I spent some time visiting with a dear friend the other day. We each have things that are heavy on our hearts. Issues that we see as being potential problems for God’s people. Situations where individuals are investing themselves in things that could ultimately hurt them spiritually, and also have a ricochet effect on the lives of those closest to them.
How do you handle this kind of conversation?
I have a few tips to share should you ever find yourself in a similar situation.
1. Don’t Gossip
- Be very careful to discuss the problem without names.
- Details are unnecessary, stick to the big picture.
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Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. Isaiah 60:1
I used to awaken our children by entering their rooms waving my hands in the air and singing, “Rise and shine and give God the glory. Glory. Children of the Lord.”
I can still hear their groans as they covered their heads and tried to postpone the start of another day.
Some days are like that. We don’t feel ready to arise, and we definitely aren’t ready to shine! LOL
But isn’t God awesome. With the gift of each new day we are invited to rise and shine.
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I met Arminda on my trip to Bolivia with the World Vision Blogger Team. Arminda has a mother, father, and four older brothers. She didn’t have the typical arrival to her family. You see Arminda was abandoned. Neighbors in this community had taked her from door to door trying to find someone to care for her.
This family didn’t ask themselves all of the questions they might have asked as they tried to talk themselves out of doing something “crazy” like taking in another child when they already had so little for themselves. They responded to her need. They gave her a home.
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Written on
September 4, 2011 by
Deb in
Blog
This morning as I was doing my time of Bible reading and prayer I repeated a daily request, “Father, please bless my day.”
However, this morning the question, “Why?” immediately popped into my head.
- Was I hoping my day would be enjoyable?
- Was I longing for an easy day without conflict or disappointments?
- Was I thinking about comfort, happiness, peace, etc.?
Sure! Probably that and more.
I don’t usually sign up for trials and challenges, and yet they come. Does that mean that God denied my prayer and refused His blessings?
Have you heard Laura Story’s song Blessings? Take a moment and listen: \”Blessings – Laura Story on YouTube\”
This song has touched my heart in huge ways.
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Written on
August 12, 2011 by
Deb in
Blog
I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for it is the power of God that brings salvation . . . Romans 1:16a
I have seen with my own eyes the work that is being done in the name of Jesus.
I have seen World Vision Workers spend themselves completely as they care for the least of these.
The least of these . . .
I have been asked since coming home, “Why doesn’t World Vision work in the United States?”
The answer to that question is – they do!
There are many domestic efforts being done everyday by the ministry of World Vision.
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Written on
July 5, 2011 by
Deb in
Blog
It’s true! I was the mom who didn’t want to let her children out of her sight. They needed me didn’t they? It was my job to keep them safe, cared for, and nurtured. What can I say, I got an extra dose of the mom gene.
I am happy to tell you that they are grown and that they survived this parent who was always afraid.
Did you know that the phrase “Don’t be afraid,” is in the Bible 366 times? That’s more than one for each and everyday of the year.
We are not only supposed to reach beyond our fears for our own well-being, but we are to put them aside for our children.
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Written on
June 7, 2011 by
Deb in
Blog
This is a photo of our backyard freeloader. We named him, Bandit. He has a partner in crime, but since we can’t tell them apart they both share this more than appropriate title.
My picture isn’t very clear, because he works under the cloak of darkness; foraging for any tidbit he can find.
One night, Chloe, our “ferocious Bichon”, spotted him and barked him back into the woods. She was very proud of herself for protecting everyone, but truthfully Bandit was back just a short while later.
Do you ever have days like that? I know I do!
The enemy, the one who likes to lie, steal, and rob us of our joy .
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Recently we have had birds try to build a nest in the wreath hanging on our front door. Each time I open the door there are tiny twigs on the porch from their failed attempts.
This reminded me of an experience we had a few years ago when our determined feathered friends were more successful. Day after day I would remove partially constructed nests only to open the door to new ones again and again and again.
Well, you can see who won! One beautiful morning, I opened the front door and found a completed nest and these three little eggs.
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