The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
600 people reached the top of Mt. Everest in 2012. This blog got about 2,800 views in 2012. If every person who reached the top of Mt. Everest viewed this blog, it would have taken 5 years to get that many views.
I think Jolene’s post is helpful to me and perhaps you too. Start here and then click on over to her blog and finish up.
With a New Year comes New Year’s Resolutions, right?
Well, not for this woman!
I learned a long time ago when I set New Year’s Resolution’s that 3 things happen….
via Why I Don’t Make New Year’s Resolutions.
She said come back tomorrow and she would give us some more tips. I think I will!
Thursday.
It’s Thursday and Thursday, until I became amiss, was/is World Evangelism Prayer Day for me. When I began the prayer project I would choose a place and pray for a month for the people of that location each Thursday. And so this morning, I realize afresh: It’s Thursday!
I looked at the map and thought how will I ever choose. Even closing my eyes and pointing didn’t seem to be the right plan. I was familiar enough with the map right or left even with my eyes closed would not be THAT random. So I closed my eyes, turned my back, and reached over my shoulder – I’m not kidding. :)
It is a troubled place and for sure prayer is needed. Perhaps you would join me today and for all of January’s Thursdays. I have two places for you to visit to see the needs and work in Bamako. Click the link for the story:
And for a story of ABBA’s grace and intervention please click the link below:
ABBA, thank You for making me aware of a place that I did not know existed. Thank You for the work that is being done there in JESUS’ name and thank You for protection and what You will yet do there to rescue people from evil now and forever. I pray for the people of Bamako that they will see The GREAT LIGHT and will escape the darkness of religion. Holy Spirit, I pray You will soften hearts to the Gospel and Your Message of repentance, forgiveness, and eternal peace will be received. I pray You will raise up many prayer warriors to make a difference for JESUS’ sake in Bamako.
My You Version devotions have been excellent in addressing family dynamics. Today’s is no less worthy of bringing to you here at The White Stone.
DISCIPLINE
Every child is a bundle of raw emotions and energies. The role of the parent is to help the child control himself so that these emotions and energies are not destructive but constructive. Discipline is simply teaching a child to control himself.
There is a vast difference between punishment and discipline. Punishment is getting even. Discipline is inflicting a smaller amount of pain on a person than he would receive if he were permitted to go on unchecked in his action. For example, if your small child reaches out to touch a hot stove, you grab his hand and slap it sharply. You have inflicted pain on the child, but the pain is far less than what he would receive if he were permitted to go ahead and touch the stove. That is discipline.
God disciplines His children, but He does not punish them. Punishment occurs when a person wants to hurt someone as badly as he has been hurt. But God’s Word clearly says: If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it (Hebrews 12: 7-11).
via Draw Near – 365 Guides to Greater Intimacy with God | YouVersion.com.
Discipline is simply teaching a child to control himself.
Punishment is getting even.
Oh, that parents EVERYWHERE would control themselves and heed these holy instructions!
And would it not be glorious if all Father’s children would get it through our heads and drop it down into our hearts that our GOD does NOT PUNISH us – His children? GETTING EVEN with us is NEVER what Father does. His discipline, anything and everything He allows to come upon His born-again ones are to teach us to yield to His Spirit so we will have the power to control our own flesh, emotions, and our very souls. And would it not be world-changing if human parents would imitate GOD, especially when DISCIPLINING their children?
Blessings of peace and honor, joy and glorifying our great and Holy King be upon you all this very day. Father may it be that all we Your Born Again Ones will imitate You today for JESUS’ sake.
