365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 177

My heart was breaking last evening as I heard a story on the radio about a father who couldn’t make it to the school in time. The tornado brought the school down on the children inside and he found out many hours later that his nine-year-old daughter did not survive. Having a 10-year-old daughter who has always been freaked out about a possible tornado coming to our town, I felt so much sadness for what the parents must be going through. I prayed to God to that they would be strengthened and comforted by Him. No matter what the world brings us, God will help us through it. What words can one give to someone who has lost their home, child, all their possessions and community in one fell swoop? Only God can console, comfort and give them strength to get through the tragedy. Keep praying for the people of Moore, OK.

Lamentations 3:32 Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.

365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 174

My daughter spent most of the day yesterday sewing together a sock kitty. It was a project we bought two years ago that sat around collecting dust because I thought it needed the sewing machine for parts of it and my machine wasn’t working. She pulled the instructions out in the morning and said she understood what to do and got started on it. The only part she had trouble with was the pink nose that was to be done in an upside-down triangle like embroidery. Her nose didn’t turn out in that shape and left her in tears. She came to me to help her fix it. I had to cut out what she did and start over. There was a hole that formed so it was a challenge to incorporate that hole and embroider the nose but it came out pretty good. She was delighted with it. When she finished the whole thing she came up very excited saying how cute she was. She was beaming with her accomplishment but recognized my help with the nose. This  reminded me of how we are taught to become independent from our parents as we grow up but we also need to be taught  to depend on God. We are God’s from the beginning and as parents we have been given the task of teaching our children about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. In our teaching our children to be independent from us but dependent on God we are transferring our children back into His arms. It was delightful to watch her beaming over her accomplishment as I am sure God is delighted to see us beaming over our accomplishments when we depend on Him to reach them.
Isaiah 26:4 Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.

365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 28

My brother and sister-in-law adopted not one but two children a few years ago. They have struggled over the last couple of years with issues that each of the girls has but have shown an amazing amount of perseverance and strength that comes from their love. This love they have for their adopted children and biological children is the same, unconditional.  The adopted girls are a part of the family. God has adopted us into his family. His love was so great that he sent his only son to earth to dwell among us, teach us and become an example for us of love. Love is sacrifice. My brother and sister-in-law could have gone on with their lives with their two boys but because they love God, they did what he called them to do in adopting these two girls. This has been a tremendous sacrifice for them as a family. But there will be un-told blessings because of their love and sacrifice. God sacrificed his son in love for us. Jesus sacrificed himself in love for the Father and us. We too must learn to sacrifice in order to fully love. Whether it be a sacrifice of time, control or whatever, it needs to be done with a heart of love not a heart of bitterness, frustration or anger. What can you sacrifice that will show your love for your family, friends and neighbors? Holy Spirit, give us a desire to live in love and show our love through sacrfice. Amen.

1 John 3:1  See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.

I got this wonderful poem in my inbox and had to share it. May this remind you today that though our world is filled with darkness, the light and love of Jesus is still here.  May you be washed over in his light today and all your days to come.

twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38
when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.
Their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air

They could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.
They were filled with such joy, they didn't know what to say.
They remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.
"Where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
"This is heaven." declared a small boy. "We’re spending Christmas at God's house." when what to their wondering eyes did appear,
but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
Then He opened His arms and He called them by name.
And in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring
those children all flew into the arms of their King
and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,
one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.
And as if He could read all the questions she had
He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad."
then He looked down on earth, the world far below
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe
then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,
"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!"
"may this country be delivered from the hands of fools"
"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"
then He and the children stood up without a sound.
"Come now my children, let me show you around."
excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.
All displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
And i heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
"in the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

Written by Cameo Smith, Mt. Wolf, PA

Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 24

My bible study group gathered last evening over a potluck dinner and discussed the second in a series of fictional books. During our discussion, it was brought up how a teacher of one of the ladies grown children had come up with a positive phrase about each child in the class and she brought these up everyday throughout the year. We discussed how awesome that would be if that could happen to all of us in our workplaces, families, neighborhoods, etc. This building up another person with encouraging words is an act of love. What a world this would be if everyone every day just said some encouraging building-up words to just one person! One of my prominent spiritual gifts is encouragement so this is fairly easy for me but I am still going to set a goal for myself to do this with purpose and intention each day. I am around my co-workers and my family the most so I will pick one person for each day from both groups and make sure I have said at least one encouraging word, one thing that will build up that person, one thing to let them know they are loved. Who can you say encouraging words to today?

Tip: try setting an alert on your phone to remind you of building someone up today or any goals you have.

1 Thessalonians 5:11
So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 301

Last night my 9 year-old daughter was playing restaurant server. She made up some menus, took orders, served and gave us a bill. It was so sweet to watch and she was very excited to get her first tip.  She has been into serving lately. She will bake brownies or cookies and than serve everyone. I love seeing this serving attitude in her. She does it with joy and love. Serving others and loving them is our core purpose given to us by God. This core purpose will fit into our lives and our gifts that God has given us. If we are teachers, we will serve and love through our teaching. If we are administrators it will be through adminstrating. No matter how our purposes get lived out, the real core purpose is to serve and love the Lord and love your neighbors and that means everyone! God's glory will shine through all our love.  Today I will go through my day with these questions. How am I showing my love for you today? Is God's glory shining through me? Thank you Lord for the children in our lives who show us examples of how we are to be loving and have a servant's heart.

Psalm 86:12 "I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever."

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 201

I started writing about something else but my daughter just came down and said "mom you are needed" in her sweet voice. I just had to grab her into a hug. I have to go help her with the milk so this is short and sweet. Praise God for the feeling of being needed and the heartfelt words that come out of children.
Matthew 18:3 "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 188

I had some photos already printed from our Memorial Day in 2011. We went to Territory Days which is a street fair that happens every year over Memorial Day weekend. Last year they had a petting zoo. So, with my animal loving daughter, we went in to feed the animals. There was one little goat that was being a little shy which is unusual for goats. Faith took a real liking to this little one. These photos got me thinking about the concept in the bible of feeding the hungry. So, I searched and found a verse about Jesus telling us to feed his lambs. Hungry is not just in the physical sense, is it? I think since the day we are born we are hungry for knowing if there is a higher power who created us and all of it. I found it interesting that Jesus says to feed the "lambs" and take care of my "sheep".  Lambs, as we all know, are baby sheep. Jesus was telling us to feed the children.  Children are like sponges and will soak up whatever you expose them to. We should be in the word everyday with them, feeding them from the Word of God. Are the children in your life being fed?
John 21: 15 Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." "Take care of my sheep."

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 146

I went on a walk yesterday with my daughter. She has lots of questions these days and really is wonderful at thinking things through. She brought up that she felt ignored by most of the kids at school. She has her friends but I guess she is feeling like she is being judged by the outside and not the inside. I will have to dig a bit more to see where all this is coming from but I am praising God for her and being able to build her up as much as I can do. You want the best for your children and it is tough to see them struggle with things of life but I will pray to God that he will lead her through this issue and that she will know in her heart that she is loved. Are you not feeling loved? Know that you are loved by the one who created love.
Psalm 86:13 For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 31

One month of praises accomplished! The rest of my life to go...
Today's praise is for the greatest gift given in Jesus because of God's unending love for us. Thank you Lord for your priceless love for us that you would give up your son to save us so that we would have a choice to be with you forever. Thank you for leading us on the path and helping us find our way back to you. We pray today for all those in the world that have not made that choice or who may not even have heard of Jesus. We pray your love will lead them back to you and ask that all of us who do believe will be confident and steadfast in our believe so that you can work through us to bring more sheep to your flock. How amazing that our one true God sent his only son to Earth as a man to live among us! Emmanuel-God is with us! May we have feel and celebrate Jesus everyday of the year. I love you Lord!Merry Christmas to all and Happy Birthday Jesus!
Isiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 7

When we were picking Tristan up from Sunday School which is in another building from our church, Faith ran up to our almost 15 year old son with friends and mentors around him. It was such a joyful moment to see my two children displaying such unfetterd love for each other. Okay, so it was probably more on Faith's end since the saracastic comment on the way out by my son just told me that was not the time or place for such a display of sisterly affection. Despite my teenager's lack of appreciation, I was very grateful to see so much joy in the bond between my two children. They have always gotten along very well despite there 6 year age difference so I am praising God today for the joy that the love of children can bring to your life.

Habakkuk 3:18 I'm singing joyful praise to God. I'm turing cartwheels of joy to my Savior God.