If I could only write to you one more time, I would tell you this little story.
I sat in large circle with the rest of our church staff. I was with my favorite friends doing one of my favorite things. We were praying for one another and listening for the individual messages that God wanted to share with each person in the circle. We loved that God still speaks and this trusted group of people enjoyed the freedom to be His messengers with one another.
I listened to the prayers and messages given to my friends. “The Father has designed you to carry influence with governmental leaders.”
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Last week millions of people rushed to buy flowers, stuffed animals, candy, cards and diamonds to remind their spouse of their undying devotion.
I wonder how many of those millions are still feeling the love this week?
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
How many of us live out these biblical truths in our marriage?
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I was a church youth group girl. My youth group was made up of the usual variety of people found in any church. Some of the kids only cared about the games and prizes, and others cared about understanding God and figuring how to be like Jesus in everyday life. Most of us loved both.
My future husband moved to our town while he was a teen-ager and his family joined our church. His parents insisted that he attend the mid-week youth group meetings even though he had no desire at all. He did not know God and he rolled his eyes at our enthusiasm for the Bible and how it could be used in the modern day world.
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I don’t usually make New Year’s Resolutions. But since the last half of 2014 brought so many really BIG changes in my life, I broke my “NO RESOLUTIONS resolution”. It made sense to begin a brand new life in a new state by writing up a few specific goals for 2015.
During the last weeks of 2014 I signed up for three different “Starting Over” type online mini-courses by respected writers that I admire. I was gearing up to hit January 2015 with drastic changes. My personal goals had to do with setting up a more disciplined daily writing schedule and taking charge of my day by adding exercise, healthy eating and a more aggressive approach to my writing dreams.
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“Just as I am…” If you grew up in the kind of church that ended almost every service with an invitation to “come forward” to invite Jesus into your heart, you know this song. You could hum it along with me right now couldn’t you?
The song was about how much God loved you…
just as you were…
warts and all.
He loved you before you started reading the Bible every morning. He loved you before you found a church to go to every Sunday. He loved you before you joined that Women’s Bible Study on Wednesdays. He loved you before you completed the New Believer’s Class.
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Ever have days, when life is beyond overwhelming? When there’s too many tasks & people needing you “right now” and the most important things in your life seem to be suffocating beneath the towel you’re contemplating throwing in!?
Parenting is HARD; step-parenting is harder, and sometimes I honestly feel like throwing in the towel & running for cover!
After a recent {very} difficult weekend with my stepson, my husband & I were left feeling completely defeated & powerless. When working with my husbands ex to raise their son, we have come to the tough realization that we will never be on the same page with her; she will always fight us and we will always be, as she ‘lovingly’ calls us, “The Nazi’s!”
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Do you live your life in a constant state of go-go-go?
Hurrying from here, to get to there??
Hurrying from this task, to take on a new task?
I’ll admit it-I’m guilty!
I’m a multitasking person & I love having a variety of things on my plate; keeps things lively & interesting for me!
However, with every blessing comes great responsibility and while I enjoy “lively & interesting”, it’s important for me to realize that I have a little one tagging along, desperately trying to keep up. What kind of example am I setting, if I am constantly living in the fast lane & forcing him to run, just to keep up with my fast paced walk?
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Little people streamed into the lower elementary school, bunching up to giggle, chat, and await the morning’s first bell. Office staff bustled about, answering phones, greeting parents, trouble-shooting things I could only guess at.
Moms and dad alike ushered their children into the lobby: sporty mom with her toned legs and bright smile, fashionista mom with her cute skinny jeans, ballet flats, curled hair, and sparkly accessories, stylish dad holding backpacks and snow gear, coach-dad high-fiving the boys…
Teachers walked by briskly, attending to last-minute details, flashing big smiles to adoring pupils.
Waiting beside my six year old for the bell to ring, I sported a messy bun and zero make-up.
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