1 More Day until the 365 Day Reading Starts :)

Hi, friends :) Stretch your eyes, your fingers, and you brain because tomorrow starts day 1 of the 365 Day Reading through the Bible Challenge.

I've already talked about this last night, but I wanted to mention a few things again.

• This isn't something you have to sign up for. Commenting isn't required but OH so appreciated.
• You can choose any year old reading list you want. I'm going with the one found HERE-- BIBLEGATEWAY.
• You can read any version you want. I'm going with the NLT because I can understand it more
• On the last day of every month, I'm giving away a prize. The task or question to be considered for the prize will be something related to the reading... so even though you don't 'have' to keep up or check in, your chances of winning a prize increases if you do (I'm so mean ;) )
• Join any time. If you don't find this until May, go with us. It's better to read some of the Bible than none at all.
• Regular 365 Contributors will still post on their days. :)
• Pray for me... I've done this once (well, blogging every day) and it's not easy. 
• Pray for yourself as you go on this ride with me. It's going to be a commitment :)

For the original post, CLICK HERE.

AND I'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW FOR DAY ONE!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

The Bible in.. 365 Days :)

I wish I had more time to 'promote' this idea, but it just came to me tonight after praying what God wanted this Blog to do in the new year.

It's called 'Encourage 365' after all, but I haven't been good on the '365' part any more.

I had a plan. God had another for 2013... and I'm SOOO excited about it!!

COMMITMENT is my 'One Word' for 2013 and now I know why.

I've read the Bible all the way through before in the B90 program. I've been a mentor twice and have loved it! I think the Bible in 90 days is a great program, but I'm ready to try something else. Something slower...

And I found the 365-Day Reading Plan...

It dawned on me that 365 reading plan... 365 blog... PERFECT!!!

The best part, for you, is that you don't have to sign up, don't have to check in, don't have to do everyday if you don't want (I'd welcome it, though. It would make me happy if you decided to commit to reading the plan every day, but I'm not going to keep up with it or anything like we did in B90).  

Here's the plan for 2013:

• Daily devotionals by me over the daily reading (with questions, tidbits I've learned, etc)
• At the end of the month, we'll have a giveaway to keep us going and our spirits high :) The task to win the prize will be Bible related and about the verses we've read during the month. On January 31st, I'll giveaway a free ebook copy of CROSSING THE DEEP (my YA/Christian novel) and a $5 Amazon Gift Card. If you'd like to sponsor a end of month giveaway, please email me at kellymartin215 yahoo... It would be a big blessing.
• I'd love love LOVE a lot of participation in this. I think it'll be fun to discuss these verses and what they mean to us (especially the law books ;) My favorite ones!)
• Encourage 365 monthly contributors are more than welcome to blog alone with this plan on their day. However, if you want to do a totally different post, that's perfectly fine. I truly appreciate all of you who write for this blog! :)

I know this is short notice being as it's already almost the last day of the year, but I'm very excited about this.  *happy dance*

Will you join me? I'm going to use THIS reading plan from BibleGateway.com to do it. It'll be easier on you that way as well. Every day, you can just click on the verses and read on the computer if you want or read your personal Bible like I plan on doing.

Folks, I'm excited about this. Leave a comment if it's something you'll consider doing with me :)

~Kelly

site owner, writer, blogger, big dreamer... 

Are You Prepared? by Mike R.

A voice is shouting  in the wilderness,

'Prepare the way for the Lord,

    make straight paths for him. 

Every valley shall be filled in,

    every mountain and hill made low.

The crooked roads shall become straight,

    the rough ways smooth.

And all people will see God’s salvation.'

Luke 3: 4-6

     Are you prepared? Are you prepared to welcome Jesus? With this Advent season that has come  and gone, it was so  hard to make time to become prepared. Christmas decided to come early this year. It decided to give us one day to celebrate the fourth week of Advent. I think it is save to say, Advent zoomed right past us.

We heard this message from John two weekends ago, with a voice shouting in the wilderness. In this passage John is telling us to be prepared. We are to prepare the way for the Lord. Now, John, isn't talking physically. He is talking about us and our lives.

He wants us to be prepared for the coming of Jesus. He wants everyone to be ready for when the Lord comes and so he does this by shouting to the people. Now, John didn't own land. He would have travelled to many different places. John was from the tribe of Levi. And so he was out there proclaiming to the people what God had filled him with.  

     Most of us have heard about John the Baptist ever since we were little children. Some people don't connect that John and Jesus are cousins. Mary and Elizabeth are cousins- Making Jesus and John second cousins. I don't know why, but I have always found it hard to teach little children on John The Baptist. I haven't found cool techniques that will help them remember him.  And plus the bible doesn't give us very much about him.

     According to this passage, John is telling us to make hills flat and path ways straight. So what does this mean for us? For us this means that we must forgive. We must lower the hills of pain, and evilness within us  by forgiving. We must forgive others, and let go of the grudges. has hard has it is to really forgive on the inside; We must to be prepared.   We are told to make straight the paths. The paths to our hearts. The path in which Mary and Joseph will travel into our heart and there Mary will bare her child.

At this time of year it will be easy to be greedy; and yes it will be easy to have pride; and yes it will be easy to want everything that anything. Yes it will be easy to envy what others get and what your don't. But really all we should be wanting is to receive Jesus Into our hearts this Christmas.

This Christmas we should seek God in everything we do, and in every moment of everyday. And a way we can seek God is through prayer. In dropping all our envy and pride, we unite our body, heart, soul, and mind together to seek God.  Every time we seek God, we build up room for him. Where? In our precious hearts. We begin to build a space that perfect for a new born king.

United together has seekers of God, and filled with his holy spirit we begin to form a community. We begin to form a church. We begin to build up Gods holy and ever living building here on earth, other known as the church. 

Jesus wants us to be prepared. He wants a comfortable and everlasting place to dwell within. And that place is YOU! He wants a place where he can live and be in. He wants a place where the hills are low, the path is straight, and the valleys are filled in. We must forgive others and humble ourselves and welcome Jesus.

As we draw closer and closer, and now counting the hours till Christmas, let us reflect on how well we are prepared for Jesus. How well have we forgiven. How much have we seeked the face of God in everything we do. 

HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

Your 'ONE' word for 2013

Lots of bloggers have been writing about their/your 'word' for the year. Basically, your word is kinda like your mission statement for the year. Last year, my word was 'LOVE'.

Looking back, I can see how 'LOVE' fit into the year. I wrote 3 'romance'/Inspirational/Christian books (one is out, 2 more are coming out next year from Astraea Press... YIPPEE!!!!). And yesterday while looking at my husband while we were going Christmas shopping, I do believe I 'LOVE' him more than I did 9 1/2 years ago when I married him (and I thought it was a lot back then lol).

To have a 'WORD', you need to get rid of a negative word. To be honest, I don't remember what my negative word was last year (see how well I threw it away), but I know what my throw away word is this year.... CAN'T.

As in...

• "I can't write that book!"
• "I can't read the bible in 90 days."
• "I can't write a bible study."
• "I can't be a good mama/wife/etc."

Of all the negative words, CAN'T is by far one of my worst (I talked to my editor about it yesterday. I think it's a 'writer' thing lol, but I know it goes with all other aspects of my life.)

What negative word are you throwing away? What will be your one word mission statement for the year? Pray about it and let God show you the word you need to work on.

When you receive your word, head over to ONLY A BREATH, and Melanie will make you a blog button for free! (how awesome is that!!!!!)

So.... what's my word for the year? 

This word popped into my mind right away.

It's something I honestly struggle with...

I always want to quit (I don't normally, but it does take a lot of effort not too...)

My one word for 2013 is....

What's yours?

~Kelly

(This is also posted on my other blog: www.kellymartinstories.com)

Email Address Change

A few months ago, my ohthatmomagain email got hacked. It hasn't been right since. I get emails, but when I reply they don't either get back to people or I don't get their reply.

I've lost quite a few devotional blogs that way because it looks like I'm ignoring you, but I'm not. It's my email. 

From now on, if you need to reach me, if you'd like to have your blog listed in the directory, if you'd like to guest post, if you have a prayer request... please email me at kellymartin215 yahoo (you know the dot com and at part... I don't want to get hacked again by putting it on there).

If you've tried to get your blog added to the directory, please email me again at the new address. I want to add new ones :) :)

Also, I have some spots open for regular monthly contributors. If anyone is interested, please send me a line.

~Kelly

Were I One of the Wise Men by Suzanne Harden

The Three Wise Men Follow The Star of Christ

 WERE I ONE OF THE WISE MEN

Were I one the Wise Men that came from afar

Seeking for Christ in the Heavenly Star

My finest riches I would bring

To lay before the Lord, my King.

I would sacrifice my life

To give my priceless gifts to Christ.

I would travel many miles

Through endless storms and fiery trials;

Face many dangers, toiling hard

Just to give my gifts to God.

Over mountains I would climb

Falling down time after time,

But getting up and moving on;

The journey would seem ever long;

But always there to lead and guide,

The Star of Christ up in the sky.

O always to rejoice the heart,

The Star of Christ to light the dark.

Were I one of the Wise Men that journeyed far

That never took their eyes from the Star--

When tempted to trade their gifts for sin,

They never took their eyes from Him--

And if their journey took many years

They never gave up through doubts and fears,

They clung to God’s promise revealed in the Star,

To their love for Christ, the King of their heart.

They clung to their hope in Christ their Dream;

Someday to Him their gifts they would bring.

Someday at last they would find the place

Where they would see Jesus face to face.

Adoration of the Magi by Gentile da Fabriano

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the priceless gift of Your Son Jesus Christ, our Redeemer.
Please give us the undivided hearts of passionate love for our Savior that the Magi Kings displayed for Christ when they left all to follow His Star to give Him their precious treasures. These foreign kings were more devoted to the promises prophesied in Your word than were some of Your own people.
The passage of two thousand years has not tarnished their example of faith and love for You. May You give us such hearts to serve You in passionate commitment, come what may on on our own journey to meet You someday face to face. Thank You, Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen.

 "Were I One Of The Wise Men"  Copyright 2012 Suzanne Davis Harden All Rights Reserved. 

Unto The Least Of These

No Offense Taken-- By Jan Christiansen

Yesterday I attended a Christmas luncheon. The hostess and I have been good friends for several years, but this was the first time I’ve ever been to her home. It’s beautiful. Small and cozy and beautifully decorated - even more so because of all the Christmas decorations gracing each room.  I was admiring them when I spotted the stocking I had given her for Christmas last year. Now, this isn’t just any Christmas stocking. You see, my friend loves the color purple. She wears it all the time. Clothing, shoes, jewelry, handbags. Even her cell phone is purple! She decorates her house with tasteful splashes of purple and I bet she would even drive a purple car if she could found one in just the right shade.

So, when I spied this 4 foot purple stocking hanging in the store last year, I knew she would love it. It’s ornate, it’s plush, it’s luxurious, it’s purple!

And there it was, yesterday, hanging predominately on the kitchen wall under a delicate spray of lilacs.

Warmth flooded my heart. She really did love it.

“Oh, you have your purple stocking out,” I said, casually.

She paused to look at it for a second and then said, “Yes, it’s so imposing, but one of my kids bought it for me a few years ago, so I feel obligated to put it out.”

It was all I could do to keep from laughing out loud. Instead, I just nodded with heart-felt understanding. Not about feeling obligated to display gifts that others have bought, but because I understood perfectly those moments when your memory takes a holiday. I have them all the time.

Years ago I might have been offended that my good friend forgot in just 12 short months that I had given her the ultimate Christmas stocking. Back then I was very easily offended. I had a chip on my shoulder and assumed that people didn’t really like me, so I looked for some hidden meaning behind their comments. I was ready to argue at the drop of a hat, quick with a snarky comment of my own and a pro at holding grudges.

Thank God for the life-changing experience of salvation through Jesus Christ! Since the day I invited Jesus to be the Lord of my life, God has been systematically changing my character. Some things fell away quickly, some things took a little longer and some things He’s still working on, but I am a different person today than I was way back then. God’s transforming power and 1 Corinthians 13:5 have taught me that love – real love,  is not easily angered (or offended).

That’s been one of my guiding verses for years – love is not easily offended.  I’ve come to the place where someone has to go a long way in order to offend me. And my life is so much better for just this simple change.

How about you? Are you easily offended? Do you tend to read things into what your friends say? Do you mull them over in your mind until you’re all worked up?

Do yourself a favor and ask God to change that part of your character. Life is so much more pleasant when you can laugh at what once would have offended you.

Jan blogs at  She Fancied Herself a Writer and Fellowship of Christian Bloggers among other places.

Short, Sweet, and Simple by Jan Christiansen

Short, Sweet & Simple

“Do to others as you would like them to do to you.” Luke 6:31 NLT

What a short, sweet and simple verse.

Look at life through the eyes of a troubled friend and think...”What would I like people to do for me if I were in that situation?” and then do it.

Yes, there are some things that you can’t do, like pay off all their bills, restore their health or un-break their heart, but there’s always something comforting we can do.

I really wanted to list a bunch of simple, loving things we can do for those who are down, but every time I start it, I delete it. Perhaps the Lord wants to whisper some things to you Himself when you are wondering what to do for your friends or maybe He already has...just do what you would want them to do for you in the same circumstances.

What to Do When You Are Angry by Wendy Van Eyck

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-25 (NIV)

 

Someone made me so angry today that I just wanted to fight.

 

I wanted to shout angry mean words at them. And tell them how I felt.

 

But then I remembered that isn’t what Jesus would do.

 

It’s not that Jesus didn’t get angry. He did. It’s that when he did, he allowed the Holy Spirit to take the lead.

 

Jesus allowed his own passions and desires to take second place to what the Holy Spirit wanted.

 

And as Jesus did that, as he allowed love to replace hate, joy to replace sorrow, peace to replace irritation and patience to replace annoyance he made people want a relationship with him.

 

So often we allow anger to destroy our relationships. We speak too quickly, and we do not take the time to ask the Holy Spirit to replace our negative feelings with his passions and desires.

 

It is difficult in the heat of the moment to stop and pray - harder still to share love, joy and peace instead of a piece of your mind – but it’s possible.

 

Today someone made me so angry that I just wanted to fight.

 

Instead I prayed that the Holy Spirit would take all the anger and pain and hurt and replace it with his passions and desires, I prayed that God would show me how to act in love, joy, peace and patience. I prayed that he would help to preserve the relationship that my anger tried to destroy.

 

If you are feeling angry with someone right now pray that the Holy Spirit will come and exchange your passions and desires with his.

 

Did you enjoy this? Wendy shares devotionals every Monday and Thursday over at ilovedevotionals.com You can also connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

Yes, He Does by Rebecca Aarup

Yes, He Does

“[Jesus] became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood.” John 1:14 (MSG)

It was God who made the first move, not me, not you, not mankind. Just like He did in the Garden of Eden as God Himself walked through the thick brush of foliage to find His children. “Where are you, my son, Adam? Where are you my daughter, Eve?” God made the first move to seek out His beloved while at the same time His beloved were running the other way.

Jesus became flesh, He became human not only to save the world from sin, but to show us that He does care, He does understand, He does empathize.

Imagine being the King of all kings and coming down to this sinful planet, all the riches of the world at your disposal and yet you are essentially homeless. You choose a life of servant humility so no one can say you don’t understand. Of course He understands. He felt loneliness, injustice, persecution, rejection, loss, and grief. He knows, He hears, He cares, and He understands. Yes, He does. He lived it, walked it, breathed it, and yet persevered without doubt. He knew His heavenly Father was always moving toward Him and us. He demonstrated that truth through His life, by coming to us as flesh and blood, walking among us, serving us, and loving us, and finally, dying for us.

“We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to Him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.” Hebrews 4:15-16 (MSG)

Hunched over the toilet, tears streaming down my face, uncontrollable wretching—probably the worst physical reaction I have ever had to stress. I found myself on my knees in the bathroom asking God if he really understood. “Really, God? Really? You’re up there, you can do whatever you want, and yet you allow this…this nonsense. Do you even know what I’m going through?”

In one day I had lost a beloved pet of nearly twelve years, quite unexpectedly. My five-year old wept, unable to comprehend why her beloved kitty was not coming home--how she was fine one day and just—gone—the next. And just moments before finding out about my cat, we received notice of a lawsuit against us; a dispute with a previous landlord that had been ongoing for over a year. They had summoned us to court by sending the order to a previous address (an action that is legal in my state), despite having our new address, so we were unaware of the order to appear in court. They sued us for damages well documented on our move-in sheet (in other words, the damages were there before we moved in). This lawsuit, barring a miracle, will ruin us financially (not that we were doing that well to begin with!)  Just when our family was beginning to recover from a financially difficult year, a bombshell blows. Unable to find work, the burden rests on my unbelieving husband. He asks me why my God would allow such unfairness to continue in our lives and I had no good answers.

But then…

As the pastor preached on John 1, he prayed that our eyes would be newly opened to truth despite the familiarity of the passage. Surely God moved toward me in that moment and revealed Himself again. He didn’t change my circumstances, but He did allow me to accept them rather than fight them.

Something awaits me in this mess. I don’t know what, exactly, but I know God is not sitting “up there” with His arms crossed, laughing His head off at our plight. Probably a thousand different reasons could be drawn up as to why this is all happening once again around Christmas (which seems to be a theme in my family—December disasters is how my husband refers to it.) But one thing was certain to me as I listened to my pastor, God is here, He is moving toward me. Toward me? I am overwhelmed with mercy and grace. All of a sudden I don’t need to know the why, how, or what. God ordains my steps, and now I ask Him, “Where do I go now? What is my next move? Give me wisdom to know and faith to believe you’re in control.”  

He doesn’t want us to toss aside our pain as if it doesn’t compare to what He did for us, He is not trying to give us some divine guilt trip. Instead, He offers His presence among us to comfort and heal us. We learn faith as we experience these things. It hurts and that is ok. He knows and He pursues us in our grief. I can almost hear Him saying the same thing to me as He did to Adam and Eve, “Child, where are you? I am here, I want to help you. Come to Me; rest in Me; find peace in Me. I understand, yes, I do.”

Sincerely,  

Rebecca Aarup 

Staff Writer with The Christian Online Magazine

The Word: Six Lessons from Psalm 119 now available on Amazon!

For Free Bible Study/Devotional Resources for Individual or Group Use Visit: www.servantsisters.org

25 Days of Christmas Songs-- Joy to the World

Happy Sunday!! Today's song to get you (and me) in the holiday spirit is 'Joy to the World' by Third Day (there will be a lot of Third Day this week... LOVE THEM :) )

(video by beanscot. Music copyrighted by Third Day. Can be bought HERE)

~Kelly 

25 Days of Christmas Songs :) Dec. 1st-- ONE KING

I did this last year and thought I'd do it again. 25 Days of Christmas songs to get you all into the Christmas spirit (because, frankly I need it. I'm still in October mode...)

Our first song is: One King by Point of Grace... LOVE this song!!

(by Bob4God on youtube... song copyright Point of Grace... you can buy it on iTunes HERE )

~Kelly

How to Stay out of trouble...

What do the rich and the poor have in common?

The Word-- by Rebecca Aarup

Big News, Friends. Our Regular Contributor, Rebecca Aarup (www.rebeccaaarup.com), has a new bible study out!! I know it's on Amazon (because I just bought it ;) ). Not sure about other vendors, but you can get it in paperback through Amazon. 

Can't wait to get it!

So proud of you, Rebecca!!!

~Kelly

The Thanksgiving Journal by Suzanne Harden

The Thankful Journal

The Strongs Concordance entry for the word "THANKFUL" in the Bible
has several definitions worth meditating on as one studies God’s word and its many exhortations to us to be thankful.

·      Thankful in one sense in the bible means literally to hold out the hand;

·      Thankful can also mean to (physically) throw something like a stone or an arrow

·      Thankful also means to revere or worship with extended hands;

·      Another meaning is to praise and give thanks.

Thankfulness is giving to God something of ourselves; hence, the sense of throwing a stone or arrow-aiming our specific praises at the One who has given us so much, rather then just being vague in our praise and worship.

In this sense we are telling God why we are thankful. Each stone we cast, each arrow is a gift of praise from our lips to our God who has given us such wonderful things to enjoy.

These stones, these arrows of praise are aimed directly to God Most High.

If our thoughts are wandering in worship these stones or arrows of praise and thanksgiving we are casting up to our God are not going to Him at all.

Our lips are out of sync with our heart and thoughts.

Jesus says quoting Isaiah, "This people draw near to Me with their lips but their hearts are far from Me." Matthew 15:8

God desires that we be purposeful in our praise, worship, and thanksgiving.
“And when you make an offering of praise to the Lord, make it in a way which is pleasing to Him.” Leviticus 22:29

 St. Paul in Ephesians 5:10 admonishes us to, “Carefully determine what pleases the Lord.”

It is not only important to thank God but also to tell Him why we are thankful every day. Rehearsing our blessings from God focuses our minds on positive things and gets our minds off our needs. One of the best ways to begin this practice is to start a “Thankful Journal.”

A Thankful Journal helps us to record the specific ways God has blessed us each day and gives us opportunities to express our gratitude to Him for those blessings. We can LET these expressions be our arrows, our pebbles that we cast up to God.

Gratitude will bless us in many ways. Ephesians 5:20 admonishes us to “give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Gratitude awakens humility in the soul. A grateful heart is a humble heart.

Another benefit of keeping a Thankful Journal is that whenever we feel discouraged we can read over the times when God has blessed us or has come through for us, rehearsing the victories in our life. It will remind us that He is ever faithful to keep His word and that He will come through for us again no matter what the present circumstances are. “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits” Psalm 103:2

"And be ye thankful." A heart of gratitude toward God is a heart that loves God.

There is a passage in 2 Timothy that makes me shudder every time I read it.
“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Ingratitude is a defining hallmark of people living in the last days. It goes about wearing the face of dissatisfaction in the person who practices it. People will be dissatisfied with what they have and always craving after what they think is better.  They may be dissatisfied with their body, their gender, talents, mental abilities, health, social status, their house, job, their spouse, their kids, parents, education…The list is endless of things people can find fault with in their lives! People who are habitually negative and critical, though they achieve the things they imagine will satisfy them, will still find something to complain about no matter what quality of life they attain. For ingratitude is a soul sickness and one who practices it will never be satisfied with whatever they achieve or are given.

St. Paul warns us, “Be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”

So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear.” ~Hebrews 13:5-6

 My earnest prayer day and night is that the sin of ingratitude will not define me. But the sad fact is, when we focus on our needs and wants and never take time to reflect on the blessings God has already given us, Paul accurately portrays what we can become apart taking the time and effort to thank God daily. For how easily we can descend into the muck of the flesh without hearkening to the Holy Spirit within us.

Gratitude helps us to focus on the positive and transforms our attitude the more we practice it into a heart of humility. God draws close to the humble, but the proud He knows afar off. To know God better, we must begin to thank Him!

To become more like Christ, we must practice the habit of thanking God in all things even as Christ Himself did. In the Upper Room at the Last Supper on the eve of His crucifixion our Lord gave thanks to His Heavenly Father as He broke the bread that symbolized His body that He would give for the life of the world. Though His heart was troubled and His betrayer was in the room, still our Lord gave thanks to God.

Likewise, even when our circumstances are not ideal, even when we are going through terrible trials may we be like our Lord Jesus who still gave thanks and praise to God. The bible says that Jesus even sang a hymn after the Last Supper. (Matthew 26:26-30)

Keeping a Thanksgiving Journal will help us to focus on our blessings rather than our needs; it will help us to set aside a special time for giving thanks to God daily, and will teach us to make gratitude a habit. Thanksgiving will indeed renew our minds into the image of our Creator as we practice it daily, drawing us ever closer to His heart of love.

Lord, we love You! Thank You for giving us Yourself! Help us today to give thanks to You and praise Your name. For You, Oh LORD are good. Your unfailing love continues forever, and Your faithfulness continues to each generation. (Psalm 100:4-5)

“The Thankful Journal” Copyright © 2012 Suzanne Davis Harden All Rights Reserved. Unto The Least of These

Trusting God by Jan Christiansen

While driving into work this morning a song played over the radio caught my attention. Its lyrics captured perfectly what I’ve been feeling for the last couple of days.

On Friday, I turned in my notice at work. The job just wasn’t working out for me in many ways. I have two weeks more to work and then what? That’s been the question on my mind. Scramble for another job? Figure out a way to work from home? What does God want? Is it the same thing I want? How will I know?

Then this song…You’re Already There played.  It talks about us trying to figure out the future and how it’s all going to work out. Then reassures us that God sees the big picture and when it comes to our future, He’s already there. He sees the grand design and is orchestrating your steps. To Him our future is history because He’s already there, at the end of our lives, waiting to welcome us with open arms. And maybe, just maybe we’ll get a chance to look back over our lives and see that His hand was guiding our footsteps all the time.

So, what does it say about us when we wonder, worry or fret over our future? Over our next step?

To me it’s clear…it means I am not trusting God to care for me, to lead me, to provide whatever I need. It means that if I don’t feel in control of things, I’m off kilter, but the opposite should be true. When I’m controlling things, the potential for disaster is looming just ahead and when I’m trusting God, my future is secure.

Sure that means that God may allow some things to come into my life that are difficult or even painful, but never without purpose. His intention is to mold and shape us into the image of Jesus Christ, which means for me, at least, He has a monumental job ahead of Him. (I’m sure He can handle it, though.)

My job…if I have one, is to cooperate with Him in the changes He wants to make and to trust Him when I don’t clearly see my way ahead.

How about you? Do you have a hard time relaxing and trusting God to lead you into the future? How much planning do you think He expect from us?

Want to listen to the song? Here’s a link… He’s Already There 

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W.W.J.D? by Kathy Grisham

Do you remember a few years ago when these letters were so popular?

Everywhere you looked there they were. They were on bracelets and necklaces, on t-shirts, caps, you name it, it was there. My kids made things at VBS with WWJD? on it.

I have been reading a book called In His Steps. It is set in the 1920s.

A pastor is trying to write his sermon for the service on Sunday, but keeps getting interrupted. A man comes to his door, asking for help. The man is poor. He has lost his job, his home, his wife has died, his child is living with relatives.  He is looking for work, for help. And the pastor tells him he is sorry but he can't  help him and sends him on his way.

The next day at church, which by the way, is full of well to do, well dressed people, after the pastor has delivered his well prepared, well written sermon, the homeless man steps forward. He goes into detail about how he needed help, how his wife has died, how he has lost his job, and how he had went around town to all the good christian people asking for help and not receiving it. He said he didn't think that was the way he thought Jesus wanted Christians to act.

As the man is talking, he falls over and collapses on the floor. They all gather around him and the pastor takes him to his house. The man lingers for a few days, then dies.

The pastor feels so bad about the way he and his congregation had treated the man. But, he starts really thinking about what the man said.

So the next Sunday, he delivers his sermon. But it is with a heavy heart. He asks his congregation a favor.

He asks all who will, to join him in pledging for a year to not do anything without first asking, What Would Jesus Do?

We are talking well do to, rich people. Businessmen.Wealthy women.

As they pray they feel the spirit of God all around them. They pledge to do this for a year. No matter what God asked of them, no matter what people said about them or thought, they were to do what they felt Jesus would do.

As they start doing this, things start changing. One man is a newspaper publisher. He decides that Jesus wouldn't like or would put certain things in a newspaper. The same with ads that were in his paper. If he thought or felt  Jesus wouldn't do it, he didn't.

A young woman with a beautiful voice had an offer to sing with an opera company. But she felt Jesus would want her to use her voice in a diferent way. A travelling evangelist had set up a tent in the seedy part of town. She went and started singing at the meetings. Her voice could calm down even the most rowdy people in town.

 Things started happening in that town.

That's as far in the book as I have got.

But it got me to thinking. If we started asking that question everyday to ourselves and only doing what we felt Jesus would do, what would happen?

I would  turn my tv off. I doubt if Jesus would watch some of the things I have. Or I would at least not watch some of the shows that I do. I doubt if Jesus approves of everything I watch.

I would turn my computer off and read and study God's word. Those games I play on Facebook can wait.

I wouldn't light up another cigarette. I'm sure he wouldn't do that.

I wouldn't talk about somebody. Change that to gossip about somebody.

I would read and study the word of God more so I would know how to answer the question WWJD?

If I asked myself that question everyday, as soon as I wake everyday and all through the day, I know I would change how I do things. I would change how I act and speak.

Thank God I am a work in progress. Thank God for forgiveness and mercy and grace. I need it all the time.

Philippians 2:13.. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

1Corinthians 3:15-16.... Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others. For, Who can know the Lord's thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him? But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.

I'm going to try this. I am going to try my best to ask myself this question before I do anything. It will not be easy and I am sure there will be many failures. We live in a world that thinks they can do whatever they want. People think only of themselves. I want to not be that selfish.

I want the mind of Christ.

WWJD?

Blessings,

Kathy

You can find Kathy at her blog: Walking in Faith 4 Him

Go and Do the Same....

(From biblegateway.com)

Luke 10: 25- 42

²⁵ One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?”

²⁶ Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?”

²⁷ The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”^[c]

²⁸ “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!”

²⁹ The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

Parable of the Good Samaritan

³⁰ Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.

³¹ “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. ³² A Temple assistant^[d] walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.

³³ “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. ³⁴ Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. ³⁵ The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins,^[e] telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’

³⁶ “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked.

³⁷ The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.”

Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”

Jesus Visits Martha and Mary

³⁸ As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. ³⁹ Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”

⁴¹ But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! ⁴² There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”