enjoy the day

While we don't live for the weekend around here, it sure is nice to have time at home and not feel pressed to get the day started. Hope everyone has a blessed day.

Ps. 118:24 This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

welcome mat

One of my favorite birthday presents that I got this year was a welcome mat. It just speaks of hope and promise to me-that the current house will sell and we'll be in the new house soon.  I love gifts that have that deliver that kind of boost.  Well...I love gifts :)

Prov. 3:33 The LORD’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous.

the golden rule

One of the things I'm trying to teach my older daughter these days is to show love to her sister and not be jealous of her when she gets to do fun things first.  It is not as easy as it sounds. We are trying to implement the golden rule at every turn and be examples ourselves. When you have kids, your life is exposed daily and it is so much easier to show them how to live rather than tell them. I'm trying to be ever aware of those little eyes watching my life.

Mt. 7:12 In everything, treat others as you would want them to treat you, for this fulfills the law and the prophets.

house for sale

Our home has been on the market since early summer. We have a contract on another home, contingent on the sale of our current one. Everything is in place to move, once we sell this house. Today, we have someone coming to look at the house. This has happened several times, and it is exciting each time we have a potential buyer in our home. So far, folks have only looked, maybe today is the day they will buy. While I am no stranger to waiting, I'm ready for the next phase to begin all the while trusting God and knowing that His timing is perfect.

Prov. 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

acts of service

The possibilities here are practically endless, so prayerfully consider how you can bless your loved one today.

Some ideas for acts of service to get you started: packing lunches, doing a chore, making dinner for a sick friend or a new mom or an old one, babysitting, running errands, paying the bills, returning the library books – whatever you find to do, do it lovingly with all your heart.

Acts 9:36 Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which in translation means Dorcas). She was continually doing good deeds and acts of charity.

gifts

gifts- Not only flowers (store bought or wildflowers) and candy and jewelry but little things too- a special hot chocolate packed in your husband's/child's lunch or a new toys/trinkets/pencil. The point here is not the amount of money that you spend, but considering what the person might like while you were out. Some of my best gifts were picked up at yard sales, flea markets and second hand stores.

Prov. 18:16 Giving a gift works wonders; it may bring you before important people!

A special note.
My friend's sister, Sarah Gardner passed away yesterday, and her passing made me think about how our very lives are a gift. I didn't know Sarah well, but I've been following her fight against cancer via caring bridge. I am praying that her family would find comfort in the sweet memories they've shared and even more solace in baby Caroline. There are no guarantees that we will be here tomorrow, so take time to communicate love to your friends and family each day.

quality time

The whole point of targeting the area of quality time is to focus on getting to know your loved one better and truly enjoying the things they like to do. Even if a certain activity is not your preference, your child/friend/spouse will be blessed by your time spent with them when done out of love. Again, this list is just a starting point to give you some ideas.

quality time- for kids-special “daddy-daughter dates” / “daddy-son outings” play dates with friends, going to the park, family meals, outings and vacations.

for the guys: camping/fishing/hunting/ hiking/playing sports or going out for a meal,

for the girls: going to the spa w/ a girlfriend (or doing some spa treatments together at one of your homes), walking together, conversations over coffee, tea, ice-cream or lunch

for couples: date night, couch time, trips

Time spent in prayer together is always quality time. 

Gal. 6:10 So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the family of faith.

encouraging words

Our God is very creative, so please do not think that there aren't other ways to express affirmation for those you love.

words of encouragement- cards and letters are a great way to start. Also consider giving specific verbal praise for jobs well done and complimenting them to others, write a song/poem about them (kids love to hear their names in silly songs), leaving little notes in lunch boxes or random places where they will be found at odd times. Writing out a Bible verse that reminds you of the person or a situation that they are going through can be very encouraging as well.

Prov. 15:23 A person has joy in giving an appropriate answer, and a word at the right time – how good it is!

touch

This list is by no means exhaustive, but use it as a spring board to get ideas for the people in your life whose primary love language is touch.

touch - games for babies might include: head shoulders knees and toes, naming body parts as you rub lotion on them following bath time, holding them while reading a story, cuddling; for babies and most everyone else: massages, kisses, hugs, tickling, holding hands, high-fives, pats on the back/head/or bottom - if you're in a ball game evidently :) shaking hands, hand squeezes, scratching back, brushing hair, and for your husband/wife: all of the above plus, foreplay, and sex.

2 Cor. 13:12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you.

love languages

I read Gary Chapman's The Five Love Languages over the summer and thoroughly enjoyed it.  Now, in light of what is going on with Sarah Gardner, I'm thinking about how to better express love to those around me each day.  It is important to know your own love language and there are links on-line to help you figure it out, but it is critical to show children all five on a regular basis.  Over the next few days, I'll talk about each and give ideas of how to express love in each of the areas: touch, words of encouragement, gifts, acts of service and quality time.

1 Jn. 4:11 Dear friends, if God so loved us, then we also ought to love one another.

discipline

It takes effort to live in a way that is pleasing to the Lord.  As I am training my daughters not to be self-centered, I am learning more and more how God wants us to live. That discipline is loving and training is beneficial not fun in the midst of it, but the long-term rewards out weigh the pain in the moment.

Heb. 12:11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

clap your hands

Did you enjoy the game last night? Colts over Redskins.  Were you more emotionally involved in the game than you were at church or in your private time of worship? God deserves that kind of emotion, praise, exaltation. He invites you to dance before him.

Ps. 47:1 Clap your hands, all peoples!
Shout to God with loud songs of joy!

oh happy day

 I am headed to the pumpkin patch/apple orchard today with my husband's family. The weather should be perfect and the day will be great.  I've found that so many great, happy days depends on my attitude not the activity. It is good to decide to be joyful in all things-making the effort to be happy and bring joy to others.

Hab. 3:18 I will rejoice because of  the Lord;

I will be happy because of the God who delivers me!

new creation

When you decided to follow Jesus, what kind of changes did you experience?  Why are you still holding on to the old way of thinking?  These are some tough questions one friend asked another at lunch this week.  It is good to recount that we are no longer bound to our past ways of doing things.  In Christ, we are made new.

2 Cor. 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

win-win

The news for Sarah G. was not good, I'm sorry to say.  But when she was diagnosed, her attitude was that whatever happens is a win-win situation. If she survives the cancer, she gets to be a mom to her daughter and if she does not, she gets to be with Jesus. Oh to have that attitude in all the things we face.
Her survival will take a miracle, but I know that God can heal her. Please pray for this family and the decisions that face them. (For the latest on her situation, click on the CaringBridge link on the right.) 

Rom. 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

being accountable

Well, I'm on a diet. Almost everyone I know needs to lose 5-50 lbs--I'm more on the upper end of things. For the last couple of days, I've been keeping a food journal, it has helped, I'm already down a pound. I think the simple act of writing things down helps me to be more mindful of what I am eating.  So if you have a besetting sin, like gluttony, confess it to the Lord and maybe a close friend or two and be aware of how God wants you to move forward.

1 Jn. 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

celebrate

Have you ever written a song or psalm to the Lord?  There is no end to His goodness. A prayer can be a celebration of who He is and what He's done.  What can you praise Him for today?

Is.42:10a Sing to the Lord a new song,
his praise from the end of the earth

Good deeds

My family had a chance to attend an out of town party for a beloved aunt. We went, even though the trip was long, even though the kids are little, even though... We had a great time and Aunt E was blessed. It was worth the time and energy to go, and we are so glad that we got to celebrate with her.

Gal. 6:10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

generosity

While at a restaurant not long ago, I was discussing tipping with a friend. She commented about how sad it was that Christians are not the most generous of tippers.  I've been thinking about that a lot since then.  We serve a generous God, and He gives to us abundantly should we not do the same?

Ps 37: 23 The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; 24 though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand. 25 I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread. 26 He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing.

secure in God

 The Lord delights over his children. He is happy when you know Him and follow His ways. He longs to save you, to restore you to sonship. If you are a Christian, your hope is secure in Jesus. If you are not, His gift of love is extended to you, for free.

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.

meditation

Where does your mind go when you are not thinking about anything much?  Are you thinking negative thoughts about your self, or how you've been wronged or hurt?  Do you dwell on how you can be more productive in the day or think about your to do list?  Instead of thinking about last night's tv show or tonight's dinner, focus your thoughts on the things God would have you (and me) dwell.

Phil. 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

in the secret

Are you meeting with God in secret? Seek the Lord and do what he says secretly.  While I know that we are commanded to share our faith publicly, we are also to maintain a secret, sacred relationship with the Lord as well.

Matt.6:1 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

going without

For me, fasting is one of the hardest disciplines to regularly accomplish.  Fasting from food, entertainment, speaking, or whatever can be challenging, but it is a good way to deepen your relationship with Jesus. It helps me identify with his suffering in a small way.

Matt. 6:16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

rest

As we embark on probably the busiest time of year, I just wanted to remind you that resting is important. My husband reminded me of this a couple of weeks ago, that is why I am not blogging on Sundays. Rest is just as important as work.  So in the busy weeks ahead, be sure to carve out some times of rest.

Hebrews 4:9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, 10 for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.

more than a member

Are you involved in a local church? Really involved, letting people know you and being known for who you are as well?  There is freedom and joy in that kind of fellowship.  True friendships are birthed in serving and knowing each other, not just attending the same church meeting.  How are you loving your friend and brother today?

1John 3:16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17 But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

journal time

One way I like to keep tabs on what God is doing in my life is to keep a journal.  I've done this in a number of ways, write on a calendar, a notebook, or on a blog :) I also have a friend that writes down his answered prayers on a stone like in Joshua 4. It is important to remember what God has done - it builds my faith to see how God has moved in response to my prayers.

Joshua 4:1 When all the nation had finished passing over the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, 2 “Take twelve men from the people, from each tribe a man, 3 and command them, saying, ‘Take twelve stones from here out of the midst of the Jordan, from the very place where the priests' feet stood firmly, and bring them over with you and lay them down in the place where you lodge tonight.’” 4 Then Joshua called the twelve men from the people of Israel, whom he had appointed, a man from each tribe. 5 And Joshua said to them, “Pass on before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of the Jordan, and take up each of you a stone upon his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel, 6 that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’ 7 then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever.”