Today Is The Day.....

Wordless Wednesday

Random Bible Verses That I Love!

Truth will last forever; lies are soon found out. Proverbs 12:19

Look not only to your own interests. Philippians 2:4

Don’t just do what feels good. Do what is good. Psalm 25:12

You should think more about your own sins than the sins of others. John 8:7

Jesus and family should come first in your life. Joshua 24:15

You should finish what you start. Galatians 6:9

You should be happy with what Jesus has given you. Matthew 6:19

Don’t let fear stop you from doing the right thing. Isaiah 41:10

If you know what is right to do but you do not do it, you sin. James 4:17

Before making a choice, think about its consequences. Galatians 6:5

You should follow the rules because it is the right thing to do. Galatians 6:5

Too much of a good thing can be bad. Proverbs 25:16

I See Signs

Words To Remember

Hang these words on a closet door.
Take up the whole armor of God. (Ephesians 6:13)

Write on paper cut like a dove. Hang over each child’s bed.
This is my child, the beloved, with whom I am well pleased. (Matthew 3:17)

Post these words on the door you most use as a family to enter your home.
Today salvation has come to this house. (Luke 19:9)

Write these words on paper and place by the family table.
Day by day, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts. (Acts 2:46)

Where Did The Time Go?

Do you ever feel like you have a billion things to do but not enough time to do them? (Just for fun, let's put a "billion" in perspective: One billion seconds ago it was 1959. One billion minutes ago...are you ready for this one? Jesus walked the earth!)

I always say, If only I had more time! There are so many things in life I need and want to do, but I feel stifled by the restraints of time. I know I don't use my time wisely. I am a slave to time and I have allowed it to be stolen from me more times than not. What a waste!

"So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12

We are never going to "find" more time, which is why we are commanded to use it wisely. (Ephesians 5:15,16) God has given you...sufficient time in each day for you to fulfill His perfect plan-including the interruptions!

"Those who make the worst of their time most complain about its shortness." La Bruyere

I need to manage my time better so I can be more efficient in concentration on the important things in life.

12 Sins We Blame On Others

It started in the Garden. Adam said to God, "The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate." Genesis 3:12

The first man, caught in the first sin, turns to blame his wife and then he extends the blame to God as well. He implies that he would have remained innocent if God hadn’t put Eve in the garden with him.

The blame-shifting in the Garden continues today. Our proud hearts send us desperately looking for someone else to point to every time we’re confronted with our own sin. There must be someone else—our spouse, sibling, parent, boss, co-worker, friend, or God himself. We are so desperate to justify ourselves that we become irrational.

Here are 12 examples:

1) Anger
I wouldn’t lose my temper if my co-workers were easier to get along with, or if my kids behaved better, or if my spouse were more considerate.

2) Impatience
I would be a very patient person if it weren’t for traffic jams and long lines in the grocery store. If I didn’t have so many things to do and if the people around me weren’t so slow, I would never become impatient!

3) Lust
I would have a pure mind if there weren’t so many sensual images in our culture.

4) Anxiety
I wouldn’t worry about the future if my life were just a little more secure—if I had more money and no health problems.

5) Spiritual Apathy
My spiritual life would be so much more vibrant and I wouldn't struggle with sin if my small group were more encouraging, or if Sunday school were more engaging, or if the music in the worship service were more lively, or if the sermons were better.

6) Insubordination
If my parents/bosses/elders were godly leaders, then I would joyfully follow them.

7) A Critical Spirit
It’s not my fault that the people around me are ignorant and inexperienced.

8) Bitterness
If you knew what that person did to me, you would understand my bitterness. How could I forgive something like that?

9) Gluttony
My wife/husband/roommate/friend is a wonderful cook! The things they make are impossible to resist.

10) Gossip
It’s the people around me who start the conversations. There’s no way to avoid hearing what others happen to say. And when others ask me questions, I can’t avoid sharing what I know.

11) Self-Pity
I’ll never be happy, because my marriage/family/job/ministry is so difficult.

12) Selfishness
I would be more generous if we had more money.

Making excuses like this is arrogant and foolish. It’s a proud way of trying to justify our actions and pacify our guilty consciences and it keeps us from humbling ourselves before God to repent of our sins and seek his forgiveness.

We have to accept the humbling truth that “each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.” This will end the blame game, and it will send us pleading for Christ’s mercy and grace.

The ABC's Of Prayer

Helping children talk to God can be as easy as A-B-C. Use this simple guide to add some spark to your family's prayer life.

Adore God. Start the day by showing God love and honor. Greet God in prayer with words that show you love him and know he is wonderful. Talk about words that describe God, such as all-powerful, loving, and creative, then use those words in adoration.

Believe in God's abilities. Before we ask for God's help, we must believe he can help. Over breakfast, talk about God's ability to solve problems. In prayer, tell God you believe he can do everything!

Confess sins. Get your hands dirty, then wash them. Talk about how God washes our hearts when we confess sins. Have each person think about something he or she did that hurt someone, then ask for forgiveness.

Delight in God and his creation. Romans 1:20 teaches that when we look at what God made, we learn about God. Take a nature walk and thank God each time you stop to look at something he made.

Express the need for God. In humility seek the truth of Christ's words in John 15:5: "Apart from me, you can do nothing." Talk to your child about why you need God. Ask your child why he needs God. Together thank God for always being with each of you.

Focus on one need. There is no need to rush through a wish list of all the problems you want God to solve—he already knows. A mind crowded with problems will feel stressed. For today, think of the need weighing on you the most. Let God give you peace about that one problem.

Give thanks to God. Help your child think of the blessings in her life and thank God for each one. Write them in a journal. This helps develop an attitude of gratitude.

Humor lightens the heart. Tell God the funny things that happen, too. Look back and find the funny side of frustrating moments and laugh. God, who created monkeys and cuckoo birds, likes to laugh with us.

Invite the Holy Spirit to guide each of you. Take your child on a blindfolded walk, guiding him around obstacles. Discuss how God sent the Holy Spirit to guide us around problems, including ones we may not even see.

Journal as a form of prayer. Let your children write or draw a prayer. Encourage them to write whatever God puts in their minds. Have younger children tell you what they want to say and record their words for them.

Keep knocking. Read about the poor widow who kept knocking in Luke 18:1-8. Make a doorknob hanger with a prayer request on it and tell your child to pray about that request every time he sees the hanger.

Love God and express that love in words. Expressing love for God and remembering his love helps us look beyond our problems and hold on to his promises. As you pray, fold your arms across your chest as though you are hugging—and being hugged by—God.

Mean what you say. Honesty is important in any relationship, especially your relationship with God. Read Psalm 102 and talk about how it's okay to tell God how we feel, even when we are sad or angry. Practice being honest with God as you pray.

Never give up, but persevere in your prayers. If you've got an unanswered prayer, continue taking it to God. If you're dealing with a difficult situation, ask God to give you the strength to deal with it. Trust that God will answer your prayers in his way and in his time.

Offer yourself and your talents to God. Make a list of your child's talents, from a great smile to a nice singing ability to being a fast runner. Then pray with your child, asking God to show her how to use these abilities to serve him. Use one of those talents for God today.

Praise the Lord. Rejoice for what God has done and will do. Sing or listen to a praise song as part of your prayers.

Quietly listen and wait for God's response. Read Psalm 46 and then sit still and let your heart feel God's love. Listen for God to speak to your hearts. Share anything God may have told you, reflect on memorized verses, or read a passage from the Bible. Help your child discover that God speaks through his Word.

Repent. Repentance is an act of regret and turning away from sin. To stop doing the same bad things takes strength. Help your child make a "God can help me" sign and post it in her room as a reminder to ask for God's help to resist sin and repent of wrongdoing.

Seek God's help for others. Our concern for others touches God's heart. Write the names of people who need God's guidance and comfort. Pray for each.

Trust God and expect answers. Read the words on a penny about trust. Talk about how trust grows just like a pile of coins can grow, a little at a time. Post a paper on your refrigerator to jot down answers to prayer, and watch the paper fill up!

Unite your will with God's. God knows what is best. Talk about your prayer requests and why they might or might not be in God's will, then pray for God to show you his will and to help you accept his plans for you.

Value yourself. As you end your prayers today, realize that God values you. Read Psalm 139 as a reminder of how much God loves you.

Worship God. Think of worship as blowing kisses to God. Take turns saying something great about God. Blow kisses toward heaven after each praise.

X-ray hearing; that is, listen intently. Prayer is a two-way communication, so stop and listen for God's voice in your heart. Read about how Elijah listened and heard God whisper in 1 Kings 19:11-13.

Yearn to learn from prayer and be changed by it. Even as you end today's prayer time, yearn for the next time. Think of God as a friend you can't wait to talk with again. Make a plan to pray again soon.

Zealously share. Share joy by sharing love with others. Share answers received, telling others of God's greatness in providing answers.

Prayer is a continuous adventure in drawing closer to God and developing a relationship with him. It involves the desire to know, listen, and serve God, as well as sharing experiences and needs. Master these basic skills and make your family's communication with God a joyful celebration of his goodness.

The Golden Calf

“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Romans 15:4

I am so thankful for the Bible!

How it must pain God when He frees us from addiction, whether it be to food, alcohol, drugs, smoking, gambling..... whatever our stronghold is, only to find us returning to it once again, hoping to find tranquility; excusing the struggle we have with our weakness so we can worship and cling to the golden calf once again.

God doesn't always provide the easy way out. He doesn't promise that life will be easy or free of temptation; in fact temptation is something we can always expect. But what He does provide, and promise to us is this: He'll always provide a way to escape. There's always a way out—a way to escape from our pain—and with a little soul searching and determination, a way to leave the golden calf behind.

Abel Started Summer School!

My sweet little boy started a summer program at New Hope Christian School this week. He was so excited to be away from his big sister, Trinity. LOL!

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6)

God Has Changed Me!

Two years ago I would have never been moved to tears while watching a video of people helping other people. Today at church, a video was re-played from our Life Giving Weekend back in November 2007. Though I did not participate, just watching the video welled up emotion that I never felt before I became a Christian.

Part of our walk as Christians is to be of service. Christ taught and demonstrated this time and again. It's not about pleasing yourself, it's about loving others.

Before I was selfish and lazy, but today I am compassionate and giving. God has changed me.....there is no other way to explain it!

"In every way I showed you that by working hard like this we can help those who are weak. We must remember what the Lord Jesus said, We are more happy when we give than when we receive." Acts 20:35

REST

"He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul."

Psalm 23:2

I always key in on the "He makes me lie down…" part in that verse. Maybe it’s because I make my kids lie down in their beds for a nap. My kids need to rest and they would never go take a nap voluntarily. So..... they need me to enforce this much needed down-time.

What Does This Phrase Mean To You?

LIVING ONE DAY AT A TIME

Living one day at a time is important to me because I tend to always look ahead and never experience "the now". Sometimes I rush through things instead of just slowing down to enjoy them.

This is what LIVING ONE DAY AT A TIME means to me:

• Living in the moment
• To not be concerned about the past or the future
• Bringing my attention to the things at hand
• To control my wandering mind that gets pulled away from today by worries about the future or regrets over the past
• Getting rid of anticipation and preparation that keeps me from enjoying the moment
• To approach today's tasks as if they were the only difficulties I will ever face

"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes." Matthew 6:34

Philippians 4:13 ~ "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

The road to success is not straight. There is a curve
called Failure, a loop called Confusion, speed bumps called Friends, red lights called Enemies, caution lights called Family, and flats called Jobs.

But, if you have a spare called Determination, an engine called Perseverance, insurance called Faith, a driver called Jesus, you will make it to a place called Success.

Thank you Aunt Cathy for this sending me this cute analogy!

Word Filled Wednesday

"Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him." Psalm 127:3

Today's Sermon 5/25

Pastor Pete councils a lot of people who deal with all kinds of issues. Many of us struggle with something in our lives..... addiction, anger, job loss, death of a child, marriage problems, greed, and so on. These people go to him to ask for advice on how they can fix their problems. He said the that first thing he asks them is, "How are you doing spiritually?"

When I decided to become a Christian, I agreed to make every effort to live like Jesus did. Instead of trying to fix problems externally through my own efforts, I developed a trust in God who could fix me internally to better deal with problems, should they arise.

When I live for God, the things that used to bother me don't anymore. I look at things differently because God changes the way I think. For example, if I struggle with eating healthy and the only way I can avoid eating cookies is to throw them away in the trash (out of sight out of mind) then I am trying to fix the situation externally. When I live for God, he changes me on the inside and when those cookies are around, I have no desire to eat them. It's not about getting rid of the cookies, it's about not wanting them.

Ephesians 4:20-32

Neat-o Bible Verses

Acts 3:19
So turn to God! Give up your sins, and you will be forgiven.

Matthew 6:34
Don't worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself. You have enough to worry about today.

Matthew 6:27
Can worry make you live longer?

Luke 21:34
Don't spend all of your time thinking about eating or drinking or worrying about life. If you do, the final day will suddenly catch you.

MY FAVORITE BIBLE VERSES!

Colossians 3:23
"Do what you're told by your earthly masters. And don't just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you're serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn't cover up bad work."

Matthew 6:34
"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes."