Winter Thoughts

Good Eventide to you all! I hope you are all keeping warm. It is snowing and frightfully cold here. I have taken Sir dog out and am now settled in with a nice cuppa. The choice for today is a mix of Pumpkin Spice and Ginger...with a little splash of something to warm me bones. There is nothing quite like tea in a pretty cup, I say! I believe I will try and make this a habit. After all, it is 4:30pm... which translates into tea time. Unfortunately I do not have any scones or biscuits to have with my tea. Perhaps tomorrow. 

We are 10 days away from Christmas. For most it is a festive time. All the wonderful decorations, visits with friends and family, and much more. But then, there are others, who are alone this time of year. It can be a terrible time. For them, it is looking at what they don't have, be it family or even a warm place to live. For others, it means painful memories of a time long passed. And still others, who fight addictions and mental illness. This time of year can be a real trigger. Add to that the cold weather, the snow, days of shorter sunshine and much more gloom. Holiday time has one of the highest rates of suicide and violence. 

I am the afore mentioned.. one who suffers from depression. Holidays have never been a favorite of mine. In a previous life, it meant stress and arguments and loneliness. In this life it means going without...without money, without friends and without family. The mister and I will not be participating in Christmas this year. 

However, for those of faith, particularly that of the Christian one, it is a time of joyous anticipation! The long journey of Joseph and Mary back to the village of Bethlehem as they await the birth of what will be our Savior. But, so many people seem to look past that. It's not about the gifts, the decorations, the parties.... it's about an anticipation of the future. My all time favorite story has always been Linus' soliloquy of the story of the "true" meaning of Christmas......

As you go about your shopping, your celebrating, your decorating, keep in mind those who are without. Perhaps say a little prayer. Or make a special ornament for your tree. Donate or volunteer your time at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen. Throw your pennies in the kettle for the Salvation Army. Light a candle at church. Whatever it is you choose to do, remember how blessed you are for all the things you have. And remember the reason WHY we celebrate Christmas.....

Some links for donation sites:

**for some reason they don't show up as active. However, if you copy and paste, you will be taken right to the site.

http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/christmas-assistance

http://soldiersangels.org

http://toysfortots.org/default.aspx

http://www.coats-for-kids.org

Good Morning Girls Devotional "Why Easter Matters" Week 1

Reading for Tues, 4/1. 

Read: John 13:3-5; John 13:14-15 (The Message)

Jesus knew that the Father had put him in complete charge of everything, that He came from God and was on His way back to God. So He got up from the supper table, set aside His robe, and put on an apron. Then He poured water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the disciples, drying them with His apron....So if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other's feet. I've laid down a pattern for you. What I've done, you do.

S: "So if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other's feet. I've laid down a pattern for you. What I've done, you do."

O: Jesus never thought He was better than anyone else. He was humble in all He did. And He expects us to be the same way. Never think you are above anyone else or better than anyone else. Always be humble in your actions. Behave as Jesus expects you to. Follow His example. 

A: I am constantly after my husband about not complaining about things that he has to do. If you tell someone you're going to do something, then don't complain when it comes time to do it. He always comes back that he may have to do something, doesn't mean he has to be happy about it. Oh how that makes me want to pull my hair out sometimes!! 

But, at times, I am no better, especially when it comes to housework. Oh Lord, give me strength! Grumble, grumble, grumble. Oh how hard it is to be humble at times. Oh if I could have Jesus' humility.  

If Jesus, the Messiah of the World, the One who came to save us, can sit at the feet of His disciples and wash their feet, then I can get my lazy self up and do a couple hours of housework on my days off. My husband, however..well, that's like pulling teeth out of a mule! lol

The next time you have the urge to complain (myself included), let's stop and think...WWJD?!

P: Jesus, my Lord, help me to be as humble as You were. If You could serve others with humility, then I certainly can. I need to be mindful of all that You have done for me. Help me to remain humble in times when I really don't want to do something. I ask this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen. 

Good Morning Girls Devotional Week 7: Our Ministries

I'm still playing catch-up. But I'm getting there. This is the reading for Thursday, 3/13. It comes from Romans 12:3-13. 

Transformed relationships

Because of the grace that God gave me, I can say to each one of you: don’t think of yourself more highly than you ought to think. Instead, be reasonable since God has measured out a portion of faith to each one of you. We have many parts in one body, but the parts don’t all have the same function. In the same way, though there are many of us, we are one body in Christ, and individually we belong to each other. We have different gifts that are consistent with God’s grace that has been given to us. If your gift is prophecy, you should prophesy in proportion to your faith. If your gift is service, devote yourself to serving. If your gift is teaching, devote yourself to teaching. If your gift is encouragement, devote yourself to encouraging. The one giving should do it with no strings attached. The leader should lead with passion. The one showing mercy should be cheerful.

Love should be shown without pretending. Hate evil, and hold on to what is good. Love each other like the members of your family. Be the best at showing honor to each other. Don’t hesitate to be enthusiastic—be on fire in the Spirit as you serve the Lord! Be happy in your hope, stand your ground when you’re in trouble, and devote yourselves to prayer. Contribute to the needs of God’s people, and welcome strangers into your home.

S: Romans 12:13 
Contribute to the needs of God’s people, and welcome strangers into your home.

O:  There are many ways we can contribute to the needs of God's people. It's not just by putting money in the collection plate every Sunday. We can volunteer at our church, at the local homeless shelter. Maybe visit shut-ins or a nursing home. Help a parent out. It can even be as small as taking a friend out for coffee and giving them some encouragement. 

Welcoming strangers into our home?! HHmmm.... ok, so I wouldn't go so far as to pick up some straggler and inviting them to your home. BUT, maybe there's an exchange student looking for a family to stay with. Or a visiting college student(s) who need a place to stay for a night or two. (Our church recently hosted a college choral group for Christmas and we were asked if we had room for one or two to spend the night or could we give them a ride.) 

There are opportunities all around you. You just have to look. Or ask. Or volunteer. Someone always is looking for someone to help. And think of how good it will make you feel. Always remember, do what you do for the glory of Jesus! 

A: I usually shy away from things like that because frankly, I'm just not good around people, but usually those I don't know. And I look around my apartment and see what a mess it is. I think how I don't want anybody in my house. I work all week. I don't have time to clean. I am terrible at making conversation. 

I need to get over things like that. I need to let God guide me in what I need to do. I need to stop listening to that little voice that tells me I can't. If God wills it, then I need to do it.

P: Lord Jesus, I need to stop looking at the negatives and start looking for ways that please You. I need to be still and listen to what it is You want me to do. Everything I do will be for Your glory. If You send me to help others, then I need to do it instead of thinking I can't. I ask for the courage to do this. In Your Blessed Name I ask this. Amen.  

Good Morning Girls Devotional Week 7 Your Ministries (Week beginning 3/10/14)

Well, well.. I made it to week 7! At least now I'm only a few days behind!!! lol So, let's dive right in!!

Think about your ministries this week. What do you do to help others? Do you volunteer at your church? Do you work with kids after school? Anything that you do that reaches out to others that offers help and encouragement is considered a ministry. You don't have to have a title or a special job. As long as you do it for God's glory, then it is a form of ministry.

Read 1 Peter 4:1-11

Therefore, since Christ suffered as a human, you should also arm yourselves with his way of thinking. This is because whoever suffers is finished with sin. As a result, they don’t live the rest of their human lives in ways determined by human desires but in ways determined by God’s will. You have wasted enough time doing what unbelievers desire—living in their unrestrained immorality and lust, their drunkenness and excessive feasting and wild parties, and their forbidden worship of idols. They think it’s strange that you don’t join in these activities with the same flood of unrestrained wickedness. So they slander you. They will have to reckon with the One who is ready to judge the living and the dead. Indeed, this is the reason the good news was also preached to the dead. This happened so that, although they were judged as humans according to human standards, they could live by the Spirit according to divine standards.
 
The end of everything has come. Therefore, be self-controlled and clearheaded so you can pray. Above all, show sincere love to each other, because love brings about the forgiveness of many sins. Open your homes to each other without complaining. And serve each other according to the gift each person has received, as good managers of God’s diverse gifts. Whoever speaks should do so as those who speak God’s word. Whoever serves should do so from the strength that God furnishes. Do this so that in everything God may be honored through Jesus Christ. To him be honor and power forever and always. Amen.

S: 1 Peter 4: 9-10:  Open your homes to each other without complaining. And serve each other according to the gift each person has received, as good managers of God’s diverse gifts.

O:  I remember reading a blog on this very verse. It was around Christmastime. If you've ever had family come to stay with you, do you remember how you felt while they were there? Did you grumble about the extra housework? Did old family squabbles come into play? Were you relieved when your company left?

God's gifts? Stop scratching your head. We all have a gift. We just have to ask God what it is. Or maybe you already know. Do you like to cook? Do you enjoy doing for others? Maybe you like decorating. 

My husband LOVES to cook and serve people. He has taken over our kitchen at church. It is now HIS domain! No one messes with hubby's kitchen! Those are his gifts. Mine...well.. I've been told I'm compassionate, kind, a godly woman (that may be stretching things..but that's what someone at church described me as). At our old church I was the dishwasher. I had everything organized and had all my supplies that I needed. 

In this letter, Peter is telling us to JOYFULLY open our homes to visitors. Don't grumble or complain, but do it WILLINGLY!! Hmm...yup...ok....hhmmmm...




I like having company, when I'm in the mood for it. But Peter tells us to do this willingly and joyfully. It's not always the easiest thing to do. Think of The Last Supper when Jesus shared a meal with the Apostles. He KNEW He was going to be betrayed. He KNEW He was going to die. And yet, He still sat there with His friends and shared a meal with them.

Being a Christian isn't always the easiest thing to do. No one promised us it was going to be easy. For the times when you really don't feel like it, stop for a moment and pray. Let God's peace guide you through the times when you have company and don't really feel like entertaining.

A: On those days when I'm not feeling really friendly or up to having company (even if it's my neighbor from across the hall) I have to remember that if someone took the effort to come see me then it's the least I can do to be thankful for their company and open my home to them. My husband usually will feed anyone who comes through our door! No one leaves here without food of some sort. And usually sends them home with leftovers! 

So, the next time someone comes over, regardless of how I am feeling, I will make them feel welcome. And I will welcome their company. I will do what Jesus expects of me.

P: Heavenly Father, we know we should be happy when someone comes to visit. We should welcome them with open arms and a smile. But we don't always feel like it. Help us to see that this isn't a job but a chance to have fellowship with friends and strangers alike. It is a chance to sit and "break bread" as Jesus did time and again wherever He would go. We pray for peace and joy at these times Father. In Your Holy Name we ask this. Amen. 

 

Good Morning Girls Devotional Thursday of Week 6

My dear readers, I have gotten so far behind with this bible study. It seems like life has taken over and has a mind of its own. 

Our blessed leader, Marie, has decided to start week 7 this week since all of us are so far behind. I hope to get caught up this weekend. So bear with me while I get caught up.

Read:

Matthew 18:1-6

Common English Bible (CEB)

Greatest in the kingdom

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

Then he called a little child over to sit among the disciples, and said, “I assure you that if you don’t turn your lives around and become like this little child, you will definitely not enter the kingdom of heaven. Those who humble themselves like this little child will be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. As for whoever causes these little ones who believe in me to trip and fall into sin, it would be better for them to have a huge stone hung around their necks and be drowned in the bottom of the lake."

S: Matthew 18:5-6: "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. As for whoever causes these little ones who believe in me to trip and fall into sin, it would be better for them to have a huge stone hung around their necks and be drowned in the bottom of the lake."

O: We see Jesus speaking directly to His disciples in these passages. He is telling them that they should take a lesson from the child. He is saying that we should welcome Him as little children do, with humility and a happy heart.

Children see things differently than adults do. They have an innocence about them. They haven't been jaded by life yet. They have the belief that things can be changed. They are humble. 

Jesus is telling us that if we humble ourselves like children and believe as children do, then we will be welcoming Him as do children.

However, if someone causes the children to sin then it would be just as good to drown the person because they have no life in them. This is because a child's innocence also means they are more apt to believe anything they are told. So if you are low enough to fool a child into doing something sinful you may as well just drown yourself. 

A: I can apply this in my own life by trusting in Jesus just like an innocent child. I need to stop doubting. I need to open my eyes and see Jesus guiding me. 

P: Lord Jesus, give me the innocence of a child to trust in You and Your perfect love. Let me not be swayed by the influences of sin that are all around me. I do not want to drown in a sea of sin. I want to rejoice in heaven! I ask this humbly of You, Oh Lord. Amen.  

 

Ash Wednesday, First day of Lent

Today is the first day of Lent. We will spend the next 40 days remembering the days and events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and His glorious resurrection!

It is also time to reflect on our sins and ways that we can atone for those sins. It is also a time of renewal. 
 
The reading I chose for today comes from Matthew 4:1-11:

The Temptation of Jesus

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.

During that time the devil came and said to Him,“If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, "People do not live by bread alone,

but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say,‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’”

Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’”

Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”

“Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say,‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’”

Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.

The world we live in today is filled with temptation and sin. It is all over the place. It is almost like Satan is sitting there saying "Come on! I dare you!" It goes all the way back to the beginning of time when the serpent told Eve to go ahead and eat the apple off the tree that God had told her specifically to avoid.

It is how we choose to respond to those temptations that make the difference. Sometimes, though, the more you tell someone they can't have something the more they want it. 

As a Christian we want to avoid temptation and sin. But, as much as we try, sometimes we fail. No matter how hard we try, it can happen to the best of us.

Satan tried so many different ways to get Jesus to give in to temptation and sin. But He stood steadfast. He knew what His Father expected of Him. He knew the things that Satan was daring Him to do were wrong. How difficult that must've been!

My husband is a drug addict. He had been clean for a little over 2 years. He is also an alcoholic. He had stopped drinking several months ago. However, recently he relapsed. He went on a three day drug binge using whatever money we had left in the bank.

This was not something he planned. He just woke up the other day and for whatever reason decided he needed to start using again. 

We go to church on a regular basis. We go to bible study every week. My husband has even begun working on a clothing room for our church. He had been working with our pastor on fixing up the church. As a matter of fact, our pastor was over the house days before this had happened. He had been working with my husband on getting his resume together.

We are human. We are going to fail. We are going to give in to temptation. And before you go and think this will never happen to you, it could. It may not be drugs or alcohol. It may be something else. Opportunity is all around us to sin and fall from grace.

But, we know that through steadfastness, prayer and leaving things in God's hands, we can withstand the times that we fail. I spent so much time praying, thinking, and bartering with God when my husband was gone. In the end I realized that there was nothing that I could do to change this. It was all in God's hands. 

My husband came home. Today he is 2 days clean and sober. Tomorrow he starts a rehab program. It took a lot for him to admit, this time, that he had a problem. Satan snuck in there and pulled my husband back down. So now, with love and support from me and our church, he's going to pull himself back up and start over.

It's only through the grace of Jesus Christ that he can be forgiven and given a new life in Christ. It's not going to be an easy journey. We're going to have some tough times. This a chance for us to grow as a couple and to grow in our faith together. 

Lord Jesus, we come to you as broken vessels for You to repair. We know that we can fail You and we often do. But it was through Your death and resurrection that You forgive our sins. You died so that we may have new life. We pray that when we do fall, we are able to humble ourselves before You and ask for Your forgiveness and grace. In Your Glorious Name we pray this. Amen.  

 

Good Morning Girls Devotional Week 5

Well, here we are, more than 1/2 way through our study. This week we focus on our friendships. Our friends are more than just the people we hang out with or people we have known for a long time. Our friends can be more like the people we have chosen to be a part of our own families. They are just at home at our homes as we are at theirs. Oftentimes, our kids have all grown up together or have known each other for most of their lives. 

I have a best friend that I have known since high school. There were times in our lives when we didn't talk to each other, didn't see each other for years at a time. Yet, when we get together it's as if it was just yesterday. 

Today, we are reading from the book of Ecclesiastes on how two are better than one. 

Read: Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12: Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

S: Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10:  Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.

O: When there are two of you, isn't everything you do made a little easier? Isn't it comforting to know there's someone who has your back? Sometimes we just need a little help in life. We can't always go it alone. We weren't designed that way. God made Adam and Eve so that neither would be alone. And He had His reasons for this. He knew that life ahead would be bumpy. He knew that by having someone by our side would make the journey just a little easier. 

In my opinion we, as a whole in society, have become very self-centered and selfish. So many people think only about themselves and not anyone else. Everyone seems to be out for only themselves and the heck with everyone else. People just don't seem to do anything out of the kindness of their hearts anymore. What ever happened to altruism? Has that gone the way of the dinosaur? I seriously hope not.

In a way, I am that way too. I spent most of my life learning that the only person you can rely upon is yourself. I had been let down by so many people in my life. I had been left to fend for myself because no one else wanted to be bothered, or it was an imposition. And so many times people will do things for you with the expectation that you will "owe" them. How many times have I been told that this person did this or that for me so I "owe" them? Especially when I never asked them for anything. I HATE when people do things for me because I know eventually I'll get it thrown back in my face. That is such a bad attitude to have, too. That is one area I really need God to work on me with.

However, sometimes I'll hear a story on the news that will reaffirm my belief in people, in the human race. I feel like maybe all is not lost. That there are still people who will do things out of the kindness of their hearts without expecting anything in return.

If any of you have been watching the news or live in the areas where there has been so much snow, then you know how hard it's been to keep up with clearing all that snow. I have heard so many touching stories in the last week of people helping people so they can just get through the snow and maybe make life a little easier.

There was a gentleman who woke up to his whole driveway and sidewalk completely shoveled. He had no clue who did it. But he taped a piece of paper to his front door thanking whoever did it. 

There was a woman whose husband had been away on a business trip and left his car in the park and ride for the last week or so. She went there before his flight arrived and completely shoveled the snow off his car and left him some treats so he'd have something to munch on on the way back to his office. 

I saw one post on facebook from a lady who said her husband had taken his shovel and walked down to the main road to help shovel out anyone who might have been stuck. 

It's stories like that that really make me think that not everyone in this world is bad. There are still people who care. And that's the exact meaning of our reading for today. We don't need to go it alone. We don't need to always be looking out for number 1. Sometimes we can just stop and think of someone else. We can make a difference in someone's life just by doing something small. 

I have a challenge to you all: For one day, try to do something for someone else. Someone completely random. Even if it's something as little as a smile or just saying hello. Let me know how you did!

A: In this one case, I already am doing this in my own life. I work as a Medical Assistant. I always have my focus on others. I am a naturally kind person (and I'm not trying to pat myself on the back or anything like that). It's just the way I am. I have spent my life being the one ignored. The one taken for granted. So I know how it feels. I believe in treating others as we would want to be treated. My reward in my job is knowing that I've helped someone feel better. I've had patients call saying that they just like to talk to me. I've had patients say that I've made their day just because I'm so nice to them. And that truly is a wonderful feeling!

P: Lord, I pray that we all learn from Your example. Help us to be better people. Help us to know that it truly is the little things that can make a difference in this life. Let us be humble towards each other, to reach out in kindness. Help us to remember that our reward will not be here on earth but when we reach Your Kingdom. Amen.

  

 

Good Morning Girls Week 4 Proverbs 31:10-31

Week 4: Your Marriage

Read: Proverbs 31:10-31

SOAP: Proverbs 31:30-31

Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character

  A wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies.

 Her husband has full confidence in her

and lacks nothing of value

She brings him good, not harm,

all the days of her life.

She selects wool and flax

and works with eager hands.

 She is like the merchant ships,

bringing her food from afar.

 She gets up while it is still night;

she provides food for her family

and portions for her female servants.

 She considers a field and buys it;

out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

 She sets about her work vigorously;

her arms are strong for her tasks.

 She sees that her trading is profitable,

and her lamp does not go out at night.

 In her hand she holds the distaff

and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

 She opens her arms to the poor

and extends her hands to the needy.

 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;

for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

 She makes coverings for her bed;

she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

 Her husband is respected at the city gate,

where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

 She makes linen garments and sells them,

and supplies the merchants with sashes.

 She is clothed with strength and dignity;

she can laugh at the days to come.

 She speaks with wisdom,

and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

 She watches over the affairs of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

 Her children arise and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:

 “Many women do noble things,

but you surpass them all.”

 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

 Honor her for all that her hands have done,

and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. 

S: Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

O:  The verse above is so true. Outer beauty only lasts for so long. And charm..well, that’s all well and good. But, if there is no SUBSTANCE behind those things, then it makes for quite the shallow person. Our substance comes from our love of God and our families. We will see our benefit in heaven. Don’t forget to say thank you once in a while for all your mom or your wife does. 

A: Sometimes things women do go overlooked. We cook, clean, run a household, raise our children and we rarely ask anything in return. It is so easy to take someone like that for granted.

I know in my house I’m the one who works AND cleans and deal with my daughter (she’s 18 so it’s no easy feat). I know if I let just one day go without doing the dishes by the next day you won’t be able to find the sink! If I didn’t do the laundry none of us would have clean clothes. If I didn’t get up and go to work every single day then we would have no place to live and nothing to eat. Oftentimes I feel like no one cares. If mom doesn’t do it then no one else will. But it’s my job to do all those things. I know that I may not see my rewards now, but I will some day.

P: Lord, I have a lot to live up to. I hope that I can live up to Your expectations. And, if I fail along the way, You will humble me and show me the right way. Amen.