Wordless Wednesday: I Know It's You Grandpa

Wordless Wednesday: I Know It's You Grandpa

Why Me?

What have I done to deserve this problem? Why did those bad things happen to me? Why me?

I don't like problems and I imagine that you probably don't either. Some of my problems I bring on myself due to choices that I make and some problems just happen to me. One thing that I have learned about problems is that we can grow spiritually as we deal with problems.

Basically, whatever happens to me is to help accomplish the purpose God has for me - His will for my life. Therefore, I will have problems and troubles, but I will also have blessings. And they will differ from the problems and blessings of other people, because His will is different for each of us.

How are our present troubles beneficial?

• They will be used to glorify God.
• God will strengthen our spirits in our weakness.
• They make us more godly, like Him.
• He can use us to help others going through the same trouble.

Through our individual experiences, God molds and makes us into what He wants us to be. Each of us is shaped uniquely to fit into His bigger, eternal purpose. He's getting us ready for His heavenly plan. We should surrender to His plan, instead of fighting it.

"That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever." (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

Monday Memories: Building Childhood Memories

As I went to write my post for Monday Memories, I drew a blank. I couldn't think up anything to write about that sounded entertaining. So, I Googled "memories" which led me to a post about childhood memories. That's when I started thinking about what kind of memories do I want for my children. Parents can help provide good memories for their kids. So, after thinking, these are some of the good memories my kids will have and some of the memories I want them to have.

• listening to Dad's stories about when he was a naughty boy
• watching Little House on the Prairie DVDs over and over
• playing lots of card games
  
• family road trips
• having "snack food" dinners
• doing our family Christmas traditions
• trying to raise chickens
• going to the County Fair during the summer
  
• doing evangelism and ministry projects as a family
• watching their parents get more involved in church
• trying to live a more simplified life - in the country, on a lake, chopping wood, playing in the trees
• Mom reading chapter books aloud to the kids
• going on a summer mission trip as a teen (this one is still to come)
  

Do you have any neat "building memories" ideas that you want to share?

Friday Fill-Ins

I've never done the Friday Fill-Ins meme before, but it looked like it would make for a good, lighthearted post. My last five posts have been quite serious. The "black writing" is part of the writing prompt. The "orange writing" is the personal part that I had to fill in.

1. Traveling to new places makes me happy.
2. I would like it to be 60* warmer (than 10* F) please.
3. My husband's homemade Fettuccine tastes SO good!
4. Sunday is my favorite day of the week because the whole family goes to church and youth group, for some worship and some fellowship.
5. My curly hair is my best feature. (however, I hated it as a kid when straight hair was "in".)
6. We could learn so much from The Bible, if we studied it on a daily basis.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to reading a novel (The Shack) that my parents sent to me, tomorrow my plans include taking my kids swimming 2 more times in the hotel's pool, and Sunday, I want to rush back home in time to get the family to Youth Group!

Some Resources for Emotional Healing

New Life Call Center (free) This organization offers free prayer counseling. They can also help you locate a professional counselor or support group. They are used to getting 20,000 calls a month. Call 1-800-NEW-LIFE. (24 hours)

Hope for the Heart Call Center (free) Do you need to talk to someone who cares? They are always there to talk, pray or just listen. They don’t offer professional counseling, but they can provide you with spiritual guidance, heartfelt prayer, honesty, resources and connections to skilled Christian counselors. They are waiting day and night to help you in any way they can. Call 1-800-488-HOPE (4673)

Free Suicidal Help Call 911 or 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) or 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). There is help for you. People are waiting to help you. It is never okay to act on your thoughts of suicide. Getting help is the answer.

Unplanned Pregnancy Information (free) They will help you find a pregnancy resource center in your area for free services and answers to questions about abortion, pregnancy tests, STD's, adoption, parenting, medical referrals, housing, and many other issues. 1-800-395 HELP or contact them by Email.

Healing is a Choice (book) The power to heal-physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually-is in God’s hands. But the choice to be healed is yours. The author outlines ten choices crucial to receiving healing and ten lies that can prevent you from making them.

Laughing in the Dark: A Comedian's Journey Through Depression (book) Each chapter includes a look into Chonda Pierce's personal journey, insights learned while laughing in the dark,and expert advice from a psychotherapist for those struggling with depression.

Good Grief (book) This book will guide readers through the ten stages of grief: shock, emotion, depression, physical distress, panic, guilt, anger, resistance, hope, and finally, acceptance.

Lose It For Life: For Permanent Weight Loss (book) This is a balanced program that deals with the physical, emotional and even spiritual elements that lead to weight loss. It will help you face the emotional issues that are causing you to overeat.

What is Eternal Life?

I thought that my eternal life was going to start when I die. But, it actually started when I was a little girl and asked Jesus into my life. I've wanted to know more about eternal life (living forever) so I listened to a sermon on SermonAudio.com

Here are Some Evidences of Having Eternal Life:

• You've changed inwardly, walking in righteous and godliness.
• You enjoy fellowshipping with God, knowing God.
• You love other Christians (it's not perfect, but your love is growing, 1John 5:1)
• You aren't in bondage to sin anymore (have many victories over temptations, 1John 5:4)
• The Holy Spirit is now living in you. (at the moment of becoming a Christian)
• You totally believe and trust in Jesus.
• You'll have a certainty that you are saved from your sins and saved from hell.
  

How to Have Eternal Life

Some people think that you have to follow certain rules to have eternal life. Some people think all you have to do is say a "special prayer" and it will work like a magic formula bringing eternal life? This is what 1 John 5:13 says:
"I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life."

• You must believe in Jesus, and that He is your Savior. (to the point that you are certain, totally convinced that this is the truth)
• It's an attitude of the heart, not the words that you say.
• It's completely trusting in Him - that He saved you and forgave you of your sins.
• It's deciding to repent. (turn from sinning)

There is no special ticket to heaven, no magic words to say.

Salvation is a free gift. He paid the price when He died on the cross. There is nothing that we have to do and nothing we can do to pay for our sins. Just tell Him that you trust in Him alone and that you want to accept His gift of salvation, and that you want to live for Jesus,

Would you like to listen to the online sermon that I heard? It is called How to Know You Have Eternal Life?

Wordless Wednesday: What Was I Supposed To Be?

Self Worth: Molded into the Image of Christ

We need to hope in God's promise - of being molded into the image of Christ.

God wants us to accept ourselves, as He made us. He gave each one of us - a personality, abilities, and talents for His purpose. He wants to teach us more and have us grow more Christlike - into the image of Christ. That way, when the people in our life look at us, they will see Christ.

We should let Him use each of us as He decides best. It is for our own good. When we are following God's will, we will feel valued, and have peace in our heart.

Lyrics: Change My Heart, Oh God

Change my heart oh God, make it ever true.
Change my heart oh God, may I be like You.
You are the potter, I am the clay,
Mold me and make me,
This is what I pray.

© 1982, Mercy / Vineyard Publishing
Words and Music by Eddie Espinosa

Monday Memories: The Spontaneous Trip

I have a January memory of a trip that took place 18 years ago.

My new husband (of 2 months) got some camping equipment for Christmas. A few days after Christmas, we got this great idea to go camping. However, it was 34*F outside. So, we got an even better idea to drive to Southern California where it was warm enough to camp.

We both took vacation time off from work, packed the car and were off. It was very spontaneous, and I could never do that now. But being spontaneous was part of the fun.

When we got to LA, we went to Disneyland - just the 2 of us, no kids yet. We even found a campground about 45 min. from Disneyland, next to the Pacific Ocean. I remember cooking canned chili on a single propane burner and finding a huge, exotic looking insect under our tent.

A lot of the memories of this trip are fuzzy. But, it was a special trip that we took together. Maybe when the kids have grown up, we will be able to be spontaneous again - after I pick up my prescriptions, get someone to water the plants, put a hold on the mall, wash the clothes that we will be taking, prepare food for the trip, and lose 10 pounds.

Manic Monday

I'm going to try something new - Manic Monday. There are only 3 questions; I can do that.

If you had to be named after one of the 50 states, which would it be?
Since I can choose any state, I'll have to say Hawaii. It's warm, beautiful, exotic, and it smells great - the perfect state to be named after.

Where do you go for advice?
It depends on what advice I am looking for. For some things, I research the topic on the Internet. I listen to June Hunt on the radio for good mental health advice. If the advice that I am looking for is Biblical, then I go to SermonAudio and type the topic into the search box. Then, I listen to one of the sermons that comes up in the search results.

What is the sickest you've ever been?
When I was 18, I was pretty sick. My boyfriend (now husband) came over to see how I was doing. Well, I was so "out of it" that I was laughing at my stupid jokes and wearing a stainless steel bowl on my head. Fortunately, the bowl hadn't been used yet.

Sunday Seven: 7 Fun Things I Did with My Kids This Week

Sunday Seven Meme

Dad's been out of town working for a few weeks and we were missing him. So, we did 7 Fun Activities to lift our spirits.

1. Watched some of our Little House on the Prairie and The Walton's DVDs
2. Played our favorite card games: Dutch Blitz and 9 Square
3. Looked at old photos from when the kids were little
   
4. Made Monkey Bread with Cream Cheese Frosting
   
5. Played Chicken Foot (with dominoes)
   
6. Had a slumber party in the living room
   
7. Called Grandma and Grandpa on the phone

I'm the kind of woman that loves getting involved in ministry and volunteer projects. But, I have to remind myself that my kids are my first ministry. It is my responsibility to help them grow as Christians, to help them through their childhood, and to show them my love.

All Things Work Together for Good?

Romans 8:28 - And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.

Most of us have heard this verse. But, what does it mean? I listened to a sermon by Pastor Henry Mahan and took notes. This is what I learned:

And we know - This is true because God says so in His Word.

that all things - The things on earth, in heaven, in the universe, in time, in eternity, in my life - past, present, and future.

work together - The good and bad, success and failure, poverty and plenty, sickness and health - are set in motion by God and actively work together. (We don't understand things in our life if we look at each thing separately.)

for good - It's not the pleasurable feeling that we want to have right now. It's for our spiritual good, for eternity - not just here on earth. Whatever it takes to bring us to Him, is considered good.

to them that love God - This promise isn't for everybody. It's only for true Christian believers that love the true living God - the God who created us, loved us first, and died on the cross for our sins.

to them who are the called according to His purpose - For those He foreknew and choose, to be in the image of Christ. He called us out of darkness, made us righteous by the shedding of His blood, pardoned and forgave our sins, gave us life eternal, and glorified us.

We need to seek after Him and know Him. He loves us and He knows what is best for us. He has a plan for our spiritual good.

The Woman at the Travel Plaza

The writing prompt for Sunday Scribblings this week is "Fellow Travelers". Through out my traveling, I have met some very interesting people, enough people to fill a book. However, one woman quickly comes to my mind - the woman at the travel plaza. (Travel plazas are service centers along the interstate turnpikes with restaurants, restrooms, and gasoline pumps.)

About 8 years ago, our family made a major move to the East Coast. We drove 3000 miles to a home and town that we had never seen. It was adventurous, but also scary. Moving is expensive and we didn't have much money. So, we planned to keep the travel expenses as low as possible. To save on food and lodging costs, we decided to drive straight through sleeping in the car and buying our food at grocery stores. However, we didn't understand the reality of the facilities available along the turnpikes. There aren't very many towns along the interstates. Instead, motorists stop at travel plazas for food and gas. The prices at travel plazas were higher then we had expected to pay. This added much stress to our trip.

I remember being in a travel plaza in Pennsylvania. My husband and I were anxiously discussing which fast food we should buy for our family. We walked between the different menu boards in the food court, comparing prices. Well, there was a woman who was watching us. She came up to me and handed me $20. She said that she was traveling with a group of women from her church. She noticed the size of our family and knew that traveling could be expensive. She felt like God wanted her to come offer this money to us. I quietly said a thank you. Then she smiled and rushed away. I stood there with my mouth hanging open. Nothing like that had ever happed to me before. Hoping to thank her again, I looked around the crowded room. But, she was already gone.

So, I'd like to express my appreciation to this woman. I'll probably never know your name or see you again. God prompted you to do something and you obeyed Him. You showed my family kindness, in a respectful way. You made a positive impact on me that will effect the rest of my life.

Some may call this a random act of kindness. Some will call this Christian charity. I call it a message from God. He was reminding me that I didn't need to worry about our current situation or the ones we may face in the future. God would always provide for my family.

How to Seek the Lord

I heard a really good sermon about Jeremiah 29:13 - "If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord.

We seek the things that we really want , such as - wealth, an education, a career, good health, relationships. We spend our time going after the things that we want. If we really desire to know God, then we need to seek Him.

To seek the Lord is:

• admitting that by nature we do not know the living God. (this is where it starts)

• to really, sincerely desire to know Him and fellowship with Him. (not to feel an emotional way, but to truly know Him)

• to be willing to seek Him and to be accepted on His terms. (being repentant in our heart and having faith in Jesus and His ways, leaving our ways behind.)

• to be willing to get rid of anything or anyone that keeps us from full fellowship with Him. (He wants to be Lord of all, not a religious thing on the side.

Knowing God is walking with Him, loving Him, loving His Word, being identified with His Gospel and His people, seeking Him with all your heart - continually.