Parenting: God’s Hammer on Our Souls

1st Quarter 2012 Heart2Heart Schedule – Sacred Parenting

Embracing Our Child – A Gift from God

 

Join us this Friday!!!  All Moms Welcome!!!

Courageous Movie is in Singapore

Finally, the movie : Courageous is in Singapore.  We strongly urge our moms to encourage their husbands to go watch this wonderful and moving movie.

Movie Trailer from Youtube

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“….. turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their father…..” Malachi 4:6

 

The long-awaited Courageous movie is finally making its way here to the big screen in Singapore on 5 Jan 2012. Campus Crusade Mass Media Ministry is honoured to be one of the partners promoting this movie, a movie that brings us back to the basics – families and fatherhood.

Moms, make a date with your husband and watch it together with him this weekend.  If not, go together as a family.  You will not regret it.  It is money well spent!!!

Touched by God’s Love and Amazing Ways

The last Heart2Heart session of 2011… already???   Time has flown by so quickly!

I had not been regularly attending the Heart2Heart sessions this year, but I wanted to attend the last one of the year as it would be a while before we have the chance to meet all the moms again…

The past week had been a rather difficult one for me because my daughter had been coughing at night and disrupting my sleep terribly. I prayed before going to bed that God would wake me up earlier for me to make it in time for the Heart2Heart meeting. Amazingly, despite lack of sleep, I woke up very early which meant I could make it in time… It was clear that God wanted me to be there…

I really appreciated the open and vulnerable sharing by various moms on how God had brought them through different challenges, struggles and key moments during this past year, especially Geraldine’s and Chitra’s stories. It was a rare occasion to hear many stories that described the different ways that God is at work in our lives. It was a pity that we did not have time to listen to everyone’s stories…

The video that we watched affirmed God’s love for us. One of the highlights of the video was a compilation of Bible verses from both the Old and New Testaments presented in the form of a love letter from God, which was narrated in the video. The verses chosen span different thoughts, ideas and expressions of God’s love.  I had always believed that God loved me, but to hear it again through how the different verses were woven together was very refreshing. We also received a printed version of the Father’s Love Letter which I liked a lot. When I went home, I put up the letter so I could look at it often. I also visited the website: www.fathersloveletter.com which is amazing. I hope that more people will get to know it and share it as I think it can touch many lives. (Do take a look at it if you haven’t been there…)

I am very grateful to the moms at Heart2Heart who work behind the scenes to organize meetings, pray, update the blog, email, sms us and express love to other mothers. I pray that the H2H ministry will continue to touch many more lives for Jesus next year!

Mom Cheryl

 

Father’s Love Letter to You

Moms, listen to the words our Father has for you today!  You are not just a mom, abandoned by God, unappreciated by others.  You are His child, and He knows you and your heart…. listen and let God’s word minister to your spirit and renew your mind and heart.

My Child,

You may not know me,
but I know everything about you. 
Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up. 
Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways. 
Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. 
Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image. 
Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being.
Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring. 
Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived. 
Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation. 
Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake,
for all your days are written in my book. 
Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth
and where you would live. 
Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. 
Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother’s womb. 
Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born. 
Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented
by those who don’t know me.
John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry,
but am the complete expression of love. 
1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 
1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child
and I am your Father. 
1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. 
Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father. 
Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. 
James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. 
Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. 
Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love. 
Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless
as the sand on the seashore.
Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing. 
Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you. 
Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession. 
Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you
with all my heart and all my soul. 
Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things. 
Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart,
you will find me. 
Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you
the desires of your heart. 
Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires. 
Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you
than you could possibly imagine. 
Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager. 
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you
in all your troubles. 
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted,
I am close to you. 
Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb,
I have carried you close to my heart. 
Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away
every tear from your eyes. 
Revelation 21:3-4

And I’ll take away all the pain
you have suffered on this earth.
Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you
even as I love my son, Jesus.
John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. 
John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being. 
Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you,
not against you. 
Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression
of my love for you. 
1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved
that I might gain your love. 
Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus,
you receive me. 
1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you
from my love again.
Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party
heaven has ever seen.
Luke 15:7

I have always been Father,
and will always be Father.
Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…
Will you be my child? 
John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you. 
Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad
Almighty God

 Father’s Love Letter used by permission Father Heart Communications 
© 1999-2011 www.FathersLoveLetter.com

I Will Trust the Lord at All Times

A good reminder that our God is our refuge and deliver(Psalm 34)

Thanksgiving to Our Heavenly Father

Here are some photos of moms coming together to celebrate and share of our Father’s love in our journey.

As we sat and worshipped the Lord with songs, listened to the sharing of other moms, we realised that we are not alone in our struggles in our journey of motherhood.  Indeed, this final Heart2Heart sesssion was very special for all who were present as we witnessed the love and the hand of God in our lives and we rejoiced with tears and thanksgiving too, at what God is doing in each of our lives.  Indeed, to God be the glory.

Thanks moms for the honest and intimate sharing.  Each mom has brought special blessing and encouragement to another that day.

Thanks moms for the yummy treats.  Mom Eunice baked a beautiful Thanksgiving cake with white lilies for us that day!  Too beautiful to eat! But so yummy when we gathered the courage to cut it!

And we give thanks to God too for the moms who work behind the scenes each Friday to help us in our journey in motherhood.

Thanking God too for the many sessions of teaching and learning this year and for BRMC for blessing us moms with such a special group for moms.

Praise be to our Father!

A Mom’s Reflection on the Final Meeting of 2011

Well, Friday’s session  has been one of the most emotionally charged sessions of all for the year.  It is heartening to see moms coming forward to share their innermost feelings which is what Heart2Heart Mothers’ Fellowship is all about, ie bringing moms together, supporting and helping one another along the journey of motherhood.

The video was most apt as a reminder to all busy moms of our Heavenly Father’s love for us.  As we wear many hats and juggle the many roles that we play, life can be challening at times.  It is always important to know who we are, how much our Father loves us and the comfort that comes when we draw close to Him.  Life’s journey will be much easier if we can learn to trust and lay our lives before our Father.

Well, the makan fellowship was good too with a sumptous spread of food.  Special thanks goes to Eunice for making the beautiful Thanksgiving cake.   Indeed, it has been a good Heart2Heart year for me.  Thanks also to the Committee for all the hard work that was put in for the benefit of the many moms out there.  3 cheers to you guys!

~ Mom JH

Love From the Father’s Heart Final Meeting Recap

Does God really love me?  Can it be true?  Can it be as what He says in the Bible?  Do I really believe it?

Perhaps we came with some of these questions in our hearts last Friday.  And sometimes as moms, we feel very much alone and unappreciated and unloved as we continue to give day after day to our families.  However, as we sat through this final session “Love from the Father’s Heart” – our thanksgiving session, our hearts were stirred and we were reminded us of how much God our Father loves us.

Tears flowed as emotional and touching testimonies were shared. As the ladies went around sharing their thanksgiving for the year, one thing stood out clear and loud : God has been there for them throughout the good times and the heart breaking times, crises in their family lives. What a testimony when one mom said, despite and inspite of her circumstances she is happy and grateful for this journey of life with God by her side.

¹I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
²My soul makes its boast in the LORD;
let the humble hear and be glad.
³Oh, magnify the LORD with me,
and let us exalt his name together!

⁴I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
⁵Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be ashamed.
⁶ This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him
and saved him out of all his troubles.
⁷ The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.

⁸Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
⁹Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints,
for those who fear him have no lack!
¹⁰ The young lions suffer want and hunger;
but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

Psalm 34:1-9

As Psalms 34 was read, the verses reaffirmed God’s promises that He will always be there for us – our PROTECTOR (v7), our COMFORT (v7), our REFUGE (v8) and SHELTER as long as we seek Him (v4-6) and keep our eyes on Him (v9) despite our circumstances. What an encouragement!

The video of the Journey Home to Love summed up our Father’s unconditional love and acceptance for us.

As we sat and watched these testimonies, tears flowed once again as we realized how much loved we are by God!

Yes, indeed, Then sings my soul, How Great Thou Art!  Thank you Lord, for your great love for us.

Can We Be Fearless Moms?

Can we be fearless moms? Where do our courage and hope come from?  Who will help us when we are at the end of our tether?  Does prayer work?  Does God hear and answer our prayers?  Does He care?  Does He understand?

Watch this youtube video of a sermon from Max Lucado’s Fearless Book.

Such a wonderful reminder for us moms whether in the midst of exams or other crisis.  Our child belongs to God and He loves them more than we do.  

Moms, Please watch it!  Your narratives about your child and God will be different after watching this.  Your pulse rate and beat will also be different after watching it.

A Fresh Perspective of Life – Wasting Time on Building Relationships

Recently, one of our pastors, the Rev Dr Chiu Ming Li shared a sermon entitled A Fresh Perspective of Life.  It was a very refreshing sermon, mind opening.  The text was from Matthew 4:16-17  ” ‘the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.’ From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, ”Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Rev Chiu says the bible says we are all in darkness. And in darkness without light, we cannot see the truth and all that we can see are terrifying things, things that frighten us, things that give us little hope.  In this sermon, Rev Chiu covered three areas that darkness and blindness hide the truth from us. 1. Darkness hide the sovereignty of God. 2. Darkness hides beauty from our eyes. 3. Darkness hides the love God has for us.

In this post, I want to highlight on the 2nd point that Darkness hides the beauty from our eyes – the beauty and blessings of the relationships that we have.  This portion of the sermon hit hard on many of us as we are often too busy with other matters and I reminded me again of the need to spend time with our loved ones.

There is an area of blessing that we are sometimes blind to and that is when we fail to see what real worth, what real treasures are.

There is a dictum which is probably the biggest lie ever – Time is money.  Maybe the dictum is true when your employees are goofing off too long.  Maybe it’s true  when you are sitting in the lawyer’s office rambling on about your whole  life story, time is money.

However,  in most relationships, “Time is money” is one of the Biggest Lies, one of the worst dictums that ever could have been created.

Time is to be wasted on relationships.  We cannot set a time and say, “Wife, you have got 15 mins, now spill.”  We cannot build a relationship with our children saying, “I play with you one game and after that you do homework.  And the rest of the time I spend with you, you do homework.”   We cannot spend time with a friend and say, “I’m sorry but I’ve only a few minutes for you.  Now, quickly tell me what it is and I will tell you what the counseling is all about.”  Nor can we say to God, “God, here is only 15 minutes. Now, pour Your Holy Spirit into me and do a quickie.”

There is a book called “Wasting Time with God” and the author argues that we have to waste lots of time to build relationships.  Relationships are not built on schedules.  Relationships are built on wasted time.  Time where we can freely give.  It is a time where we say to someone we love, “Today is the day for you.  Let’s spend it any way we want.”  It’s a time we say to God. “God, no limits.  Just talk to me more and more, even if I am doing work, let’s just keep talking.”

Relationships are built only when we are prepared to waste time for them.   But you know, at the end of the day, we realized that relationships are what the treasures God talks about. God talks about blessings, and abundance and treasures and  we think it’s lots of money.  But , you know, no dying man has ever called his accountant to his bedside to spend his last few hours with.  When we are on our deathbeds, we call our loved ones, we call our best friends, we call our pastor because he represents God. Because we know that these are the treasures, these are the things of real value. When we live in darkness, we fail to see the things that are truly important.  We develop dictums and sayings and wisdoms that perhaps distract us from that which is most important.  We fail to see God’s abundance, God’s treasure that He pours in us.

Moms, do we see the treasures that God has given to us in these relationships with our loved ones – our spouse, our children?  Let’s waste time on these relationships God has given us and discover the blessings, the abundance and treasures that God has for us.