New Hope

Sunday Seven: 7 Ways to Pray for Your Ministry

Sunday Seven Meme

I'm so thankful for all you women with Christian ministries - women serving the Lord through blogging, evangelizing, teaching, praying, encouraging, volunteering, counseling, writing, singing, using your talents and skills.

God desires to give us direction and vision for ministry.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Pray for:

People will come to know Jesus through your ministry
Motivation to continue when you feel discouragement
God’s leading in your ministry
New ideas
Growth in your ministry
Humility, not becoming proud of yourself
Funding and volunteers, if money is needed

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Worship While Blogging

I've had some really neat worship times while blogging. Some of my Christian blogging friends occasionally put YouTube worship videos on their blog. It provides an opportunity for me to listen to beautiful music that pleases The Lord. If I know the words, then I sing along. Sometimes the song inspires me to pray.

Would you like to worship God while you blog? Here are some blog post links where you can find Christian worship videos.

Sweetly Broken at Monkey Giggles

Who Am I at Seasons of My Heart

Wonderful, Merciful Savior at The Life of a Christian Housewife

My Savior, My God at Downstowngirl

To God Be the Glory at Yesu Garden

(Fish Image by ChristArt.com)

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My Bible Study Notes

When I study the Bible:

I like using the New Living Translation

I listen to Dr. J. Vernon McGee's Commentary on Thru the Bible

Sometimes, I search for sermons about the book that I am reading at SermonAudio.com

My Notes on Books of the Bible

Joshua

(The book of Judges will be next.)

Wordless Wednesday: Seek His Face (Pictures Within the Picture)

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

Congratulations to my bloggy friend Fran who signed up to sponsor Sophia in Uganda.

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 able to share letters, photos, and prayer request with the child.
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 Meme

Proverbs 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.

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.