tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54046465312203278262024-03-13T09:28:39.833-07:00Scriptures for Childbirth...and you shall know the truth! and the truth shall make you free!Shanon da Doulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270435731020645595noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404646531220327826.post-35166771244235740742011-12-14T10:11:00.000-08:002011-12-14T10:11:07.783-08:00Blog Shift! :DIt has come to my realization that this blog's main focus needs some updating... <br />
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Please stick around for the changes. I know I have not been blogging very much lately and that is one of the drawbacks to be a very busy wife, mom, and soon-to-be full time student in the middle of a family transition out of the military. :) It is a crazy road and praise the Lord, is should be over soon! :D <br />
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I want to re-evaluate the mission behind this blog and add resources for families experiencing sensitive birth situations. While it is important to keep the basic structure of the blog: Seeking God in Pregnancy, I want to add some special places for families to go under various circumstances. <br />
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Pregnancy loss will be something added here. Scriptures and uplifting words. <br />
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Birth Trauma will be another area of interest for this blog. <br />
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Families in adoptive situations will eventually be able to come here and find Scriptures and community. <br />
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Please lift this transition up in prayer with me! :D <br />
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These new things should all be in place by spring time next year and ready to go! <br />
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<3Shanon da Doulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270435731020645595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404646531220327826.post-9190335921236056102011-11-18T06:24:00.000-08:002011-11-18T06:27:10.740-08:001 Corinthians 6:19-20<span style="color: #990000;"><em><span style="font-size: large;">"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."</span> <span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;">KJV</span></em></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Ok first let me say that I like the KJV version of this Scripture the best because in verse 19 we have Paul (the presumed author) saying <strong>WHAT?? </strong>Like... <strong>WHAT</strong> you don't know this?? </span><br />
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I just think it's funny... :) <br />
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Anyway now that I have set the tone on a serious note... Let's talk about how this Scripture applies to us in pregnancy, labor and birth. I am sure as women, we have heard this before. This fact that our bodies are not our own and we need to be taking care of them so that they are working correctly. So that we live healthy and longer. So that we are glorifying the Lord with each day that we exist inside them. These bodies are temples for our God to dwell inside and we must make them a Holy place for him to dwell. <br />
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The issue is... there are so many temptations out there for us to fall victim too if we let ourselves and cause our bodies to be an unclean place. My thoughts are... you can't change your entire self in a day. But as long as you are working at becoming a temple and progressively getting better then your body is a welcome place for the Holy Spirit because praying over your body and taking care of it definitely means you care about Him being there. <br />
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Pregnancy is a different story though because now we have two bodies inside one that need to be taken care of. One of the most beautiful things about childbirth IMO is the fact that we get to be a vessel for God's creation of new humans... new souls that will impact the world. God has plans for them and they include us and how we take care of ourselves.<br />
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If we are neglectful of the temple our body is meant to be... then we are not in right standing to be a positive part of God's plan for this little human he is making inside our bodies. Does that make sense? :) If I were sitting in front of you we could discuss this but typing concepts like this can be a challenge sometimes. :) <br />
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We must not only treat our bodies as the Temples for our Living God that they are, but we must also treat them as Holy Homes for our little children while the Lord is growing them inside us. We must be in prayer over ourselves and our babies. We must eat well. Take care of our bodies with sleep and rest. Also exercising that is appropriate. All these things and more... whatever you are feeling convicted of doing... we must do for the simple fact that our bodies are not our own... and even more so are they not during childbirth. It all belongs to God. :)Shanon da Doulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270435731020645595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404646531220327826.post-61590805802720794452011-10-09T20:36:00.000-07:002011-10-09T20:39:06.327-07:00Praying for Your Spouse in Childbirth<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">"You husbands must honor your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God's gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered." </span>1 Peter 3:7 NLT</i><br />
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</i></div><div>At first read, this Scripture may not seem relevant to you on your pregnancy journey since it is speaking to our husbands. But let me bring this to you... wives can gain as much from this Scripture as husbands and prayer is key to being on the same page during your childbirth journey. </div><div><br />
</div><div>This Scripture says two things of great importance for wives. One: "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-style: italic;">but she is your equal partner in God's gift of new life" </span><span class="Apple-style-span">That's right... it takes TWO to tango. Two: "</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-style: italic;">You husbands must honor your wives. </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Treat your wife with understanding as you live together.</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-style: italic;">" </span><span class="Apple-style-span">It is in God's plan for your husband to honor you and treat you with care... treating you with understanding for what you are going through! </span></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><br />
</span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">As wives... we sometimes get busy with ourselves and our needs and we may not see that our husbands have a need in this journey too! To be a part of it. God says we are equals in this journey and it is up to us too to recognize this! Praying for your husband every day can increase the bond between the two of you. Letting God know what you need of your spouse will get better results then when you tell your husband yourself? Why? Because God is the changer of hearts... not us. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>"I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stoney, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart." Ezekiel 36:26 NLT</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">I will say it again... God it the changer of hearts! Not us! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZyTqAYZfnKs/TpJn7indalI/AAAAAAAAA-4/fsNErwRSGhI/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZyTqAYZfnKs/TpJn7indalI/AAAAAAAAA-4/fsNErwRSGhI/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span">Your God knows that you and your husband belong on the same page during this journey and expressing your understanding for that to Him and praying for your husband can make all the difference! Praying Scripture over your husband like the one above is great! Recognize that all change comes from God Alone and that by pouring your heart out to God about what you feel are your husband's short-comings on this pregnancy journey will open your eyes to the changes God can make in your husband. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></div><div>*I remember* when I was pregnant this last time, my husband CONSTANTLY nagged me about toast crumbs on the counter. See... I ate toast like 5 or 6 times a day! It was a way to keep my belly full and stop the nausea. It was important for me... I was so angry with him for not being concerned about WHY I was eating the toast... that I yelled at him over and over and told him to just get over it! Things like that... petty things... can seem HUGE to us when we are pregnant and emotional. They can cause a very big rift between us and our husbands if we let them. And God Alone has the power to even change little things like that for the two of you... you only need ask. </div><div><br />
</div><div>How do you pray over your husband during pregnancy? </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
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</div>Shanon da Doulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270435731020645595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404646531220327826.post-65409275223129317002011-09-28T15:42:00.000-07:002011-09-28T15:42:50.886-07:00*MY* Favorite Christian Song and Why it's Good for Childbirth!I absolutely love... "It is Well with My Soul" right now. It is all I can think of and sing throughout my day. It depicts my relationship with Christ and how I need him in my life... also what I am thankful for.<br />
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If you notice on the bottom of this blog the words are written... There is a book we are focused on right now on this blog called, "<a href="http://www.scripturesforchildbirth.com/search/label/BIBLE%20STUDY">Christ Centered Childbirth</a>" and the author of this book,<a href="http://kjtownsend.tripod.com/"> Kelly J Townsend</a> has in the back of her text a request to worship this song together. It is beautiful to me... and what brought me into loving this song so much.<br />
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I watch the show on TV called Parenthood. I feel like there are some really good Christian themes in this show and also an overall understanding of a variety of family issues today.<br />
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Last night's episode featured a version of this beautiful song. An acoustic verson. And I finally tracked it down! I would like to share it with you!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://1.gvt0.com/vi/_D4u5IpeP50/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_D4u5IpeP50&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_D4u5IpeP50&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><br />
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This song can be used throughout pregnancy to calm and sooth... and just connect with God! It can be used in labor for the same thing... It truly is so beautiful! I hope you will listen to it! :)<br />
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The hymn is an oldie but awesome goodie!<br />
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What is your favorite Christian song? Have you or could you use it in labor?<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">This topic was given to my by the great community my blog belongs to...<a href="http://www.faithfulbloggers.com/"> Faithful Bloggers</a>! Would you like to join up with us? I'm sure we would be blessed to have you! </span></div>Shanon da Doulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270435731020645595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404646531220327826.post-64951248334527486792011-09-26T10:43:00.000-07:002011-09-26T10:55:26.182-07:00Walking Through "Christ Centered Childbirth": Renew Your Mind<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://alansmithonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/1078872_word_fear_on_the_dices.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://alansmithonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/1078872_word_fear_on_the_dices.jpg" /></a></div>Assigned Scripture: Romans 12<br />
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Blog Highlight: <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."</span> Romans 12:2 TNIV</i><br />
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If you have a copy of <a href="http://kjtownsend.tripod.com/">Christ Centered Childbirth,</a> please read the corresponding chapter: <i>The Natural Childbirth Tool Box</i>.<br />
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This weeks' study is so good. And truly the essence of why I practice and promote Christian Childbirth to all people. There are so many temptations and lies surrounding birth right now to sway us in the wrong direction. There are also so many people being used by satan to make you feel things like fear and worry. To make you feel anything other than joy and trust is a direct attack against the pregnancy and birth journey the Lord has for you.<br />
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I will post the questions she has in this week's chapter in hopes that you will reflect on them and write the answers to them on a notebook paper. This is how we grow and one of the way we hear from God. By meditation on good Bible Studies and learning the truth.<br />
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<blockquote><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." </span>Philippians 4:8 KJV</i> </blockquote><br />
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List things about birth that are true: (whatsoever things are true)<br />
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List some birthing myths:<br />
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Being honest, I feel this way about birth: (whatsoever things are honest)<br />
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List ways your care provider can be honest:<br />
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List ways he/she may be dishonest:<br />
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What are your rights as a birthing mother?: (whatsoever things are just)<br />
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What should be expected from you as a birthing mothers?:<br />
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Describe pure birth: (whatsoever things are pure)<br />
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What could cause your birth to be less than pure?:<br />
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What are the most lovely things about birth?: (whatsoever things are lovely)<br />
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List things about birth that may be difficult but are still lovely:<br />
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Describe a positive birth story someone told you: (whatsoever things are of good report)<br />
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What are the virtues of birth (example-pateince): (if there be any virtue)<br />
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If you were to praise a woman on her birth experience, what kinds of things would you praiser her for?: (and if there be any praise)<br />
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Think on these...<br />
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<blockquote>After you have taken the time to work through these questions... you may discover some of God's truth behind pregnancy and birth. I hope that through this exercise you have gathered faith in yourself and God's plan for your birth journey. :) </blockquote><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Cousine; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Please remember to worship before or after this post with the song found at the bottom of the blog! :)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Cousine; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Cousine; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dF9mWDhKVVRCZEF4dW5FWFozU3E0YWc6MQ" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration: none;">Add your name to the prayer list</a></span>Shanon da Doulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270435731020645595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404646531220327826.post-49937993329765772972011-09-19T15:20:00.000-07:002011-09-26T10:52:31.754-07:00Walking Through "Christ Centered Childbirth": Search Our HeartAssigned Scripture: Psalm 139<br />
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Blog Highlight: <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">"For you created my inmost being; you knit me in my mother's womb." </span>Psalm 139-13 TNIV</i><br />
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If you have a copy of the book <a href="http://kjtownsend.tripod.com/">Christ Centered Childbirth</a> than you know that the entry for this week's Bible study is short but the reflection is where you time will be spent.<br />
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After you have read Psalm 139 there is a worksheet that she has asked us to complete. I have found this worksheet so in tune with the application of Love that Jesus calls us to during pregnancy and birth that I am going to make a page for it, credit her, and link to it at the bottom of this blog so that you can always have easy access to it should you need to complete it again at any point during any of your pregnancies.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://equipping4impact.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/fruit-of-the-spirit-300x231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://equipping4impact.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/fruit-of-the-spirit-300x231.jpg" /></a></div>Our pregnancies are an expression of love for another and our love for God. We sacrifice our own bodies and sometime own own physical health for the wellbeing and creation of another human. One that we will inherit to raise and guide in the Lord. We are given this gift because we are capable of it. Never forget that. Never let the strife of your pregnancy or your situation mean anything more that the power that has been placed inside you by God. Allow Him entrance into your heart during this time in your life... in every part of your lives. :)<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.scripturesforchildbirth.com/p/for-love-of-baby-kelly-j-townsend.html">Application for Birth</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Cousine; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Please remember to worship before or after this post with the song found at the bottom of the blog! :)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Cousine; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Cousine; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Cousine; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.scripturesforchildbirth.com/p/for-love-of-baby-kelly-j-townsend.html">Add your name to the prayer list</a></span></span></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div id="lws_0"><div class="linkwithin_outer" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div class="linkwithin_inner" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 358px;"></div></div></div><br />
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</span></div>Shanon da Doulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270435731020645595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404646531220327826.post-28990403810225379052011-09-12T09:26:00.000-07:002011-09-26T10:47:55.866-07:00Walking Through "Christ Centered Childbirth": Reflecting His LoveAssigned Scripture: Leviticus 23<br />
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Blog Highlight: <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">"The LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘These are my appointed festivals, the appointed festivals of the LORD, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies."</span> Leviticus 23:1-2</i><br />
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If you have a copy of <i><a href="http://kjtownsend.tripod.com/">Christ Centered Childbirth</a></i>, please read the corresponding chapter which is chapter 5.<br />
<a href="http://rbredona.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/1429907868_9269e010421.jpg?w=350&h=234" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://rbredona.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/1429907868_9269e010421.jpg?w=350&h=234" width="320" /></a><br />
The feasts that God gave to Moses and how they relate to childbirth:<br />
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<ul><li>Passover-The Egg</li>
<li>Unleavened Bread-Fertilization of the Egg</li>
<li>First Fruits- Implantation of Pregnancy</li>
<li>Pentecost-New Creation (when we become new life)</li>
<li>Trumpets-Hearing (when our sense develops)</li>
<li>Atonement-Blood (when we develop and live from blood)</li>
<li>Tabernacles-Lungs (when our lungs develop and begin to be used in utero)</li>
<li>Chanuka-BIRTH! </li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-picasa-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-61fHYu1957c/Tm0ihPgOiMI/AAAAAAAAA6I/2G6PDYg70sc/s1600/ZLV-516.mov" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fv6.nonxt5.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3Dda960081e978cf15%26itag%3D18%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1315796709%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3D6013CD3AFDE3F1F9EFFB999969D044A8DF41D80C.2F2F103E598927CFC9B46671DF94754A90CE0BA0%26key%3Dlh1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fv6.nonxt5.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3Dda960081e978cf15%26itag%3D18%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1315796709%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3D6013CD3AFDE3F1F9EFFB999969D044A8DF41D80C.2F2F103E598927CFC9B46671DF94754A90CE0BA0%26key%3Dlh1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">If you cannot load the above video please check out </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.levitt.tv/media/watch/516"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">"A Child is Born" produced by Zola Levitt"</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div></div>This concept to me is amazing... and I will be the first to admit that I have not been able to read the entire chapter in Christ Centered Childbirth yet. I am so excited to do so though!<br />
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PLEASE read this stuff and comment here! I want to know what you think! Watch the above movie on how this was discovered and talk about it with me!<br />
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Here are the discussion questions from this weeks Bible Study:<br />
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<ol><li>How to the feats of Israel Point to pregnancy?</li>
<li>What might the significance ofd these correlations be to us and the baby?</li>
<li>What are we going to do with this new information?</li>
<li>What are some other things in nature that point to Jesus Christ?</li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Cousine; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Please remember to worship before or after this post with the song found at the bottom of the blog! :)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Cousine; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Cousine; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Cousine; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dF9mWDhKVVRCZEF4dW5FWFozU3E0YWc6MQ" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration: none;">Add your name to the prayer list</a></span>Shanon da Doulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270435731020645595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404646531220327826.post-32238814519877699512011-09-09T21:18:00.000-07:002011-09-12T10:14:23.939-07:00ABC's of Christian Childbirth: The Letter B<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-awltA3fQ_IQ/Tll4XWGiGNI/AAAAAAAAA58/dws0e1D1vyw/s1600/b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-awltA3fQ_IQ/Tll4XWGiGNI/AAAAAAAAA58/dws0e1D1vyw/s320/b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Be the Change</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br />
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</i></b></span></div><i>"I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us." Philippians 3:13-14 NLT</i><br />
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What is eternally significant about your pregnancy and birth experience? How does allowing the change in you that the Holy spirit wants to make effect your birth outcome and your life?<br />
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Let's talk about the first question... What is eternally significant about your journey right now? The choices you make throughout your pregnancy are opportunities to grow with the Lord. Allowing Him to infuse His Spirit with yours enables you to pour out the fruits that come with it. <br />
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<i>"But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!" Galatians 5:22-23 NLT</i><br />
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</i></div><div>By embracing your relationship with Christ during your pregnancy and birth... you are setting the tone for yourself as a parent. Which will impact your son or daughter throughout their lives! I know this sounds big... it is. Not overwhelming... just important! It is important that the choices you make about your daily pregnant life leading up to your birth plan be focused on love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. For yourself AND your baby. </div><div><br />
</div><div>What is the heavenly prize? Your salvation... and the salvation of your baby through your parenting... the salvation of those around who you witness your pregnancy and birth experience... You have the ability to allow the Lord to work through you to secure the eternal fate of many other people during your pregnancy and birth. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Now for the second... How can the Holy Spirit's presence in your heart during your choices impact your pregnancy and birth outcome? Let's look at how being equipped with each fruit can help! </div><div><br />
</div><div>Love-You love your baby and yourself. You will teach your baby before it is even born that you love him or her by singing or talking, rubbing your belly, rocking, or even just allowing the feelings of love that your have wash over yourself.<br />
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</div><div>Joy-When you are experiencing joy over your pregnancy you are calm and keeping stress down. You are delighted that your are pregnant which makes having your baby even more exciting! Instead of living in fear or anxiety... you are allowing the Joy within you to sustain you!</div><div><br />
</div><div>Peace- Peace is having the ability to face a fear calmly... to overcome a situation with strength. To know that the Lord is there for you and to feel secure in that. You can be uncomfortable in pregnancy and labor but still be at peace... still be in sound mind to make important decisions.<br />
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Patience- Having patience is equal to having faith in yourself during pregnancy. Faith that together, your body and your baby know what they are doing and maybe, just maybe they are guided by something bigger than doctors or nerves. The Lord does work behind the scenes on our behalf all the time. Have patience over your birth.<br />
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Kindness- When you are experiencing kindness you are outwardly showing the world the mental state you are enhabiting. You are shinning with a glow that says, "This pregnant lady is not scared of herself and her birth..." and people want to know what you have that they can also recieve. This is your witness.<br />
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Goodness- Is wonderful... goodness. When things are good and when you are good, making proper choices and eating healthy you are taking care of yourself and you are experiencing a rare human emotion of complete faith.<br />
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Faithfulness- This is so important. To let the Lord do His job. To trust that He cares enough about you to carry you when you are weak. To listen to you when you need a shoulder. To fight for you when you are afraid.... faithfulness is everything.<br />
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Gentleness- Being gentle with your words to others will change something in you. It will help you grow for parenting. You will learn to speak and act with love and this will set the tone for when you spend endless hours caring for a newborn.<br />
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Self-Control- One of the most important.... this where your heart's placement is crucial. Are you capable of being still and knowing God is God? That He is there? Will you out-lash at others throughout your pregnancy or will you calmly handle your situations with grace? Will you give them to the Lord to help you with or will you find your own means of comfort?<br />
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If you are a Christian, you are having a Christian childbirth... Will you Be the Change for yourself and your baby? Will you take this pregnancy as an opportunity to allow the Lord to grow you? </div>Shanon da Doulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270435731020645595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404646531220327826.post-36450032538654513602011-09-07T21:02:00.000-07:002011-09-26T10:46:52.398-07:00Walking Through "Christ Centered Childbirth": Be StillAssigned Scripture: Psalm 46<br />
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Blog Highlight: <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." </span>Psalm 46:1</i><br />
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There are no discussion questions with this week's Bible Study. If you have a copy of <i><a href="http://kjtownsend.tripod.com/">Christ Centered Childbirth</a></i>... please read this very important message. Also Psalm 46 as she instructs.<br />
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If you do not have a copy, that is OK! Read Psalm 46. I will detail a little what she asks of us in this week's study together. She asks us to be quiet before the Lord. To allow Him entrance into what we are doing right now... reading this blog post, reading our Bible's, and communing with each other. To be open with each other if we feel led and to listen.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cangi.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/be_still_and_know_that_i_am_god1.jpg?w=300&h=240" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cangi.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/be_still_and_know_that_i_am_god1.jpg?w=300&h=240" /></a></div><ul><li>Is there an issue in your pregnancy or life right now that keeps popping up and you would like some answers? Let us in, in prayer with you, and we can come in agreement against whatever is troubling you. We can also stand in prayer together for you to be blessed with wisdom. </li>
<li>If you feel led, after you have had a chance to sit quietly before the Lord, please share anything He is asking you to. Don't be shy, don't feel like it's not important!! Everything we are going through together in this Bible Study, for those of you who are still with me, is important. </li>
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</div><div>I would like to lift you all in prayer. Will you say this aloud? Pray this prayer with me over yourself and over each other. This is what I am feeling led to do. </div><div><br />
</div><div><b>"Lord, in your Mighty Name, I want to lift up every pregnant family being touched by this book and this Bible Study. By this blog... and every family who will ever be touched by it. For the babies that will be blessed when their parents submit to your will. For the parenting that will be blessed. For the lives that may be changed. </b></div><div><b><br />
</b></div><div><b>Lord I ask for health and salvation. For peace and understanding. For the unborn to be born in a place of safety. For their health to outshine and for your Hand to be seen in their births. For mothers to cry to you and ask in honesty for your help and strength. They know you are here with them, I pray they would embrace you. </b></div><div><b><br />
</b></div><div><b>We thank you for these babies oh God, and we call our pregnancies blessings! We are proud to be involved in your creation process and we hope to be good stewards of your gifts! Bless us together. In Jesus precious name, Amen." </b></div><div><br />
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</div><div>Thank you for praying with me! </div><div><br />
</div>Please remember to worship before or after this post with the song found at the bottom of the blog! :)<br />
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<div><a href="https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dF9mWDhKVVRCZEF4dW5FWFozU3E0YWc6MQ">Add your name to the prayer list</a></div>Shanon da Doulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270435731020645595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404646531220327826.post-56709157486364687542011-08-29T13:44:00.000-07:002011-08-29T13:44:48.208-07:00Psalm 57:13<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">"Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit." </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">NASB</span></i><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">One of the most important things you can do for yourself throughout your pregnancy and childbirth journey is to learn the truth and receive it. And never let yourself think negative thoughts about your birth and try to stay away from those with creepy birth stories! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Why?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">When you let the negativity in... you are doing yourself harm. A truth from the Bible about what you are going through is much better to pray over and speak over instead of allowing fear to dominate your thoughts. If you are familiar with childbirth education then you have heard of the fear-tension-pain cycle. This can apply to pregnancy and birth! If you are afraid, then you are tense. When you tense up you will experience more pain. When you are in pain you become more afraid! It is a vicious cycle to get caught in!! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Rebuke that fear with positive Scripture and it will HELP you exit the cycle... stop the lies in their tacks before they have the ability to do any damage to you! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
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</span></div>Shanon da Doulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270435731020645595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404646531220327826.post-18571556372248196022011-08-28T15:55:00.000-07:002011-08-29T13:37:27.441-07:00Walking Through "Christ Centered Childbirth": Seek Ye First!<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Assigned Scripture: John 6:25-34</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Blog Highlight: <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">"But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.” </span>John 6:27</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><br />
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</i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pd3xwSqN0C4/TlrIO2lHKWI/AAAAAAAAA6A/8EquFXtYU3k/s1600/SeekYeFirstSM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pd3xwSqN0C4/TlrIO2lHKWI/AAAAAAAAA6A/8EquFXtYU3k/s1600/SeekYeFirstSM.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://www.joyfulexpressions.us</td></tr>
</tbody></table>My favorite thing Kelly J Townsend says in this week's study on page 241 of <a href="http://kjtownsend.tripod.com/">Christ Centered Childbirth</a> is when she reminds us of the popular saying, "A Bible that is falling apart is usually read by someone who isn't!" What do you think of that?</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Pregnancy and childbirth, just like any situation in life, warrant much use of the Bible. There are a million and one books out there that teach you about childbirth but only a few that teach you about childbirth in correlation with the Bible. Like the one we are studying... God has called childbirth educators and affiliates all over to bring His Word to attention along with the scientific research and statistics of childbirth. Wouldn't it serve you better to read these resources instead of the other ones that lack connection with the One who made you, made your growing baby, and provided you with the opportunity to be blessed with parenthood?</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Seeking Him first is a better education for you. There are even Christ centered childbirth education classes out there for you to take instead of the one your hospital or local branded educators provide. <a href="http://www.birthingnaturally.net/">www.BirthingNaturally.net </a>is a great place to start to find local educators. If you would like help in finding one... you can also contact me and I will surly help you! </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">It is important that the understanding of childbirth and pregnancy come from a place of fellowship with God. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">If we as Christian women would walk with God and learn with Him throughout our pregnancies and births we would find that the education we receive would help secure our faith in ourselves and our ability to birth our babies. This sets the tone for a better birth experience and certainly better birth outcomes! </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Discussion Questions from the Book:</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><ol><li>In what ways are you spending time with the Lord?</li>
<li>Has the Lord made Himself known to you recently?</li>
<li>In what ways can we live out John 6:25-34 during pregnancy?</li>
<li>Do you have an intimate need right now?</li>
<li>Has God used you to help someone else? If so, how?</li>
</ol>Please remember to worship before or after this post with the song found at the bottom of the blog! :) <br />
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<a href="https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dF9mWDhKVVRCZEF4dW5FWFozU3E0YWc6MQ">Add your name to the prayer list</a>Shanon da Doulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270435731020645595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404646531220327826.post-92000654493424455722011-08-22T12:00:00.000-07:002011-08-22T12:00:00.815-07:00ABC's of Christian Childbirth: The Letter A<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hU_bm5lCDVU/TlGykEPrZTI/AAAAAAAAA50/OO6p1NkZaz8/s1600/A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hU_bm5lCDVU/TlGykEPrZTI/AAAAAAAAA50/OO6p1NkZaz8/s320/A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><b>Abide in Him</b></span></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><b><br />
</b></span></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witness, telling people about me everywhere." Acts 1:8 NLT</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Your pregnancy and your baby are a gift from God. Made just for you! How wonderful!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Many people do not realize the vast amount of ways you can worship and honor the Lord. At the same time many people also do not realize the amount of peace that can come from abiding with the Lord in worship throughout your day, your struggles, and your joys!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What happens when you give up your struggle to the Lord and invite Him into your life and your pregnancy? God says, <i>"I hold you by your right hand-I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, 'Don't be afraid. I am here to help you.'" Isaiah 41:13 NLT</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There is great comfort in knowing that the Lord who is Mighty beyond our understanding, who created the vast universe is also detailed in caring about you, your baby, your pregnancy, your family, your life, and your birth journey. You are important to Him and simply acknowledging how important you are and then inviting Him in to hold your hand through your pregnancy is step in the right direction to establishing a relationship with the Living God. A wonderful leap of faith! Great peace is sure to fall upon you! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you are a Christian, you are having a Christian childbirth... Will you Abide in the presence of the Lord and give Him glory for your wonderful pregnancy? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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Shanon da Doulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270435731020645595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404646531220327826.post-8934363380098539052011-08-21T08:47:00.000-07:002011-08-29T13:38:08.284-07:00Walking Through "Christ Centered Childbirth": Filled with confidence!Assigned Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20<br />
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Blog Highlight: <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">"Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes." </span>Ephesians 6:11</i><br />
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If you have a copy of "<a href="http://kjtownsend.tripod.com/">Christ Centered Childbirth</a>" then the corresponding chapter with this week is chapter 7.<br />
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<a href="http://www.smithsroom.com/photos/armor.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.smithsroom.com/photos/armor.jpeg" width="228" /></a>What do you know about the "Amor of God?" I love how she starts the Bible study off with this concept because it really is so appropriate for pregnant and birthing women. There will be so many times throughout your pregnancy and birth that you will need to be guarded with these elements in order to stay peaceful and joyful.<br />
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Pregnancy is a time of trial and I believe that if more women understood this fact, there may be less social negativity surrounding birth. I have watched youtube videos of women professing how pregnancy and birth are so disgusting and how they dread it and need drugs to get through labor. Women who have never even been pregnant or had babies.... how can they have this opinion on something they have never had to go through?<br />
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If we as Christian women... would put on the Armor of God throughout our pregnancies we would be shielding ourselves from this negativity. God will have the ability to nurture us and grow us. Pregnancy is such a spiritually sensitive time for women! Who knows this better than the Lord?<br />
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Discussion Questions from the Book:<br />
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<ol><li>What has the Lord recently done to give you joy and peace during this pregnancy?</li>
<li>How has the enemy tried to infiltrate your mind to bring doubt and discouragement?</li>
<li>What things have you done to "build the temple" growing inside you?</li>
<li>In what ways are you teaching your little one about the Lord. Song? Prayer? The touch of love?</li>
<li>How can the Armor of God help you during pregnancy?</li>
</ol><div><br />
</div><div>Please remember to worship before or after this post with the song found at the bottom of the blog! :) </div><br />
<a href="https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dF9mWDhKVVRCZEF4dW5FWFozU3E0YWc6MQ">Add your name to the prayer list</a>Shanon da Doulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270435731020645595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404646531220327826.post-1484589939104194722011-08-20T19:48:00.000-07:002011-10-10T17:15:57.615-07:00Introduction of Walking through "Christ Centered Childbirth" by Kelly Townsend: A StudyI am so excited to start this Bible study with you tomorrow.<br />
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If you have never read <i><a href="http://kjtownsend.tripod.com/">Christ Centered Childbirt</a>h</i>, that is ok! This Bible study is easy to follow and I will post the correlating Scripture followed by the questions in the book!<br />
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If you have the book... you can follow along with us at the back of the book starting on page #238. This is where her weekly Bible study instructions start. <br />
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Feel free to jump is ANYTIME!!<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JDwXhYAqjn4/TlMgPT90KzI/AAAAAAAAA54/bXHShOQzEE8/s1600/41HZYG4336L._SL500_AA300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JDwXhYAqjn4/TlMgPT90KzI/AAAAAAAAA54/bXHShOQzEE8/s1600/41HZYG4336L._SL500_AA300_.jpg" /></a><br />
What we will need to do:<br />
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<ol><li>Worship time together</li>
<li>Fellowship with each other</li>
<li>Scripture study together</li>
</ol><div>These three things will help us grow together with the Lord! </div><div><br />
</div><div>How can we worship together? In the back of Kelly Townsend's book she has included the words to a song prefaced by her requests on what to do with it. Before every post or sometime during your reading please sing this song aloud in prayer for God'd hand in childbirth. You can find the words to this song, if you do not have the book at the very bottom of this blog! The song is called, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><i>It is Well</i></span> by the Passion Worship Band! :) </div><div><br />
</div><div>I will be praying for this study as we do it and for each of you! Please pray for it also... that mamas and couples would join us! That we would learn, discover, and grow together! </div><div><br />
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</div><div>I am trusting God to flood the internet with Christian childbirth material and hopefully this will help! </div><div><br />
</div><div>"See" you tomorrow for our first study together!! The content will be blog posted every Sunday and you may comment and fellowship in the comments as you are led! Please don't feel obligated to either... I will also be praying for the silent readers throughout and as long as this content is on the internet! </div><br />
<a href="https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dF9mWDhKVVRCZEF4dW5FWFozU3E0YWc6MQ">Add your name to the prayer list</a><br />
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Blog Posts for This Study!<br />
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<a href="http://www.scripturesforchildbirth.com/2011/08/walking-through-christ-centered.html">Walking Through "Christ Centered Childbirth": Filled with confidence!</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.scripturesforchildbirth.com/2011/08/walking-through-christ-centered_28.html">Walking Through "Christ Centered Childbirth": Seek Ye First!</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.scripturesforchildbirth.com/2011/09/walking-through-christ-centered.html">Walking Through "Christ Centered Childbirth": Be Still</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.scripturesforchildbirth.com/2011/09/walking-through-christ-centered_12.html">Walking Through "Christ Centered Childbirth": Reflecting His Love</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.scripturesforchildbirth.com/2011/09/walking-through-christ-centered_19.html">Walking Through "Christ Centered Childbirth": Search Our Heart</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.scripturesforchildbirth.com/2011/09/walking-through-christ-centered_26.html">Walking Through "Christ Centered Childbirth": Renew Your Mind</a>Shanon da Doulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270435731020645595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404646531220327826.post-79265821014256206692011-08-18T14:42:00.000-07:002011-08-18T14:42:54.569-07:00BIBLE STUDY STARTING!Ok! I appreciate all my readers for being so patient with me. I have felt the enemy trying to stop me from hosting this online Bible Study and I can assure you that I have, always with the help of the Lord, and lining my ducks in a row to stick to the plan!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><b>BIBLE STUDY STARTS THIS SUNDAY!! </b></span><br />
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I am so excited!<br />
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Tomorrow I will be posting an introductory to the book and links to the prayer list again!<br />
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I feel very strongly that having this content on the internet is God's will and that all those who read and participate, whenever they can, will be blessed by this online fellowship! :)<br />
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Our study will be titles, "Walking through Christ Centered Childbirth." and together we will read the book <a href="http://kjtownsend.tripod.com/">Christ Centered Childbirth by Kelly Townsend</a> and relate Scriptures to our joineries and commune with each other over this book.<br />
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"see" you tomorrow! :)Shanon da Doulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270435731020645595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404646531220327826.post-86312468796945781982011-08-11T12:10:00.000-07:002011-08-11T12:10:27.145-07:00Question for our readers!Hi all! If you read my post below then you know that I am on a family vacation right now. I was thinking about something and I wanted to know what you all thought about it.<br />
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Where I live... there is a much smaller Christian community than where we are visiting right now. I live in Bremerton WA. There are many, many churches... but with small congregations where I live. There exists a lot of "out there" Christianity, in my opinion, and sometimes I find I feel very lonely. I have my buddies throughout the Greater Puget Sound area and beyond that I have met via the Internet to commune with and of course there is my wonderful church (our third try at a church) who embraced my family in a way that we feel very loved and where we are growing as a Christan family.. But beyond that... it is tough to be outwardly Christian. Especially in the "birth world"... I often feel judged and alone.<br />
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Here, where my husband's family lives, in Indiana... I see so many welcome Christians. I see mega Christan chain stores. Huge churches with massive congregations... license plates that say, "In God we trust." and huge billboard signs that depict God's love all over the place. It makes me long to live in a community like this one. I would feel a greater sense of community here... my children's choice to love Jesus would be respected in schools more so... <br />
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My question is this... <br />
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What is your community like? As a Christan family, do you fit in? While you are pregnant and birthing, do you feel respected in your choice to allow Christ to center in your journey. I feel like the Christian childbirth education I want to put into my community, that I feel I am being led to start... will take MUCH faith and strength to accomplish... because there are so few who would be longing for the outlet. How can I reach those in my community who are not of faith yet? <br />
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Any suggestions for me? I would love them! I would love to know how you witness to your community! By example alone or by deeds? If you live in a hugely populated Christan community... do you have any tips for me that would help me reach mothers in mine? <br />
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Thank you friends... for your love and support! And your prayers! If you have never checked out the website of the ministry I am starting through my church you can find it at <a href="http://www.buildingblocksbbb.com/">www.buildingblocksbbb.com</a>. Will you pray over it with me? That I would come home from this vacation with my family and be refreshed to start anew! :) <br />
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Thank you!! <br />
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Shanon da Doulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270435731020645595noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404646531220327826.post-12695280164636500592011-08-01T15:55:00.001-07:002011-08-16T12:51:21.257-07:00Postponed Bible StudyI am so so sorry to say that our Bible Study had been postponed to start closer to the end of August.<br />
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My family is able to take a vacation together an I want to absorb myself in it... No blogging! :)<br />
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I hope you understand and I will see you in a few weeks! <br />
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Thank you!!Shanon da Doulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270435731020645595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404646531220327826.post-88496435022805024292011-07-24T16:35:00.000-07:002011-07-24T20:42:58.066-07:00Psalm 46:1<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">"God is our </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">refuge and strength</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">, an ever-present help in trouble." <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">NIV</span></span></span></i></span><br />
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</span></span></span></i></span></div><div>Never fear that you are alone in your labor. Yes it is your body doing the work and yes it is YOU that has to physically endure the trial. But NO you are not alone. </div><div><br />
</div><div>It's true that no other person can bear your pain or discomfort if you happen to start loosing your rhythm in labor and that fact may make you feel lonely... It's not like you can say to your husband, "Hey babe, this hurts! You wanna labor for me a little while while I take a nap?" (DON'T YOU WISH!)<br />
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But you can look to the Lord for refuge and also strength that will help you cope better than anything any other person is able to offer you. </div><div><br />
</div><div><i>Ok</i> you're thinking <i>easily said Shanon... but what do I do when I am REALLY in labor and I am not coping, I'm hurting or struggling, maybe I'm too frustrated to go on... </i></div><div><i><br />
</i></div><div>Let's look further into this Psalm for the answer... What does God say?</div><div><br />
</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i>"He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;"</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"> -Verse 10</span></span><br />
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</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Be still. Mentally get a hold of yourself however you need to and be still. Even for a moment and look to the Lord. Place your pain in His hands... place your fear and anxiety in His hands. Confess to Him that you are having a hard time if you are. He will guide your labor if you let Him. He will lighten your load if you ask Him to. He will change a circumstance if need Him to. You only need to be still and let Him do His work for you. These are promises to you as children of God for your life, why would He not deliver the same promises in childbirth? </span></span></div>Shanon da Doulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270435731020645595noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404646531220327826.post-75245679590441455642011-07-17T13:46:00.000-07:002011-08-29T13:47:00.021-07:00Re-Awakening.I spent the night last night camping with my family. And I was reminded at the majesty of God...<br />
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How incredible is He who built this planet for us to inherit. Who is so great to craft all life in harmony but at the same time so personal to care about our individual lives.<br />
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Intertwined with creation are we... each a gem in the Lord's eye. He built this wonderfully spectacular universe but still longs for a personal relationship with us, His little children.<br />
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And through our trials He stands strong, willing to hold our hand and guide us. Willing to bear our burdens and smile with us. Oh God, how great thou art.<br />
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Thank you, God for loving us so much that you gave us a piece of you when you allowed us to share the joy of creating new humans. That you gave us the ability to hold new life inside our bodies as new life grows. I am in awe of your massive but careful wonder.<br />
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Lord, I pray for the families, mommies, and daddies who pass by this page in search of Scripture to aid in their pregnancy journies. In Your mighty name, Jesus, I ask for blessings on them as they learn and grow and fall deeper in love with your incredible awesomeness throughout the birth process they have been blessed with.<br />
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I thank you, God, for my own two children. And the lessons you teach me about you through parenting them.<br />
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I love you Lord and I praise your mighty name and bow in gratefulness to your everlasting lovingkindness.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www4.practicematch.com/SharedFiles/PracticeTrack/Email/jwoydziak/Image/mountain_water.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://www4.practicematch.com/SharedFiles/PracticeTrack/Email/jwoydziak/Image/mountain_water.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Shanon da Doulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270435731020645595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404646531220327826.post-73152442315227646922011-07-13T13:24:00.000-07:002011-07-13T13:24:53.578-07:00Galatians 6:4<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">"Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else." <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">NLT</span></span></span></i></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></span></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">One of the most important things you can learn about your childbirth journey is that it belongs to you and God alone. It is for no one else to influence. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Often times we as people, and mothers/soon to be mothers listen to other people's stories during chit chat and we take it to heart what others say about birth. This is part of human nature. We relate to each other, empathize with each other and look up to one another. We trust each other and so the advice we hear from one another is often taken without consideration. It us up to us, as birthing women, with this huge responsibility to talk to God about all things we hear. About all advice we receive. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></span></div><div>Your birth journey will be a story to tell as well. You will be much more grateful of your birth testimony if it is your own. If you choose to accept what other's have for you then you have allowed satan to take some of your journey from you. I am not saying that all advice is bad and that others have done things wrong... I am saying that in order for you to be 100% sure that their good idea is for you is to speak to the Lord about it. What others do might be the best for THEM but not for you. </div><div><br />
</div><div>What if you listened to someone's birth story and planned yours to be the same... and then everything went wrong? Often times when we push God's discernment out of events in our lives things do turn out negative and we suffer when we needed not. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Take the time to research everything you hear, get in your Bible, and talk to God about your birth often. Make your birth story your own and do not copy the customs or advice of the world. </div>Shanon da Doulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270435731020645595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404646531220327826.post-32633735734406827442011-07-10T15:47:00.000-07:002011-07-10T15:52:05.352-07:00Exodus 14:14<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">"The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent.” <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">NASB</span></span></span></i></span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">The Lord was speaking to me in service this morning and I want to share this with you. Most of what I am going to type is what I absorbed from my wonderful Pastor. I felt the Lord speaking to me through his words for you.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">This verse is special because it is found in the Bible during the deliverance of God's people from Egypt. Take a moment and read Exodus 14 if you have the time. You will see that this verse is Moses' response to God's people when they became upset and afraid for their lives. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></span></div><div>God's people we in between "The Devil and the Blue Sea." The devil being the Egyptians and the "blue sea" being the Red Sea. They were stuck and scared. For a moment they decided to blame Moses and question God's protection and plan for them. </div><blockquote>To me, this sounds a lot like the transition phase of stage one in labor... When a women feels most like giving up in labor and when she may look at the "man who did this to her" and pass blame. (LOL) </blockquote><div>Then Moses did something crazy looking. When God told him to wave his staff over the water he did it. Even though it may have been a weird abnormal thing to do in a situation like this he did it anyway because God told him to. He released the responsibility of God's people to the Lord and did exactly what God wants us all to do in tough stressful times. Do not feel silly for getting on your knees in prayer or worship during this hardship of labor. Just because the rest of the world doesn't do it does not mean it is not the right thing do or that YOU won't benefit from it!! </div><blockquote>"Your will not mine, Lord."</blockquote><div>We can use this verse in childbirth, pregnancy and labor, to remind ourselves that God will work. We don't need to complain to him or to others around us about our trial or feel despair over our situation. Sure we might feel stressed out and a physically distraught! But instead of freaking out about it we can open up prayerful communication with the Lord about our situation and trust that His instruction and protection will come. That he will fight for us and CAN save us... </div><div><br />
</div><div>This idea of not complaining can be found elsewhere in the Bible as well! We are instructed to <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">"Do all things without grumbling or disputing" <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">in</span></span></span></i><i> </i>Philippians 2:14 <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">NASB</span></div><div><br />
</div><div>If we can be like Moses instead of the Israelites during labor we can give God the opportunity to fight FOR us as he has promised. </div>Shanon da Doulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270435731020645595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404646531220327826.post-21371471617887577982011-07-09T08:03:00.000-07:002011-07-09T08:03:42.751-07:00Isaiah 26:3<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">"You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!" <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">NLT</span></span></span></i></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></span></span></i></span></div><div>Peace is a wonderful thing. You can be in labor and be having a really hard time but still be at peace. You could also be relaxed and calm but still not be at peace.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Let's look at the difference. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Peace in it's true form is coming from the Lord. Peace does not come from birth circumstances or from having the right birth team around you, although those two things can aid in your working towards peace. To feel peace and to know peace in a time of struggle you must be able to 100% put your faith in Christ that He will see you through. Accepting what you are going through and knowing that it is ok. Keeping your thoughts fixed on the Lord will help keep your mind away from distracting thoughts of fear. Fear is the <b>number one </b>enemy of birth. When you let fear in, peace goes out the window and in comes tension and more pain. </div><div><br />
</div><div>On the flip side of this, you could be relaxed and calm but still not have peace. Why? Because there are ways to achieve calmness and steadiness without the help of the Lord. But know that they are more temporary than any amount of peace you can receive from God. </div><div><br />
</div><div>It takes great strength during birth to decide that you would rather feel peace than fear of the unknown. And I know you can do this. When you are in labor, keep Christ as your first fixation. That way you have peace and also you have the ability to ask the Lord to guide your decision making. If you are allowing the Lord into your decision making then you are casting out fear and any other plot from the enemy. </div><div><br />
</div>Shanon da Doulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270435731020645595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404646531220327826.post-47303865675097360082011-07-07T10:51:00.000-07:002011-07-08T21:18:52.528-07:00You are not alone...One of the feelings that weighed heavily on me during the two births of my sons was loneliness. Heavy and sometimes overpowering the loneliness made me feel like a I was an island and I needed to supply all my own resources because no one else understood what was happening on my island.<br />
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I was a believer during my second birth and even with my first I know the Lord was with me. But I imagine all the time how incredible my labors and birth would have been had I opened up the the Lord during them. Had I been in prayer or worship. Had I allowed Him in to really guide and help me. Not because I would have had better outcomes or different birth stories... but because I would have been more emotionally in control. I would have FELT better. I wouldn't have felt so lonely.<br />
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Please know friends that you are never alone. You are never alone.<br />
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Jesus is always with you and you are welcome to speak to Him at any time. Free to ask him for wisdom, strength, peace... patience. Utilize the presence of the Lord and invite Him to be there for you.<br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” </span>John 8:12 NIV</i>Shanon da Doulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270435731020645595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404646531220327826.post-10138549512708533732011-07-03T15:39:00.000-07:002011-07-03T15:39:42.020-07:00Mark 3:25<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i>"If a house is divided against itself, it cannot stand." <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">TNIV</span></span></i></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Today I want to talk a little bit about birth support. You must have a good team around you for your birth to be enjoyable and if you have a good atmosphere of supporters with you your labor will be easier for you. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">You can't dictate the faith of hospital workers or birth center staff if you are choosing to birth somewhere other than home but you can dictate the respect of your birth space and the energy that flows through it. You have the ability to call in the Holy Spirit to unite those around you in your labor in His name for your sake. If you are planning to hire a midwife or doula, you can hire a Christian one. This will help tremendously. As a Christian doula myself, I strive to stay in a state of worship and prayer during birth opening my connection with Christ. I ask Him to lead me and guide my hands. I ask Him to guide me in how I can best support laboring mothers. If you have a doula like that with you, you are sure to have an easier time maintaining a faith based space. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">This Scripture says that if your house is divided it will fall. To relate this to childbirth one could say that if you are not approaching your labor on a united faith front with those you have chosen to be with you, you may face a divided birth space. If your birth space is divided you will have a much harder time coping and laboring than you would if your space was united in faith over your birth. If you are planning on not having an epidural but someone on your team feels you should for whatever reason... this is not a united front. You need to make sure all of those who are with you are on your same page about all things in support for you. </span></span>Shanon da Doulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270435731020645595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404646531220327826.post-20592028088542569052011-07-02T23:28:00.000-07:002011-07-02T23:29:27.706-07:00Psalm 40:2<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><i>"You are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory." <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">NLT</span></span></i></span></span><br />
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Sometimes I am so thankful for verses like this it's overwhelming. What a gift to be given a promise like this.<br />
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During labor it is a mother's natural instinct to find a safe place to birth. She needs a calm, quiet, familiar, warm, trusting environment hidden from danger or trouble that may hurt her or her baby. In this verse we hear that God can most certainly give us that space.<br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">"The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble." </span>Psalm 9:9</i><br />
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If you have any fear over your birth at all, then it could be considered a time of trouble. No matter what the fear is, no matter what the trouble is let God be your protector. Trust Him when He says He is there for you. Prayer and the presence of the Holy Spirit in birth works. It works... I have seen it happen. Sometimes I feel so blessed to have witnessed this truth because I get to share it with others!<br />
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When you are prepping for your birth make sure you include some solid Scriptures on the promises God has given to us. Pray with them and connect with God so that your faith in Him grows. Put your fears and let Him be your hiding place from the trouble.Shanon da Doulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00270435731020645595noreply@blogger.com0