So, after some discussions I've had over the weekend with friends and family about situations they are dealing with with their kiddos, and how they are handling things, I had a thought...most parents seem to discipline out of one of the following:
1) frustration
2) anger
3) a last resort
That is why their discipline backfires. They don't discipline until they are just frustrated, and then they don't follow through.
I have been very blessed to have gleaned some wonderful parenting advice from several sources: the Raising Godly Tomatoes website (www.raisinggodlytomatoes.com), Michael and Debi Pearl's writings (www.nogreaterjoy.org), and some wonderful ladies on some Christian message boards I frequent. The reason these people are so successful is because their discipline is training-based, not anger-based. They are also proactive, rather than reactive.
Almost every bit of parenting you see is reactive. Only reacting to problems, never training to help resolve things before they become an "issue."
This is why the "Raising Godly Tomatoes" style of parenting (training, teaching, tomato staking, etc.) works so much better than most of what you see carried out by most parents.
I am so thankful to be able to learn from these wonderful parents who seem to be doing things "right." Things are going so well with our DD, and it is by and large due to the wisdom I have gleaned from more experienced parents. If it weren't for the Raising Godly Tomatoes website, I think I would be having a lot more difficulty with her right now. But since we are teaching and training, rather than just picking her up and popping her on the rear when we get fed up with her ![[Roll Eyes]](http://www.raisinggodlytomatoes.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif)
(like most people do) and then sending her to another room to get her out of our hair (like most people do) - we are seeing tremendous results.
Anyway, I just wanted to share this "lightbulb" moment I had of why Raising Godly Tomatoes parenting is so much more effective than frustration-based parenting.
Elizabeth, who runs the Raising Godly Tomatoes website, is doing a wonderful job by teaching us younger womaen who to lovingly parent our children, and how to teach them to be loving, considerate individuals.
My sweet little 2 yo is normally pretty good in church. Yesterday, she was exceptionally good. After coloring for a bit, she sat in her seat and ate some animal crackers. She was apparently paying close attention to what the pastor said. At one point she turned to me and said, "Mommy! He said God will keep me safe!" I smiled and said yes. Then she said, "Just like God keeps me safe from the Wiggles at night." (you may remember my post a couple of months ago about her bad dream, where the Wiggles - from the preschool TV show - were tickling her and wouldn't stop. since then we've prayed almost every night for God to give her happy dreams, and to help the Wiggles leave her alone when she sleeps - the words of a sweet little 2 yo; and then in the morning we thank God for taking care of her)
I was so amazed and impressed that not only did she hear what the pastor was saying, but she even put it into context. What a blessing. What a thrill to a Mama's heart. ![[Big Grin]](http://www.raisinggodlytomatoes.com/ubb/biggrin.gif)
She also commented on a couple of other things he said, but those were insignificant. But still, it showed me she was still listening. ![[Woohoo]](http://www.raisinggodlytomatoes.com/ubb/graemlins/woohoo.gif)
Sometimes people ask how to teach their children to pray, or teach them about the Lord during the day, so I thought I would share our experiences.
My 2yo DD has already learned to pray "spontaneously" on her own.
We talk off an on throughout the day about how good God is, and how he takes care of us and provides for us, etc. (in terms a 2 yo can understand). When it rains, we thank God for the rain. If someone is sick, we pray for them, and when they are healed, we give God the glory for it. Since DD recently had a nightmare or two, we pray for God to give her "happy dreams" each night, and then in the morning I ask her how she slept and we thank God for taking care of her. We talk a lot about how God loves us, and we love Him. How He gives us things and takes care of our needs. Etc., etc., etc. We also read Bible stories and talk about them. All of this is done in brief sessions, whatever holds a 2 yo's attention span. We also keep her in "big church" with us, so she is exposed to the whole service. We sometimes explain what is going on (if they're having prayer, or we explain during the singing that we're worshiping God, etc.).
It is so nice to start seeing fruit from these things. For instance, one day when it rained, DD was the first one to say, "It's raining, Mommy!! Thank you, God, for the rain!"
Recently her grandmother was in the hospital. We held hands and prayed for her. She told me later that "God will take care of Grandmama." The next day when she went home from the hospital, I told DD that she was feeling better and was going home. DD said, "God healed Grandmama. He touched her heart."
She has been doing similar things like this a lot. I even hear her pray for her dolls and stuffed animals. She will say, "God, please help giraffe-y to be happy." or "God, tiger hurt his knee, please touch his knee."
This morning, she fell and hit her mouth on her bed and cried. She told me that God would heal her. Then she went in the room where her Daddy was and told him that she would pray for God to heal her mouth. She stood there and said, "God, please touch my mouth." Then her Daddy reminded her to say "Amen." She also was telling me this morning that God loves her, and Jesus loves her, and Jesus is God. I know she doesn't understand all of it yet, but she is learning, at her own pace according to her age.
These moments are so sweet and so special.
Anyway, I just wanted to encourage those of you who have wondered how to teach the little ones. Just talk about these things all day long. Share the things you pray for, and share the answers to your prayers. Let you children know how God provides for you in all of the many ways that He takes care of us. Let them hear you praying, and thanking God. They will learn, and they will also learn to trust God.
Deut. 6:4-9
"4Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: 5And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. 9And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.
I love my Mamaw's recipe for banana nut bread, but I decided to make it healthier this time (more along the lines of whole foods/nourishing traditions), so I revamped her recipe into a much healthier one, and it is very delicious! 
Much more so than I would have expected.
Here it is:
Healthier Banana Nut Bread
1/2 cup softened butter
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda put in flour
1/4 tsp. baking powder
2 really ripe bananas
2 cups whole wheat flour
2/3 cup Rapadura (or Sucanat)
2 eggs
1 cup pecans
1/4 cup kefir
Cream rapadura and butter. Add well-beaten eggs. Alternate kefir and dry ingredients (sifted together). Lastly, add mashed bananas and nuts. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.
Makes 1 loaf.
Yummy!
Okay, I'm redoing all my recipes and making them all healthier. So I'm trying to slowly post them as I go.
I recently made some ice cream using kefir. It turned out really good. My DH couldn't even taste the kefir in it, which is really saying something. ;-)
So...here's what I did:
(I didn't exactly measure, but here is approximately what I used:)
Well, I finally am getting over my lazy spell and starting to get organized again. It is a matter of necessity. I let things go too far downhill around here. 
So, I finally started getting back into my Flylady routines and zone work again, and that is helping make a big difference. (I highly recommend Flylady: www.flylady.net) The big thing for me is to remember to take babysteps and not expect perfection the first week. Ya know?
Then I also finally decided to purchase the Motivated Moms planner. It is wonderful. It is only $7 for a whole year's worth of planning and organization. She gives you things to do daily and weekly, and gives you a little check box to check them off as you do them. I love being able to check things off. And I like being reminded to do little tasks that I would normally never think of, like cleaning the shelves on my refrigerator, or wiping down my dishwasher door, etc. And since she doesn't give you very many things each day, it is very easy to keep up you. You can also choose the option of the planner with daily Bible reading. It is still the same price as the other planners. Here is the link if you're interested in buying one or learning more: http://payloadz.com/go/jump?id=242494&merch_id=&aff_id=8443
I also have a very simple daily schedule that I am trying to start following. I am going to work on it and tweak it and add to it as I get more organized.
Here it is (like I said, it's very basic):
Daily Schedule
6:00 Wake up (get dressed, wipe down bathroom, start laundry, take out trash, empty dishwasher, check current kefir batch, time in the Word, water garden)
7:30 Get DD up (change diaper, hang out for a bit)
8:00 breakfast
8:40 get DD dressed and hair fixed
8:50 put away hair stuff and make-up, clothes and shoes that we've pulled out, and pajamas
9:00 play time, preschool time, play outdoors - On Tues. run errands
11:00 pick up toys
11:30 lunch
12:15 nap for DD
12:30 exercise, check on kefir, start supper preparations
afternoons - I haven't figured this out very well yet. It's mostly free time right now
5:00 supper on DH's days off
6:00 supper on DH's work days
6:40 pick up toys, put away laundry
7:00 lay out clothes for tomorrow
7:30 read
7:40 DD to bed
8:00 Mommy and Daddy's free time
9:30 or 10:00 bed
All of these things combined are starting to make a difference in my home, as well as my attitude and outlook. Hopefully I'll be a lot more organized in a few months.
Well, I guess it's been a while since I've posted here. Things have been so busy around our household here lately. My garden is ruling my life at the moment, with all the watering and transplanting and mulching that I've been doing. But it's fun.
I just wanted to share about the beautiful, modest swimsuits I found. I bought one for me and one for DD from www.swimmodest.com. I absolutely love these suits. I was a little "iffy," even when I placed my order. But can I just say that they are even cuter in person than they look on the site?
They are very well-made, as well. The craftsmanship is very professional.
Every year I have searched for a modest swimsuit and never found one. I've always felt uncomfortable in the suits I've worn, even in front of my family. They just all reveal too much.
I *finally* have a suit that I can feel totally comfortable in, and still look cute and not like a frump. I have so enjoyed this suit already, and have gotten compliments from everyone who has seen me wear it.
So, if you're looking for a cute, modest swimsuit, in my opinion, this is the one to get! I love it! I've recommended it to everyone I know.
I just wanted to share a couple of salad "recipes" for my favorite salads.
Here they are:
Salad #1 - Jean's Yummy Salad
A lady at work used to make the best salad. She just mixed chopped romaine lettuce, shredded swiss cheese, sliced almonds, and ranch dressing (preferably buttermilk). It has a really wonderful, unique taste, and everyone always raved over it.
Salad #2 - Sproutgirl's Favorite Healthy Salad
For me, I like to mix lettuce, some spinach (optional), green onion, cucumber, and tomatoes. Then I top with a capful of apple cider vinegar. Then I sprinkle on some Bragg's Liquid Aminos, and then some flax seed oil. Then I top with some crumbled turkey bacon and shredded cheddar cheese. A super yummy, very healthy salad. (Actually, everything except the turkey bacon is really healthy - but I love the flavor of the turkey bacon, and I figure it's at least better than pork bacon).
I just wanted to thank the Lord for the absolutely beautiful weather we are having here today. It has been in the 60's all day, and it feels wonderful!! :-) It has been in the 90's here lately, so this cool weather is a welcome relief.
I love it!
I have all my windows open, and I feel the cool breeze, see the wind gently blowing my curtains, hear the birds happily chirping outside, and see my laundry blowing in the breeze. I also have a teeny tiny garden out back that is blooming wonderfully.
Aren't God's creations beautiful, and awesome, and amazing?!! :-)
What a beautiful, glorious day!! :-)
Thank You, Lord! I love You with all my heart!!:-) You're awesome, Lord!
I have been a medical transcriptionist for several years, and I love it!! I find it so interesting and challenging. It is so interesting to learn more about our bodies and how they work as I'm typing reports. It just amazes me. It makes me want to learn more.
I had resigned my medical transcription jobs when DD was about 10 months old, as I just couldn't keep up with all of my responsibilities anymore, and my DH was wonderful enough to allow me to resign.
But I still get to fill in for another transcriptionist when she is on vacation, and I really enjoy the work. I got to type for two doctors this week, and I have really enjoyed it. It is such an interesting field, and it is a wonderful one to get into because it opens up so many possibilities for working from home, once you get some experience.
I have created a huge word list during all my years of doing transcription, and it makes a great reference tool for me. I'm always adding to it as the doctor's give me new words. The internet is also a wonderful tool for finding new words and especially new drugs, which are too new to be in any book. Oh, what would I do without the internet!
I plan to post my word list here, by letter, for other transcriptionists to reference. I hope to have time for that very soon.
Are there any other medical transcriptionists here? I would love to hear from you!!
I planted my first "garden" this year. It is an itty bitty garden. It wasn't very well planned out - more of a spur of the moment thing.
First I just bought some container tomato plants.
Then one day at the store I grabbed up some brussel sprouts plants and some onion bulbs and a packet of cucumber seeds and bean seeds. I planted them a week ago Friday.
We had lots of rain last week, then two days of sun.
I went out yesterday to work in the yard, and I couldn't believe that my beans were already a couple inches tall, and my cucumbers had peeked their way through the ground. My tomato plants also have some teeny tiny tomatoes on them.
Soooo exciting!! :) And so fulfilling! I couldn't believe my plants were coming up so quickly.
Oh, I can't wait to eat some veggies from my own garden! That will be so exciting!! And so fulfilling and rewarding!!
Just had to share my excitement with you all. :D
For over a year now it has seemed like every book I have picked up has talked about how sugar affects the body, especially for women, and how much better we off if we cut out the sugar. Everyone says sugar is a poison.
Then i started reading about how sugar affects specific health problems I have experienced. (Infertility, fatigue, weak immune system)
I read enough about it in enough different places to start to think that God might be trying to speak to me about this.
But I didn't want to switch over to "fake" sugars or sugar "substitutes," as I'm more concerned about the health dangers of most of them.
I have slowly been making the switch to more of a whole foods approach, and I definitely prefer anything that is more natural, or in a more natural form. So I started looking to things like honey, maple syrup, and Rapadura to substitute for most of the sugar, although I don't want to overdo any of those items, either.
Well, I finally found the discipline to cut out most of the sugar (especially sodas, which were initially hard to give up), and I couldn't believe how much better I have felt. The fatigue that has been haunting me for years now is vanishing. It's not that I have a huge burst of energy, but I'm no longer dragging around my house, with a foggy brain, finding it impossible to concentrate or to work on anything. I never even realized how "foggy" my brain felt until that feeling finally lifted. It is truly amazing. You know, I have asked God for wisdom with these things many times, and I believe He has given it to me. This is a huge change for me.
I also keep reading about how the foods we feed our children can affect their behavior. We give them all this junk and sugar and preservatives, etc., that throws their whole system out of whack, then we get frustrated when their behavior is not so good. We fail to realize that sometimes we do this to them. I certainly believe it now that I can feel the effects on my body after cutting out the sugar and most preservatives and additives.
For years I thought there was no way to get around all the additives and preservatives, because that's just the world we live in now. But I am learning that it is possible if we just invest a tiny bit of effort. It would be difficult to completely cut these things out, but we can significantly reduce them in our diets.
Also, this past week my diet has suffered due to being busy with Easter get-togethers, my birthday, and some work I've been doing. I slipped back into eating some junky Easter candy and having some sodas, and I have really paid the price. I have felt so light-headed and un-energetic, and it is just awful. I can relate it to how I used to drink alcohol (yes, I hate to admit it, but my past is not without blemish) and enjoy it, but now I HATE that out-of-control feeling and would never want to experience it again. That's how I'm starting to feel with this sugar thing. It really affects my brain chemistry, my energy, etc. I don't want to feel lousy anymore, when I know that a little bit of discipline and planning can prevent it to a large degree.
One of my internet friends, "Daisey," has a saying: Nothing tastes as good as being healthy feels. I am finding that statement to be so true.
Also, since our diet has slipped so badly this week, and I have given in and allowed my daughter to eat a lot of "junk," she has now - sure enough - come down with a cold. Happens every time I let her go crazy with the junk food. But I am quickly getting it under control with natural remedies - but she shouldn't have had to experience this if I had better controlled her diet this past week.
So...this road to better health is a wonderful, rewarding journey! I love feeling better, and knowing that I'm doing great things for my family's health!
This is a whole foods recipe that follows the guidelines of Nourshing Traditions.
I made it the other night, and it is really good. This is going to become a regular in our menu. I am going to make a big batch of the mix to keep on-hand to simplify this recipe.
Garlic Lime Chicken
3/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/8 tsp. paprika
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/8 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. dried thyme
1/4 tsp. dried parsley
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (I used chicken tenders)
3 Tbsp. butter or coconut oil (I used butter)
2 tsp. garlic powder
3 Tbsp. lime juice
In a small bowl, mix together salt, black pepper, paprika, 1/4 tsp. garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, and parsley. Sprinkle spice mixture generously on both sides of chicken breasts. Heat butter or coconut oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Saute chicken until golden brown, about 6 minutes on each side. Sprinkle wiht 2 tsp. garlic powder and the 3 Tbsp. lime juice. Cook 5 minutes, stirring frequently to coat evenly with sauce.
I finally found some wheat berries to grind to make my own bread. I was so excited to try this new venture, and it went really well!!
I don't have a grain grinder yet, so I went to my MIL's house and used her Vita-Mix. It worked really well. I have hard red wheat grains, and it ground 2 cups in about 4 minutes.
I ended up making 4 loaves of bread. I cooked two right away, and put two loaves of dough in the freezer to thaw and bake later.
The bread turned out wonderfully! It is so yummy!
Here is my recipe:
Whole Wheat Bread
2 Tbsp. honey
2 Tbsp. oil
1-1/2 cups warm water
1-1/2 tsp. salt
3-1/2 cups fresh whole wheat flour
3 Tbsp. vital gluten
1-1/2 tsp. yeast
I put it all in my bread machine on the dough setting. Took it out after the first rise, punched it down, put in two greased loaf pans, and let rise again. Baked at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes.
After it was done, I brushed with melted butter. Soooo good!!
More Bible study notes.
So...what does the Bible say about discipline and self-control? Let's find out!
Discipline of the Church
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1 Corinthians 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
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Titus 3:10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him.
Self-Control
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Proverbs 16:32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
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Proverbs 25:28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
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Romans 6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
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1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
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James 3:2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
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2 Peter 1:5-7 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.
Various scriptures regarding discipline, self control, and how to obtain them
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Romans 6:13 Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.
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James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
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Matthew 5:29 If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
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Romans 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
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Romans 8:13 For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live,
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Romans 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.
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Galations 5:16 This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of hte flesh.
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Colosians 3:5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
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1 Peter 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
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1 Peter 4:2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
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1 Corinthians 9:27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
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Galations 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
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Titus 2:2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
I've been skimming the Above Rubies site, and I just found this great article about the importance and nutritional/health value of grinding fresh grains to make your own bread.
Here's the link:
http://www.aboverubies.org/frameset.asp?w=1024
I have been looking into grinding my own grain for a few months now, but I haven't been quite ready. I need to get motivated, plus grinders are so costly. This article has really inspired me to start grinding my own grain.
Well, I've found a hand grinder that is $50. Or, I also realized that my MIL has a Vitamix, which she said I could come over and use, and I believe I can grind grains in it.
So I've got to do a little more research to find out what all is involved and what I need to know to start. I also need to find a source for grains in my area. As far as I know I'll have to drive at least an hour to get grains, and I'm not sure of a specific location, although I'm thinking Whole Foods Market or Central Market would likely have it.
Anyway...read the article if you haven't already. Maybe it will inspire you as well.
And if you have any tips for me, I would love to hear them. 
Since I am going to be sharing several recipes here for lacto-fermented foods, I felt it necessary to explain how to make whey. It is very simple, actually...
Go to the store and buy some plain yogurt (or if you happen to have homemade yogurt, that's even better - just make sure it is "plain").
Line a large strainer with a clean kitchen towel, place it over a large pitcher, then dump the yogurt into it.
Let it sit there and drip for a few hours. When dripping slows after a few hours, take the towel off the strainer and tie the towel to a wooden spoon (or any big spoon) and place the spoon on top of the pitcher to where the towel of yogurt is hanging suspended in the pitcher from the spoon. Leave it there several hours or overnight, until it completely stops dripping. (overnight is probably best)
When it is done, the stuff that dripped into the pitcher is your whey. It will last about 6 months in the fridge. The stuff in the towel is like cream cheese, and can be used just like cream cheese in recipes and such. It should last about 1 month in the fridge.
And in case you're wondering - you leave the yogurt sitting out at room temp.
I tried the Braum's yogurt the first time, and it didn't work. I think that's because it has gelatin in it.
All the rest of the time I have used Dannon brand yogurt (or homemade yogurt), and it works just great! 
If this doesn't make sense, then please let me know and I will try to explain it better.
Don't be afraid to try this. It is really easy, and it's almost impossible to mess it up. 
Also, you can make whey the same way using kefir instead of yogurt.
I have heard about these snacks for a while and wanted to try them. I *finally* found a recipe! I made them yesterday, and they are really yummy, and super easy. They can't be too bad for you, considering the ingredients. 
Honey Milk Balls
Combine in bowl:
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 cup dry milk solids
1 cup uncooked rolled oats (I used quick oats)
Mix well, then knead by hand until blended. Shape into small balls. Makes 2 dozen.
Options:
- Mold dough into a long roll and slice.
- For each ball, shape dough around a nut.
- Roll in coconut.
More notes from my Bible study notebook...
Prayer
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Romans 8:26-27 ...for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered...
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1 Chronicles 16:11 Seek the Lord and his strength, seek His face continually.
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Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation...
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Luke 18:1 ...that men ought always to pray, adn not to faint.
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John 16:24 ...ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
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Ephesians 6:18 Praying alwasy with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
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1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
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1 Timothy 2:8 I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
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James 5:13 Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray...
Promises of answer to prayer
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Psalm 91:15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
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Isaiah 58:9 Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and He shall say, Here I am...
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Isaiah 65:24 ...before they call, I will answer; an dwhile they are yet speaking, I will hear.
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Luke 11:9 And I say unto you, ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
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John 15:17 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
Reasons for unanswered prayer:
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Psalm 6:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.
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Proverbs 21:13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
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Proverbs 28:9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall not be heard.
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Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that He will not hear.
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Micah 3:4 Then they will cry out to the LORD, but he will not answer them. At that time he will hide his face from them because of the evil they have done.
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Zechariah 7:11-13 But they refused to pay attention; stubbornly they turned their backs and stopped up their ears. They made their hearts as hard as flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the LORD Almighty had sent by his Spirit through the earlier prophets. So the LORD Almighty was very angry. Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the Lord of hosts:
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James 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, becasue ye ask amiss, taht ye may consume it upon your s.
True prayer heard
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Psalm 4:3 But know that teh Lord hat set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto Him
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Psalm 18:6 In my distress I called upon the Lord, adn cried unto my God: He heard my voice out of His temple, and my cry came before Him, even unto His ears.
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Psalm 34:17 The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
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Proverbs 15:29 The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of hte righteous.
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Micah 7:7 Therefore I will look unto the Lord, I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.
Prayer sometimes refused because not in accordance with Divine Will
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Exodus 33:20 And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.
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Ezekial 6:3 Son of man, speak unto the elders of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; are ye come to enquire of me? As I live, saith the Lord God, I will not be enquired of by you.
United Prayer (social and family)
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Matthew 18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
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Acts 4:24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with once accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which has made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
Conditions of successful prayer
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contrition - 2 Chronicles 7:14
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whole-heartedness Jeremiah 29:13
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faith - Mark 11:24
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righteousness - James 5:16
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obedience - 1 John 3:22
Brevity
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Ecclesiastes 5:2 Be not rash with they mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter anything before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.
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Matthew 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Secret Prayer - Christ's command
Matthew 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut they door, pray to they Father, which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
Private devotions of Christ
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morning devotions - Mark 1:35
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evening prayer - Mark 6:46-47
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Solitary communion - Luke 5:15-16
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Luke 5:16 And He withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.
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all-night prayer - Luke 6:12
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In the Garden of Gethsemane - Luke 22:41-42 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless, not my will, but thine, be done.
Special exhortations to prayer
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Matthew 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
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Luke 11:9 So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
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John 14:13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.
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John 16:24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
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James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
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1 John 5:14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
Prayerfulness
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Psalm 5:3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, adn will look up.
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Psalm 55:17 Evening, morning, and noon, I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice.
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Luke 2:37 And she was a widow of about fourscore adn four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
Here are some scriptures from my Bible studies on the subject of strife:
Notes:
He that is of a proud heart (or greedy spirit) stirs up strife. see Proverbs 28:25
Strife is a practice/work of the flesh (it is lumped in with impurity drunkenness, carousing). If you do this you will not inherit the kingdom of God. see Galations 5:20
Scriptures to look up:
1 Corinthians 1:10
* Exodus 17:12 - unity to sustain in times of weakness
* Matt. 18:19 - unity gives added power in prayer
Matthew 18:6-7 Woe to him who causes offense
Matthew 18:15 Go to your brother if there is strife between you
Matthew 18:22 unlimited forgiveness
Matthew 18:23-35 the unmerciful servant
Scriptures concerning strife:
- 2 Corinthians 13:11 ...live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
- Phillippians 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.
- Ephesians 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down teh middle wall of partition between us.
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Proverbs 17:14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.
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Proverbs 20:3 It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.
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Proverbs 25:8 Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbor hath put thee to shame.
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Proverbs 26:17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
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2 Timothy 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient.
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James 3:14-18 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
Causes of Strife:
Hatred - Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
Pride - Proverbs 13:10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
Contentious spirit - Proverbs 16:21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
Anger - Proverbs 29:22 An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
Foolish Questions - 1 Timothy 6:4; James 3:16
1 Timothy 6:4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings.
2 Timothy2:23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
- 1 Corinthians 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
- 1 Corinthians 6:6 But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before hte unbelievers.
Strife in family:
- Exodus 13:8 ...Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and they herdmen; for we be brethren.
- Proverbs 18:19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
- Proverbs 19:13 A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.
- Proverbs 21:9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
- Psalm 21:19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
- Proverbs 27:15 A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.
James 4
- verse 1 - wars/fighting/contention comes from our evil lusts
- verse 7 - how to overcome them and gain God's favor: "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." also verse 8
- verse 11 - "Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgethe the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge."
- verse 12 - "There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy; who are thou that judgest another?"
- verse 17 - Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth itnot, to him it is sin."