at frequently and pray for that person.

4. Tasks

Tasks that I can use as triggers for prayer.

Ironing. Praying for my husband while ironing his shirts makes the task go so much faster and blesses my husband.

Dishes. Thankfulness for food and running water to wash them in. Remember to pray for the hungry.

Laundry – clothes, washing machine.

Buying groceries.

5. Develop the habit of praying with your daily schedule.

Upon rising pray. At lunchtime pray. Dinner prayer of thankfulness for the day we have had and the food we have regularly before us. Bedtime prayers are when my husband and I pray for our children.

 

6. Memory

Do you occasionally have someone come to mind that you have not thought about it for a long time? Perhaps a childhood friend? A relative? I have had this happen a lot through the years and I try to pray for these people. No, I have no idea what is going on in their lives but I lift them in prayer. Maybe it is someone who has passed from this life, then I thank God for the influence and blessing they were in my life.

7. Emails

Smyrna Church of Christ sends out Emails – reminders to pray for those with health concerns or loss of loved ones, etc.

8. When someone is struggling and asks you to pray.

Pray right then with them. When someone is sick or ask they ask me to pray for them. Pray right then or you might forget.

9. Facebook

Facebook can give us a reminder to pray. When you get angry at something you see, pray, when you see your friends baby growing pray for that child to continue to grow strong and healthy and to grow up to know God. When they lose jobs, family members, etc. Pray. When something wonderful happens to your friend, rejoice with them.

10. Have a Daily Commute?

Pray yourself to work instead of shouting at bad drivers. Pray yourself home and leave the day’s struggles with God so that you can go home and enjoy your loved ones. Listening to an audio of the Bible and also praise music lifts and feeds the spirit.

11. Salvation Bracelets – Made of colorful beads

Black- my sin

Red – the blood of Christ

Blue-baptism washes my sins away

White-forgiven

Green-growth

knot- no separation

Gold-eternal life

12. Other jewelry pieces

Other jewelry pieces may also be reminders of things we would like to pray about. Tree of Life necklace might remind you to ask God to keep you on the path to heaven.

13. Gifts

I have friends who have “the gift” of gift-giving. I wish I was better about this myself so I really appreciate those who have it.

Use those gifts as reminders to pray for the special people in your life. Thank God for those special friends.

Gifts that I have done this with…

vans

baskets

makeup eraser

rug

towel sets

dresses

jewelry

dishes (Betty bowls)

14. Shoes

When you are putting on your shoes remember you are saved to serve. Ask God to help you be a light where-ever you are planted.

15. My faults

When I feel impatient with someone I can use that opportunity to pray about my own faults. We all have them.

16. Struggling with someone in your life. Try praying for them.

I hope that you find these prayer triggers and routines helpful in your life.

Posted on

Made by God

What amazing gifts I see daily in the spring!  As Phillip Keller said, “Whenever I am afield or outdoors, there steals over me the acute consciousness that I am confronted on every hand by the superb workmanship of my Father. It is as if every tree, rock, river, flower, mountain, bird, or blade of grass had stamped upon it the indelible label, Made by God.” I agree!

Posted on

Emotions

I have been feeling like God wants me to share from my heart.  I can talk about things, recipes, procedures, children, etc. But share my innermost thoughts? That’s a different thing altogether. One thing that I think holds me back is my fear of judgment from others. Or fear that I will hurt someone’s feelings if I share my heart. I’m really not sure what I would share at this point in my life but I will say that I am exploring the thought and trying to be open to whatever that brings.

I wrote the above paragraph over a month ago. Things were going along pretty smoothly. I was recovering from surgery which gave me a lot of time to read, do projects and visit with loved ones.

I am now back to work and in the middle of struggles on all sides. I have been a weepy mess lately. We have suffered several losses. Dear friends of many years passing away too soon, young people we knew during their teen years leaving this earth unexpectedly. And other losses. Life is oh so short and precious. Make the most of it! That is so much easier said than done.

How can I  make the most of my life? Following God first, loving his people, and loving those the Lord puts in your path.

Following God carries me to the peaks and to the depths and stretches me beyond what I thought possible. When I am at the peak it is hard to keep my feet upon the earth. When I am in the depths I know he will rescue me and bring me out! How do I know? History. My history with God.

Isaiah 41:10 ESV 

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 46:4 ESV 

Even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.

John 16:33 ESV 

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

1 Peter 5:7 ESV 

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Posted on

Growing Creative Children

Are you surrounded by geniuses? If you look for the genius in your child you will find it. Children are creative, gifted, and geniuses! Cultivate what is naturally growing in your child.

Dwell on their strengths. Encourage and build up their weaknesses but don’t spend all of your time or focus on the weakness instead of their strengths. Give them some time to devote to the things they love, the things they naturally and joyfully pursue. If they have not discovered a direction give them time to pursue a variety of things. Introduce them to various experiences especially with God’s creation. Whether it is learning higher math, building catapults, rebuilding mini bike engines, building rafts, hunting, making gaga arenas, jumping ramps (or cars) on roller blades or bikes, drawing, painting, starting their own businesses, taking care of chickens, starting a band, playing football and learning all the stats, perfecting the budget, baking, or designing clothes your child has a gift! The list goes on and on.

As a mother have you ever felt like you just needed to create something? Something tangible? Or the need to feel like you have truly accomplished something visible? Even though there are so many things that you need to do and are pressing in on you, you still have this need to be creative. You get overwhelmed because there are so many things which you need to do but inwardly you have one thing you really want to pursue. If you let yourself create you have probably found a feeling of great peace and strength and joy. You may find more energy to take care of the other needed things in your life too.

Homeschool families are especially blessed to get to see the gifts in their children and watch as they blossom and grow. Parents have hours to see their children grow and struggle with their strengths and weaknesses. Not only do they get to spend an amazing amount of time living and growing with their children but the children have hours to discover their gifts and put them to use. That’s if we let them. Whether you are a homeschooling family or not I would suggest that you avoid the temptation to fill up all of your children’s free time for them. Give them time and space and watch what happens. Maybe you don’t have much time during the school year but you can plan chunks of time during school breaks and especially the summer for creativity. Remember lazy days of summer?

My best planning efforts have never produced the natural excitement of a child with a new idea. One of the best gifts our children can receive is time to devote to the things they delight themselves in exploring. Most people think of boredom in a negative way. I believe it can be a positive thing for your child. Let your children be bored. Don’t rescue them. Let them come up with some ideas. Some amazing things come from boredom and from having to come up with your own source of entertainment.

Today take some time to breathe, to create, and to let your children grow! Your geniuses will amaze you with their creativity!

 

Posted on

Mentoring Women

When I was in my 20’s we moved to Seattle, Washington… well, actually it was Burien. We were there to start a house church. We had read, How the Church Grows in the City. We were on a mission. We lived in Seahurst Manor (400 + apartments) where we came to know several of our life long friends as a result.

After we had been there a few months and were settling in I decided to put an ad in our newsletter that went out to all of the residents. I advertised for a Ladies’ Bible Study. The first night 3 women showed up. Surprise! This started what would be one of the greatest learning experiences of my life. We met every Wednesday night, to begin with. We held it in our apartment. I had three little ones so they could go right to bed or play quietly in their rooms.

Lawrence still worked varying shifts and usually late. He was working for a plumbing company and preaching for our little house church that started with our family and soon added our neighbors and friends.

Soon other ladies’ came to join our small Bible study group. During the three years that I had the group there came to be 40+ ladies who participated. To begin with, most were unchurched and had never been involved with a Bible study group and were new to Bible study. This group came to be a huge time of growth for us all.

As a young woman, I longed for an older woman to learn from, to seek advice from, a mentor in the spirit of Titus 2. I prayed for such and continued on studying and praying with these women. To begin with, I did all of the teaching and leading prayers. Our prayer time together became a huge part of what we did together. Sometimes we would pray for an hour. We grew together in so many ways. We were a great encouragement to one another. No one wanted to miss these studies. If anyone had to miss they would call and ask for prayer. Soon some who were Christians joined the group. We stretched and others began to teach some lessons and lead prayer. Many of us were young mothers, some were Doctors, engineers, construction workers, inspectors, etc. We were a mixture and we loved sharing our lives together.

I have been thinking lately about those days and how hard it was for me to find an older Christian woman. I think I now know why it was so hard to find a mentor. As I have grown older one thing I have learned is that most older women don’t have confidence that they have anything to share. I have learned that we think in terms of our mistakes and mess ups and shortcomings. We know that we are not the ideal role model. We are insecure. We don’t know how to share. Most women are not Bible class teachers and don’t know where to begin. I was determined back then to one day be that older woman, flaws and all, who would share and mentor young women. I would pray that I would have something to share when I was finished raising my family.

I am so thankful to the women in my life who have taught me so many things. I am thankful for my first teacher, my mother, then aunts, grandmas, teachers, and Bible class teachers. I studied the Bible and other books that were a great source of instruction for me as I learned.  As I grew older I learned from other women, especially my mother-in-law and a few older Christian women when I could persuade them to share with me. From all of the women in my life, I learned practical skills such as cooking, cleaning, sewing, Bible lessons, lessons on being a good Christian wife, mother, sister, caring for elderly parents, etc.  The women I have learned the most from were not just Bible class teachers, in fact, many may not have ever taught a  Bible class. They taught me by example. They taught me by doing things with me, ordinary everyday things. They taught me by simply living their lives before me. As a young woman, I longed for even more of these times.

Do young women still want an older woman to learn from? If you are a young woman what do you wish for? What do you want to know and learn? Do you prefer to learn from books, working alongside someone, trial, and error?

I am truly wanting insight into what young women want today so please share in the comments here or feel free to send me a private email: redaredding@gmail.com

Posted on

What To Do When You Do Nothing

I knew I had scheduled surgery for just before Christmas. Dr. Hood said I was to sit around and take it easy for two weeks and then I could gradually add things. I would be off work for 3-6 weeks. I knew that sitting still and taking it easy was not going to be easy.

I planned for some last minute Amazon Christmas shopping. I made myself a little stack of things I wanted to read and some stitching I wanted to do, etc. I thought about some people I needed to visit. (I know maybe that isn’t taking it easy).

I have spent the last 40 years of my life in a constant state of busy. When suddenly everything stops it can be a shock. I know that most of you do not have 11 children and 4 grandchildren or maybe a full-time job. But maybe just maybe you have had to occupy yourself when you broke a foot or had surgery or were caregiving for someone who did. Maybe some of my thoughts and ideas might help you or someone you know who is going through the same thing. Either way, remember I have to occupy my time doing something so humor me!

  1. Bible Reading – Don’t we wish for more time to spend in the word? Choose one book of the Bible and read that over and over. You will remember this season by that book.
  2. Memorize Scripture. Hide God’s word in your heart. Quote to yourself scriptures you already know by heart. Try the ABC verses.
  3. Pray – there are so many needs in the world and so many people who appreciate and long for you to ask God to help them, bless them, strengthen them, provide for them, these are apart from your own spiritual and physical needs. I do ok until someone asks me how are you doing spiritually? I think Satan wants me to focus on physical and not the things in my heart that need addressing. So now may be a good time to reflect. How am I doing? How do I show God’s love? How do I live my faith? How do I live my faith right where I am now?
  4. Devotional books can encourage your heart. My friend Lee gave me the book, Earth Psalms: Reflections on How God Speaks Through Nature by Francine Rivers. This is a beautiful book with great thoughts.

  5. Books you have wanted to read can be a source of entertainment, education, or just recreation depending on the book.
  6. Phone calls to friends and family you may not have time to call as often as you would like and “catching up is fun to do”
  7. Projects whether painting, sewing, or some other type of craft
  8. Goal setting
  9. Movie watching (one of my least favorites but sometimes you get desperate)
  10. Computer research about something you really want to know more about or have a great need to learn about (like Malawi laws, etc.)
  11. Watch YouTube Videos of people doing interesting things
  12. Write on your blog or start one if you don’t have one
  13. Annoy your children with lots of things they can help you do – like unfinished projects
  14. Direct an organizing spree (no you can’t lift) but you can throw out or have someone do so
  15. Pay your medical bills online or fill out and file needed documents
  16. Cook or bake as allowed
  17. Online shopping
  18. Plan projects
  19. Prepare lessons (Bible classes, talks, etc. you may have the opportunity to share in the future)
    Needlebook
    Infinity scarf

    Bible Reading
Posted on

What is a Redding Formal?

We recently had a great privilege to participate in a beautiful evening. Several people have asked me, “What is a Redding Formal?” Our son Gabriel hosted the first annual Redding Formal. This was an evening which was planned far in advance. Invitations were mailed, dresses shopped for, caterer hired, etc. It was a wonderful evening to celebrate being Redding. The music, the food (right down to the dessert), the program were all a reflection of things we were familiar with. It wasn’t a surprise to hear people break out in a song from some classic musical or to share crazy projects and adventures from the year. From building crazy amazing things like a floating house to finally summiting Mt. Rainier and a lot of travels from Paris, France, New Zealand, and Malawi, Africa and great plans for next year. It was a wonderful night of celebrating. Both grandmothers were able to attend as well as some out of town Aunts dressed fabulously I might add. Thank you Gabriel for an amazing evening!

 

Posted on

What to Do When You Are Bored

My first introduction to John Burroughs was at the Redding’s house. I assume that my mother-in-law, Jo made the picture of my father-in-law standing beside a big sunflower that he grew and framed it with this quote:

I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see.

A man can fail many times, but he isn’t a failure until he begins to blame somebody else.
I go to nature to be soothed and healed and to have my senses put in order.
I remember hearing my father-in-law, Bill Redding say that you have no right to be bored.
A few months ago we had a sweet young friend who was spending her days in a strange city and had to stay inside during the day. Esther, Anya, and I came up with some suggestions for things she might do. These might be appropriate for someone who is confined to home.  There are many things adults and children can pursue when they are bored. If you have access to the great outdoors the possibilities are endless for hours of fun. This list is mainly for inside. I have modified a few of these so that they might be appropriate for all ages.
1. Memorize the ABC verses or other verses of the Bible.
2. Learn to do a plank. If you already know how to do one see if you can do a longer one.
3. Make a bucket list.
4. Do the dishes.
5. Make a lemon cake or lemon mug cake.
6. Read a good book.
7. Design a dress.
8. Learn a few words in another language.
9. If you have the internet learn a new dance move, if not create one.
10. Listen to your favorite music and have a dance party all by yourself.
11. Do your nails.
12. Write a note of encouragement to someone.
13. Make a nice cup of tea.
14. Make a bracelet with embroidery floss.
15. Cover a page with doodles or sketches.
16. Learn to do a french braid on yourself or lace braid.
17. Write notes to your dad and hide them in his apartment. Or to anyone where you have the privilege of being a house guest.
18. Draw a picture which would be good for a greeting card and enter to win $10,000 for college.
19. Exercise or run in place for 10 minutes.
20. Look out the window and draw a picture of what you see.
21. Design two posters with your favorite Bible verses.
22. Pray for your sister.
23. Pray for your brother.
24. Pray for your mother.
25. Pray for your dad.
26. Read your Bible.
27. Make up a game.
28. Learn about who is John Burroughs?
29. Learn where Abraham Lincoln born and when.
30. Brush your hair 100 strokes from top to bottom.
31. Do something nice for someone.
32. Count your blessings. Write them down.
33. Dust the baseboards in the house.
34. Complete a word search.
35. Find a simple design like a silhouette of a giraffe or elephant. Copy it onto a sheet of cardstock. Turn the cardstock over and glue one inch wide and about 8-12 inch long paper strips of varying colors side by side. Turn the paper back over and cut out the image. Then mount it on a solid piece of cardstock.
36. Write a short silly poem.
37. Sing a song out loud.
38. Memorize the 23rd Psalm.
39. Write down your favorite food and the first time you remember eating it.
40. Dance around the room. It’s good exercise.
41. Tell someone Thank You today.
42. Write down 3 places you want to see one day.
43. Hop on one foot.
44. Practice a handstand.
45. Cook dinner.
46. Practice your multiplication tables.
47. If you are not married write down 3 things you want your future mate to be like.  If you are married write down 3 things you appreciate about your mate.
48. Who invented the light bulb? How many times did he try before he got it right?
49. Write one thing you want to learn to do and come up with a game plan. Learn something new!
50. Write down your earliest memory.
Posted on

Day 2 of our Keene, NH Trip

 

We slept well in Erie, Pa. We awoke early and got packed up and ready for the trip. We then all went down for breakfast. We were so happy to find out that the rest of our team had arrived! The Logue family! We sorted out who was riding where and hit the road. We were hoping to arrive by 5 pm to have dinner with the elders. As we were driving we passed a sign that said, Niagara Falls. Until that moment I did not realize we would be traveling so close to the Falls. I was so busy getting ready for the trip that I really did not pay attention to any sights along the route. But no time to stop, we had to save that for another day.

We had a few issues with GPS along the way and a jaunt over the mountains passed by Hogback Mountain and through the woods. We finally all arrived at the church building in Keene, New Hampshire. We met with our wonderful brethren and made a plan for the work we would do during our time in Keene.

We found out the timetable for Sunday Morning Bible Class and Worship. We didn’t want the church to show up with us still in our jammies! We set up our air mattresses in the church building and got ready for a rest. We would be showering at the Y but could not get our passes until Monday morning.

Hogback Mt. 

 

Sleeping in the Church building

Posted on

Day 1 of our Keene, New Hampshire Trip

This year I had the opportunity to go to Keene, NH to work with the Church of Christ.  I had been in touch with the church for a couple of years about the possibility of coming to do a short work with them. What started out to be a teen mission trip turned into a family mission trip. Doesn’t the Lord have a way of doing things like that? Our team was a group of 12 ranging in age from 5 years to 80! Our trip was 1100 miles each way. We drove in 3 cars. Our first day we drove from Smyrna, Tn to Erie, Pa and stopped for the night. We had a few adventures while there. We got checked into our rooms and then I asked the kids if they would like to go for a drive. You can imagine the looks I received after driving all day. I didn’t take no for an answer and after a wrong turn or two, we arrived on the shores of Lake Erie. What a beautiful lake! We stood in awe at its size and beauty. It was nearing sunset but we enjoyed some time on the beach. I loved watching the kids running and playing on the beach. No money could buy that joy. We found some beautiful very smooth rocks to remember our time there. After returning to our motel the older girls jumped into the pool while I went to the room with the younger kids. The younger kids ran a few feet ahead of me and rounded the corner and got on the elevator without me! About that time I heard a huge explosive sound! I was so distressed as I tried to get to the littles and then run to the older girls. I got the littles settled with Lawrence while I ran to check on the older girls. Fire trucks and police cars had arrived by this time. After I was assured everyone was ok and told the girls to come to the room I went to find out what was going on. I soon found out that there were fireworks on the property next door and one must have gotten out of hand! What a scare. We ate sandwiches and chips in the room, had devotional and got showered and ready for bed. And the story continues…..