The purpose of The Internet Café is to unite women of faith, regardless of our stage in life, our roles as women, our hair color, our political party, or the church we attend. We believe that one of the best ways to do this is to encourage each other in faith, by our spoken and written words accompanied by a short study each day to challenge and motivate you.
Most of our devotions are written by regular monthly contributors but we do accept submissions...
A Woman Inspired was a vision birthed in the heart of a small group of online friends whose mission was to minister to women online. It all started with the successful venture of a home education online conference and it just took off from there. The first A Woman Inspired Conference, Get Revived 09′, was held on April 6-9 and we had a record breaking number of women registered and even more set free from bondage and inspired to live the life Christ died to give to us.
The ladies at A Woman Inspired know that you want to simplify life so we've created this FREE toolbar just for you!
First of all, the search is powered by Google so you know that you get the best of the best and no personal information is required to install it. It is also virus free, spyware free, easy to install, easy to use, disables pop-ups, enables privacy,it won't slow your computer down and best of all it puts the best of the web (for all of God's girls) into one central location! You can't beat that!
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Our mandate is given in Exodus 18:20. God wants us to teach our children His principles, His thoughts on family, His plan for our future. Those are His mandates that must be taught at home. Every parent is a teacher. This is not a just a homeschooling conference but also a parenting conference. Please join us for this fun, informative, and encouraging conference from the convenience of your own home!
A couple of months ago my three-year-old was obsessed with the biblical story of Daniel trapped in a den full of hungry lions. Our night time routine was not complete until we read this particular story. Many times it included some lion roaring thrown in for fun.
My husband and I read the story so frequently that we nearly had each word from the children's Bible memorized.
Before my son's recent obsession, I read this story countless times throughout my life. I heard it in church as a child. Somehow its familiarity over the years had not given me a reason to pause and reflect on such a magnificent story! Think about the lions, the den, and the fear Daniel must have had that night he spent down there.
The more I read the story, the more amazed I became. How could my heart have become so dull to such a testimony of God's mighty power?
Since then, I started to view the familiar Bible stories that I read to my boys differently. I don't read it to them as any other storybook and turn my heart and mind off to their message. Instead, I see God at work in magnificent ways that I had missed before simply because I wasn't looking. God's Word is always fresh when we allow it to be.
There are all kind of stories that will absolutely blow you away when you start to look at them from a fresh, child-like perspective.
Did you realize Jesus actually walked on the water? (See Matt. 14:22-33) You may have read that story many times but have you stopped to visualize what this event must have looked like? Put yourself in that boat. Feel the waves hitting your little boat and watch a Savior approach you as if you were sitting on dry land. Wow!
Have you ever been hungry but felt like there was noting in the house to eat? Put yourself in the sandals of the disciples when they realized Jesus wanted to feed over 5,000 people. (See John 6:1-14) The only food there was five loaves of bread and two fish. Talk about feeling like you need to go to the grocery store!
Yet, Jesus was not limited by a lack of food. When it was all over, everyone ate until their bellies were full and there were leftovers! (Who can't say a hearty "amen" for leftovers!) As I struggle to cook enough food for my family of four, I am affected by this event on an even deeper level.
As a parent, I want to help my children hide God's Word and principles in their hearts. Reading His Word and watching their little minds comprehend its magnificance is inspiring as a parent.
So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.Isaiah 55:11
Not only does God teach my children something about Himself each time we study it together, He teaches me something, as well.
If you have young children or grandchildren, spend time in God's Word with them. You will be amazed as you watch them grasp the incredible stories that you read. Don't be surprised, however, if God opens up His Word in a new and inspiring way to you like never before.
I would love for you to visit me at my personal blog, "Overflowing Grace."
Photo courtesy of microsoft.com
I would love for you to visit me at my personal blog, "Overflowing Grace."
Photo courtesy of microsoft.com
Thanks so much for the encouragement, Robyn. That is a beautiful thought and,when we consider the miracles of the Lord, they almost take our breath away. What I think is so exciting about the way a child sees the Bible is that not only are they able to vividly picture God's miracles, but they also unquestioningly believe them! You wouldn't ever find a child passing off a miracle of God as simply 'metaphorical'! :)
Great topic. I often feel the same way when I'm reading Bible stories to the kids. I've recently been blown away as we read on all the Kings through the old testament. What a pattern. One followed the Lord, the next was evil and disobedient, the next was worse than the one before. God sent a prophet and the next one turned back and repented...but he didn't quite get rid of all the idol worship, so the next King turned away again. It is a fascinating thing to me now, though such a common, boring thought earlier in my life. Wow, have my kids and I had some good discussions over this, comparing it to the patterns in our own life. You are bringing up a subject that needs reviving, because of 2nd Timothy 3:16, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness..."
Well done!
Hi, Robyn. I am so amazed as I read Bible stories to my children... they have such a "new" meaning to me. Many times, I actually find my voice cracking as so many truths hit me in a new way... the emotions that come with that realization just coming flooding to the surface. I am so very thankful for the new insights I receive from God's word everyday from my sweet kiddos.
I love looking at the freshness of these through the eyes of a child. TRUST. BELIEVING. I loved your post this morning!
Amen sweetie.
What a great post! It brought back memories...Kristyn's favorite Bible story was of Lot's wife turning into a pillar of salt because of her disobedience. Plus, she liked the picture. Oh, those times were precious. She's 24 now. Hardly seems like it!