Children
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A Rather Fabulous Week…
Hello friends, Ann here! In the last two weeks I've actually been on a cheeky little 10-day trip away — A trip that turned out to be spiritually surprising. I went on my own, leaving Bryce and the boys at home; and I can't believe the things I saw on this trip. The trip was…
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A Continued Testimony: My Family and Church
Hi SUM family, Ann here. A few weeks ago I shared about how my teenage son Miles is now attending church with me. Amazing, amazing, amazing! If you missed that story, you can catch up here. Today I want to give you an update because I know how encouraging testimonies can be. Specifically, I want…
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The Curious Move of Jesus in My Home
Ann here! When you're driving in the dark it's a great place to talk to a teen. With both sets of eyes fixed on the road nothing too intense is going on. That's probably how a teenage boy likes it, and it's where my son and I found ourselves last night as we drove home…
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Teenage Testimony Time Again!
My dear friends, Ann here. Thank you so much for your lovely comments on Monday’s post. It was as if the whole SUM community sent up a cheer of excitement to hear that my one teenager had joined church. The Body of Christ. And we cheered because we get it. We get the pain. We…
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God’s Move in My Family
Dear friends, Before I continue to share my story from Passover, I need to tell you about one of those less wondrous 'SUM moments' — Because it forms the backdrop to what I share next. It was one of those moments in church. All that happened was I turned around to see some kids having…
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When Love Makes You Unpopular
Hi friends, Ann here! As we sit in 1 Corinthians 13, it occurs to me how many facets this little word ‘LOVE’ has. It’s easy to think of love as being kind and patient; it’s easy to think of it as being something like a hug. It is truly that. But there’s another side, and…
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How to Pray Psalm 91 For Your Children’s School
Praying Psalm 91 by Vidya Rodney Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. For he will rescue you from every…
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Mother’s Day – You Make the Day Great. Here’s How.
In past years prior to the Covid-19 social distancing, us moms would ready our kids in the morning, head off to church to then, sit alone. I’ll be honest, it’s pain to watch other women be honored by their spouse and family at church. I’ll also share that the pain of disappointment will wane through…
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Like a Child …
Photo courtesy of photo stock and FreeDigitalPhotos.net Hello, dear SUMites. Ian from Down Under here. Spring has begun and the Lord is spoiling us with some delightfully beautiful days. It was Father’s Day here on Sunday and Fiona had organized an afternoon tea with our two sons, their partners and grandchildren at our eldest son’s…
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Good Friday
John 12: 24-25 Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over. In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it…
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Unbeliever, Kids and Halloween
Originally posted: October 30, 2014, But remains Powerfully Relevant for HALLOWEEN. Greetings, I have some thoughts about Halloween. Halloween was always one of the highlights of my year as a child. I mean really. Come on. Free candy…. It’s a day to pretend you are someone else, costumes, parties, bobbing for apples, being scared (but…
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Lend a Listening Ear
SUMites, In the past week I taught live on different venues. The First video is a short Back-to-School video I made a few years ago that addresses the changing moral culture and how to guide our children into faith. If you are a mom or dad, this will inspire you as a parent. The second…
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Life Is Too Short to Live Any Way but Happy! By Lori Lyn Skipper
Welcome back to the adventures of Lori Lyn Skipper. My son, Brad, and I made it just fine after his dad left us because we had God on our side. Yes, there were definite struggles, but I had such a peace about me, Philippians 4:7 NLT: Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything…
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The Dichotomy of A Life, by Lori Lyn Skipper – Part II
Welcome back! As a quick reminder, I moved to Springfield, IL in 1990. It was there that I met my son Brad’s dad. The birth of Brad was so very different than when I gave birth to Brian. I was instantly protective of him. On June 26, 1996 my life took a major turn. Without…
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You CAN Raise Your Kids to Faith as Adults – Read This!
SUMites, Recently on our Facebook page, Patty posted a question: What topics would you like to see covered in future posts. Today I want to tackle a topic and perhaps will take on a few more in the month of June. There were a ton of inquiries about raising children to faith. Gang, Dineen and…
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Men Stuff … Part 2
mage courtesy of David Castillo Dominici at FreeDigitalPhotos.net Ian here again. Firstly, thank you for your engagement in the first of this occasional series of posts. I loved seeing the discussion and responding to the comments that were made. I hadn’t planned on writing another such post so soon but the universe conspired (ie the…
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What Defeats FEAR?
Children And Night Terrors (Series Part III) Part I Part II My friends, in the prior posts of this series, I was directing our considerations to our children and how to assist them in dealing with their fright at night. However, this post is not only for the kids but also for us, grownups. Because…
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Children And Night Terrors (Series Part I)
February 9, 2017 SUMites, Lynn here. I’m deeply moved with compassion for every child who is experiencing night terrors. The LORD has been talking to me about this situation and He is greatly troubled that so many small children are terrorized in the nighttime hours. It is God’s intention to bring awareness to this issue…
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What Our Kid’s Think – Part II
Today, I want to answer more questions that were asked through our survey: Laurie F. asked: Q: I would love to know how adult children who grew up in mis-matched homes feel about all of the things we deal with. (Going to church and activities only with mom, not being able to pray/sing/share at home…
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Q&A From The SUM Survey (What Our Kid’s Think)
Today I want to answer another question that came from the SUM survey. Laurie F. asked: Q: I would love to know how adult children who grew up in mis-matched homes feel about all of the things we deal with. (Going to church and activities only with mom, not being able to pray/sing/share at home…
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Raising Up Generations
Being the mother of a toddler and kindergartner can certainly keep me on my toes. I am so thankful for the grace of Jesus; He is so merciful – Knowing that I don’t always have to have it all together, that I can be perfectly imperfect in my efforts to be the best mom I…