A Prayer for Parents to Praise in the Midst of a MessBy Chelsey DeMatteis “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.” Psalm 127:3-5 When I think back to some of the happiest moments in my life, I can also think of the mess that entailed after. Whether it was a mess that I had to clean up in my home, a family member had to clean up as everyone gave their hugs goodbye, or a venue had to clean up as the guests grabbed their final items, it showed that there was great joy and happiness shared amongst the people that I love. This type of mess often invites a shout of praise. Over the years, though, I've seen a shift. Not just in my life but in the life of those around me. Suddenly the messes that were so common have been shuffled into the messes brought by little hands and little hearts. The get-togethers at my home now include a little more chaos, the get-together at a family function involves a lot more hands on deck, and if it’s a celebration at a venue, it often entails balloons, cupcakes, lots of children, and way cleaner up on my behalf. And as for my home; toys, stuffed animals, forts, blankets, and all the things that children add to the equation are daily strewed throughout my house. Sadly, our world has quickly convinced us that this type of mess is one laced with doom and gloom, displeasing to the eye, and not picture perfect like Pintrest feeds offer us. When I believe, though it may be over stimulating at times, all that our children have added to our homes should invite us to praise God the most. The messes that come with having children mean you have been blessed with the gift of children. Little ones don't come ready and willing to clean up. They come ready and willing to play, be silly, and be imaginative. Shouldn't we praise God for that? As they get older, we have the opportunity to steer them in the direction of helping and being part of what helps our home run smoothly and feel tidy. There is a time and season for everything.  We are told in Psalm 127 that children are a gift from the Lord and that we should praise Him for the gift of our offspring. He didn't make that up to make us feel better or to give us some sort of false hope, it was quite the opposite. He spoke it because it's absolute truth. Your children, my children, and all of the children the Lord places in our midst should be a constant reminder of how good our God is. He has called us to take the messes of everyday life and make them into opportunities to praise Him. “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.” Psalm 127:3-5 As a stay-at-home mom of two children, I do know how difficult some days can be. I know how overwhelming the messes can feel. I know what it’s like to want to curl up at the end of the day all while knowing that the sink really needs addressed before I head to bed. And what I’ve found most helpful in those moments is remembering what God has said not just to me, but to all of us caring for children, “it is a blessing to care for them”. Washing their dishes, putting all the cups and little forks away means I have two sweet souls God has given me to love, cherish, and train up to know Him. When you find yourself wanting to crumble in the mess rather than praise, remember this: God has called you and equipped you for this season. Look at the mess as an invitation to stop, pause, pray, and praise. Make the mess a moment where you pray for your children or a specific need for your family. Trust God to give you the energy, the strength, and the heart to make these moments matter for the kingdom – even when no one else sees it. Let’s pray: Father, thank you for the gift of children. I know they are a blessing from you and a constant invitation to make me approach you with a heart of thankfulness. In my moments of weakness, when I feel overwhelmed, help me to stop, pray, and praise you for the work you are doing in my home and in my heart. Keep me close to you. In Jesus‘ name, amen. Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Jessica Peterson Chelsey is the voice behind the Living with Less Podcast and author of the 52-week devotional More of Him, Less of Me: Living a Christ-centered Life in a Me-centered World. She writes devotions for Lifeway Women’s Journey Magazine, Crosswalk.com, and iBelieve.com. She also writes Bible reading plans for the YouVersion Bible App. Chelsey lives in Ohio with her husband and two children. You can connect with her on Instagram @chelseydematteis and at her website ChelseyDeMatteis.com. Teach Us to Pray is a FREE prayer podcast hosted by iBelieve writer Christina Patterson. Each week, she gives you practical, real-life tips on how to grow your faith and relationship with God through the power of prayer. To listen to her episode on What to Pray in the Morning for a Worry-Free Day, click below! Now that you’ve prayed, are you in need of someone to pray for YOU? Click the button below! Visit iBelieve.com for more inspiring prayer content. The post A Prayer for Parents to Praise in the Midst of the Mess – Your Daily Prayer – May 11 appeared first on GodUpdates.

A Prayer for Parents to Praise in the Midst of a MessBy Chelsey DeMatteis “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.” Psalm 127:3-5 When I think back to some of the happiest moments in my life, I can also think of the mess that entailed after. Whether it was a mess that I had to clean up in my home, a family member had to clean up as everyone gave their hugs goodbye, or a venue had to clean up as the guests grabbed their final items, it showed that there was great joy and happiness shared amongst the people that I love. This type of mess often invites a shout of praise. Over the years, though, I've seen a shift. Not just in my life but in the life of those around me. Suddenly the messes that were so common have been shuffled into the messes brought by little hands and little hearts. The get-togethers at my home now include a little more chaos, the get-together at a family function involves a lot more hands on deck, and if it’s a celebration at a venue, it often entails balloons, cupcakes, lots of children, and way cleaner up on my behalf. And as for my home; toys, stuffed animals, forts, blankets, and all the things that children add to the equation are daily strewed throughout my house. Sadly, our world has quickly convinced us that this type of mess is one laced with doom and gloom, displeasing to the eye, and not picture perfect like Pintrest feeds offer us. When I believe, though it may be over stimulating at times, all that our children have added to our homes should invite us to praise God the most. The messes that come with having children mean you have been blessed with the gift of children. Little ones don't come ready and willing to clean up. They come ready and willing to play, be silly, and be imaginative. Shouldn't we praise God for that? As they get older, we have the opportunity to steer them in the direction of helping and being part of what helps our home run smoothly and feel tidy. There is a time and season for everything.  We are told in Psalm 127 that children are a gift from the Lord and that we should praise Him for the gift of our offspring. He didn't make that up to make us feel better or to give us some sort of false hope, it was quite the opposite. He spoke it because it's absolute truth. Your children, my children, and all of the children the Lord places in our midst should be a constant reminder of how good our God is. He has called us to take the messes of everyday life and make them into opportunities to praise Him. “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.” Psalm 127:3-5 As a stay-at-home mom of two children, I do know how difficult some days can be. I know how overwhelming the messes can feel. I know what it’s like to want to curl up at the end of the day all while knowing that the sink really needs addressed before I head to bed. And what I’ve found most helpful in those moments is remembering what God has said not just to me, but to all of us caring for children, “it is a blessing to care for them”. Washing their dishes, putting all the cups and little forks away means I have two sweet souls God has given me to love, cherish, and train up to know Him. When you find yourself wanting to crumble in the mess rather than praise, remember this: God has called you and equipped you for this season. Look at the mess as an invitation to stop, pause, pray, and praise. Make the mess a moment where you pray for your children or a specific need for your family. Trust God to give you the energy, the strength, and the heart to make these moments matter for the kingdom – even when no one else sees it. Let’s pray: Father, thank you for the gift of children. I know they are a blessing from you and a constant invitation to make me approach you with a heart of thankfulness. In my moments of weakness, when I feel overwhelmed, help me to stop, pray, and praise you for the work you are doing in my home and in my heart. Keep me close to you. In Jesus‘ name, amen. Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Jessica Peterson Chelsey is the voice behind the Living with Less Podcast and author of the 52-week devotional More of Him, Less of Me: Living a Christ-centered Life in a Me-centered World. She writes devotions for Lifeway Women’s Journey Magazine, Crosswalk.com, and iBelieve.com. She also writes Bible reading plans for the YouVersion Bible App. Chelsey lives in Ohio with her husband and two children. You can connect with her on Instagram @chelseydematteis and at her website ChelseyDeMatteis.com. Teach Us to Pray is a FREE prayer podcast hosted by iBelieve writer Christina Patterson. Each week, she gives you practical, real-life tips on how to grow your faith and relationship with God through the power of prayer. To listen to her episode on What to Pray in the Morning for a Worry-Free Day, click below! Now that you’ve prayed, are you in need of someone to pray for YOU? Click the button below! Visit iBelieve.com for more inspiring prayer content. The post A Prayer for Parents to Praise in the Midst of the Mess – Your Daily Prayer – May 11 appeared first on GodUpdates.

Former MLB player and Olympic gold medalist Sean Burroughs has passed away. Burroughs, a former Little League World Series champion, was 43. The Long Beach Little League, based in California, said Burroughs “tragically passed away.” “According to Long Beach Little League president Doug Wittman, Burroughs was found unconscious next to his car in the parking lot at a Long Beach ballfield after dropping off his son, Knox, for a Little League game,” ESPN reports. His mother, Debbie, reportedly said his cause of death was cardiac arrest. While everybody is talking about the Pacers, another gold medalist and fit professional athlete dies suddenly of cardiac arrest at 43. Do you think it’s a coincidence? Please say yes or no below as this is censored. pic.twitter.com/wpgxVb7lpT — Erin Elizabeth Health Nut News (@unhealthytruth) May 11, 2024 “We mourn the passing of former Padres third baseman Sean Burroughs. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this very difficult time,” the San Diego Padres wrote. We mourn the passing of former Padres third baseman Sean Burroughs. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this very difficult time. pic.twitter.com/zF7IbjLXcP — San Diego Padres (@Padres) May 10, 2024 Per ESPN: Wittman said CPR was performed on Burroughs in hopes of reviving him, but he remained unresponsive and was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after. “It was very shocking,” Wittman told The Orange County Register. “It’s a real sense of family at Long Beach Little League. So when we lose one of our own, it hurts.” In its statement, the Long Beach Little League praised Burroughs as “a legend in LBLL and the baseball community for winning back-to-back Little League World Series Championships for LBLL in 1992 and 1993.” “To say this is a huge loss is an understatement,” the statement continued. “… We will have his family in our thoughts and prayers during this time and try to end the season playing the kind of baseball Coach Sean would be proud of.” Burroughs threw back-to-back no-hitters to help Long Beach to consecutive Little League championships, then went on to star at Long Beach Wilson High. The son of 1974 American League MVP Jeff Burroughs was selected with the No. 9 overall pick by the San Diego Padres in 1998. The third baseman made his major league debut in April 2002, recorded the first walk-off hit for the Padres in Petco Park history in 2004 and was out of baseball in 2007 before returning to play from 2011 to 2012. Moment of silence for Long Beach’s own, Sean Burroughs. #Padres 1st Round Pick in 1998. pic.twitter.com/rzIZ0F3cCv — David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) May 11, 2024 Just learned of the sudden passing of Sean Burroughs. He was a 2-time Little League World Champion, drafted by the Padres as a 3B in the first round in '98. Son of former AL MVP Jeff Burroughs. Tragically collapsed while coaching his son's LL team.He was only 43. RIP Sean. pic.twitter.com/ChTHpgB6SD — Season of the Wolf #ChristianNationalist (@wolfseason1) May 10, 2024 From the Associated Press: Burroughs was a standout as a pitcher in the Little League World Series for the Long Beach team, which became the first U.S. squad to win consecutive titles. They won the 1992 championship after the Philippines, their opponent in the title round, had to forfeit for using overaged players. He pitched consecutive no-hitters in the 1993 LLWS — with a then-record 16 strikeouts — and his team won the title over Panama, 3-2. “Sean was a legend in LBLL and the baseball community,” Wittman wrote. Burroughs won a gold medal with the U.S. baseball team coached by Tommy Lasorda at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. “We at USA Baseball are heartbroken to hear of the tragic passing of Sean,” USA Baseball executive director and CEO Paul Seiler said in a statement. “Sean was a part of one of our most beloved teams, and he represented our country on and off the field in a first-class manner.” Former MLB Infielder Sean Burroughs Collapses And Dies While Coaching Son’s Little League Team https://t.co/Bg0V8Jkxda — Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) May 11, 2024 “He was a career .278 hitter, with 12 home runs and 143 RBIs with the Padres, Tampa Bay, Arizona and Minnesota,” the Associated Press noted.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is reportedly expected to roll out an ID card pilot program for illegal immigrants being released into the United States this summer. “The ICE Secure Docket Card program was first reported on in 2022, and Fox Digital obtained images of the card last year. Now, ICE is planning a limited rollout of the program,” Fox News reports. ICE is expected to hand out approximately 10,000 cards when the pilot program begins this summer. Just in time to vote for him in November … pic.twitter.com/DJiJBDXsAD — Wall Street Silver (@WallStreetSilv) May 11, 2024 “It is expected to roll out in three or four locations, with an initial distribution of around 10,000 ID cards,” Fox News reporter Adam Shaw wrote. NEW: ICE is planning to roll out its Secure Docket Card program for illegal immigrants as soon as this summer. It is expected to roll out in three or four locations, with an initial distribution of around 10,000 ID cards.https://t.co/lWdB98NA7r — Adam Shaw (@AdamShawNY) May 9, 2024 Per Fox News: A source familiar with the program told Fox Houston and Atlanta were two potential locations. The agency said the program will “modernize documentation provided to some noncitizens” but stressed it would not be an official form of federal ID. “While the specifics of the card and pilot are under development, it is important to note the secure card will not be an official form of federal identification,” the agency said. “The secure card will indicate it is for use by DHS agencies and would be provided only after national security background checks have been performed.” When illegal immigrants cross the border and are released into the interior, they are often given a number of paper documents depending on their status and situation. ICE says that such documents pose a security risk and can be lost and degraded, and the new program will make the agency more efficient. It would also allow for an easier verification of identity through DHS systems via officials. BREAKING: ICE will begin issuing taxpayer-funded ID cards to illegal aliens this summer.https://t.co/xeItTvyfkE — National Immigration Center for Enforcement (@NICEnforcement) May 9, 2024 “ICE wants to start distributing ID cards to illegals this summer. More evidence of Biden trying to make illegal legal,” Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) commented. ICE wants to start distributing ID cards to illegals this summer. More evidence of Biden trying to make illegal legal. — Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) May 10, 2024 From the New York Post: ICE claims paper documents are unsecured, inefficient and can get lost or deteriorate over time, thus the need for ID cards. “Moving to a secure card will save the agency millions, free up resources and ensure information is quickly accessible to DHS officials while reducing the agency’s FOIA backlog,” an ICE spokesperson told Fox News. “For provisionally released noncitizens, the digital modernization will provide ongoing access to important immigration documents through the secure card and connected portal.” Leaked images of the new cards obtained by the outlet show that they will contain a photograph of the migrant, a QR code, ID number and other identifying information. It is unclear what the cost to taxpayers will be for the program.

Historical Events 1887 - 13th Kentucky Derby: Isaac Lewis aboard Montrose wins in 2:39.25 1927 - England's football team beat Belgium 9-1 1956 - Pinky Lee Show last airs on NBC-TV 1975 - Israel signs an agreement with European Economic Market 2013 - English FA Cup Final, Wembley Stadium, London (86,254): Wigan Athletic upsets Manchester City, 1-0; Ben Watson scores 90+1' winner 2022 - First ever US government report into Indian boarding school deaths released (not complete), documents more than 500 deaths across 400 schools and 50 gravesites over 150 years More Historical Events » Famous Birthdays 1731 - Johann Gottfried Seyfert, German composer and violinist, born in Augsburg, Electorate of Bavaria (now Germany) (d. 1772) 1752 - Johann Friedrich Blumenbach, German anthropologist (d. 1840) 1954 - Lubomir Stoykov, Bulgarian journalist and broadcaster 1967 - Eric Young, infielder (Colorado Rockies), born in New Brunswick, New Jersey 1987 - Louis Murphy, American college football player 1997 - Coi Leray [Collins], American rapper (No More Parties), born in Boston, Massachusetts More Famous Birthdays » Famous Deaths 1778 - William Pitt the Elder, British Prime Minister (Whig, 1756-61, 66-68) known as the `Great Commoner', dies at 69 1881 - Henri-Frédéric Amiel, Swiss writer (Journal Intime), dies at 59 1907 - John Albert Delany, Australian composer, dies at 54 1916 - Karl Schwarzschild, German astronomer (Schwarzschild effect), dies on the Eastern front at 42, mere months after working out a solution to Einstein's Theory of Relativity 2019 - Harold Lederman, American boxing judge and analyst (HBO), dies of cancer at 79 2022 - Henk Groot, Dutch soccer attacking midfielder/forward (39 caps; Ajax, Feyenoord), dies at 84 More Famous Deaths »

Marie-Thérèse Kaiser, a young politician from the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, was recently convicted for inciting hatred for exposing in public the soaring gang rape statistics linked to Afghan Muslim migrants in Germany. Kaiser’s case has ignited a fiery debate on the balance between free speech and hate speech, especially in the context of […]

If you’re a pastor stepping into a new church, it’s prudent to commit to patiently stay for at least five years. Earning trust from a congregation can take longer, and admittedly there are countless factors to consider. There are unique situations I may counsel differently, but in general, I don’t believe a pastor’s initial commitment to a church should be for less than a half-decade. Why? It takes time for a congregation to adapt to you as their pastor, for them to see your love. It also takes time for you to demonstrate you can persevere in faithfulness and rest in God’s grace. 1. Time for the Congregation to Mourn and Adapt Even a healthy church will need time to mourn the loss of their previous pastor and adapt to you as their new pastor. After all, you’re different from their last pastor. You have a unique personality and a unique gifting for ministry. You’ll have strengths and weaknesses the previous pastor didn’t have. When you follow a faithful and beloved servant of God who led and loved a congregation for years, it can take time for them to see past these differences. The previous pastor ministered to them in the difficult moments. He celebrated life’s joys with them. He shepherded them in a way unique to how God made him, a way people became accustomed to. The transition to your leadership, no matter how healthy, will be jarring for people who grew to trust him. It’ll take time for them to see your differences aren’t always shortcomings and that they don’t necessarily mean you’re less faithful. Imagine you had a coach from Little League through your junior year of high school. Then your school hired a new coach. You’d naturally long for the familiarity of the old coach and be skeptical of the new one. He’s different, and you don’t have the same relationship you had with the old coach who earned your respect and trust. That’s not so different from a pastoral transition. There’s great value in giving the people time to grieve the loss of their previous pastor and to acclimate to you as their new shepherd. 2. Time for the Congregation to See Your Commitment and Love Churches need time to see your commitment and love for them. This is especially true for an unhealthy church—one that’s immature or where people’s expectations are unrealistic or unbiblical. Perhaps the church has a history of running pastors out or has had pastors abandon the church for “better things.” Maybe the average tenure of the pastors in this church’s history is short. People may think, He’ll be here for a year or two then be gone like the others. Perhaps previous pastors betrayed or hurt the church in some way. In some cases, the issues may be deeper and take time to uncover and understand. Whatever the circumstances, if people are skeptical and expect you to leave quickly, have wrong expectations, and are guarded and unwilling to be led, it’ll take time for them to see your commitment and to learn you care for them. Time allows you to prove you won’t abandon, use, or bail on them. With time, you can show them you’re there to love and care for them in a way that honors God and reflects his care for the church. With time, you can show them you’re there to love and care for them in a way that honors God and reflects his care for the church. Give the congregation time to mature under your faithful ministry of the Word. Give them time to learn to trust a shepherd who seeks the good of the sheep. Prove you’re worthy of their trust by allowing the congregation to see your faithful character and care week in and week out. 3. Time for You to Demonstrate Faithful Perseverance Nothing can replace faithfulness over time. That’s the essence of Paul’s admonition to Timothy in 1 Timothy 1:3–5. Paul urges Timothy to do three things. First, stay where you are (v. 3). Don’t give up and jump ship. The temptation is real, but don’t give in. If you leave, you’ll only have to start over again, so stick it out. Stay because the people need consistency. Second, love (v. 5). The motivation for staying put is love for God and his people. They need time to see your love for them demonstrated. They need you to show them you love them, that you’re not just a hireling who’s in ministry for the paycheck. They need time to see your love for God in action. Third, faithfully shepherd (vv. 3–4). Paul’s charge to Timothy throughout the rest of the letter is to faithfully teach the Word, to devote himself to sound doctrine and faithful shepherding. One of the best things you can do to earn the trust of God’s people is to be utterly committed to the Word, to teach it faithfully, and to shepherd them in light of God’s Word as the Word shapes you. 4. Time for You to Rest in God’s Grace When we’re humble servants who rest in God’s grace, we show his people we’re fighting the good fight of faith alongside them. We show them we’re fellow workers for their joy who aren’t lording our authority over them (2 Cor. 1:24) We depend with them on God’s strength in our weakness (12:9). We show them we need the same gospel hope we’re offering to them. The motivation for staying put is love for God and his people. If you’re going to patiently persevere in faithful service to God, the people God has entrusted to you need to see your need for him. So practice wisdom. Repent when needed. Admit fault. Welcome accountability. Live in light of the gospel of grace. Demonstrate you’re humbly depending on God, and the trust of godly people will follow. As they see you trust him over time, you’ll become their trusted pastor because they trust that Christ is at work in you, forming you, their pastor, in the image of the Great Shepherd.

In the late eighteenth century, a group of unusually enlightened men gathered to plot rebellion against the most powerful military power of the day.

Breitbart editor-in-chief and New York Times bestselling Breaking Biden author Alex Marlow said Friday on Fox Business Network’s “Kudlow” that President Joe Biden announcing he withhold…