Choose Redeeming Love
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
Awesome Book!!
Time is Running Out !!
Hell is Real. Heaven is Real.
This quote from Living in the Light of Eternity is a challenge to me as a Christian, a challenge and a wake-up call to evaluate what I truly consider to be important in my life. Too often we get caught up in living our own happy lives, because that’s all we can see, but in this book Dr. K.P. Yohannan reminds us of the Biblically supported reality that this life is not what we are living for. This book is for anyone who is seeking to get past the lethargy of an “easy Christian life” and dive into taking up the cross daily and following Him.
Dr. K.P. Yohannan has been crisscrossing the globe for the last 40 years, challenging the body of Christ to discipleship. His call to a radical lifestyle with an all-out commitment to Jesus has left its impact on nearly every continent. To the Church caught up by the tidal waves of compromise and self-preservation, Yohannan's life message is as fresh as today's podcast yet as time
Yohannan is the founder and international director of Gospel for Asia, a Christian mission organization that has brought the Good News of Christ to millions in South Asia over the last three decades.
Born in India, Dr. Yohannan, at the age of 16, responded to the Lord s call to serve Him in North India. In 1974, he came to the United States, where he received his theological training and pastored a church for four years.
When the Lord reminded Yohannan of the countless millions in Asia still waiting to learn of His love, he resigned his pastorate, and he and his wife, Gisela, started Gospel for Asia. Today, the ministry supports thousands of national workers and vibrant congregations throughout South Asia. Additionally, Gospel for Asia s Bridge of Hope program cares for tens of thousands of children, helping them break out of the generational curses of poverty and hopelessness.
Dr. K.P. Yohannan has been crisscrossing the globe for the last 40 years, challenging the body of Christ to discipleship. His call to a radical lifestyle with an all-out commitment to Jesus has left its impact on nearly every continent. To the Church caught up by the tidal waves of compromise and self-preservation, Yohannan's life message is as fresh as today's podcast yet as time
Yohannan is the founder and international director of Gospel for Asia, a Christian mission organization that has brought the Good News of Christ to millions in South Asia over the last three decades.
Born in India, Dr. Yohannan, at the age of 16, responded to the Lord s call to serve Him in North India. In 1974, he came to the United States, where he received his theological training and pastored a church for four years.
When the Lord reminded Yohannan of the countless millions in Asia still waiting to learn of His love, he resigned his pastorate, and he and his wife, Gisela, started Gospel for Asia. Today, the ministry supports thousands of national workers and vibrant congregations throughout South Asia. Additionally, Gospel for Asia s Bridge of Hope program cares for tens of thousands of children, helping them break out of the generational curses of poverty and hopelessness.
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Refugee or Immigrant?
Context
Jesus Rejected at Nazareth
…17And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written, 18"THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED, 19TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD."…
…17And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written, 18"THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED, 19TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD."…
Cross References
Isaiah 42:1
"Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations.
Isaiah 49:9
to say to the captives, 'Come out,' and to those in darkness, 'Be free!' "They will feed beside the roads and find pasture on every barren hill.
Isaiah 61:1
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,
Matthew 11:5
The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.
Matthew 12:18
"Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
Luke 4:17
and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
John 3:34
For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.
John 9:39
Jesus said, "For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind."
Acts 4:26
The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one.'
"Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations.
Isaiah 49:9
to say to the captives, 'Come out,' and to those in darkness, 'Be free!' "They will feed beside the roads and find pasture on every barren hill.
Isaiah 61:1
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,
Matthew 11:5
The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.
Matthew 12:18
"Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
Luke 4:17
and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
John 3:34
For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.
John 9:39
Jesus said, "For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind."
Acts 4:26
The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one.'
Treasury of Scripture
The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Spirit.
anointed.
to preach.
to heal.
to preach deliverance.
and.
bruised.
Friday, October 2, 2015
The Sin of Worry
Trusting God Like the Birds Do
by Sarah L. Bryant
“Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life,
what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body,
what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap,
nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them.
Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought
can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment?
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed
like one of these…But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness;
and all these things shall be added unto you.
Take therefore no thought for the morrow:
for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.”
-From Matthew Chapter Six
what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body,
what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap,
nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them.
Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought
can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment?
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed
like one of these…But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness;
and all these things shall be added unto you.
Take therefore no thought for the morrow:
for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.”
-From Matthew Chapter Six
My Dear Sisters,Do you worry? What do you worry about? Why do you worry? Have you ever thought of worry as a sin against the Lord, your Maker?
Let’s consider this passage, where Jesus speaks of His Father’s care and provision for every bird of the air. This is amazing to ponder, for there are about 100 billion birds alive in the world today. God gives them life and also provides for their every meal. And have you ever noticed how often a bird eats? They eat constantly—probably one hundred meals a day. They do not plan where they will harvest their next meal, nor do they store food for the next day. Have you ever spotted a refrigerator in a bird’s nest?! Birds simply do not worry about their next meal; they know that their Creator can provide for them. If you do the math, you will discover that our magnificent God serves about ten trillion bird meals on a daily basis. That is a lot of meals over the course of a year to plan out!
Matthew 10:29-30 comments, “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.”
Our Savior and Lord continually amazes and humbles me! Not only does He care about feeding every bird in the air—but He also cares about the very minutest things about me and my life. He cares about me—just one human living in one of the galaxies He created! My God never misses anything that is going on in my heart or life. He knows every last corner of my thoughts and has a plan for my future. “Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me” (Psalm 139:5).
My God is not an absent-minded Father. For example, do you know those times when you are concentrating really hard on something, and then you look up to realize that the phone was ringing, a sibling was talking to you, and you let dinner burn all at the same time?! I know I do this often. However, our God never lets anything get out of control for one millisecond. If He did, this world would vanish, for He is its only sustaining hand (Colossians 1:16). The Lord is more aware of what is going on in our lives than we even are ourselves. That is pretty amazing (and comforting!) to think about. “Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off” (Psalm 139:2).
Someone once told me to imagine this scenario—a little girl worrying constantly about whether her dad will provide breakfast the next morning. Her loving and faithful dad has always provided every meal for her, yet she sits on the couch and frets. She doesn’t get up to wash the dishes, wash the laundry, or her schoolwork—she just worries about tomorrow! This sounds funny, because of course we know this girl has no reason to be worrying—yet in a much similar way, don’t we find ourselves worrying unnecessarily about tomorrow, while neglecting our duties today? I was humbled as I realized my own sin in often doing this very thing.
Our Lord and Master has promised us, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5). God’s promises stand true throughout eternity. There is never any reason for us as believers to ever worry or wonder if God can/will provide for us. How old are you? Has God ever neglected to provide a meal or true need in the past years of your life? I can say that my God has provided for the past twenty-one years of my life perfectly. Never has He forgotten anything that I truly needed! Why do I ever worry then about whether He will provide in the future? And if He does withhold something from me, isn’t it because He truly loves me and has something better in store? Because He wants to sanctify me and work all things together for good? I am so grateful for my heavenly Father that cares for the very numbers of hair on our heads, and cares about working through us His perfect will. Dear sister, isn’t it incredible to think about how the God of the universe provides for us—His wee little daughters?!
Let us be obedient to God’s Word, which commands us to “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” For, “His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him” (2 Samuel 22:31). May we be obedient, faithful stewards of the gifts God has given us today, while trusting Him to provide for tomorrow’s needs far above what we ever asked or thought. Let us seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness—today.
“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD,
my soul shall be joyful in my God;
for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation,
he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments,
and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.”
(Isaiah 61:10)
my soul shall be joyful in my God;
for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation,
he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments,
and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.”
(Isaiah 61:10)
Humbled by His Incredible Goodness,
Sarah Lee Bryant
{Editor of The King’s Blooming Rose Magazine}
Thursday, October 1, 2015
Praising the Lord
I wanted to share a beYOUtiful post found on the KBR website. I use this site a lot with my girls.
Enjoy!!
October marks the month that we begin reading Ann Voskamp's book - One Thousand Gifts. This year I believe we will practice the 365 days of thanksgiving.
by Beth Thompson
“Give thanks unto the LORD; call upon His Name;
make known His Deeds among the people.”
{Psalm 105:1}
make known His Deeds among the people.”
{Psalm 105:1}
One of my dear friends and I were once discussing our plans for the Thanksgiving holiday, and she remarked that, instead of only having one day set aside for giving thanks, we ought to celebrate 364 days of thanksgiving, and only one day of complaining every year. A thankful spirit is so important to the Lord! Over and over again, in GOD’s Word, the anthem rings true and clear:
“O give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good,
because His mercy endures forever.”
{Psalm 118:1}
because His mercy endures forever.”
{Psalm 118:1}
“I will give Thee thanks in the great congregation;
I will praise Thee among the people.”
{Psalm 35:18}
I will praise Thee among the people.”
{Psalm 35:18}
Give thanks – why is it of such importance?
The LORD has commanded us to give thanks in all that we do. Paul exhorts the Colossians, “and whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks unto GOD, and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:17). Is obedience only the outward, the flesh routinely doing the good works or is it more than that? The LORD cares greatly about the attitude with which we are serving Him. Are we serving our Master grudgingly or with thankful hearts, praising GOD for all that He has done? Numbering the gifts, and offering praise to our LORD is an act of obedience.
“Because thou servedst not the LORD thy GOD with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things; therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things….”
{Deuteronomy 28:47-48a}
{Deuteronomy 28:47-48a}
More than just a commandment, thanksgiving is a open door for us to bless the heart of GOD, for He delights in the praises of His people. We all know the warm and wonderful feeling of being wholeheartedly thanked for a gift we have given or a service we have performed. Our LORD has given us innumerable gifts; how can we not turn to Him with full and grateful hearts and give Him praise? It is a custom among the Jewish people to say one hundred blessings every day! What if we stepped out of the busy whirlwind of life, noticed the gifts, and gave thanks to GOD one hundred times each day? This is an amazing opportunity; that we can minister to the King of the Universe!
Thanksgiving is one of the ways that we can dwell in the Presence of the LORD throughout the day. “Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms” (Psalm 95:2). We give thanks for all those little things in life, and we acknowledge Him as the giver of all. Life becomes holy when we live it always seeking to see the gifts, searching for opportunities to bless our Heavenly Father. Through thanksgiving, we are choosing to see GOD’s Hand in our everyday life. The excited, upturned face of a child, the crunch of crimson and gold leaves under feet, the breaths we take each moment; all of these are windows to see the LORD. This is His Handiwork, His Creation. When we notice these things with thankful hearts, we are choosing to see Him.
When we are dwelling in the Presence of the LORD through giving of thanks, joy is ushered in. “In Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy Right Hand there are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).
Yet, how do we keep the flame of praise burning constantly, when papers must be finished for school, chores must be performed, and the house must be cleaned? Life doesn’t stop for us to catch up with it, and sometimes the whirlwind feels overwhelming. Life may not wait for us, but we can choose to pause in the middle of our day, breathe, and offer thanks. LORD, thank You, for schoolbooks, and the freedom to learn. Thank You for sisters to read stories to. Thank You for Your love always with us, even in the busyness.
Several years ago, in reading Ann Voskamp’s book, One Thousand Gifts, I was challenged to journal one thousand blessings that I already had. I found it helpful to actually write the thanksgivings down, for it solidifies them. The beauty of this is that we do not need to stop at one thousand, for the gifts do not end then, praise GOD! The thanksgiving, then, moves beyond the form of a list, and is voiced from the lips of the grateful worshiper.
Sometimes the praise flows onto the page, and sometimes the list is made doggedly, mechanically, on the days where discouragement is rampant and irritations rub hard. Give thanks we must, regardless of the feelings. As we obey the LORD and give thanks even when we do not feel like it, He softens our hearts hardened with complaints, and the feelings of gratefulness will come. Diligence is essential to keep the thanksgiving fire burning. “I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord” (Psalm 116:17). Thanksgiving is a choice, just like every other spiritual fruit. It is a choice to give thanks, to live seeing the grace moments, and the beauty in the midst of the ashes, and choice to live the joy. Emotions may come or they may not. “My heart is fixed, O GOD, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise” (Psalm 57:7). It is the fixing, the choice to give thanks, that truly matters.
We must make the decision to thank the LORD in everything, not just for what seems sweet and beautiful, but also for the things that do not. Will we accept only that which feels good from the Hand of our LORD, and protest to that which hurts? GOD knows what is best for each of us, and we can thank Him for He is always Good. He sees where each path leads, and, it is because of this that we can trust. Thank You, LORD, that you are in control of all things.
Even when we sin, and fall short again and again, instead of slipping into discouragement, we can give thanks to the One Who Helps me up. “Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank GOD through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 7:24-25a). He is the one that delivers us from sin.
Choose with me this day, dear sisters, to offer up to GOD a sacrifice of thanksgiving, a blessing to our Loving Father, Who has given us so much. May His Great Name be exalted!
“By him therefore let us offer the
sacrifice of praise to God continually,
that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”
{Hebrews 13:15}
sacrifice of praise to God continually,
that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”
{Hebrews 13:15}
Beth Thompson
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Calling All Prayer Warriors
by Vi Bella Jewelry | Sep 4, 2015 | Artisans Stories, In The News | 2 comments
Julie Hulstein
Founder and CEO
Vi Bella Jewelry
Dear Friends of Vi Bella
We are asking you to join us in prayer today for our artisans and their communities in Haiti. They are experiencing political unrest that has resulted in volatile and at times violent demonstrations.
These events have caused situations that prevent our artisans from traveling safely to our centers to work and the demonstrations also keep people from being able to go to market to get food and water. This is a country where most cannot stock up on food in pantries and refrigerators in their homes, but need to get fresh food every few days. In addition, they do not have ready access to clean drinking water. Please join us in praying for a peaceful resolution to the current conflict that is affecting our artisans and for safety and provision for God’s dearly loved children living there. It is only with God’s help that real positive change will come about. He is our strength. Our God is mighty to save.
As I have been praying about this situation this morning, the above Bible passage came to mind. I wanted to share it with you here and ask you all to pray mightily alongside us for peace, protection, and provision for the communities, families, artisans and children in Haiti that we dearly love.
Trusting in Him,
Julie
Julie Hulstein
Founder and CEO
Vi Bella Jewelry
The Lost Art of Hospitality
by Dayspring - August 3, 2015
We all have a general idea of what it means to show hospitality. Merriam-Webster describes hospitality as the “generous and friendly treatment of visitors and guests.” And there are many scriptures that teach the importance of it, like Romans 12:13 “Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” But with the demands of family, work, and numerous other commitments, how can we take time in our busy schedules to practice it?
We can all think of people we know that we would describe as having the “gift of hospitality.” It just seems to come easy to them. They love cooking and having people over for meals, and they have a beautifully decorated house to entertain in. But these aren’t the most important aspects of hospitality, actually. It all starts with love - serving in love. Here are some thoughtful and simple ways you can reach out and show hospitality to those around you:
1. Baking
If you enjoy baking, bake extra treats for neighbors and friends - cookies, a cake, a pie, a loaf of banana bread–those who are stretched for time will appreciate your homemade goodies so much! You can also put together various dessert plates with a variety of goodies!2. Dinner
Treat someone going through a challenging time to dinner - in your home or at their favorite restaurant. Or invite someone who could use a break for coffee or tea to a nearby coffee shop and spend some time catching up!3. Hosting
Open your home as a meeting place for a Bible Study or small group - a great way to get to know others in your church and your neighbors. Refreshments can be simple - coffee, tea, soda, and a simple snack like cheese and crackers, or cookies.4. Delivering
Is someone you know under the weather? Or do you have an elderly neighbor that can’t get out much? Take a meal or snack to them and offer to pick up any items from the store they might need. While you’re at it, think of getting them an encouraging gift. I love adding these tissue cards when someone I know has a cold as they not only serve as cards, but they’re memorable tissue box covers with uplifting messages.5. Gardening
If gardening is your thing and you’re growing a vegetable garden this summer, share your bounty with those around you - everyone loves fresh-grown veggies and it’s a great way to connect with your neighbors.6. Potlucks
You may not have the time or budget to host a large meal, but how about hosting a potluck and providing the main dish? If it’s a large gathering and the weather is nice, have a potluck picnic at the park or in your backyard.7. Tea
Do something out of the ordinary for the women in your church or neighborhood - host a tea party, complete with scones, small sandwiches, and tea cookies or cakes. Make several pots of tea - include an herbal tea and flavored tea for variety, and have a tea tasting party! These Daily Grace teapot and teacups would come in handy for this!
As you open your heart and home to others, remember to also share and show God’s love to them. Hospitality is a ministry of serving - it’s a way God can use you to reach out and bless those around you!
Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
HEBREWS 13:16 (NIV)
10 Commandments That Will Make You Rethink Greeting Cards
1. Be thankful for one another.
Opening my mailbox and finding a thank-you note from one of my nephews is a day brightener every time. Thank-you notes used to be an art form, and now they’re more like rare treasures. It’s very classy to send a thank-you note for gifts you’ve received, events you’re invited to, or when a friend does something kind. Oh, and don’t forget, if you’re on the job hunt, make sure you send thank-you notes to the people you meet at job interviews.Shop Thank You Cards »
I always thank God when I am praying for you.
- Philemon 1:4 NLT
2. Encourage one another.
It doesn’t take long to find someone hurting or going through a difficult challenge these days. Sincere, thoughtful encouragement can do wonders for both the giver and the receiver. Be extravagant with your kind words, and your relationship is likely to be blessed. With so many people needing encouragement, one thing I love to do is to post encouraging eCards on my friends’ Facebook walls that have a memorable quote or sweet sentiment. And since it feels like pretty much every day one of my friends is either having a birthday or a baby or getting married, I can always post one on their wall so they know I’m thinking of them.Send a Free eCard »
Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
- I Thessalonians 5:11 NKJV
3. Trust God for and with one another.
Apart from Jesus, there’s no hope. He’s the light for every tough situation. There are many greeting cards out there that point people to inner strength or will power. But the richest gift you can give a friend is to believe in the real source of hope.
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.
- Hebrews 6:19 NIV
4. Love one another (and that includes strangers).
Some of the most impactful cards I’ve received have been from completely unexpected places - or people. Don’t underestimate the power of thanking the mail carrier, encouraging a pastor or worship leader, or remembering the birthday of a coworker.
Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
- Proverbs 16:24 NLT
5. Honor one another.
Honor is to see the value in a person and call it out. Every time I send a card to my 88 year old grandmother, I’m sure to get a phone call or handwritten note right back. I can tell she’s been encouraged and feels remembered - and that blesses my heart, too. Think of someone you can honor by spending a little time writing down what you admire and see in them that they may not be aware of.
Honor Christ and put others first.
- Ephesians 5:21 CEV
6. There’s a time to cry, and a time for celebration.
I lost a close loved one recently. Every card, hug and casserole was a little reminder saying, “I know I can’t fix this – but I’m with you. You’re not alone.” I also still have the “Congratulations!” card for the day I got my braces off (in 1989). We’re never limited by why to remind someone we love them - so think outside the box (unless you’re using DaySpring boxed cards)!
Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
- Romans 12:15 NKJV
7. Build one another up.
Sticks and stones break bones, and words do hurt - but they can also heal, strengthen, grow, encourage, and help. Let’s face it, some people are just better at words than others, but the beauty of greeting cards is that many times they say what our hearts were trying to communicate that we couldn’t come up with on our own. Then on top of that, every word you write from the heart is a genuine blessing that has tremendous meaning and can build someone up.
But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith.
- Jude 1:20-21 NLT
8. Pray for one another.
When I send a card to someone, I pray for them as I drop it in the mailbox. You never know how your kindness and thoughtfulness will bless someone’s day on the other end of the mailbox. There’s so much power in believing God - together - for what He can and will do.
If two of you on earth agree about something and pray for it, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven.
- Matthew 18:19 NCV
9. Keep the preaching to the pulpit.
There’s a time and a place for heart to heart talks - but the most effective letters, notes, and greeting cards usually reflect the gentleness and generous heart of Jesus. It doesn’t have to be crafty or serious. It can be silly, short, sweet, rhymed or prose. Just let yourself be yourself, and your genuine caring will shine through.
And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted.
- Ephesians 4:32 AMP
10. Be Jesus to one another.
You can ask “What would Jesus do” in any situation - but it might be more effective to ask Jesus what He is doing. I can want to show love to someone, but in the end, only the Holy Spirit can give me the insight I need in order to meet the needs of my loved ones. I always pray before I write a note in a card to someone, and I ask the Holy Spirit for a scripture or word of truth for them.
Pray for everyone. Ask God to help and bless them all, and tell God how thankful you are for each of them.
- I Timothy 2:1 CEV
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
I am participating . . .
Fall is here and along with pumpkin spice everything is our latest (in)courage book selection! Grab a cup of coffee (or tea, or apple cider, or whatever gives you all the warm fuzzies) and join us for a book club like you’ve never experienced!
This study includes a few firsts for us, including weekly opportunities for you to connect live with the author and with one another! Without further ado, we invite you and all your girlfriends to join us
October 6 – November 5th as we read Emily P. Freeman’s amazing new book, Simply Tuesday: Small Moment Living in a Fast-Moving World.
Buy your copy of “Simply Tuesday” here, or head over to Emily’s site to learn more!
HOW TO JOIN US
Taking part in an {in}courage book club is as easy as 1, 2, 3:
1. Pick up a copy of “Simply Tuesday” as soon as possible
2. Read at our pace (schedule below) or complete the book at your convenience. New blog posts (and some other special things!) will be published each Tuesday and Thursday during the duration of the study. When you subscribe to the book club you won’t even worry about forgetting-we’ll send you email reminders!
3. Share your thoughts in the blog post comments, in the Facebook group, or on social media (just tag @incourage, #simplytuesday and #inbooks)
1. Pick up a copy of “Simply Tuesday” as soon as possible
2. Read at our pace (schedule below) or complete the book at your convenience. New blog posts (and some other special things!) will be published each Tuesday and Thursday during the duration of the study. When you subscribe to the book club you won’t even worry about forgetting-we’ll send you email reminders!
3. Share your thoughts in the blog post comments, in the Facebook group, or on social media (just tag @incourage, #simplytuesday and #inbooks)
Simply Tuesday content will always be available on the book club page, enabling you to watch videos and read the posts anytime, even if you begin the study after our official start date. No “fear of missing out” around here – you can come & go as it works for you or your small group!
SCHEDULE
Instead of focusing on specific chapters, we’re going to chat with Emily about some of the specific themes she covers in the five sections of “Simply Tuesday.” It’s our hope that this book club would embrace the “small moment living” of Emily’s book, with less hustle and more heart. We’ll give you more fun updates next week on exactly HOW we’re going to have those conversations, but for now here’s when we’ll be chatting about each section:
- October 6th – Part 1: Discovering our Tuesday Home (chapters 1-3)
- October 13th – Part 2: Embracing our Tuesday Work (chapters 4-6)
- October 20th – Part 3: Finding our Tuesday People (chapters 7-9)
- October 27th – Part 4: Accepting our Tuesday Soul (chapters 10-12)
- November 3rd – Part 5: Seeing beyond Tuesday (chapters 13-15)
Be sure to order your book now so you’ll receive it in time to get started. Also, why not invite a friend to join you (and us)? We’re convinced more IS merrier (and we might even have a giveaway for those of you who gather in real life with friends to do the study!)
We’re eager for how the Lord is going to use this study to help us savor small moment living – we know you won’t be the same by the time we turn the last page.
Sign up today…and check back next Tuesday when we share more about what will make this a book club like you’ve never experienced!
Maria's Thoughts . . .
I had to share with you one of Kristen's launch teamers. I loved it!
Here is what she had to say about Kristen's new book . . .
You could probably hear my squeal of delight for miles around when I got the news about being selected to join Girl Meets Change Launch Team! Was over the moon, thrilled to bits, over the opportunity to give back to Kristen Strong for the times her words brought me joy, encouragement, lessons, inspiration and laughter. Oh, and just think, how many more people will now hear about and be blessed by her first book. Pure bliss I tell you.
I couldn’t wait till today, launch day, to tell you all about this practical, uplifting book. Because change affects us all.
Because sometimes change takes us by storm. Sometimes by surprise. Often it takes us to hard, painful places marked by grief, loneliness or confusion. Wherever change takes you, from pink slips to divorce papers; negative pregnancy tests to positive cancer diagnosis, Girl Meets Change will guide you through acknowledging, accepting, then adapting till you reach the point where thriving becomes your faith-full destin(y)nation. Not in spite of change, but because of it.
If you were sitting next to me while I read the book, you’d hear a lot of “wow!” in between tears from triumphant, touching stories or sweet reminders of the everlasting, unchanging love of my heavenly Father who is always for me. While I took 21 pages of notes!
Because of this transforming book, I will never see limitations in the same way – or the word “bravo.” I picked up what a God-timistic attitude looks like and the gift of dropping expectations. I see windowless rooms – real and figurative – in a whole new light. Above all was grasping how God uses change and loss as stepping stones to the next best thing He has in store for me. That change is not in the way of God’s plan for us but on the way.
This book is filled with a wealth of hope-filled, encouraging truths you’ll want to hang on to and hold dear. Delivered with a warm, me-too and not you-do style. Reading Girl Meets Change was like sitting in a comfy couch having a conversation with Kristen over dessert and our favorite warm beverage. While we chat like long-time friends, she shares her own struggles and stories, loops them together with stories from other’s experiences, stories from the Bible, and God’s Word, to richly resonate like a beautifully orchestrated symphony of words to live by. Then we wrap up each chapter-visit with the powerful prayer that completes the chapter.
Do I recommend Girl Meets Change? Yes, oh yes! With all my heart. I believe Kristen’s first book will quickly become a best-seller that will spark a movement where we embrace change, with all the blessings we find in it, to bless others. Where the change that comes to us changes us to change the world. For the better.
I’m also happy to announce the Girl Meets Change landing page is all set up to welcome you with more about the book, testimonials, gorgeous graphics and click to tweets to inspire and share.
More great news: if you purchase Girl Meets Change today through the end of the month you will receive the companion guide absolutely FREE! So, pick up your copy today and be doubly blessed ASAP!
Oh, and one more thing, you gotta check out this most fun, creative, helpful quiz ever which includes a outcome-tailored excerpt after completion. You may even want to take it before you start reading and again when once you’re done.
The more I read about this book, the more excited I get to read it! I so hope you come join me on this journey to change. If you are coming along, please add a comment below and let me know.
Christina
Excited . . .
I am so EXCITED to be back on my blog. I have missed sharing with everyone. It seems like my heartfelt intentions last year did not go as planned. A lot of changes have taken place in my life and so many things that I don't understand the why's ?
I use to want to know all the answers, but as I get older I just want to live in a knowing of trust with the one who died for me . . . a peace that passes all understanding.
So here I am to begin again once more.
Now mind you choosing a book club selection is very difficult for me. You have NO idea! The thought of me having to narrow down to just one book. It is quite mind-blowing to say the least! I love to read. You should see my nightstand, there is never just one book on it at any given time, and there are so many great books out there just waiting to be read.
When I am at the boo store, sometimes I think the books are screaming, "PLEASE, PICK ME!"
But as I was searching around for choices I come across something that one of my favorite authors, Jennifer Dukes Lee, wrote and it so changed the way I see what I have been going through. It was also her invitation about a great book she had been reading. I would love to share this with you as an excerpt to My1st official Book Club for 2015
Tuesday 22nd September 2015
If Life Has Thrown You a Curveball, Read This. (#TellHisStory)
“Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love.” Ephesians 1:4 (The Message)
Even in the midst of the mess, you are still a masterpiece. You are still the focus of His love.
There are two guarantees in life:
It means that the biggest changes in our lives are windows through which we can see God revealing His great glory. Underneath the mess, the masterpiece remains. He’s turning you around. Just watch, and behold the beauty.
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