Sibling Scriptures

   
     I am SO excited to pray these scriptures for my four boys.  I searched in the New Living Bible and the Message Bible to find these!  

Help them to love each other deeply.  1 Pet. 1:22 NL


God, help their love for one another to grow.  2 Thes. 1:3 NL


May they agree with each other, love each other, and be deep spirited friends. 
Phil 2:3 Msg (this is my very favorite scripture for them!!!)


God, help them to get along with each other.  Help them to be considerate of one another.  
1 Cor 1:10 Msg


Help them to be patient, kind, and forgiving, not boastful, proud, rude, or irritable.
1 Cor 13:4 NL


May they find  a common ground with each other.  1 Cor 9:22 Msg


Let their words to one another be good and helpful.  Eph 4:29 NL


Help them to be even tempered, content with second place, and quick to forgive.  Col 3:13 Msg


Remind them to clothe themselves with compassion, kindness, humility, and love.  
Col 3:12 NL


Give them the desire to be agreeable, sympathetic and not retaliate.  Help them not to use sharp tongued sarcasm.  1 Pet 3:8 Msg


May they choose not to to speak evil against one another or be critical.  James. 4:11 NL


Help them to not grumble or complain about each other.  Phil  5:9 Msg

The Kindness Jar

I'm a mommy of four energetic boys ages 6,7,10, and 12.  I love being a mom and embrace it fully.  However, some days are just hard and exhausting, especially when the boys are bickering with one another.

One morning, I was totally frustrated with the squabbling in our home.  I don't remember the specifics of that day, but I know we were rushing around trying to get ready for school, and the boys were not getting along.  In a home with several siblings, the possibilities are endless.  It could've been over the last piece of bacon, a glaring look, unkind words, first dibs on the bathroom, or determining who would get the last pair of Nike socks, etc.  What I do remember is being frustrated---with how challenging it is to create a squabble free environment.

On that particular morning as I washed the dishes at the kitchen sink, I asked God for wisdom.  That is when He gave me the idea for "The Kindness Jar".  Wow, it was a simple idea and I already had the supplies:  a mason jar and marbles.  I told the boys we would be looking for random acts of kindness throughout the week.  When we saw them being kind to one another we would place a marble in the jar.  There were 2 stipulations. 1) They could not ask for a marble. 2) They did not get a marble for every act of kindness.  Once their marbles filled the jar, they would all be rewarded. 

Here are a few ideas for rewards:

--A trip out for ice cream

--A trip out to Starbucks

--A round of miniature golf

--A visit to an indoor trampoline facility

--A family outing to Dave and Busters

While my boys, like most siblings, still argue over trivial matters, "The Kindness Jar" helped my hubby and I take note and praise the boys more often for their positive behaviors.  It also helped the boys be mindful to encourage each other and act in kindness.  The next time I have a "frustrated mommy moment" I hope I remember to ask God for wisdom and help.  

Hopefully, this will be a great parenting tool for your family.  

This is one of my favorite verses on kindness to pray over the boys and myself:

"..clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Col 3:12

Books/Devotionals/Bibles for Kids

As a child I was not taught the Bible in our home. We did go to church and most of my Bible teaching as a child was from the church. God used this to make me passionate about teaching the boys about the truths in the Bible. We usually have our Bible time at night before bed. I read to the 4 year old and 6 year old. Then I read to the 8 year old and 11 year old. I have listed some of the books and Bibles we have used over the years. I love Kenneth Taylor's stuff so you will see that I used many of his books.

Bible for Little People's Eyes by Kenneth Taylor (ages 3-4)

Family Time Bible in Pictures by Kenneth Taylor (ages 4-5)

Big thoughts for Little People by Kenneth Taylor (ages 3-5)

5 Minute Devotions for Children by Pamela and Doug Kennedy (ages 3-6)

My ABC Bible Verses (ages 4-7) I loved the scriptures they provide for memory.

Right Choices by Kenneth Taylor (my kids favorite book ever!!!)

Everything a Child Should Know about God by Kenneth Taylor (ages 4-7)

Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd Jones (currently reading this ages 4-6)

Children's Chronological Bible by Karen Henley (7 min. a day, no pics ages 7-11)

Kenneth Taylor's Bible Study Book Bible (ages 7-9)

Then and Now Christian Heroes biographies ( I read these in the summer to the older boys. Love these. We have read about Nate Saint, Corrie ten Boom, George Mueller, David Livingstone, etc)

**I was struggling with my little two about them staying focused some nights for the Bible reading. Now, I give them a notebook and they draw what we are reading about. They love this.

Favorite Mommy Books:

Don't Make Me Count to Three by Ginger Plowman

Graced Based Parenting by Tim Kimmel

Love and Logic (one of my favorites)

Ministry of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson (love her books)

Sibling Rivalry (this was helpful when the kids were younger)

Power of a Praying Parent (I pray out of this almost daily)

Called to be a Keeper ( my all time favorite Bible study, great for moms) you can order one at www.keepersministry.com

I am not sure if this list will help anyone. I would love to hear about a series or devotions or resources that your family loves. Love to you.

Prayer for Being Even Tempered

I would love to say I never lose it with my children. I would love to say that I never ever raise my voice or have a stern tone. The truth is this is an area God has showed me my "triggers" and He has helped me get a list of scriptures to use when I am feeling on the edge. He has shown me that I am less patient with the boys when I am tired or when my schedule is too full. I will share the scriptures I pray over at the end of this blog entry.

I would like to take a moment to pray for my children from the book of Proverbs. God, I pray that all of my children will be "even tempered". I pray they will refrain from being short tempered or hot tempered. God please help my children to be sensible, patient, and to demonstrate self control. When my children are angered, help them to find healthy ways to deal with their emotions. I pray they will choose gentleness and kindness each time. Help them to be drawn to friends that are even tempered and not short tempered.

Here are the scriptures I pray over often for myself. I have titled them "Mommy Notes".

"Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love." Eph 4:2

"When she speaks her words are wise and kindness is the rule." Proverbs 31:26

"...clothe yourselves (daily) with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." Col 3:12

"The Godly think before speaking." Proverbs 15:28

"So think clearly and exercise self-control." 1 Peter 1:13

"Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another just as God through Christ has forgiven you." Eph 5:31

"Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Your anger can never make things right in God's sight." James 11:19,20

"Don't sin by letting anger control you." Psalm 4:4

"A fool gives full vent to anger but a wise person quietly holds back." Proverbs 29:11