Generation “Y”

Boy do I have a lot to say about Generation Y! For those of you that are unfamiliar with generation Y, it’s the generation of kids that are currently in their teens. So, I recently had an opportunity to sit in on a teen connection group at a local church. I don’t even know where to begin as it relates to teens of today. I have volunteered with various youth ministries and been a youth mentor off and on for the past 8 or 9 years. In that time I dealt with unruly teenagers, but they weren’t anything like this group. We really need to be in constant intercession for these kids. They are fearless, bold, and out of control. Before I go any further, let me set the record straight in acknowledging that all teens don’t fall into this category, but a large majority of them do. If you don’t believe me, just turn on the television and you’ll see all of the crazy things that they are doing. Just to name a few: mixing several different types of prescription drugs together, then placing them in a large bowl, taking a hand full at a time and washing it down with an alcoholic beverage; cursing out teachers; plus snorting candy dust and vodka. These are things that would have never crossed our minds. I still can’t seem to figure out why anyone would want to snort candy dust or vodka. Please help me understand? Or do I really want to?

As mothers we mustn’t only cover our kids in prayer, we need to pray for all kids. The enemy really wants to take out the youth and we can’t let him. How many of you pray over and anoint your kids on a daily basis? I make it a point to pray over my son everyday, sometimes several times a day. If we don’t pray for our children who will? We have to take our kids back and lead them onto the right path. We can’t be timid Christians; we must walk boldly and fight for what’s rightfully ours. Our children need to know and understand that they are to obey us and God’s laws. “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.” (Colossians 3:20). Okay Saved M.O.M.’s, it’s time to pull out your weapons of warfare and fight like never before!

Be sure to tune in tomorrow for more words of encouragement and inspiration for M.O.M.’s near and far! Please share this blog with as many people as you know (www.savedmom.com), we have so many lives to touch. Feel free to post a comment and/or subscribe (if you are reading this from your inbox visit the site address referenced above to post a comment).

Mommie Blessings,

Shonte’ Press

Word Wednesday

Today is officially “Word Wednesday” otherwise known as “Hump Day”. We’ve made it half way through yet another week on the wonderful, exciting and bumpy road of motherhood. Therefore, some of us are looking for some encouraging words to make it through the rest of the week with Joy and Peace. Every night before my son goes to bed, in addition to reading bible stories, I read him a passage out of “Prayers That Avail Much, First Blessings for Your Child” by Germaine Copeland. Mommies we have to keep our children prayed up and constantly put Gods word in their hearts.

Yesterday’s passage read, “God knows the end from the beginning. I pray that everything you do in your life’s work will be done in love, in a true love to God and man that is inspired by God’s love for you.” Love, love, love… it’s the key that opens all the doors. Every important relationship that we have is driven by love. When I think of the love that I have for my child, it’s hard for me to imagine that God’s love for us is even greater. That’s so amazing! It’s so wonderful to know that God loves us more than we love could ever comprehend. No matter what we do or what we say, his love is unwavering.

We must take a page out of the Good Book and live our lives loving others as God loves us. If everyone could truly do this the world would be such a marvelous place. I know that it is not always easy to love others, especially those that we may not like very much. Nevertheless, why don’t you take a moment to push past your flesh and give it a try? Then watch God bless your efforts and see how much better you feel. The word says, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8). There are so many people that have hurt me in my lifetime. However, it wasn’t until I made a decision to TRULY forgive them and love them in spite of what they did to me, could I really enjoy everyday life. I am making it a daily mission to show my son this type of love and instill this value in him so that he can always enjoy everyday life. How about you?

Be sure to tune in tomorrow for more words of encouragement and inspiration for M.O.M.’s near and far! Please share this blog with as many people as you know (www.savedmom.com), we have so many lives to touch. Feel free to post a comment and/or subscribe (if you are reading this from your inbox visit the site address referenced above to post a comment).

Mommie Blessings,

Shonte’ Press

Lovely Day

It brings me much pleasure to say that my aunt was just blessed with a beautiful bundle of joy! This inspires me to take you on a trip down memory lane. Do you remember the joy that you felt when you saw your baby for the very first time? Oh, what a lovely day it was! Words cannot begin to express all of the emotions that you experienced in that moment. It’s such an awesome blessing that God allows us the opportunity to bring forth life. I know that so many of you see child birth as one of the worse experiences in your life because of the pain that you may have felt. Not to mention the fact that society forces us to believe that child birth is the most dreadful thing a woman will ever endure. I want you to see past those feelings and understand the beauty of it all. I thank God for blessing me with the ability to birth life into a dying world. He wants to use our children as an army that will stand for him and shine radiant light into a sea of darkness. Our jobs are so very important. We must speak life into our kids and instill God’s word in them as much as we possibly can.

I want to take this moment to say Thank You to all of my Saved M.O.M.’s out there. Thank you for enduring nine months of emotional, physical, and mental changes. Thank you for going through hours of labor and delivery. Thank you for nurturing your baby in such a special way. Thank you for changing hundreds of dirty diapers. Thank you for putting yourself and your needs after those of your baby. Thank you for spending countless hours praying and interceding on the behalf of your children. Thank you for loving unconditionally. Thank you for not giving up or throwing in the towel. Thank you for all of these things and so much more!

On that lovely day there was no one waiting to give you an instruction manual or list of directions. We all are doing the best that we can and taking it one day at a time. I can’t say that everyday will be perfect, but with God in the midst of it all, things will turn out better than okay. Continue to instill Godly values into your children and they will turn out exactly as God intended. “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”(Proverbs 22:6).

Be sure to tune in tomorrow for more words of encouragement and inspiration for M.O.M.’s near and far! Please share this blog with as many people as you know (www.savedmom.com), we have so many lives to touch. Feel free to post a comment and/or subscribe (if you are reading this from your inbox visit the site address referenced above to post a comment).

Mommie Blessings,

Shonte’ Press

Faithfully Yours

What a beautiful start to another week in the life of a Saved M.O.M.! Over the weekend I experienced a challenge with someone that had a real faith issue, so I decided to dedicate this entry to faith. We must know and understand as children of The Most High God that our faith has to be strong and unwavering NO MATTER WHAT. As mothers our faith is tested almost daily, but we must always remember to seek God more in those moments. How amazing that the tests that I have experienced as a mother have actually brought me closer to God. It’s very important to always find the silver lining in a trying moment.

There are so many mothers that have to deal with difficult issues concerning their children. Your child may have health or behavioral problems, which can pull at your heart strings. But don’t get depressed, frustrated or upset. You need to make a decision to use these moments to activate your God given power! All you have to do is get in your word and claim that the victory is already won. Our battles are not for us to fight… “You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.”(2 Chronicles 20:17).

You know, sometimes I wonder when the disconnect took place. There was a time when we walked in our God given authority and power. What happened to the miracles of old? It truly bothers me to see so many believers walking in defeat and struggling with depression. Who told you that you can’t, when God said you can? Stand tall and make a decision to walk by faith, not by sight. Take back your life, your kids, your relationships and your finances! Let’s get back to Eden and live on top of the world. You are a mighty woman of valor, not some powerless being. I want all of my Saved M.O.M.’s out there to take a little time everyday to look in the mirror and say… “I am a mighty woman of valor for I walk by faith and not by sight! I have faith that can move mountains and my children are protected by Gods grace and mercy all the days of their lives.”

Be sure to tune in tomorrow for more words of encouragement and inspiration for M.O.M.’s near and far! Please share this blog with as many people as you know (http://www.savedmom.com/), we have so many lives to touch. Feel free to post a comment below (if you are reading this from your inbox visit the site address referenced above to post a comment).

Mommie Blessings,

Shonte’ Press

Feature Friday!

Congratulations, you made it through another week in the life of a Saved M.O.M.! Here at savedmom.com we take time out on Fridays to feature a Saved M.O.M.. There are so many wonderful mothers that don’t get the recognition they deserve. Well, I bet you can’t guess who our very first Feature Friday goes to? Okay, for some of you the picture gave it a way. It is Rita M. Riddle, affectionately known to me as Mommie! In reality one blog entry couldn’t even come close to summing up what my mother means to me and what makes her a Saved M.O.M.. If it weren’t for her you all wouldn’t even be reading this blog right now!

The Lord truly smiled down on the world the day that my mother was born. She has been through SO VERY MUCH in her lifetime! We won’t rehash all of the adversity, trials and tribulations. Although, if I have my way one day she will write a book (and you know it will get so promoted all over my site). And I divert… back to the recognition of Mommie Riddle. My Mother gave her life to the Lord about 10 years ago and my life hasn’t been the same since. It was one of her missions in life to see fit that I turned my life over to the Lord as well. So, on Easter Sunday seven years ago I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior!

This Saved M.O.M. has spoken life into so many during her walk and has been an example of what true submission is. Now I would be remiss if I didn’t say that it has truly been a process for the both of us, but we are growing in him everyday. You must know and understand that my mother is one of the realest people that you will ever meet, and boy does she bring me down off of my high horse! I truly appreciate her transparency and her continued support. I am so excited about the ministry that God is bringing forth in her. I am looking forward to bringing her aboard the Saved M.O.M. Empire someday. I can see it now… “Saved M.O.M. mommy and daughter team, Shonte’ Press and Rita Riddle on tour”!!! “As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations." He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.” (Romans 4:17)

I am constantly impressed with my mothers’ life and walk. She is a true example of what any Saved M.O.M. should strive to be. I mean the favor and anointing on her life can be felt as soon as she enters a room. To God be the Glory! Thank you Mommie for birthing me so that I could birth this ministry. I know that I took you through many sleepless nights and frustrating days, but thank you for not giving up on me. For look at how God turned this mess into a miracle. “God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.” (Hebrews 2:4) The test he took you through has turned into such an AWESOME testimony. I love you, my number one Saved M.O.M.! Be sure to tune in on Monday for more words of encouragement and inspiration for M.O.M.’s near and far! Please share this blog with as many people as you know (http://www.savedmom.com/), we have so many lives to touch. Feel free to post a comment below (if you are reading this from your inbox visit the site address referenced above to post a comment).


Mommie Blessings,

Shonte’ Press

A Healthy Mom Equals a Healthy Kid

Okay ladies, put down that sugary and/or super fattening snack, otherwise I will be forced to send the food police straight to you! Are we out of control or what? With so many things to do and just not enough time, many of us find ourselves eating really quick and really unhealthy foods. Unfortunately, this means that our kids are following suit. I know that the FDA (otherwise know as the Food and Death Administration) approves all of those high fructose corn syrup foods that are stocked on the shelf at our local grocer. Oh, and don’t even get me started on those “high fructose corn syrup is so good for you” commercials! PLEASE STOP THE MADNESS! Okay, maybe I need to calm down just a bit, but this really irritates me, as you can see. With so many quick/cheap unhealthy food choices out there, it’s no wonder that our nation is so high up on the obesity scale. We must take our bodies and our health back by force. The weight and health of our children depend on it!

I consider myself to be a pretty healthy individual, but even I get sucked into the fast food trap. Yes, I said it, I sometimes eat fast food! I can’t believe I put that on the World Wide Web. I am sure that it will come back to haunt me someday. Oh well, it’s for ministry, so there’s my pass go ticket. Okay back to the seriousness of the matter… our bodies are our temples and we must treat them as such. Why would we want to defile a place in which the Holy Spirit dwells? “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

We must also remember that food is the fuel for our bodies. Therefore, if we are putting bad fuel into our bodies, they won’t run as efficiently. This can lead to all kinds of health problems down the line. Our kids need to see us setting a good and healthy example for them, and if we don’t feed them healthy and nutritious foods, who will? Certainly not the school cafeteria or vending machines.

So let’s make a whole-hearted effort to eat better and live more active lives. Not only will we look better, but we will feel and function better, allowing us to be even better M.O.M.’s. Be sure to tune in tomorrow for more words of encouragement and inspiration for M.O.M.’s near and far!

Mommie Blessings,

Shonte’ Press

Word Wednesday

Today is officially “Word Wednesday” otherwise known as “Hump Day”. We’ve made it half way through yet another week on the wonderful, exciting and bumpy road of motherhood. Therefore, some of us are looking for some encouraging words to make it through the rest of the week with Joy and Peace. Every night before little Caleb goes to bed in addition to reading bible stories; I read him a passage out of “Prayers That Avail Much, First Blessings for Your Child” by Germaine Copeland. Special thanks to Marco and Virginia for blessing us with this book! Mommies we have to keep our kiddies prayed up and constantly put Gods word in their heart.

Last nights passage read, “There is a time to be silent and a time to speak. May you know His time and purpose for everything. May you do what is right in the eyes of God and be a good example to others.” Not only is this passage relevant and necessary for our children, but it speaks to us as well. So many times we speak too soon and aren’t silent enough. We have to learn to listen more and speak less, especially us women! Have you ever wondered why God gave us two ears and one mouth? Turning focus back to the passage, it especially applies to the way in which we deal with our children. They need to know that we care about what they have to say. I so appreciate the fact that my mother always gave me the opportunity to voice my feelings. That doesn’t mean that I always got my way, but at least I knew that she cared and that she was listening. Our children need to know that we are always there to listen to what they have to say. When was the last time you asked your child about his or her day and really listened? We also have to know what to say when it’s time to speak. Let’s not practice the “what comes up comes out” method. There is so much power in the tongue. The word says, “My lips will not speak wickedness, and my tongue will utter no deceit.” (Job 27:4). No matter how frustrated our children or anyone else makes us, please think before you speak. Once the words are out, you can’t take them back.

The passage also tells us that we should do what is right in the eyes of God and be a good example. Our children are literally watching everything that we do. Baby girl is watching you look in the mirror as you complain about that baby bump that never quite went away. And we wonder why five year old little girls are so vain. This is a small example of a much larger problem. We want our kids to do what is right, but we must first lead by example. “For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men.” (2 Corinthians 8:21).

As you go about your daily tasks throughout the remainder of this week be sure to remember there are small eyes and large eyes watching your every move. May the Lord give you the wisdom to know what to say and when to say it. Live your life as though the camera is always in record mode, for the world to see. Be sure to tune in tomorrow for more words of encouragement and inspiration for M.O.M.’s near and far!

Mommie Blessings,

Shonte’ Press

Mommie Incorporated

Is it just me or do you sometimes feel like you are running one of the largest corporations known to man? Well, guess what? You are and it’s Mommie Incorporated! Boy oh boy, who knew that motherhood would be so overwhelming? This is a never ending job! So they say that if being a mom were put on a pay scale we would make like $130,000 annually. Is it just me or does this figure seem just a little low? Let’s see… I am a chauffer, financial analyst/planner, cook, maid, dairy cow (for the nursing moms out there), teacher, personal shopper, personal stylist, Sunday school teacher, etc… I could go on, but think you get the point. Although, nobody said that it was going to be easy. For the Lord tells us “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40: 30-31). So when it seems like you just can’t take another day at Mommie Inc., meditate in God’s word and let his strength carry you through.

You know the song that goes… “Mama said there’d be days like this, there’d be days like this, Mama said, Mama said.” Well, I don’t know about you but my Mama didn’t say! Although, when I think about it, I don’t even think she could have put it into words. We must realize that the Lord knew just what he was doing when he made woman. He knew that we needed to have the strength of an ox, the patience of Job, the wisdom Joshua (son of Nun) and the love of Christ. So to all my mommies out there we were made to carry this load. God saw fit to give us everything we need to get the job done, and to get it done right. Sure we will make mistakes but at the end of the day what counts is how you handled those mistakes and making sure that no matter what, God always gets the glory. For our reward will be so worth all of this and much more! The bible says, “Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.” (Proverbs 31:31). Mommies, we have to keep it together, the future depends upon it. Be sure to tune in tomorrow for more words of encouragement and inspiration for M.O.M.’s near and far!

Mommie Blessings,

Shonte’ Press

The Legacy of a Saved M.O.M.

This blog entry is dedicated to the life and ministry of Saved M.O.M., Delisia Carter. As many of you all know there was a tragic accident in Atlanta, GA on Easter Sunday (April 12th, 2009) that resulted in the death of Delisia along with her husband, children, and another young child. For a more detailed account of this incident please visit http://www.wsbtv.com/news/19216425/detail.html. Delisia touched my life in such a special way and in part inspired the creation of my blog. She was such an amazing mother and an example of what a true Saved M.O.M. is in every way. Delisia came from humble beginnings and faced adversity, but through it all she always uplifted others and gave GOD all the glory. To read her full story check out her e-book entitled, "Overcoming Negative Self Talk" at http://www.theeagleconnection.com/.

I had the wonderful opportunity of being the caregiver to Delisia’s two month old son, Ethan Carter; this is how I came to know Delisia. We don’t always understand why certain people are placed in our lives, but I am thankful that the Lord blessed me with one of his angels here on earth.

As mother’s we don’t have all the answers, but one thing is for sure, motherhood is truly special. If you visit Delisia’s site, you will see that Delisia’s role as a mother was referenced twice in the section of her bio used to sum up her hearts desires & life purpose. She listed four very important things in her life purpose, number two was to “be a virtuous wife and mother” and number four was to “leave an inheritance to my daughter and any other children I'm blessed with.” This alone shows you just how important motherhood was to Delisia, as it should be to all of us. I remember seeing the way that Delisia interacted with her children and thinking that Kayla and Ethan were so blessed to have a mother so kind and loving. It’s as though she loved them as Christ loves us. “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you…” (Isaiah 66:13).

Delisia understood that as mothers we are competing with the wickedness of the world that our children are growing up in. This is why we must constantly cover our children with God’s word and display consistent examples of what God has called us to be. “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”(Proverbs 22:6).

I will close in sharing one of Delisia’s favorite scriptures. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11). Delisia wanted us to soar like Eagles. So Eagles take up your wings and show your little eaglets how to soar with you! Be sure to tune in tomorrow for more words of encouragement and inspiration for M.O.M.’s near and far!

The Start of a Beautiful Thing

This blog is currently under development. The first official post will be ready for your eyes on Monday, April 20th, 2009. Please stay tuned as we venture down this road of Motherhood together! Until we meet again...