Showing posts with label baby. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Video: The Meaning Behind a Name - ISRAEL365

Listen to the story of how one young couple experienced amazing inspiration in choosing a name for their newborn son. A true testament to the unity of the Jewish nation.

Thursday, October 9, 2014

3 Ways to Break Free From 'New Mommy Syndrome'

10/8/2014 SUZANNE HADLEY GOSSELIN CHARISMA MAGAZINE

single mom — (http://www.stockfreeimages.com)

When I became a parent, it never crossed my mind that I might end up with a friend problem. I'd never had trouble making friends, but my journey from being single to married to mommy—all within two years—had caused my social life to suffer. Most of my friends were single and working, which worked out great when I could meet them for lunches and evening coffees. But all of that was about to change.

Although I was excited about the transition, I wasn't prepared for the isolation I would face going from a full-time job to staying home with my baby. I didn't understand how difficult it would be to maintain friendships with people whose social circles I no longer frequented. And when Josiah arrived, I soon learned that I could only survive for so long on Facebook "likes" before I felt like I was stranded on a desert island with only a volleyball (like Tom Hanks in Castaway) . . . excuse me, an infant . . . for company.

And to be honest, I didn't really know how to engage with the "mommy culture." I felt totally competent meeting with single women and offering them dating advice, or talking to writers about crafting an engaging article, but I felt at a total loss inserting myself into a conversation about what kind of diapers are best. I didn't feel like an expert on being a mom, and that lack of confidence caused me to shy away from connecting with other mommy-types.

That's when I decided a few things needed to change and I became intentional about nurturing friendships with other women. Here's what I did to pull myself out of my friendless void:

Finding Face Time. Before my baby had been born, I had experienced adult social interaction throughout every day. It was a big adjustment to be at home with a non-verbal infant. I talked to my husband, Kevin, about my loneliness and feelings of isolation, and we agreed that I would schedule "date nights" with friends at times when he could be with our son. Several times a month, I would meet a friend for coffee, go to a movie, or go out for dinner—baby-free. These social times with existing friends, were rejuvenating for me and gave me more energy to care for the needs of my baby and my husband.

Unplugging. Along with my newfound days of staying home with my son came a rise in my social media consumption. On one hand, it was a wonderful way to connect with others throughout the day, and it filled the void of the digital communication I'd experienced in the workplace. But as a new mom who didn't always feel like I was performing the tasks of motherhood well, the "mama highlights reel" I saw online left me feeling inadequate and depressed. (Studies show that regular Facebook consumption leads to greater levels of unhappiness.http://www.newyorker.com/tech/elements/how-facebook-makes-us-unhappy)

When I disciplined myself to not "snack" on social media all day long, I felt more free to be the mother God had created me to be—not the mom who cultivated homemade yogurt on her counter, redecorated the nursery on a regular basis or always had dinner on the table when her husband returned home from work.

Braving Mommy-Culture. Because my entrance into marriage and motherhood had been so fast and furious, I found myself reluctant to form relationships with other moms. One practical consideration was that I was in my thirties when I became a mom, while many other first-time moms are in their twenties. In addition, I had a fairly robust identity as an individual (an identity forged in the trenches of singleness) and I found it awkward discussing new and unfamiliar topics, such as diapering and sleep training. In truth, I felt insecure in my new role.

Around the time I had my second child, I realized I really needed friends who were in my stage of life. My unmarried and childless friends were great, but I also needed women who understood what I was going through right now. And so I reluctantly joined a moms group at our church. The experience wasn't perfect—there were some women I didn't relate to because they were really young moms or seemed to have few interests outside of motherhood—but the benefit was realizing that I wasn't alone. I wasn't the only mom who had insecurities about being a mom. The group provided a place where I could let down and admit to my struggles—and others could say "me too."

My transition into motherhood was a bit of a rocky road socially. Now, as a mom of three, I still struggle to find time for cultivating meaningful friendships and connecting with mommy culture. But I'm beginning to find a rhythm. I recognize when I'm feeling socially starved and make a plan to engage in community. Women need other women at every stage of life ... and maybe even more so as new moms. In my case, that required going out of my comfort zone, but it was well worth the journey.

*****

Suzanne Hadley Gosselin is a regular contributor to Thriving Family magazine and Boundless.org and writes children's resources for several publishers. After having three children in fewer than five years of marriage, Suzanne and her husband, Kevin, who is a children's pastor, consider themselves on the family fast-track — a blessing they wouldn't trade for anything. Gosselin is the author of the newly released, Expectant Parents: Preparing Together for the Journey of Parenthood (Tyndale - Focus on the Family)

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Bonnie Jones: An Overshadowing of the Holy Spirit Taking Place in the Church

Bonnie Jones:

An Overshadowing of the Holy Spirit

Taking Place in the Church

The Elijah List

Recently I heard the Lord say, "God's hand reaches out through all eternity taking a seed of Himself and places it within the womb of woman, where new life begins and conception takes place.

There's an overshadowing of the Holy Spirit taking place right now in the Body of Believers. There's been a sifting in the Church and shifting in the Spirit for several years now and it's finally come to culmination."

Normally the Church is referred to as being feminine. However in this passage "the womb of woman" represents the Body of Christ. The sanctified imagination is our spiritual womb. It's the place where we conceive, and the seed of belief is sown into our womb. It's only what you hope for that your faith will produce.

I'm comparing this revelation in Mary's visitation with the angel in Luke, chapter one. The Archangel Gabriel came to Mary saying, "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus" (Luke1:31).

The true Body of Believers have been like the young, Virgin Mary, whose response was that she knew no man (verse 34). These Believers resisted the dictates of man, the lust of the world, and died to self-gratification. For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world (1 John 2:16). (Photo via Wikipedia)

The Overshadowing

And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Luke 1:35

I feel this is where the Church has been. But now her desire will be for her husband the Lord. And He shall rule over her because the Body of Christ has yielded her will to His.

Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her. Luke 1:38

Mary mixed the WORD with her FAITH and connected with the anointing. This is where the true Body of Believers is today. The Holy Spirit of Truth is overshadowing them and conception is taking place. The birthing is going to be glorious.

These babies will be more mature than we were at our spiritual birth because everything has accelerated. That which took ten to fifteen years to understand, they will get it in a very short time. The overshadowing of the Holy Spirit will be that of Isaiah 11 and the Church will be delivered from the religious spirit.

The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. His delight is in the fear of the Lord, and He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, nor decide by the hearing of His ears.Isaiah 11:2-3

We Must Not Grow Weary!

Recently in a dream, I saw the new birth taking place at the time of Rosh Hashanah. In this dream Bob, a young pregnant couple and I arrived at the Emergency Room parking lot. To my surprise, church leadership met us there and entered the hospital with us. They took a seat in the waiting room awaiting this baby's birth.

I asked Bob why leadership was present for the birth of this baby. He said, "This will be the first baby of the New Year born in the Church, and leadership doesn't want to miss it!" The young woman experienced a sudden sharp pain, and immediately the couple was taken to delivery. Bob and I walked into the waiting room only to find that leadership had fallen asleep while waiting. End of dream.

I believe this baby is coming quicker than we think. The timing is significant. Jewish New Year or Rosh Hashanah starts September 24th at sundown. Although at times we've all felt weary we must not fall asleep. The delivery is right at hand. (Photo vix pixabay)

Leadership as well as the Body have labored long and hard for this birthing; so it's time to perk up and stay on guard. We haven't run ahead of the Holy Spirit and now we can't lag behind. We're right on target.

From what I've seen, this baby is going to be powerful. Conceived in love and truth, she, the Church, will possess power and might. She will preach, pray and prophesy. She has been anointed from within the womb and will be a holy terror. She will possess the fear and awe of God and not fear man or the devil.

Bonnie Jones
The Prophetic Ministry of Bob and Bonnie Jones

Website: bobjones.org

To contact Bonnie Jones send your inquiry to:

Bob and Bonnie Jones Ministries
White Horses Publishings
P.O. Box 838
Pineville, NC 28134-0838

Bonnie Jones has a great love for the Lord, the Word, and the Cross of Jesus. She loves children and enjoys blessing them with a gift of joy, truth, love, and encouragement. Bonnie moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2001 to attend Morning Star School of Ministry; in 2005 she met Bob Jones and they were married the following year (Bob Jones went home to be with the Lord earlier this year). Bonnie moves in a seer prophetic gifting as well as healing and miracles. Her passion is to see women set free from the fear of man and step into their gifts and calling.

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