The Learned

Q: I have three kids but the last two were less than 12 months apart. My youngest is less than a year old.  I feel really embarrassed about the fourth even though we prayed for it. Any advice? A: I have three but when I was pregnant the fourth time, it was not meant to be. 6 weeks in and I had a miscarriage. Be thankful for what you have and treasure your family. Children are a gift from God. That was 5 years ago and we have been trying since. Just can't seem to have our fourth. Waiting for that rainbow baby that still hasn't arrived and my age is catching up. I'm turning 40 this year and still.. needing a miracle.

Q: I don't think he is treating her as well as a man should. I don't see him helping around. I felt she has to do everything. Should I advice her against it? Wedding dates are set! I think I'm close enough to share my thoughts to her as she appointed me as a bridesmaid. Others advised I should speak up because God wants me to say something to her. A: Is she a Christian? Honestly, it doesn't matter what you think, or what she thinks, even. It all comes down to what God thinks. If she is a Christian, then ask her what God has said about it and what made her say yes -- what are the evidence that this is God's will -- just ask her to share her story -- it's not an interrogation, just find out a little bit more and see what she has to say. For all you know, there's nothing to be worried about. And if there is, it's not your place to say anything as a friend, unfortunately. I've had friends who thought I was getting married too soon and tried to stop me bu...

Cheap Curriculum: Junior Church Curriculum for one year -- focus on Prayer, Worship and Word, splits into Older Kids and Younger Kids. Includes a section on festivities: Christmas, and even Jewish Feasts (optional). Very theologically grounded, includes printables. Only $100 for the entire year.

Yes, it's been truly lost. People fast electronics these days. It's fasting watered down. Powerless fasting.

I have had a few dreams of Jesus, (one of which was not a dream but I was awake.) They're unforgettable. I hold on to them all the time. The vision I had was real, apparently -- a few others have been where I had been before.. If you have dreams about Jesus, I believe you have a special calling on your life. And if you dream of Him embracing you, I believe you have a calling to bring others closer to Him.

High recommend this. Illustrations are every detailed and realistic. Sunday school teacher even asked to borrow it for about a year or so. Good for any kid as a picture Bible, to be honest. https://ebay.us/m/K8BWHE (not sponsored)

Have been living with my parents since day one. They're pastors and I've had a call of God to be the Elisha to my parents, so we are not planning to leave them ever. They now have health issues and I take them to the drs often. Mom is sometimes on a wheelchair if she's tired. She's a diabetic and Dad has heart issues. They don't mind the kids as some people think living with parents would be like. They're old and tired and can't have the kids too long but that's not what grandparents are for. They're not here to help around the house. I am here to help them. And if you have that mindset from day one, it's all good.

Ian Smale who wrote Children of the Voice 1,2 and 3. Changed my life. This is my one and only favourite Christian childrens book author. Highly recommend it. He also goes by the name ISHMAEL which is short for Ian Smale. It impacted me so much as a 9 year old that I made my Sunday School teacher read it. It's about a young boy who was Little Trouble and how God transformed his life into Little Christian, how he had a call of God upon his life and we was trained to be a pastor and how he went back to transform his city for the Lord, with his close friends who have different callings as well. But it was told in a kids way that kids would love Amazon link (Not sponsored): https://amzn.asia/d/e86rjo9

When I was 14, I had the same questions. That's completely healthy. So what happened was, the Holy Spirit challenged me back:  Holy Spirit: How would you know if ANYTHING was real? Like how would you know if the screen in front of you is real? Me: Because I can see it, I can feel it. Holy Spirit: Your eyes are one of your five senses. Touch is one of the senses, too. That's the same with Me. You know I exist because you can sense me. You can feel my presence. Another time, I tried to see what happened if I stopped believing in God. But within a few seconds, I couldn't, because I could feel His presence so strongly with me, and I couldn't deny He existed.

The most important thing in life is to hear from God. The only way to have a relationship with someone is to be able to communicate with that person -- talk to God and hear His voice speaking to you. There is no way we can have a relationship with someone we cannot hear. You will know if it's the right church if they can hear God and if they can lead you to hear God's voice. A lot of churches but very few can actually hear His voice. I am not from Adelaide -- I'm from Murray Bridge, but in Adelaide, I know two churches that can hear God's voice: Field of Dreams Australia (large church, about 100+ people, in Maylands) and Ekklesia (very small church, less than 20 people, in CBD). Both spirit filled and very prophetic. I suggest to give both a shot. I'm not saying no other churches can, but I've not been to a lot of churches that can. I'll be praying for you. If you need to get to Ekklesia, pm me for a contact person. https://ekklesia.com.au/ https://www.faceb...

No, I'm not planning to make teens pay for anything unless they buy their own car. Which I won't encourage, unless it's cash. I don't encourage getting a loan for a car. The first loan should always be for a house. They can use the family car 🚗 and no, they won't be paying anything for it. Contrary to many, the first thing I want to teach my kids is how to make a profit, not how to earn. And I want to teach them to invest before I teach them to save.

Q: Many of our guests are non-Christians. Should we have worship songs playing? How did you do yours? A: We had a worship leader lead the worship. I picked out the songs -- I chose full on worship songs but the adoration type: Jesus Beautiful Saviour, You are Beautiful Beyond Description, Magnificent and I Adore. Many non-Christians who have never stepped foot in a church was expecting a Catholic ceremony like those in the movies. They loved it and proudly said it was their first time in a church or at a Christian wedding and thank you so much for the invite and that they really enjoyed it.