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Honing in to Home – A place for Christian moms to call home and be called back to home…

God trusts ME with His children?!!!

Matthew 11: 25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.” 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
(The day before I was led to these verses, I was wailing & whining about what God was calling me to with my children. I honestly think I felt for a brief moment what Jonah experienced. Just call me “Jonette”! I was sweating, exhausted, running on empty already at 10 a.m. in the morning wondering how I would make it through the rest of the day with my children- not to mention the rest of the summer! I was like “how could I ever even considered the thought of possibly homeschooling them at some point?” That was me… totally freaking out!) Continue reading “God trusts ME with His children?!!!”

A Child’s Choice To Be Baptized!

So, for my daughter’s 7th birthday, she requested to get baptized. She is sure she wants to do this, and of course her father and I went through some heart questions in order to make sure she understands what being baptized means. Well, I think the questionnaire below speaks volumes once you see her replies! 🙂
This child reminds me so much of her older sister who wanted to go feed the homeless people on the streets of Atlanta for her birthday once. And she did just that! She took friends along with her as well! Oh, what a witness to those people she was that day! And what a witness to her middle school peers at the time too!
To say we are proud of the decision our soon-to-be seven-year-old is making (and has made) is an understatement. But to see her replies to the questions on this paper about her relationship with our Lord and Savior… Well, how could my heart not just be swelling with overflowing joy!
This princess was named after her earthly father whose name is Aarron meaning “priestly”. Well, her first name means “from a town of priests”! And her middle name means “messenger”! Would you not agree that this little girl is indeed living up to her name as a “priestly messenger” to publicly proclaim to her family, friends and church that she knows who Jesus is to her and who she is to Him?!
My oh my am I hoping she keeps such childlike faith; for all around there is such a desperate need of the Light she carries! And as far as this mother goes… all can say is: may I learn from this child and continue to share my faith just as boldly to a lost and dying world! <3 

God’s Love for You and Me

Thinking this morning on God and how big and Great He is! He redeems the time. He loves us in our brokenness. He loves us when we are unlovable. He loves us when we hate ourselves. He loves us back to life. (I know this for a fact personally). And in response to that love- then and only then can we love Him back plus truly love one another. He has shown me this Great love and in response, I give Him my life. I confess my yuck to Him. I ask for His forgiveness of sin in my depravity. He not only forgives me but takes the shame and condemnation. Along with forgiveness, He adds to it His power that allows me to walk in obedience to His Word. He keeps me humble. He holds me and sustains me. He renews me day by day. And yes… He even disciplines me because He loves me. He fills my heart so full of Him that I cannot help but praise Him & thank Him. Does that mean everything is perfect? Nope. Not even close. But is there light in the darkness and peace through the storms? Yes. Continue reading “God’s Love for You and Me”

The Grace, Space and Pace to Run Your Race

The Book of Ecclesiastes says “My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor.”  Are you delighting yourself in the Lord and the privilege He’s blessed you with of partaking in the sacred roles of wife and mother while upon the earth?  If so, a delightful countenance would be your reward, according to Solomon.  Do you walk around downtrodden, heavy laden, overburdened and stressed or do you understand how Solomon also goes on to say that there is nothing better than to find satisfaction in your work?  Actually, he boldly proclaims how “enjoying your lot in life is the gift of God!”  As one of the wisest men who ever lived, Solomon declares that “there is nothing better for us than to enjoy our work!”  His words are paramount for any Christian Sister to accept God’s grace and space and pace solely marked out for their distinct race!

As of late, my heart was drawn to the importance of appropriating God’s grace for our life’s race while simultaneously spurring others on in theirs!  This entails focused intensity yet integrity while we run!  We dare not contend with fellow believers as if they’re our competition but rather view them as comrades with us on the same winning team!  Since every woman has been given such a massive mission as a helpmate, caretaker, comforter, teacher and so on, in my opinion, there is no room for such rivalry amongst Sisters!  If we receive our responsibility as a high calling from our Creator Himself and gladly accept our allotment with gratitude, then the only other reasonable response to our female peers would be cheering them on in their work! Continue reading “The Grace, Space and Pace to Run Your Race”

Jesus is The Anchor for My Soul

Recently, our family went on a vacation to the Atlantic Ocean where Jesus reassured me, yet again, how He is the Anchor for my soul!  Consequently, this blog will be written merely as an analogy comparing the condition of my soul to a novice brought out to the deep. So, for all my sea-faring friends and readers, I hope this post calms you the next time God leads you through a tumultuous voyage to remind you how He is still in charge of the winds and rains!

A Call Back to the Home

Something has been on my heart with the “busyness” of women in the church versus enjoying Jesus at home. While many of you are wrapped up in attending church conferences, prayer meetings, retreats, concerts, classes, etc, I wonder if you would be better off staying at home to learn from God directly and make a concerted effort to fellowship with your husband and children more?! Continue reading “A Call Back to the Home”

Healing What’s Unseen

This Passover season, I felt it was necessary to not only share about the One who rose from the grave, defeating death, hell and the grave in the earth but how He comparatively overcame those same soul diseases in each of us which in the past have left us disabled, blind, lame and paralyzed! So, let this blog be your prescription.

Let’s take an assessment? Do you feel you may need a tourniquet for your heart? Are you bleeding out somewhere internally, unawares? Symptoms may include but are not limited to: depression, anger, suppressed emotions, hopelessness, prolonged pessimism and/or a loss of desire for life in general. The real question (as posted above) is: Are you willing to seek healing for the unforeseen, hurting, desolate parts of your soul?

There are spaces within us which lie untouched because we are not yet ready and are unwilling to completely fall into the arms of Jesus by surrendering our deep and secret woes, fears and burdens into His care. It is as if those compartments inside us are barred off tightly from anyone or anything entering in behind the walls. And those walls have probably been reinforced over time because our former modes of protection from enemies, both foreign and domestic, once worked in order to keep us safe, hidden and far away from danger. (I get it. That is why I can write about these types of topics in the first place.)

Unfortunately though, as true as it may be that once upon a time our defense mechanisms were the best methods we knew to survive, presently they actually block out the Spirit’s presence from moving through the hidden rooms of your heart where Jesus wants full access. It’s just like a Doctor who is treating you would require FULL ACCESS. The cool thing here is that Jesus already knows your diagnosis and has the “medicine” for what is wrong. So, why not trust God with the battered, beat down, broken portions of our souls? It’s not survival of the fittest anymore. No, now Jesus wants the weary, burdened aspects of you and me. Can you show Him your battle scars and believe that He will dress them for you? Our Lord asked the handicapped man at the pool this question, so before moving on I will ask it, too. And if you answer “yes”, then by all means… read on.

“Do you WANT to get well?”

Continue reading “Healing What’s Unseen”

A Letter To A Mother About “The Important Work”

Mother, let’s discuss the “The Important Work” your position holds. I pray your heart is touched to the core to where the virtues written about here and the very essence of who you are become one! And may the blessing which follow also be yours as stated in Proverbs 31:28 “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.” Continue reading “A Letter To A Mother About “The Important Work””

My Compilation for Moms

Hi, Everyone!  As there was an abundance of written material I could have compiled into one blog, after combing through a few gems, I chose these few rich discoveries of mine to inspire moms everywhere to hold this calling of mother as a high one.

If you have yet to read any of my other blogs but are ignited by this one, each and every one of them are jam-packed full of divine insights about how my relationship with the Lord has overflowed into my relationship with myself, my husband and children as well as and others! Our Heavenly Father has shown me so much about the “mommy mission field”! The reason I wrote the Honing Into Home blog is so women would know God better through getting a glimpse into my life. This collection of thoughts magnify how The Author of life has placed us in extremely privileged positions when He made us mothers!  The Giver of all things has graciously bestowed upon us these gifts of children to steward well, love on and make disciples for Him!  How then will you treat His most treasured possessions?

(Cristine’s definition of mother)
Mothering= Intentionally nurturing the hearts of those created beings whom our massive God has put under our care to nourish, train & shepherd by His Spirit. This is a most exceptional stewardship from Him to us mothers in whatever form it shows itself- ie; adoptive, fostering, older women teaching younger ones- in order for us to ultimately show them the Lord’s love. 

What is your personal definition?

Continue reading “My Compilation for Moms”