New Hope

Sunday Seven: 7 Ways to Pray for Missions

Sunday Seven Meme

You 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

Are there missionaries that you would like to request prayer for? Please feel free to tell us about them by leaving a comment.

(Image by ChristArt.com)

I've Got it Good

God Stop Friday Meme

About 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.

As soon as she said those words, I knew that God was showing Himself to me through that 12- year-old girl. I stood up - hugged her, my eyes teared, and I started laughing. I decided to think of some other things in my life that I should be more grateful for:

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.

Thank you, Jesus, for all these blessings. And thank you for reminding me - through my daughter.

Know and Tell Friday

Know and Tell Friday Meme

Did 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

Thankful Thursday: My Loving Husband

Thankful Thursday Meme

I 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

31 Days of Praying for Your Husband is a list of things to pray for everyday concerning your husband's character, leadership role, struggles, and spiritual growth. You can trust God through prayer as you daily surrender your husband and marriage to the Lord.

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Wordless Wednesday: My Valentine - Martina McBride

Showing Love to Our Valentines

Here is a list of Christian articles about loving our men:

11 Easy Ways to Say I Love You

10 Questions to Ask Your Husband

33 Ways to Love Your Lover

31 Ways to Pray for Your Husband

Send Him a Valentine's Day eCard

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 Meme

In 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.

Loving Others Through Prayer

Sunday Seven Meme

7 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?

Notes from a sermon by Dr. Stephen Jones (This sermon brought me to tears.)

God Loves Me Through Others

God Stop Friday Observing God's Presence

How 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.

Thank you, Lord, for showing me that You care about my feelings. You showed me that I really am blessed with people who care about me. Please show us Christian women how we can care for those who really are lonely and stuck at home for long periods of time. Who should I call, email, send a present to, or go visit? Amen.

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 am tagging (in alphabetical order) - Debbie, Elizabeth, God's Girl, IDNJC, Jen, Joyce, Shannon and Shonnte

(I don't know how many people I am suppose to tag, but I want to hear all of your answers.)

Wordless Wednesday: I Wanted a Wii for Christmas

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.