New Years Resolutions

How casually we make those Resolutions-to shed a few pounds, save more money or exercise regularly.  Most resolutions are broken only a few weeks after they are made, never to be picked up again until next January 1^st. 

The very definition of the word RESOLUTION  implies a FIRM determination, a course of action determined or decided on, resolving to do something.  One definition even suggests that your resolution is akin to LAW or a formal statement of a decision or expression of opinion put before or adopted by an assembly such as the U.S. Congress.  I guess I should take my resolutions more seriously!

If you want to grow in your faith consider making RESOLUTIONS that Jesus NEVER had to make…but in adopting these we may become more like Him:

·         Take time alone with the Father, to think, to pray to be strengthened and renewed and to listen.  But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness to pray. LUKE 5:16. 

What is ONE thing you can do that would carve some quiet time out of your busy day?

·         Forgive

·         Plant Seeds

·         Live sacrificially

·         Keep the Sabbath Holy

Honor your Husband

Honoring your Husband this month

Merriiam-Webster.com provides one Definition of HONOR as --a showing of usually merited respect, recognition

Romans 12:10 says :  Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

I am blessed with a wonderful dad and husband, men who love me and who are worthy of honor and praise.  I hope you are as fortunate!  This Fathers day, I challenge you to put the father of your children, your spouse, and your father in the biblical position of HONOR…whether they deserve it or not, whether you feel like it or not, whether they are living or dead.

Honor them in your heart by loving them as Christ would love them, in spite of all their faults and forgive them as you are forgiven.  Matthew 6:12 Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.  For some of you this may be extremely difficult because your father or husband has committed a serious wrong and only with God’s help and some serious Knee-mail will you be able to honor them in this way. 

Honor them with your lips by practicing Ephesians 4:29:  Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.  Don’t make any critical or disparaging remarks about a man.  (This is a hard one, I just warning you!--especially when you include their driving, the way they fold laundry or ___ fill in the blank with your own pet peeve!  LOL).  Instead share words of praise, stories of their successes with others, build them up with words of affirmation.  Focus only on the good, not on what irritates you or with what “needs fixing”.

Honor them with your life by picking one thing the man does that is worthy of emulating and put it into practice this month.  Philippians 4:9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Happy Fathers Day!

Preparing for the DR 2015 Night of Music Fundraiser

"Without music, life would be a mistake" —Friedrich Nietzsche

When I was a girl I took, in music lessons in this order, Piano, Clarinet, Violin, Piano (again) and eventually the drums in my 50s.   I can’t play a song that you’d want to listen to on any of those instruments.  Music is amazing-it can evoke strong emotions, help you recall a memory, inspire creativity, calm your nerves and even put a baby to sleep.   

In a well written musical score, each instrument, each note is dependent on all the others to create a song worth listening to.  Every musician in the orchestra has an important role to play and no instrument or the individual playing it  is independent of any of the others.   All parts must work together so that beautiful music can be created.  If you broke down a song into its many parts and played them independently, much of what you heard would likely sound like discordant noise.   Musical notes and instruments need each other to create music.

Paul often describes the church as Christ's body. But I’d like for you, as we prepare for our “Night of Music” that you consider the 2015 DR team a song.  Followers of Jesus are interrelated with every other person in the body of Christ.  Though each believer may be unique, each believer is also dependent on the rest. Like interrelated musical notes, each person is critical to the music we will play.  We must work together in unity and oneness of purpose to help bring about Gods purpose for our Mission and this fundraiser.

You might be a loud trumpet call, or a harmonizing note.  You might be the steady beat that keeps the team on task daily.  You might play in the minor key or even be the rest-a pause in a musical score.  Musicians say that without rests, music would just be noise, bedlam instead of beauty.   God has equipped each individual member with an instrument to play, notes to contribute--gifts and talents for the building up of the body.   Play your part with confidence and enthusiasm and together we will make beautiful music!

Be sure to taste your words before you spit them out

I've adopted a WORK related New Years resolution that is completely different for me.   It doesn't involve saving money for the company, launching a new program or even increasing implementing new policies and procedures. 

It is an Attitude Goal. 

1)  I will only speak those works to others that I would be willing to speak directly to the CEO and President of my company. 

That rules our swearing, whining, complaining without offering solutions or gossip.  Now, I am not in the habit of doing any of these frequently but...even a little bit goes a long way to poison the pool.  A colleague of mine says, in jest, that her swearing is better than Xanax in reducing her work related anxieties. 

 It means modulating my tone of voice and taking the time to make the right choice with regard to words chosen.  It may mean taking a walk around the block or a deep breath.

It means selecting the best time and place to have a discussion or making the choice to not start the discussion at all.  IT will require me to be more empathetic and be mindful of whether the other person is able to hear my message at that time.  

It may mean not offering a solution to a problem, my expertise, a comment or advice unless expressly asked to do so. It means I will listen twice as much as I speak and it may mean I keep silent (Those of you that know me realize just how hard this will be!). 

I will offer words of encouragement and praise.  I will give compliments, I will look for the good in others and make sure to speak it out loud. 

As you can see, this may be a difficult commitment to keep.  But like my mother said..."If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.   

1 Peter 4:11New International Version (NIV)

If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Wedding Bells

Historically, June has always been the most popular month for weddings. That is where the term "June bride" comes from. The month of June derives its name from Juno, the Roman goddess of marriage. It was anciently thought that couples who married in June would be blessed with prosperity and happiness.  Therefore, enjoy the words of wisdom penned below by Barbara Rainey in celebration of marriages new and enduring.  



Pieces of the Pattern

BY BARBARA RAINEY

Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.
EXODUS 25:9, NIV

Back when I used to do a lot more sewing, I enjoyed looking through pattern books. It was fun to select the style I wanted and then cut out the small pieces of tissue paper that indicated what went where and how everything fit together. But that's just it—all those little shapes that represent the sleeves and the bodice and the front and the back don't mean anything unless they eventually come together to form an article of clothing. Until the parts are applied in the context of the whole, they never achieve the purpose that was intended for them by the dress designer.

Many times in marriage, all we can see are the pieces. We see the romance part. We see the conflict part. We see the housekeeping part. We see the bill-paying part. We see the parenting part. But because we spend so much of our time focusing on the individual parts of our marriage, we don't always see them in the bigger picture our Designer had in mind But the pattern is there nonetheless, and it's contained in the package of God's Word.

I want you to be encouraged that the pattern for your marriage isn't something you were responsible for creating. It's not based on feelings that can be strong today and much different tomorrow. The biblical pattern and plan for your marriage was created in the mind of almighty God, whose wisdom is unrivaled and whose love for you is beyond all bounds. If you keep putting the pieces where they belong, His pattern will start to show. His design will take its beautiful shape in the form of your marriage.

Ash Wednesday 2014

It's 2014 and are you really any different than you were this time last year?  If not, why not?

Change  is hard work and you have to be very intentional about it.  The changes that I would most like to see in my life are NOT ones that I can create on my own.  They require the intervention of the Holy Spirit in my life.

This Lenten season I am going to practice change but not in chunks of 40 days , a week or even 24 hours...no I am going to practice change in increments of 10 minutes.  Keeping a commitment for only 10 minutes at a time seems manageable.  It's something that is occasionally, humanly possible.  It will drive me to prayer regularly throughout the day and keep me focused on the meaning of this season!

I am no so much giving something up but taking on a characteristic of Christ (giving up negative talk, whining and complaining-I may not talk for the next 40 days!)  For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks! Luke 6:45

A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart  is full of.

I will focus on Philippians 4:8 so my heart will be filled with right things

     Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever      is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if          anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 

So this Lent...

Spend time in Prayerful meditation about what God wants from you this season

Ask the Holy Spirit to be more active in your life

Admit you can't do it on your own

Spend time in the Word

Confess to other believers and ask them to hold you accountable

Leave a comment so I can pray for you!

<><

Come Lord Jesus!

Change your people

Ignite your spirit in our lives so the World may see it's fruits in us

Amen!

20 things to give up for Lent

20 things to give up for Lent

•Guilt – I am loved by Jesus and he has forgiven my sins. Today is a new day and the past is behind.

•Fear – God is on my side. In him I am more than a conqueror. (see Romans 8)

•The need to please everyone – I can’t please everyone anyways. There is only one I need to strive to please.

•Envy – I am blessed. My value is not found in my possessions, but in my relationship with my Heavenly Father.

•Impatience – God’s timing is the perfect timing.

•Sense of entitlement – The world does not owe me anything. God does not owe me anything. I live in humility and grace.

•Bitterness and Resentment – The only person I am hurting by holding on to these is myself.

•Blame – I am not going to pass the buck. I will take responsibility for my actions.

•Gossip and Negativity – I will put the best construction on everything when it comes to other people. I will also minimize my contact with people who are negative and toxic bringing other people down.

•Comparison – I have my own unique contribution to make and there is no one else like me.

•Fear of failure – You don’t succeed without experiencing failure. Just make sure you fail forward.

•A spirit of poverty – Believe with God that there is always more than enough and never a lack

•Feelings of unworthiness – You are fearfully and wonderfully made by your creator. (see Psalm 139)

•Doubt – Believe God has a plan for you that is beyond anything you could imagine. The future is brighter than you could ever realize.

•Self-pity – God comforts us in our sorrow so that we can comfort others with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

•Retirement – As long as you are still breathing, you are here for a reason. You have a purpose to influence others for Christ. That does not come to an end until the day we die.

•Excuses – A wise man once said, if you need an excuse, any excuse will do.

•Lack of counsel – Wise decisions are rarely made in a vacuum.

•Pride – Blessed are the humble.

•Worry – God is in control and worrying will not help.



"Borrowed" from Micki's facebook post 3-3-2014

Random Acts List

Random Acts of Christmas Kindness IDEAS 2013

·         Do an outdoor chore for a neighbor—Imagine their surprise when they get home

·         Bring a Neighbors Trashcans up from the Curb (or do it before your dad asks you to)

·         Leave a Dollar in the Toy section of a local store

·         Babysit for FREE so a mom can go Christmas Shopping

·         Offer to wrap an elderly persons gifts  OR Shop for them

·         Buy a beverage for the person behind you at Starbucks or McDonalds

·         Take some Holiday treats to places you frequent (Library, Starbucks, School Office, etc.)

·         Take Holiday Treats to those places you don’t frequent (Firehouse, City Hall, Police station, etc.)

·         Leave an unexpected treat for your mail carrier or paperboy

·         Give the UPS person a treat when they deliver your Christmas gifts

·         Stop by a local playground and give out small toys-enclose a note encouraging them to do the same thing

·         Let the person behind you go through the checkout first (even if they have a LARGE order)

·         Return a cart to the corral that was left in a parking spot

·         Offer to carry packages for someone

·         Let someone get that parking spot in the crowded mall

·         Put some cash in EVERY Salvation Army Red Kettle you see one day

·         Tape coins to a vending Machine

·         Buy $5 Target Gift Cards and pass out to folks at the entrances

·         Leave a BIG tip for you server or a small TREAT

·         Write a note of appreciation to a teacher, coach or cafeteria worker (maybe the one that is the toughest…not the nicest)

·         Clean up the lunch table

·         Do the laundry (or any other chore) for your mom and when asked say “I DIDN”T DO IT”

·         Leave a roll of quarters at the Laundromat

·         Take hats and give them to people who appear to be cold (possibly homeless?)

·         Go to a nursing home and offer to write letters

·         Sing Christmas Carols at a local senior center

·         Donate a coat (Nu-Yale Cleaners)

·         Leave diapers and wipes on a local changing table

·         Smile at EVERYONE!  Yes, EVERYONE

·         Tape candy canes to ATM Machines, vending Machines, Parking Meters, etc

·         Take a set of holiday books and leave at a mall play area

·         Buy a hot cocoa or latte for Salvation Army bell ringers (brrrrr—it must get cold out there!)  

·         Pass out candy and spread cheer to folks mailing off their Christmas cards at the post office

·         Call animal shelter and find out what donations they need. Make a contribution & visit animals.

·         Leave small Christmas treats/gifts in shopping carts for folks to find

For more Inspiration check out   http://www.pillowthought.com/2011/11/random-acts-of-christmas-kindness.html

Random Acts of Christmas Kindness

Lett the Random Acts begin

We challenged our high-school girls group (Princess Power Hour) to perform 25 random acts of Kindness over the holidays.  We provided a sign and a list of ideas and encouraged them to post their ideas to our Facebook page.  I got started early and have prepared 6 packages of hats and candy canes with the RACKED sign attached.  I plan on leaving these in our local park to help the homeless that frequent there.

 This is me giving the lady that checked us out at JC Penneys a candy Treat.  

I don't think she really understood what I was doing.  

 Last night (Tuesday before Thanksgiving) I gave a larger than expected tip (27%) to our server.  I hope they were surprised.  I left the cash wrapped up in the sign!  

 I have purchased a Starbucks card that I plan on giving a Salvation Army bell ringer (can't wait to do that!).  I've rung the bell before and love to interact with the people who make donations.  I am making sure I ALWAYS have dollar bills to give to the ringers and will take along some candy canes to give them after I am out of Starbuck Cards.  

Happy Racking!

Holiday SWEET Snack agape'

May these sweets help you celebrate Jesus, 

the very sweetest gift of all...

·        Candy-cane, shaped like a shepherd’s staff, to remind you that Jesus came to be your Good Shepherd (John 10:11)

·        Gold-wrapped Rolo, shaped like a crown, to remind you that Jesus is the King of Kings (Revelation 19:16)

·        Smarties, to remind you that Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6).

·        Dove, a symbol for peace, to remind you that Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)

·        Starlight mint, to remind you that Jesus is the Light of the World (John 8:12)

·        Milky Way, to remind you that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6)

·        Life Saver, to remind you that Jesus came to be your Savior (Luke 2:11)

·        Hershey Hug, to remind you that Jesus loves you (John 3:16)

·        Almond Joy, to remind you that Jesus is the source of joy (John 15:11)

                   Wishing you a Christmas filled with His sweetness!

Less track in front of the train than behind it...

My dad just turned 80 last Friday--Wasn't he a handsome fellow as a high school senior?  

But in celebrating his birthday I was challenged to once again this year think about how I spend my life. What is the legacy I am building.  Is what I spend my time, energy and money on really worthwhile?  What will be said of me when I am gone?

I've been blessed that both my parents are still living-but celebrating your dads 80th makes you THINK that there is less track in front of the train than behind it...and the days, they pass so quickly.

This year I have been reminded of this over and over again.  An uncle who will turn 80 next week was diagnosed with cancer, his wife dies unexpectedly, friends of my daughter are killed in an automobile accident and so on.  Life is precious and fragile and we are only promised today.  With all these reminders I still find it a challenge to live each day to it's fullest potential.  I pray that I can embrace each moment as an opportunity to do what is most important.  To not waste it on petty irritations (it is my choice, isn't it?), to enjoy the view in front of me, to savor each and every moment and to CHOOSE to do work that will ultimately benefit the kingdom.   

A Woman of Beauty

Princess Power Hour, a ministry for High School girls, recently hosted an evening of Fashion and Beauty.

We learned how to be frugal fashionistas from Barby, who gave us tips for shopping in thrift stores as well as how to be sure an item is a good buy-even when you pay full price.  Megan, a distributor for 31 bags and Arbonne, gave us tips on the hottest trends in purses and backpacks as well as skin care advice.  Merica, a former model,  helped us understand the best clothing for our body types (apples or pears) and gave us makeup tips using some of her favorite (NOT expensive) makeup products.

The evening got me thinking about beauty and how God's version of beauty is different from what the world teaches us.  To be truly beautiful--adopt these beauty secrets:

The eyes should seek out the goodness of every individual you meet. They should focus on the good in individuals.  They should radiate warmth and sparkle with joy.

The ears should hear the true meaning in the spoken word be it your own or others.  Ears should be attuned to the hurt or frustration in others or conversely, love, joy and respect.  Your ears should engage in ACTIVE listening by maintaining eye contact and not being distracted by your phone, e-mail or others.

Your mouth should only speak infrequently and then only words that are kind, gentle, encouraging and loving.  It should smile often.

Shoulders should help carry another burdens, making their load lighter.  You should be a shoulder to cry on or a place to rest a weary head.

Your arms should freely offer hugs to one that needs to know they are loved, especially when they are being unlovable.  Arms should reach out to others, drawing them closer to yourself and to the one who created you.

Your hands should reach out in greeting, frequently offer pats on the back and work to pick up one who finds them self down.  Hands should freely share the ample bounty you have been blessed with, offering what you can to anyone in need.  Hands should be extending good will and peace offerings.

Your feet should go the extra mile, give someone a "leg up" and be willing walk in someone else's shoes.

Practice these things so you will become truly beautiful.

Gods name isn't GOD!

God has a name but you may be surprised to know that it isn’t GOD.  The word God describes what God is, like the word human being describes what you are—but not WHO you are. 

God’s NAME is given to us in Exodus 3:14 --"I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'  If you find that a bit confusing, like I do, the translation in the complete Jewish Bible which reads,

 God said to Moshe, "Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh [I am/will be what I am/will be]," and added, "Here is what to say to the people of Isra'el: 'Ehyeh [I Am or I Will Be] has sent me to you.'—Exodus 3:14 (Complete Jewish Bible). 

I am describes WHO God is…It says God is all things and is capable of all things, God meets all my needs, God is there for me and he knows me.  Here are some verses demonstrating God’s  I AM-ness. 

 “I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob”

“I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.”--  Matthew 26:61

“I am with you always”—Matthew 28:  20

 "I am willing," he said.—Mark 1:41

“But I am among you as one who serves”—Luke 22:27

They all asked, "Are you then the Son of God?" He replied, "You are right in saying, I am" —Luke 22:70

 “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.--John 6:35

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."—John 8:12

"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born I  am,!"—John 8:58

"I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep—John 10:17

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—John 10:14

"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;--John 11:25

“I am going there to prepare a place for you.”—John 14:2

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.—John 15:1

John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from I am who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne,--Revelation 1:4

"Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.—Revelation 1:17

Follow me

Follow Me

Perhaps you can’t relate to the Disciples reaction to give up everything and “Following” Jesus when he made that request of them.  Did the disciples pray about their decision, discuss it with their family and trusted friends, did they review the benefit package and discuss their compensation before accepting?   The bible only says Jesus made the request to “Follow me” and Matthew got up and followed him (Matthew 9:9) 

I often wonder what I would have done…Would I give up my family, my job, my lifestyle for the unknown???  Would you??? 

Just as important as the request was, I think it is equally important to understand WHO Jesus asked.  In those days, WHO a Rabbi (the teacher) had as a student was a direct reflection on the QUALITY of the Rabbi, himself.  Not EVERYONE was asked, you had to be pre-qualified.  here was generally a rigorous application process and only the cream of the crop was selected.

But Jesus asked Matthew:  The Tax collector—

Perhaps you only know Matthew as the author of one four gospels in the New Testament.  Matthew had been raised a LEVITE (a priest) but had turned his back on the position of his birth to become a reviled Tax collector for the Roman Government.  He was ostracized by his community and his family.  Matthew had all the right credentials as a young man, he know his Torah, had come from good family but he now associated with drunkards and prostitutes.  Matthew was not only a sinner, but he SINNED for a living!  Yet Jesus asked him to be a follower. 

Jesus invitation to Matthew makes it clear that to follow Him we don’t have to be a member of the religious elite, the morally upright or have it all together.   I am blessed to have been "asked" to follow Jesus even though I am unworthy.  Jesus wants you to get up and follow Him, leaving everything behind.  Have you RSVPd to His invitation?

I just spent a weekend at a small lake in Indiana  on a wave runner with my husband.  The sky was blue and was laced with only a few pristine white clouds.  The air was clear the sun was warm.  The clear and cool water was teeming with fish and the rolling hills were covered in green.  I saw God in all my surroundings.

 

Nature reflects Spiritual Truths:

Isaiah 58:11 ( NIV ) The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.  You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

 

Now that spring has sprung, you may be preparing your flower and vegetable gardens for the new growing season.  Our God is so amazing that he created the world and all that is in it to help reveal his spiritual truths to us and to constantly remind us of his presence and our need for Him. 

To get the best results from your gardens you first have to prepare the soil to receive the seeds or seedlings.  Jesus tells the parable of the growing seed in 3 of the 4 gospels where he compares Gods word to seeds scattered on the ground.  Some wither and die, some produce immature plants that eventually die and others sprout and go on to produce a generous harvest.  Read Matthew 13:1-9, Mark 4:  1-9, Luke 8:4-8 for the entire parable

Pruning can make trees bear more fruit.   Luke 3:9 warns us that trees that do not produce good fruit will be cut down and burned.  A Christian life is supposed to bear good fruits.  Difficulties and struggles may be part of Life’s way of pruning our existence so we are better able to produce good fruit. 

Trees with shallow roots aren’t able to find water when there is drought.  Eventually, those trees die because they are not being properly fed.  Likewise, when we are not deeply rooted in God’s word the harsh conditions of life can make us weak and susceptible to spiritual death.  What is neglected eventually dies.  Hosea 14-7 reminds us People will dwell again in his shade; they will flourish like the grain, they will blossom like the vine— Israel’s fame will be like the wine of Lebanon.

What is planted and nurtured grows.   Anything we put our thoughts, time or money into will grow stronger.  It is true about or spiritual nature as well as our sinful nature.  You probably remember that saying:

“Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”

 

Occasionally, Weeds spring up even in the most beautiful gardens and Satan is the master gardener when it comes to planting seeds of discontentment, business, strife, pride, arrogance, greed, envy, lust and gluttony.  Weeds are easier to pull when they are small-so make every effort to remove sin from your life as soon as it appears.  Matthew 13:25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 

It is time to prepare the Garden, water it with the Word and bask in the Glory of the Son while we wait for his return to gather the Harvest.