Devotionals: Week 1, Day 1

Tonight we had our first family devotional of 2012.  We have tried to make this a regular part of our evenings but we always get busy and sidetracked with all  of the things that the kids have going on.  It is not an excuse, it is just the facts.  One of my 10 goals for 2012 was to have a family devotional at least 4 times per week.  I tried to write "everyday" but just didn't think that would be realistic right now for our family.  Hopefully, we can work up to that by the end of the year but for right now, four times a week is our goal.

So, our first one of 2012 was reviewing the sermon from today.  I actually took quite a few notes today so I had something to look back on as my memory is not so good when it comes to scripture (another of my goals).  We also talked about taming the tongue and what James 3 says about the subject.  This is something that we have seen our kids really need to work on when it comes to each other.  It seems this year has been a really bad one for how they speak to each other.  While they are great with others and their friends, when it comes to each other they have very short fuses.  And, it isn't just them.  I have found that I have been that way also.  So, we are all working on taming the tongue.  Hence, our first family memory verse is Proverbs 13:3 "The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin."  In addition, we asked the kids how they felt they rated compared to one year ago.  Had they grown spiritually or are they on a backslide?  How did they rate themselves?  Then I went child by child and told them what I had seen, good and bad, and what I see that they need to work on.  I then encouraged them to pray about where we are as a family and where God wants us to be.  Are we where God wants us?  What do we need to do to get there?  This has really been on my heart over the last few months but it has been heavy on my heart over the last 2 weeks.  I feel we are supposed to make a move.  Not necessarily moving cities, though it may be.  I don't know.  Just a move somehow.  Church home, job, city, country?  I hope pray they are praying for God's direction for themselves and our family.  We ended with the boys praying and encouragement for each of them.