Tricia Goyer Archives - Good Morning Girls

Tricia Goyer May 6, 2013

Do You Pray Your Child Will Someday Turn To God?

I can clearly remember the day my 14-year-old daughter can home from youth camp. She’d gone as a junior counselor, but she came home a changed girl. Leslie grew up in church, she loved God, and she tried to be obedient to her father and me, but at that camp she repented of her sin and accepted Christ for herself. When she returned home, she was hungry to know God more and to read His Word. She asked her dad and me hard questions about the Bible (we had great conversations!) . . . and she shared God’s truth with her friends.

Luke 15:8-10 talks about the woman who lost one of her silver coins and then rejoiced when it was found. I love verse 10. “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

You can bet there was much rejoicing with my husband John and me to see the transformation in our daughter! And the truth is, although God used the camp as the moment of my daughter’s repentance and salvation, that moment came after years of John and me modeling a relationship with Christ to her. It came after years of teaching her the Bible and explaining God’s plan for His people. It came after prayers for my daughter—too many to count—that started from the day I found out I was pregnant with her.

Do you pray that your child will someday turn to God?

Yes, we can hope and pray our children will have their own relationship with Christ, but we also must strive to be intentional about sharing our faith and about modeling abiding in Him in our daily lives. My co-authors and I talk about this in our book, Lead Your Family Like Jesus:

Time to Follow the Leader
Jesus was a model for “being in the moment.” I don’t think training His disciples was a hit-and-miss thing. Since Jesus was intentional about all He did on earth, the leading of the men closest to Him was no doubt done with thoughtfulness and an understanding that can only come from a heaven-sent vision. As He walked together with His disciples on the journey of life, Jesus observed them in the moment, listened to them, and answered their questions.

I’d like to think that the time Jesus spent walking to and from work alongside his earthly father, Joseph, resting in the midday for a meal with him, and asking him questions helped to prepare Jesus to offer the same kind of relaxed fellowship to His disciples. Like father, like son—in more ways than one.

That doesn’t just apply then, but also now. Remember what Jesus said:

For where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them. (Matthew 18:20)

The grace of Jesus’ presence can be with us today. Two thousand years after He walked on earth, His beckoning voice still calls, saying, “Come to Me,” and “Abide in Me.”

Young children live fully in the moment. They aren’t thinking of the past or looking toward the future. Crying, skipping, or jumping up and down, they live in a real-time world and hunger for you to be there with them.

One of my favorite images of a parent in the moment with a child is my sister-in-law, Susanne, talking with her children when they were young. Because of a hearing loss, it’s a challenge for her to understand what people are saying unless they’re faced directly toward her.
So whenever her little ones wanted to speak with her, Suzanne would kneel down, lovingly hold their face with both hands, and listen with her eyes and ears to what they had to say. It’s a beautiful picture of listening that we can incorporate into our parenting.

I also like to think of Jesus doing the same thing as we turn to Him for help. Can you picture the tenderness in His eyes? Can you imagine His desire to lead you with tender care?

Sometimes as moms we may feel weak when we have to turn to God over and over and over again, but He wants to be there for us. He wants us to come to Him for help. We only do our role as leaders well, as parents well, when we are following Jesus. It’s then we walk in a way that is worthy of our children following.

Hoping that our children will turn to God is not enough, we must put feet to our prayers. We must live in the moment with our children and turn to God in the moment to gain the help He is more than willing to give.

More about Lead Your Family Like Jesus
Does your family need a five-star general at the helm? A psychologist? A referee? Ken Blanchard, best-selling co-author of The One Minute Manager and Lead Like Jesus, points to a better role model: the Son of God. Joined by veteran parents and authors Phil Hodges and Tricia Goyer, renowned business mentor Blanchard shows how every family member benefits when parents take the reins as servant-leaders. Moms and dads will see themselves in a whole new light—as life-changers who get their example, strength, and joy from following Jesus at home. This user-friendly book’s practical principles and personal stories mark the path to a truly Christ-centered family, where integrity, love, grace, self-sacrifice, and forgiveness make all the difference.

Order your copy here, and for more from Tricia, visit her website.

Filed Under: Living & Leading Like Jesus: Luke 9-16 Tagged With: Good Morning Girls, Leading Like Jesus, Tricia Goyer 6 Comments

Tricia Goyer April 9, 2013

How To Have a Mission-Focused Family

Have you ever thought about where a civil war starts?

Civil war: noun: a war between political factions or regions within the same country.

In today’s reading, Jesus talks about civil wars, especially at home.

“Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A family splintered by feuding will fall apart.” Luke 11:17 NLT

A family is a unified unit, and every conflict starts within our thoughts. We think one thing, and our spouse or kids think something else. There is no unity. There is no peace.

The best way to stop a civil war before it starts is to get a family on the same mission. This is something my co-authors and I talk about in our book, Lead Your Family Like Jesus.

Right from the beginning, Jesus expressed a clear purpose and mission for His disciples. He called them not just to become fishermen, but to a greater purpose:

Walking along the beach of Lake Galilee, Jesus saw two brothers: Simon (later called Peter) and Andrew. They were fishing, throwing their nets into the lake. It was their regular work. Jesus said to them, “Come with me. I’ll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I’ll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass.” They didn’t ask questions, but simply dropped their nets and followed. (Matthew 4:18-20, The Message)

It’s one thing to have a self-centered focus—fishing. It’s another to take that focus and redirect it to God’s purposes—being fishers of men.

An effective mission statement for your family should express a higher purpose for the greater good that gives meaning to the efforts of each family member. If each person doesn’t understand your purpose as your family or isn’t excited and passionate about it, your family as a unit will begin to lose its way.

How about you?

What’s the purpose of your family? What’s your picture of the future? What values will guide your journey? What goals do you want family members to focus on today?

If you can’t answer those questions, you don’t have a compelling vision. Without clear vision and direction, the rest of your parenting skills and efforts won’t matter. You can’t be a servant leader if there’s nothing to serve.

If you cut children loose without any direction or guidelines, they’ll lose their way. The family unit will be fractured as everyone heads off in the direction that he or she decides is best.

Luke 11:28 says, “Jesus replied, ‘But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice’” (NLT). Putting it into practice means sitting down and discussing what your family is all about—what is your mission? It’s praying and seeking God, asking you how you can apply God’s Word to your lives. It’s uniting in you family’s mission instead of losing your way.

Take a few minutes and answer these questions:

What’s your family’s purpose? In other words, what business is your family in?

What’s your family’s picture of the future? What will it look like if you’re accomplishing your purpose?

The more united your family is under God’s leadership, the less divisions and civil wars you will face!

Filed Under: Intentional Parenting, Living & Leading Like Jesus: Luke 9-16, Luke Tagged With: Good Morning Girls, Lead Your Family Like Jesus, Luke 11, Online Bible Study, Tricia Goyer 7 Comments

Tricia Goyer April 2, 2013

Leading Our Children to the Kingdom of God

For thousands of years the Jews knew one thing. Their land was the Promised Land, the Holy Land. They were God’s chosen people. They loved God in a reverent way, but God made a plan to come close—closer than they could ever imagine.

“Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near,’” Luke 10:11 (NIV).

The dust the disciples wiped from their feet could be considered holy ground because they lived in “God’s country.” So what did it mean to know that “the kingdom of God has come near”?

This was a turning point in history. The “kingdom of God” transferred from a favored people and holy land to one man: Jesus.

If we could lead our families to one truth, it is this: Jesus came down to earth so He could usher us up to heaven.

Each of us has an ego that keeps us from turning to others—to God—for help. In our book, Lead Your Family Like Jesus, Ken, Phil, and I talk about another kind of EGO—Exalt God Only. That’s what Jesus did and what we need to do as parents.

Turning to God will take swallowing your ego and admitting you can’t do it on your own. Even though He was God, Jesus didn’t lift up His own ego or pride. Instead, He depended on God the Father as His source for everything—including His self-esteem and security.

Jesus gave them this answer: “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these … By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.” John 5:19-20, 30 NIV

In your daily life do you let the kingdom of God come near? Do you welcome God into every part of your day? Or does your ego keep you from asking for help?

It’s up to us to show our kids how to let God come close. Because where we lead as moms, our children will follow.

Dear Mom,

You matter more than you realize. What you believe will be passed on. What you do will be displayed. Giving with all your heart shapes your child’s heart for God. And when your children see you seeking Jesus . . . they’ll know how to do the same.

Share with us! What are practical ways that you lead your child to God?

Read the first chapter of Lead Your Family Like Jesus. Just click “Look Inside”!

-Tricia

Filed Under: Living & Leading Like Jesus: Luke 9-16, Uncategorized Tagged With: Good Morning Girls, Lead Your Family Like Jesus, Tricia Goyer 17 Comments

Tricia Goyer March 25, 2013

Jesus Takes You Places—and Teaches You How to Lead with Your HEART

Luke 9:10-20

It was without hesitation that the disciples first started following Jesus’ leadership. Something inside told them Jesus was going to take them places. There was something about Him that caused a spiritual fire to kindle within their hearts. The disciples were good Jewish men. They knew the Scriptures, but Jesus spoke and acted with authority like they’d never known . . . and now he was teaching them to do the same.

What about you?

“What person—living or dead—has most influenced your thinking, behavior, and path in life? Was it your mother? Your father? A coach? A teacher?” This is the first question my co-authors and I ask in our book, Lead Your Family Like Jesus.

“Any time you seek to influence the thinking, behavior, or development of people in their personal or professional lives, you take on the role of a leader.”

If you’re a mom, the truth is, you’re a leader. And in this leadership role you might feel like the disciples . . . lacking!

Jesus pointed out their lack of resources. Check out Luke 9:13: “But Jesus said, ‘You feed them.’ ’But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish,’ they answered. ‘Or are you expecting us to go and buy enough food for this whole crowd?’”

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve looked at what resources I have in my role as a mom, and they’ve come up painfully, painfully short.

Jesus took them out of their comfort zones and asked them to be leaders.

Jesus didn’t group the people up in lots of fifty himself; he had the disciples do it. They were the ones mingling with the crowds and directing them. Jesus also asked his disciples to pass around the bread and fish. He used their hands and feet to show them what being a leader was all about. Jesus knew that some day He wouldn’t be around. This was their training ground.

Moms, our home is our training ground. And raising kids is our race. And the most important part of leading our children is guiding them to their eternal home.

“Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!” (Hebrews 12:1-3, The Message)

Leading like Jesus as a parent is first a spiritual matter. It all starts with the HEART. As a leader of your family, are you focusing on what’s temporary—or on what will last?

Peter Drucker once said that nothing good ever happens by accident. If you want something good to happen, he advised, put some structure around it. Here are some practical ideas for reaching your family’s heart that my co-author Ken Blanchard shares from our book, Lead Your Family Like Jesus:

Birthday Blessings. On every family member’s birthday, we have a family gathering. As part of the celebration, we sit at the dining room table. One by one, each of us tells the person whose birthday it is what we really love and cherish about him or her. Our kids, Scott and Debbie, used to protest this tradition. But today they encourage their kids to take part in it, too.

Christmas Recital. Between dinner and dessert on Christmas Day, all our family and friends who are gathered share something special with everyone. They can sing a song, recite a poem, or tell us something important in their lives. This not only delights all those who are gathered, but it also makes the day memorable and meaningful.

Date Night. Margie’s brother, Tom, and his wife, Jill, try to schedule a date night every week, when they get a babysitter and have a night just for themselves. There is no focus on their work or kids—just on their relationship. What a wonderful way to cherish each other!

There is also a link to read the first chapter of Lead Your Family Like Jesus! Just click “Look Inside”!

When you follow Jesus He’ll guide you into leading your family in ways that will last!

- Tricia

Note: Looking for the giveaway of Tricia’s Leading Your Family Like Jesus book?? Click here.

Filed Under: Intentional Parenting, Living & Leading Like Jesus: Luke 9-16 Tagged With: Good Morning Girls, Leading your children, Living & Leading Like Jesus, Online Bible Study, Tricia Goyer 9 Comments

Angela March 25, 2013

Luke 9: Small Gifts, Full Bellies & a {Giveaway}

Hi and welcome to Good Morning Girls! We are so glad you’re joining us!

The story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 is one of my personal favorites. I love how God uses a boy in the midst of 5,000 men, to perform a miracle. Did you ever think about that before? The Bible records there were over 5,000 men (not to mention women and children) at this gathering….but none of the men offer Jesus anything except hungry bellies. Yet in John 6:1-15 we see it is the faith of a child, a boy, who offers all that he had to Jesus.

I love Jesus’s response to this small donation given in faith…He accepts it, takes it, uses it.

Jesus doesn’t laugh at the boy and his small offering. He doesn’t make the boy “clean himself up” before coming to Him and offering his food. Jesus doesn’t question the boy and ask him what qualifications he has in trying to meet this large need, nor does He criticize the boy and ask him if that is all he has. No, Jesus simply accepts the offer, gives thanks for it and begins using what was given to meet the needs that were before Him.

Have you noticed the miracle happens after Jesus gives thanks for the small meal….before the need is met? The 5 loaves and 2 fish couldn’t even come close to meeting the need of these people, yet Jesus gives thanks anyway.

You see, Jesus knows something many of us don’t…there is power in a thankful heart.

I love how the boy gave all that he could give and then left the miracle up to God.

What has God given you to help feed the body of Christ?

Is it talents, money, time or compassion?

Remember, you don’t have to fulfill the whole need…..just give your portion. Give what you already have. Jesus didn’t ask the boy for more food….Jesus used what the boy gave.

GMG is a lot like this story. All the women who make up this amazing ministry do so out of their love for God. We are ALL volunteers. Many of us are moms with children still at home. Our time is valuable to us. And I’m sure if you asked us, we don’t always feel like we have “a lot” of it to give….just “5 loaves and 2 fish”….but we give anyway. We lead our GMG groups with the “extra” time we have. We love on the 5-25 women in our groups. We encourage them, pray for them and help them get into God’s Word….each day. To us it might not seem like a lot, but I can testify to the fact that God is taking our gifts and multiplying them to reach thousands of women around the world!

I think of our translators, many of them are moms with small children at home, yet they have a passion for God’s Word and for their fellow sisters in their countries and so they sacrifice their evenings to translate our documents for us. Small gifts and sacrifices yet when placed in the hands of God, are used to “feed thousands.”

Let me encourage you today to be like this boy, to give Jesus the talents, the gifts, the time, the compassion that He has given you…..even if you don’t feel like its very much, give it to Him anyway and leave the miracle in His hands.

And remember, you don’t have to “it all together” before God can start using you.

We have generations behind us who are hungry for God’s Word and in desperate need for women to put their faith into action and live God’s truth out in flesh and blood, giving them something they can see and model. They need someone to lead them. Are you up for the challenge?

Week 1 Challenge:

Like the boy in Luke 9, what can you give to Jesus this week? It doesn’t have to be big….just a gift given in faith. Maybe its time spent with a hurting friend, a quick meal to a new mom, or a note of encouragement to a struggling child. Pray and ask God to help you see how you can help those in your life this week.

Week 1 Memory Verse:

Special Giveaway!

Our newest GMG contributor, Tricia Goyer, is giving away 5 copies of her new book: Lead Your Family Like Jesus to GMG readers! Woohoo! Thanks Tricia!

To enter to win 1 of 5 copies Tricia is giving away – leave a comment in the comment section.

For bonus entries share this giveaway on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest and then leave an extra comment letting me know where you shared it!

This giveaway ends Sunday, March 31st at 11pm!

Tricia Goyer is Focus on the Family w/ her co-authors March 25 & 26 talking about LEAD YOUR FAMILY LIKE JESUS! Those days you can get a FREE copy of the book with any gift to FOF. The button for this special will be on the radio page those days. Here is the direct link: http://tinyurl.com/byaqq3q

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: Living & Leading Like Jesus: Luke 9-16 Tagged With: Feeding 5 Thousand, Good Morning Girls, Jesus, Luke 9, Online Bible Study, Tricia Goyer 334 Comments