Wordless Wednesday: Seek His Face
Compassion International Blogging Month
YouTube Video: Mercy Me Talking About the Children That They Sponsor through Compassion
It's Blogging Month at Compassion International. Many bloggers are writing about their sponsored children and their experiences with Compassion.
You can read about:
- Boo Mama and Her Sponsored Girl - Sharon
- Rocks in My Dryer and Her Sponsored Boy - Dissan
- Anne and Her Sponsored Girl
Sponsoring a Child costs only $32 a month. This is what will be provided to the child:
- a church based program that will teach about Jesus
- educational opportunities
- health care and supplemental nutrition
- opportunities to learn about life skills
- safe recreation
You will be making an eternal difference in the life of your sponsored child.
Do you have an experience with child sponsorship that you'd like to share? Are you thinking about sponsoring a child? Please feel free to share your story by leaving a comment.
God Wants Our Whole Heart
Sunday Scripture MemeProverbs 23:26 O my son, give me your heart. May your eyes take delight in following my ways.
God doesn't want the outward show, or our charming personality. He wants our whole heart. And when He has it, then God will open up the doors of service for us.The results of God getting the whole, surrendered heart of every Christian could be just awesome.
As the old hymn says:
Take my will, and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine;
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne.
Jesus, I need to include You in all the parts of my life. I need to surrender my heart, my will, and my fears - especially my fears. I want to enjoy following Your ways. I want to do Your Will, because I know that it is the best thing for me. Thank you for your patience with me. Every day I want to ask You - What do You want me to do today? Please show me, Lord.
Is anyone else wanting to trust God, but struggling with fear? We can support each other through prayer. Feel free to share by leaving a comment.
Is anyone else wanting to trust God, but struggling with fear? We can support each other through prayer. Feel free to share by leaving a comment.
Sunday Seven: 7 Ways to Pray for Missions
Sunday Seven MemeYou may not be able to Go, but you can pray.
Here are 7 Ways to Pray for Missions:
- for churches and individuals to give generously to missions
- for the Christian agencies that provide disaster relief to those in need
- for the equipping of ministries that provide food and shelter to people
- for missionaries to serve in places where Jesus is not known
- for mission personnel that plan outreach programs
- for more prayer warriors to faithfully pray for mission programs
- for the needs of missionaries
(Image by ChristArt.com)
I've Got it Good
God Stop Friday MemeAbout 5 minutes ago, I was sitting in front of the monitor with my head propped in my hands. My 12-year-old daughter came by and said, "What's wrong Mom? Can't you figure out what to write about?" I explained to her that I needed to write about how God had been showing Himself to me lately. I told her that I knew He had been working in my life, but I just couldn't see it. Lately, I've been concentrating on my discomforts - sick with colds and missing my husband who is still away at work.
She said to me:
- Well, it's a good thing Dad is just working in a nearby town for a few weeks. Some wives have husbands who are off serving in Iraq and are gone for a long time.
- And it's a good thing you just had 2 colds. You could have had pneumonia.
- I get to eat protein foods and meat every day. Many people eat only grains and vegetables.
- I have clean running water - in the house. I don't have to walk miles to get dirty water.
- I was raised in a Christian family. My parents taught me about the salvation of Jesus.
- I have heaters, blankets, and winter clothing if I need to warm up more. I won't freeze.
- I have an endless supply of free Christian teachings, encouragement, music, and Bibles through the - Internet, radio, churches, and even the library. I don't live in a place where these items are scarce, limited, or non-existent.
- If I come into really tough times financially, there are programs and resources available to help us out. We won't die of starvation like some families do.
- I have complete freedom to live publicly as a Christian. I will not be persecuted for my Christian faith.
Know and Tell Friday
Know and Tell Friday MemeDid you eat candy this Valentine's Day?
Yes I did and it tasted wonderful. Thank you Mom and Dad for sending me a little chocolate, but not too much. I made the choice to eat a little today and tomorrow I will make an even better choice to not eat any (because it is all gone.)
What is something you do to relax?
I used to watch TV. But, now I blog. It is so much more enjoyable to communicate with other women.
What is the best approach for resolving conflict?
I haven't been really good at doing the best approach. I used to just try to keep the peace and then let the bitterness build up. However, I think the best approach would be - to pray first, talk calmly with the person (and stay calm), and for each of us to state how we feel.
How would you define "freedom"?
Freedom is the ability to be a Christian, to receive God's love, and to serve and worship Him - no matter what my physical circumstances and limitations are.
On a scale of 1-10, how happy do you usually feel? Explain.
5, but that is because my husband has been away working for a lot of the winter and it is winter. I'll feel much happier when we are all back together and the snow melts.
If you could choose one "SIN" that you would never have to struggle with for the rest of your life what would it be?
Doubting God. I'm ashamed, but it's just too easy for me to do.
What is one thing that breaks your heart?
The 143 million orphans that need mommies and daddies and help from Christians. I have another site called HowtoHelpOrphans.com
Leave a CommentThankful Thursday: My Loving Husband
Thankful Thursday MemeI am thankful for my loving husband:
- that he has committed himself to me forever.
- that God brings him home safely after he's been out of town working.
- that he can figure out how to fix anything that breaks
- that he is a Christian and wants to grow spiritually
- that he wants to spend the second half of his life doing meaningful work
- that he is determined
- that he finds value in the hard times and learns from his mistakes
- that he loves his children and wants the best for them
- that he forgives me
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Showing Love to Our Valentines
Here is a list of Christian articles about loving our men: Maybe you'll find some ideas for Valentine's Day.
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Monday Memories: First Kiss
Since it is almost Valentines Day, I will write this Monday Memories about my husband.When we started dating, he had this wonderful idea that our first kiss would be on our wedding day. OK. I knew that wasn't going to happen, but I learned early on in our relationship that it was best to let him express his weird ideas. He would get over them on his own.
Well, one day we went for a walk. (That is what we did for a date, since we were both broke, but in love.) He stopped walking and turned toward me. Then, he got really nervous like and looked me straight in the eyes. He said. "Can I give you a kiss". Oh my goodness! I had waited for this day. My heart was racing, but I managed to say "Yes". He handed me a Hershey's chocolate kiss and busted up laughing.
Now, here is the real shocker - I still married him after he did this awful prank. It's been over 19 years since this happened and this is the first time that I can laugh about it. By the way, he didn't wait until our wedding day to kiss me.
(Photo by Kim Anderson)
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Verses for Your Valentine
Scripture Sunday MemeIn Celebration of the Upcoming Valentine's Day
Here are a couple of verses for married couples.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor.
For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.
For my husband - I'm glad that we have each other to support, encourage, and help when the other isn't doing so well.
Leave a CommentLoving Others Through Prayer
Sunday Seven Meme7 Things I Prayed for This Week
Sunday: I prayed that my husband would grow in wisdom and his understanding would come from God, and that his relationship with God would continue to grow and bear much fruit in his life. (This prayer idea was from Denise's blog.)
Monday: I prayed for 2 women that I met through blogging. They are hurting emotionally and they are both angry at God. Their pain encouraged me to write the post Angry at God?
Tuesday: I prayed for Amrita in India that God would bless her vegetable garden that she shares with hungry people. And that God would encourage other Christians in India to help the many people who don't have enough to eat. What a wonderful way to show the love of Jesus.
Wednesday: I prayed for Deena that God would heal her cancer through the Chemo treatments and that she would grow closer to Him during this difficult time.
Thursday: I prayed for the native missionaries serving Jesus through Gospel for Asia. I asked God to encourage them, financially provide for them, and help them witness to their own people.
Friday: I prayed for Christian women who are serving God through their blogs. I asked God to: speak through their writing, help the women show the love of Jesus, help the ones writing and reading to grow spiritually, bless their blog ministry spiritually, be glorified through their blogs.
Saturday: I prayed for our neighbor boy, Austin, that he would come to know Christ I used the 8 suggestions and 10 verses from - Praying Your Friends to Christ.
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Reflecting God's Love
God doesn't want us to ignore the people that we feel uncomfortable with - the diseased, disabled, poor, or anyone different from ourselves. They need to see His love, too.Jesus was a good example of this. He ministered to men with leprosy, a man filled with demons, a woman living in adultery, a tax collector.
Jesus commanded the Jews (in Acts 1:8) to witness to the Samaritans. However, they weren't anxious about obeying Him, because they had racial prejudices towards the Samaritans. Plus, they knew that the Samaritans hated them. Philip is the first man, that we know of, that obeyed Him. When other Jews were fleeing Saul's persecution, Philip went to Samaria. He spoke to the people and God used him to heal people who were lame, paralyzed, and filled with evil spirits. (Acts 8:3-8) The Samaritans were happy about the miracles they saw and revival started to break out.
The Lord tells us to go and make disciples of all nations. He doesn't exclude the people that we don't like. When we obey Him, lives are changed for eternity. People who are different and alone, will feel comforted knowing that a Christian reached out to them.
Christ loved us, and died on the cross for us - knowing that we were sinners, rebellious, and had nothing to offer Him.
Let's challenge ourselves to reach out to people who make us feel uncomfortable. Can you think of anyone?
God Loves Me Through Others
God Stop Friday Observing God's PresenceHow has God shown Himself to me this week?
My husband has gone out of town a lot this winter, due to his work. On this current trip he will be gone for 3 weeks, again. I'm only a week into it, but yesterday I got feeling really sorry for myself. I felt so down that I just knew I wouldn't be able to come up with a God Stop moment for Friday. I'm lonely, stuck at home for 3 weeks without a vehicle, and no one even seems to care.
This is how God showed Himself to me today (all of this in one day):
- The mail lady sent her husband over to plow our driveway. (when she drove by and noticed that I was trying to shovel all that snow)
- Then, her husband told me to call if I need a ride to the grocery store or if an emergency comes up.
- A nice man, from church, sent (by mail) my children animal T-shirts and a note saying that he missed all of us guys and gals.
- Grandma and Grandpa H. sent (by mail) a DVD and 2 card games to entertain us while Dad is gone.
- Grandma and Grandpa G. sent (by mail) Birthday gifts to my son.
- I got 2 personal emails from new blogging friends.
Come see what the Lord has done, how awesome his works in man's behalf! Psalm 66:5
Tag You're It! - 13 Things I've Done
My bloggy friend Christina at - The Life of a Christian Housewife - has tagged me.13 Things I Have Done That Are Pretty Awesome
- went on a 2 month mission trip to Europe: Hungary, Czech Republic (Czechoslovakia at the time), Poland, Germany, and Austria
- sewed my wedding dress
- fell in love at 18, got married at 20
- went to Hawaii for Christmas with my family (during my Junior year of high school)
- gave birth 5 times
- started homeschooling 9 years ago.
- moved 3000 miles from home
- took 3 trips alone to see my parents and sister's family
- went to Manhattan last year (saw the Statue of Liberty from a ferry)
- became a Christian at 5, was baptized at 18
- passionate about Evangelism, so I made a site called Easy to Evangelize
- raised chickens (notice the past tense - too much work and they stink badly)
- learned how to: propagate plants, knit, bake bread, and make a blog
(I don't know how many people I am suppose to tag, but I want to hear all of your answers.)
Angry at God?
I've met a few women, lately, who are feeling angry toward God. After Googling "angry at God" I found out that there are many people feeling this way and expressing it on the Internet.
My suggestion is to call people who know what they are talking about. The Hope for the Heart Call Center has counselors available 24 hours a day to receive your call. Tell them that you are angry with God. They will listen and care and offer you hope. 1-800-488-HOPE (4673). It's Free.
This life that we live on earth is not how God intended it to be. When sin entered, because of Satan, the perfect plan got all messed up. And it won't be perfect again, until heaven. God allows bad things to happen, but he also gives many blessings. I wonder how much tragedy He spares us from experiencing. It's easy for us humans to focus on sufferings. We tend to forget about the undeserved blessings that we receive.
I don't fully understand God or His ways. But, I have chosen to trust Him despite the bad things in my life. I've had my share of sorrows, and I expect many more in the future. My favorite song is Blessed Be Your Name. It's a song about Praising God when life is good and Praising Him when life is bad. It's about recognizing that He gives blessings and He takes them away. It's about choosing to always say - "Blessed Be Your Name", no matter what the circumstance.
Above is a YouTube video of this song. Here are the lyrics to Blessed Be Your Name.
Manic Monday
My last post was about praying for salvation and the one before that was about Satan. So, I'm going to lighten things up with a Manic Monday Meme. (Except for #3. That is not a lighthearted question.) They provide the 3 questions and I provide 3 answers.Is there anything too serious to joke about? If so, what falls into that category for you?
This depends on who it is getting joked about. Most people don't seem to be able to handle joking that hits them personally. I have met many adults who are still holding on to hurts caused by inappropriate joking. So, I'd have to say that anything that could hurt the feelings of another person is too serious to joke about - race, fat, crazy, male and female jokes. Lawyer jokes are acceptable. I don't think lawyers have enough feelings in order to get hurt. Now, I'd like to quote my life verse (that my children have heard a thousand times). Encourage one another and build each other up. 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Would you rather be a tortured genius or a happy simple-minded person? Why?
Definitely a happy simple-minded person. I wouldn't purposely bring on torture, even though brains would be nice. I do much better with being happy and since it is my choice I'm choosing simple minded.
A dear friend or family member has a terminal illness and is in agony. He/she wants you to help him/her die. What would you do?
Interesting. I just mentioned euthanization 2 posts ago when I wrote about The Foul One. Satan is so evil that he gets humans to kill for him - murdering the unborn children, euthanizing the elderly and disabled, and getting people to kill themselves through suicide. I don't like the idea that some of us have to suffer physical pain. But, that is no reason to help Satan murder. 6 posts ago I wrote a post called Why? Basically, whatever good and bad things happen to us are to help accomplish the purposes that God has for each of us - His specific will for each of our eternal lives. God can use our terrible troubles, even terminal illness and agony. He can use them to strengthen us spiritually, bring glory to Him, make us more godly, prepare us for eternity, and to help others going through a similar situation. I would explain this to my suffering loved one, pray for the person, spend time showing love to the person, and encourage the person to bless and serve God despite the physical pain.
Does anyone else want to join in? There are about 40 of us doing Manic Monday.
(Simple Minded Fish image from ChristArt.com)
Pray Others to Christ
The following suggestions were taken from the bookletPraying Your Friends to Christ
- Ask God to open up their spiritual eyes. 2 Cor. 4:4
- Ask God to set them free from spiritual captivity. 2 Tim. 2:25-26
- Ask God to give them ears to hear Matt. 13:15, faith to believe Acts 20:21, and the will to respond. Rom. 10:9
- Ask God to send people into their lives to witness to them. Matt. 9:38
- Ask God for ways to build caring relationships. I Cor. 9:22
- Ask God for opportunities to witness. Col. 4:3
- Ask God for boldness to witness. Acts 4:29
- Ask God for an opportunity to invite them to a harvest event. Luke 14:23
The Defeat of the Foul One
The writing prompt for Sunday Scribblings this week is "Foul"So, I'll start by saying that I am feeling very foul. I got a nasty cold and I think I can trace it back 8 days ago when I went to Wal-mart. I've spent most of the day in bed, which is not normal for me. It's just a cold. These are my only accomplishments for today:
- watched an episode of Brady Bunch (Greg had a groovy crush on his math teacher- that's kind of foul.)
- heated up frozen chicken nuggets (fowl) and frozen french fries for my kids' dinner
- wrote this post about The Foul One
The Defeat of the Foul One
The Foul One was created as an anointed angel. However, due to his self-centered pride, he tried to make himself equal with The Holy One. This got him kicked out of heaven, taking 1/3 of the holy angels with him - those fallen angels became his evil demonic followers.There is no truth in the Foul One. He does know The Truth and works hard to get you to doubt Truth. He dangles temptation hoping to get others to fall, too.He schemes and cunningly deceives, looking to destroy someone's life. He's especially drawn to those who don't follow The Holy One, wanting to devour them before they decide to believe in The Truth.
The good news is that the Foul One has limitations. He is not omnipotent ,or omniscient; his time is limited, and he knows it. Therefore he is going to hurriedly take down as many humans as he can. And this is the bad news. The Foul One gets humans to do his dirty work for him - perverting the truth, slandering each other, destroying their own lives through addictions, becoming false teachers that draw in the people by offering some promise, but unable to deliver. He also gets us to kill for him - murdering the unborn children, euthanizing the elderly and disabled, and killing themselves through suicide.
There is more good news though. A time will come when The Holy One will send The Foul One, and all his death and hell to a lake of fire forever. "Then the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever." Revelation 20:10
When we die, all people of the world will have to give an account of how they lived. We all will be judged. Did we follow the truth of The Holy One, or did we let The Foul One corrupt our hearts?
The Foul One and his followers will be defeated. The Holy One and his followers will live forever in true peace.
Hell's Best Kept Secret
The picture of the chickens (fowl) is a pun on the word "foul". I didn't want any of you to think that I was losing it.
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